October & November

Even though we took an impromptu little trip in October we had to come back and start embracing the holiday rush! 

October consisted of a choir concert for Cade- what a fabulous start to the year!

Carving pumpkins!

Dan

Laura

Alex

Cade

Senior Night for the Marching Band!

Cade and his good friend Mark

Halloween! Alex and his friends dressed as characters from a series called Over the Garden Wall

In November Alex kept up with his new found cake making skills and made an awesome Chocolate/Raspberry Cake for Dan's Birthday!

Speaking of Dan's Birthday, he asked me to plan a family outing- so we went to the Seattle Art Museum and then to University Ave for some of the best Thai food we've ever had. Here are some of our favorite art pieces we loved.

The main exhibit at the museum was works by and inspired by the artist of the Great Wave off Kanagawa- Hokusai. I found this area fascinating and it's hard to only pick a few to share. The process of doing these woodblock prints its just so cool. Layer by layer they come to life!

And here's the Great Wave! And another picture of what each layer looked like.

And our amazing Thai Food! Only seats a few people, they cook right in front of you, fast and fresh!

We got Pad Thai and Panang Curry, my favorite!

There was MORE marching band! I love the tradition of the team coming to the sidelines after the game while everyone sings Country Roads. This year the band learned the tune and played it instead of them playing a recording over the speakers!

Kelly and I were there through rain and cold and hot cocoa and moving drum major podiums!

I had my first assembly performance at my new elementary school for Veteran's Day! It went well!

Alex held a few bake sales- pumpkin whoopie pies, cookie cakes, snickerdoodles and pumpkin bread!

Cade participated in WIBC for the last time. This was his 3rd year being a part of WIBC and it has always been a great experience for him. This year he was able to meet Frank Ticheli and Demondre Thurman, who teaches at Indiana University where Cade is hoping to attend next year.

Dan and I got coordinating tattoos! 

They perfectly represent us and where we are in our relationship right now. We hit 20 years together on October 6th! We've had some difficulties over the last 6 years with military separations, moves, health concerns and more. We feel as though we've come out for the better on the other side- and just like our tattoos we've learned how to appreciate our stark differences and still work beautifully together. Love you Dan!

Thanksgiving was a little tricky this year because Dan had to work late the day before Thanksgiving and the boys needed to be back for a Saturday football game- but we went to Boise anyways! Loooong drive on Wednesday and left early Saturday to be back in time for the game.

The day after Thanksgiving we went to their local tree farm that had a fireworks show, a little shop, and hot cocoa! It was so cute and fun!

And where the McBrides are, games shall be also!

And because apparently Americans are crazy and start decorating for the holidays way before other countries, we went and cut down our first real tree for Christmas this season, before December! If you live locally I highly recommend Gerrit's in Rainier for your tree! Great selection, prices and they provide the tools and some hot cocoa and a warm fire when you're done.

And this all happened before the craziness that is December! Stay tuned for Christmas 2023 style!