November 2021

My view while walking from the high school to the middle school.  I love the fall colors.

November 1st, Nick got a raise at work.  He was really excited until his coworkers started giving him a bad time about it.  Thank goodness his boss helped squash that problem.  

November 5th, Avian got to go to a UNCC volleyball game with the LNC volleyball team.  It was a great experience to watch a college team play.   Jeremy was excited because he got to drive the ballymore at work. He has wanted to drive one since he was a small boy and he would see the people using one to get things off the top shelf at the hardware store.  

November 6th and 7th, Steve and Avian worked together on a custom-made knife for Avian.  It turned out really nice.  

Avian added  their own touch by carving a feather into the handle.  

November 10th was the volleyball banquet.  It was a great season and this party was the perfect way to celebrate.  Avian is already excited to try out again next year.  

Addison gave everyone a custom-made LNC fan because they are all so cool.  

November 12th we celebrated Avian's birthday as a family since their actual birthday was full of fun activities.  We had stroganoff  and then opened presents.  It was super fun surprising Avian with the Chloe Moriando sweatshirt.  I had ordered it back in August when it was first available, but I told Avian I forgot to order it just so we would have one thing that was a surprise.  It worked.  Thank goodness I really do forget to order things otherwise I don't think I could have pulled this off.  

Avian's birthday haul. 

Traditional cheesecake

Traditional candle-blowing picture

November 13th started off with marching in the Huntersville Veteran's Day Parade.  It wasn't a long parade and it was really nice weather.  

Avian, Bella, Leah, Maeve and Keagan waiting for the parade to start.  

Bella and Avian

Time to march

Avian is excited - can you tell!?

Perfect weather and gorgeous trees.  

Marching and playing in the heart of Huntersville for the judges.  

After the parade we went home and had a couple of hours before Avian's friends showed up for part one of the party.  Avian wanted to try a Rage Room.  Nothing says Sweet Sixteen like smashing things.  

Avian, Maeve (Goose), Anthony and Leah all suited up and getting some final instructions.  

They started with throwing bottles against the wall.  

That mound of plastic used to be a television.

The aftermath.  Steve had suggested that we could set up our own rage room in the garage and save a bunch of money.  It was totally worth not having to clean this up!  The kids had a great time!

Back at the house, the rest of Avian's friends came over for pizza, firepit, smores and games. It was a really fun night.  

Playing Apples to Apples.  Ryland has this thing with giving two thumbs up in all his pictures. He is really good at it (even when marching and playing the drums - watch for him in the Christmas parade pictures)

Opening presents

Keagan, Anthony, Andrew, Ryland (thumbs up), Leah, Mia, Arias and Ashley
This is really a good group of kids.  

November 14th, Ryland had extra tickets to a college performance of the musical "The Heathers".  It is one of Avian's favorite soundtracks and they were so excited when Ryland asked if they wanted to see it.  Avian came home talking about how amazing it was and they wanted to see it again.  

Avian managed to get this picture during one of their favorite songs. 

November 15th and 16th I got to help out in the 5th grade doing the chicken leg dissection lab.  It was so much fun.  The kids love seeing how all the muscles and tendons and ligaments and fascia and everything works.  The highlight of the whole thing is when I break the bone and show them the marrow inside.  Science is sooooo cool!

November 18th Jeremy earned his first star at Lowes for working so hard.  He is really loving his new job.  

November 19th we had a Relief Society activity centered around entertaining for the holidays.  We have quiet a few newly-married ladies in our ward and this is the first time they have had to play hostess.  It was fun to get everyone together and learn from the master of hosting, Carolyn Baggett.  Everything about the night was amazing.  

The Croshaw's generously volunteered their house to host the event.  Their back porch was the perfect location.  

November 25th - Thanksgiving Day!  It was a nice and relaxing day with family and friends.  We had a quiet family dinner and were joined by Shea and Ari for dessert.  

Things at work have been crazy and it was nice to have few days off to get myself back into the right mindset.  I was about the quit and let someone else take the position as I felt completely inadequate and was feeling the pressure from one co-worker, in particular, who was making it really hard to do my job properly.  Thank goodness for time and a very patient and wise husband who talked me off the ledge.  I did take the time to set up an appointment to go to the temple to help me get further clarification for what I should be doing right now.  

November 26th I started setting up for Christmas. It took me several day so the pictures are on the December blog.  

November 30th, Nick found out he doesn't have to serve jury duty.  He was so excited to have a day off to do what ever he wanted.  

Nick's diploma and picture finally arrived.  We were able to hang it on his wall!