Brooklyn and Blake's school Fall festival was at the beginning of the month. I volunteered to be on the committee and ended up being in charge of marketing and decorations. This just about did me in!! OY! We didn't have very many people to help so it was a lot of work for just a few of us to put together this event. The theme was GLOW in the DARK. I also volunteered to make glow in the dark Twister boards, which thankfully, a friend helped me with until 2am!! They turned out awesome though! I strung neon balloons with glow sticks in them (Pinterest fail, couldn't even see the glow sticks, really) across the basketball court and also set up a black light #SELFIE booth. I was zipping around all night long, making sure things were running smoothly.
I pretty much passed OUT that night and didn't wake up until like 11 the next morning. Matt had ti work Saturday, I sent him this pic when he texted to see if I was alive, haha! I need a year to recover!
Just because she's adorable ❤︎
Evening of Excellence
Time Out for Women is always uplifting and a good excuse for a girls weekend!
Gavin earned this GIANT cookie from the Primary Pres for memorizing all thirteen Articles of Faith!
Hayden snuck into Brooklyn's bed, again. Sometimes I get frustrated that she won't stay in her bed but this melts my heart! How sweet are they all snuggled up together???
Story time at the library! They made this little turkey handprint craft.
Lunch with Presti-do!
Zam-whah-ha-ha! She found this leftover mustache from Halloween!
Mary Poppins! First time at the Hale Center Theatre in Gilbert. I loved the small, intimate setting and the production was fantastic! The purchasing director at Matt's work played the role of Mr. Banks.
We had the opportunity to pack meals at Feed My Starving Children with the LeBaron family. It was such a cool experience and the perfect way to kick off Thanksgiving week.
One of my favorite school events to volunteer for, the Turkey Trot! Preston didn't want to run with me, little stink! Gav stuck with me the entire way when the 4th graders had their turn.
This year, we ran the local Turkey Waddle 5K as a family (minus little sis). Slow and steady but they all did it! One of the benefactors of this year's race was Naomi Oakes, who was on Brooklyn's dance team last year. Shockingly, she was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year and spent 5 months in the hospital receiving treatment. She just came home a couple weeks ago!
We hosted Thanksgiving dinner for Matt's family. Matt and I had a friendly little turkey competition this year! He smoked a turkey in the smoker and I brined a turkey in a bucket in our bathtub. haha I swear, my turkey was THE BEST turkey I've ever had! So moist and flavorful! I'm sold on the brining!
His vs Hers
The food spread~
The weather outside was perfect for eating our feast. I put colored pencils out and the kids drew all over the kraft paper "tablecloths."
Matt's not a pie guy so I made my very first cheesecake, a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup cheesecake! That's my signature move, trying a brand new recipe when people come over. I think it turned out pretty darn good for a cheesecake newbie!
