November 2014

November is one of my favorite months because it has one of my favorite holidays - Thanksgiving.  I love Thanksgiving as it is one of the few holidays not bombarded by commercialism.  It is all about family, food, and being grateful - to me all the most important things in life.  It is also my birthday month (and my husband's).  Birthdays always cause me some reflection on my life - a chance to see where I have been, what I am doing, and where I want to go.  November is the peace before the storm of December.

This November kept us quite busy with the kids' activities.  Chad did wrestling again and was proud to make the varisty team this year.  He was quite nervous going into the season, but once he had his first match he was ready for more.  He had a great season.  He was never pinned and only lost one match in the regular season and one match at the tournament.

Halle tried volleyball for the first time.  She made the varsity team and really put 100% effort into every practice and every game.  She learned a lot and improved a ton over the season.

Sean started participating in "Math is Cool."  It is an after school program for math teams.  He is loving the extra math instruction and homework.  He also started working on Rubik's cubes and has become quite the master.

Wrestling

Glover

Chad is ready for his first opponent of the year.

He took him down pretty quick.

Garry

Ready for another take down.

Ready to make a move - all before Grandma and Bompa make it to the match.

Northwood

This is one of my favorite pictures of Chad.  This was the one match he lost.  He fought hard the whole time and never gave up!

Great sportsmanship at the end.  Chad found out his opponent has been wrestling for 9 years (this is Chad's 3rd) and that Chad was his first opponent he didn't pin.

Volleyball

Shaw

Lining up for warm-up drills.

Ready for some bumping action.

In formation during the game.

 Chase (vs. Sac)

Halle's volleyball pose.

Eager for some action.

At the net - wanting a kill.

Glover

Ready to serve and make a point.

 Other Activities

Orchestra

The Chase Orchestra performed at River Front Square on First Night for November.

Veteran's Day

Grandpa and Nanny Hansen were special guests at the Chase Veteran's Day con at school.  Chad enjoyed eating breakfast with them.  My dad served in the Air Force.

Halle had Grandma and Bompa Caviness as her special guests for breakfast. Herm served in the Air Force National Guard. Halle also performed during the Con with the Wind Ensemble.

 Birthdays

After a long day - we finally celebrate Dad's 51st birthday.  I had my birthday a week later - but no one ever thinks to take a picture of me - oh well.

Jazz Band

The Chase Jazz Band sets up on stage at EWU for a competition.

Chad gets a little extra instruction from one of the professors who helped judge the bands.

Halle looks and listens.

Our big group.  Easiest group I ever chaperoned!

Thanksgiving was wonderful!  It was just our family along with our friend, Liz Sachse, and two of her friends, Glen and Lori.  Glen and Lori are pharmacist interns working on the reservation.  They really added a feeling of friendship and family.  We had great food, had great stories, and laughed a lot.  Glen gave Sean some pointers on the Rubik's cube and we played a killer game of Five Crowns.  It was the best Thanksgiving!