Happy Thanksgiving 2024!

We were able to spend Thanksgiving at Papa and Gma's in Traverse City! Even though we had to leave on Wednesday afternoon and Ben and Luke left Friday afternoon because of SCHS basketball practice...We made it work and it was wonderful!

The first big snowflakes of the season and it was festive and beautiful!

Football with Mom!

Getting Thanksgiving ready!

We each shared what were we grateful for this Thanksgiving and thought about the difference between being thankful and being grateful. I am so grateful to have everyone around the table this year.

We love you so, SO much Mom and Dad.

Christmas came early for Papa and Gma this year!

Papa and Gma surprised the kids Friday morning and took them racecar driving!

We ate Mexican for lunch and Ben and Luke left for home. Because we were borrowing mom and dad's car (our van will be in the shop getting repainted), I was able to stay with Elle and Drew until Saturday afternoon. Yay! Friday night, us girls headed to the movies to see Wicked!

Happy Thanksgiving, family and friends!

 

Ben's Birthday! And then some.

Elle cashed in her back massage from her birthday! Good thing Sylvan's Aunt is a massage therapist because we all felt comfortable having her come to our house for Ellie. Elle is a BIG fan of massages! :)

Elle and Drew playing ball after one of Elle's league games!

Speaking of basketball...Ben ran the championship game for the Girl REBL league! Ben and Uncle Chad refed the game together.

The kids were in charge of selling tickets for the 50/50 raffle!

It was a full house cheering the girls on at McGregor El!

Rochester Community Schools gave Ben space at their board office to house all of the supplies for REBL. Check out this organization!

Elle tried out for a travel basketball team called The Compound and did not make the team. However, the coach called and invited her to participate with the team for practices. We left the decision up to her and she said yes. We are proud of her for showing up each week ready to develop as a player and work hard to earn the trust of the team. 

It is hard to not make the team and still be there to grow but Elle...Elle can do hard things!

Out to eat at Lucky's Steakhouse for Ben's big bday!!

We created a game when there were clues we had to draw and Ben had to guess what we were drawing. For example, a clue might say...Draw dad's favorite food. We would read the clue and then have to draw what we think Ben would choose and he'd have to guess the drawing. We got some good laughs out of this! A lot of laughter came from the clue...Draw Dad's favorite sport. So Luke drew all things soccer, basketball, and baseball. Seems obvious, right?! Well, the Ben says, "My favorite sport is HOCKEY." We died laughing. Out of all the sports we play in this family!! Hockey is at the bottom of the list. Oh, Ben! Good thing it's your birthday!

Ben took Luke out of school for a day to go to the Coast Guard base to attend a workshop and tour the base. Ben was in charge for the day of the high school guidance counselors from around the area to better understand the different opportunities there for students.

Luke and his friend group plan hangouts each weekend to hang. We took a turn this weekend and had everyone over. We are grateful that Luke has a kind group of friends!

Luke wrapping up his last lawn, taking care of their leaves for the season!

This angel face fell asleep in our bed with his hat on. Sweetheart.