Monday, November 27, 2017

Thanksgiving Break

It had been almost 10 years since we were home by the Van Grouw family
for Thanksgiving, since Steve has always coached Varsity basketball,
so this year was something different!
The weather was fantastic, everyone was healthy
and we had a great time!

beautiful sunset heading west Wednesday evening

supper in the van to get there faster

Happy Thanksgiving!

now their true personalities show :)

hanging out with cousins at the 
Post Thanksgiving supper in Sibley


lots of crafts and drawing, dolls, and games to keep them entertained

the "kid table" with Jen, Ash and cousin Missy

the "adult" table

Curt playing games with the littles

Aubrey attempting to play pool

Me and mom woke up early and left our house at 5 a.m.
to try our hand at Black Friday shopping!

our 2nd breakfast at 9:30 at Hardees

We were surprised how not busy it was in the early morning!
Rock star parking even!
(it did get busier later morning/early afternoon)

gorgeous weather!

We had the truck and the back seat filled with purchases.

Aubrey wanted to help Grandpa with chores.


relaxing with Grandma

this naughty girl went to hide upstairs under the bed to suck her thumb

Lighted Christmas parade in downtown Sioux Falls.







Every so often they would have a float with one of these on the end -
it was the basket to a hot air balloon. They would shoot the fire
to warm the crowd - quite something to see and feel the heat!



Avery was spoiled and got held by Grandpa. 

Christmas tree made out of wheel chairs - the group that Grandpa
went to Guatemala with. 


Aubrey enjoyed cousin time with Dakota. 

the girls and Weston sweeping in the feed in the free stall barn 

playing hide and seek in the round bales 


Avery got to be SO BRAVE and was carrying around 
Grandmas cats like it was no big deal!
The cats weren't even phased!


We went to the Sioux Center mall to go 
on a train ride with Weston.



Even teddy got a ride!


We went to "The Star" with Grandma, Weston, and
Aunt Jessica - cute movie! And no one even had to leave
to go potty or because they were bored!

Ash watched the kids while Mom and me shopped!
The girls had a great time - thank you!



Sunday, November 19, 2017

Late Fall things

Time to play catch-up after Mom VG wondered if our blog
was broken, since it had been a month since the last post - ha!

Aubrey had a good end to her soccer season!

good game, everyone

It was a cold end to the fall season!


Finally at the end of the season, she was clicking with her teammates
and she scored quite a few times! 
She liked to be "aggressive" and push a little, too! 



Painting pumpkins in the garage since it was COLD outside!

Aubrey's creation 


Mommy and Avery worked together.


 Avery decided to decorate her extra pumpkin with play-doh!


 setting them out on the porch is always fun

don't ask - lol!

They matched and we had time to curl hair before church
the day after Daylight Savings! 


Avery likes to sing and "play the drums" with her straws. 

Again, don't ask! 

Steve pulling the bass guitar out of storage to play in the praise band at church.

Daddy-daughter date to the musical play "Pinkalicious"

Ready for Upward Basketball evaluations. 

And...she's ready for something...

waiting excitedly for her turn 

Love the smile on her face! 

If you ask Aubrey, she thought she did FANTASTIC...

...if you ask Dad...plenty of room for lots of improvement! 

She's quite into making forts...and her white blankie is holding on by a thread! 

Aubrey's turkey writing at school! 

The girls and I set up the Christmas tree up early, 
without asking Dad :)


Aubrey's school fall program! 


The K-4 students...outgrowing the risers!