November Adventures

Lillian was very sad once Halloween was over. So sad in fact that I felt the need to lift her spirits by teaching her about Dia de los Muertos, The Day of the Dead.  She was thrilled to have another thing to celebrate and insisted she attend preschool with her face painted.  

Her excitement got me excited and the next thing you know we found ourselves picnicking with friends and attending the Day of the Dead Procession.  It was pretty awesome!  I think we may have started a new tradition.

Other than that is was a pretty quiet month, thank goodness. We needed some rest to prepare for the craziness of December.  We did attend the Pecan Festival, one of our favorites, and had some fun roping, watching tractor pulls, and getting our face painted.

 The Boy Scouts had a tightrope set up that the girls thought was awesome.  When Freya stepped up to cross the boys began debating whether or not they should let such a tiny girl try.  She insisted she was big enough and the determined look on her face did not go unnoticed, Their leader saw her and said,"Boys, look at that determination. She is going to do this!"  She wobbled her way all the way to the end.  I was proud of her.  She is more cautious than her sister and is sometimes hesitant to try new things.

Speaking of trying new things, Josh and I were invited by some friends to do a high ropes course.  I wasn't really sure what to expect and was a little bit nervous when we got there and I saw how just how high off the ground you really are!

 One of the exercises we did involved meeting your partner half way across the beam, passing each other, and then climbing down to the swings below.

 Once on the swings you had to cross each other again before being lowered to the ground.  I was pretty shaky walking across the beam.  I had to continually remind myself that I was harnessed in and didn't need to hang on to something to walk across.  I kept having visions of myself as a 5 year old trying to walk across the top of the gate without falling so I could get the My Little Pony my dad promised me if I accomplished the task.

The next exercise was harder and required more mental strength on my part. I almost didn't do it. You had to climb the pole to the platform and then leap off and try to grab the swing in front of you.  I stood on that platform for a few seconds before I talked myself in to jumping.  Once I jumped though I was glad I did it.  It is important to push yourself.

Lillian sure pushed herself and finished the fall soccer season with her team, The Pirates.  She was fantastic! I love watching her learn team work and sportsmanship.  She improves with each season.

Of course we also spent plenty of time out with our horses. Lillian and Freya think Bachelor fell straight from Heaven.  He is very patient with them and enjoys all the extra treats he gets.

 With Grandma Jean's encouragement the girls started a new sport, hay jumping (or in Freya's case, hay sliding).  I don't really think it will catch on because it involves getting lots of hay in your crack.

Gigi is a great audience as long as the girls pass her some treats every now and then.

Now that the weather is perfect we have had several picnics up Madera Canyon. The kids enjoy their time romping in the woods and the adults enjoy good food and conversation.

This year we had a quiet Thanksgiving up at Bison Ranch near Showlow, AZ. We went for chilly walks, saw the movie Trolls, and enjoyed the company of loved ones.

I am so very thankful for my family and all of our many blessings.  We are blessed beyond belief.  I want to end with this series of photos because my girls make me smile.