Halloween

We had such a fun Halloween this year!  Jack-o-lanterns, classroom parties, family, and trick or treating with friends!

One throwing up and a cute little monster

School parade

Kindergarten Party

Uncle R and Aunt C

Ava with school friends

Max, Ella, Nicholas, Ava, and Tucker

Neighbor Friends

Another Student of the Week

Ella brought home Student of the Week!!  Seriously could not be more proud of these girls!  They work hard and tackle each obstacle as they come.  With so many changes recently, earning Student of the Week so early in the year is quite the accomplishment!

Visit with Omaha Friends

 Since we had an open, long weekend in October with no other pressing things to do we decided it was time for a road trip back to Omaha!  I'm not sure who had more fun; the girls or Matt and I.  We were able to see many of our friends over the 3 days.  Lots of short but really sweet visits!  Enough to last a while longer...until our next visit :)

Friday

We started the day off with one of Ava's favorite breakfast joints: Jimmy's Egg!  So yummy!!

Matt then headed to PayPal to see some co-workers and friends.

The girls and I were able to have lunch with some of my old QLI buddies and then headed to QLI to see and hug as many of my old co-workers as possible.  I miss them so!

We then all headed to Darlene's house for some wine and catching up.  

The girls then headed out to Kenzie's house for their first play date of the weekend while Matt and I had dinner with Darlene and Parsons.

Then back to Kenzie's house to have a few drinks with her parents and catch up!  We all slept well Friday night!

Saturday

We started the day off with another Omaha fav; the Donut Professor.  I could seriously eat my weight in their donuts!!

We then headed to the zoo where I got to hang out with one of my best friends; Emily and her daughter who is really good friends with Ava.  It was a beautiful day to walk the zoo and get caught up.

We spent the evening with Ava's BFF, Claira and her family...including her new baby sister.  Ava was in heaven with Claira.  You'd have thought they'd never been apart.  And Ella (and I) soaked up some sweet baby time.

Sunday

The plan was to meet Karen and Ned and their family for brunch and then head back for home but they mentioned that they were headed to Vala's Pumpkin Patch for the day and we decided to join them.  We had a blast at one of our favorite fall traditions with one of our favorite families. 

We were exhausted but with full hearts by the time we got home Sunday evening.  But we were so grateful for our time with friends but were also glad to be home...so satisfying!

Time with New Friends

As a family we have been working hard on making new friends.  I'm learning more and more that this takes effort!  Especially when what I'm craving is close friends who really get me; not superficial friends.   

We have been blessed once again with great neighbors right across the street from us.  They are about Matt and I's age and have 2 boys 5 and 3 years old.  Shannon and I have been able to bond over Bunco nights and Parent Teacher Council.  Matt and Danny are getting to know each other; they're both a little on the quiet side but still manage to crack each other up.  And the kiddos have so much fun together.  Whether they're playing outside or pretending to a pack of dogs inside; they're always having fun.  Ella just headed right out the front door the other day and when I asked her what she thought she was doing she told me that she was headed "to her friends' house...of course!"  We had to have a little chat about that but I am so grateful!  So grateful for driveway play time and beer time, grateful for pizza dinners together and football games together, and thankful for trick or treating buddies.  I know this is just the beginning but it definitely makes us so thankful for new, sweet friends in the making.