Weeks 47 & 48: Let's catch up on Thanksgiving

The highlight of Thanksgiving was visiting the Millers, who we hadn't seen in almost a year. It was a nice time to play together, stay in a hotel, swim in the pool, eat lots, and take some family photos.

Zach and his friend did a science fair project about the energy in potatoes and lemons and won 1st place!

Charlotte plays a mean game of Ticket to Ride. She totally kicked my butt.

Zach requested to go to China Buffet for his birthday. He loves shrimp and chopsticks.

Week 46: Family time

After the parade on Monday, it just got colder and colder...

Zach was sick with a stomach bug Monday night and stayed home on Tuesday. We had the usual activities through the week, and Frank took off Friday morning to meet family in Delaware for Uncle Dave's funeral. The kids and I had a busy Saturday of taking Charlotte to a birthday party, taking all of them to a Boy Scout event at the trampoline park, then an emergency trip to Target to look for gluten free cereal. (There are many options, and we finally found one she likes at Kroger.) Other activities that felt good during the cold days inside: making more banana muffins, Zach and Gabe eagerly played their new Pokemon games when they arrived on Friday, and we started a game of Monopoly that is still sitting on the living room floor.

Barb with her siblings Bob, Janet, and Bill

Family gathering at the hotel. Frank really enjoyed seeing everyone.

Weeks 43-45 and then some

The end of October is a blur. After Charlotte's endocrinologist appointment on our anniversary, she met with the gastroenterologist the next week, then had the endoscopy on the 29th. Celiac was confirmed on Halloween. There was a lot going on during those couple of weeks: school trunk-or-treat, pumpkin carving with friends, costume parade at the elementary, then a cold and rainy Halloween that we spent with friends seeing Addams Family.

No costume this year; I was able to talk him into this shirt.

She was excited to go to the hospital and didn't complain about a single thing.

Last gluten chocolate croissant from Starbucks. Hot chocolate is gluten free.

November so far: I'm ready to hibernate, but we're still pretty busy.  Cub Scout hike, repotting plants to bring inside, making gluten-free muffins (and finding all the store bought gluten-free things). Charlotte's Girl Scout troop made gift baskets for veterans in a nursing home. Frank and the boys went camping during our first really cold weekend this year, and Charlotte and I visited friends. She also spent a whole day doing crafts/artwork. Monday was the parade, where Zach carried a Boy Scout flag, Gabe rode on the Cub Scouts float, and Charlotte and I walked the parade with the Girl Scouts.

The story of Gabe's vinca needs its own post!