October

Hard at work

Fall landed on our front porch while it was still 90º,
but the temperature eventually caught up with the season.

Clay and I spent some time creating a lion mask
for a performance he will do with his dance class in Nov.

I worked a Friday Meals on Wheels route in a different part of town,
which put me quite close to this new market, so I had to check it out.

Ruth attended a homeschool homecoming dance
for all homeschoolers in the DFW area.

We got to spend time with family,
celebrating sweet Charlotte's first birthday.

Weston stepped in as substitute math teacher one day.

The boys read a book called The Martyr of the Catacombs for their
history class and then made clay models of the catacombs.

Clay became a master popsicle maker.

Weston and I watched a local grocery store make all the popcorn.

Max was selected to help with the pledge at Arrow.

Ruth and her besties attended the HSAA homecoming game.

Jeff and I had a date night to Lucile's during Lobstrama.

Jeff and Ruth attended an Air Force Academy information meeting
and happily shared their new-found knowledge with the rest of us.

We attended the Taste of Denton event at the Armadillo Ale Brewery.

Rain, rain, and more rain

Chicken Oil Co. is always a hit with our crew
when we're in College Station.

Ruth and Weston finished up the cross country season
with the homeschool state meet at Texas A&M.
The course was a mess, but at least it wasn't raining.
We're so proud of their hard work this season!

While we were in College Station, we met up with Jeff's
brother's family for a long-overdue visit. 

No trip to A&M would be complete without ring pictures.

Got in on the first day of early voting

Clay taught me how to play Ticket to Ride.

Ruth finished up her public speaking class.
They created vision boards on the last day.

Clay managed to lose another tooth to make himself
look like a vampire just in time for Halloween.

One of my book clubs met at Sloan and Williams Winery
in Grapevine, which was a special treat. 

Max took on another paying job
filling up holes in our yard.

We got to spend a lovely weekend with my MIL at Lake Buchanan.

We had our first-ever online consultation with a physician
when Weston developed a severe rash and a sore throat.

We came up with a reward system for the boys for getting their
schoolwork done, which involved, in part, a large shipment of used Legos,
which had to be washed before I would allow them into circulation.

Ruth rocked her skeleton costume
for her CAP Halloween party.

The boys have a couple of events coming up at Arrow that
necessitated us turning our kitchen into a factory of sorts.
We made homemade marshmallows, homemade chocolates,
homemade brownies, and homemade goat milk soap.

September

We did lots of fun science experiments.
Pictured here is our lava lamp and our balloon kebab.

Even though a couple of meets have been cancelled due to weather,
these two are having a great cross country season.

It has been raining almost non-stop this month,
but that hasn't kept us from having lots of fun!

I've had some pretty amazing early morning runs!

I encountered a bobcat in my alley.

Our resident bartender has put together some fun drinks. 

Weston went camping with his Scout troop in Broken Bow, OK.

The kids have played hours of Ticket to Ride.

Weston received four merit badges at the
Court of Honor ceremony for his troop.

We watched Forks Over Knives and became inspired
to experiment with a more plant-based diet.

This kid is reading more and more just for fun
(and I love the pure concentration on his face).

Many games of chess have been played. 

Many football games have been watched. 

This kid took on his first paying job.

We attended Homeschool Day at the Perot Museum

We also attended Homeschool Day at the Lego Discovery Center.

The boys worked on adding some wiring to our little barn.

I participated in two different book clubs.

Ruth got to spend a weekend at Airman Leadership School in Mineral Wells,
where she was awarded Honor Cadet for her character, enthusiasm and leadership,
 and where her flight gained the honor of Warrior Flight for 
exhibiting excellence throughout the weekend.

Jeff and the boys attended a Rangers game.

Clay worked on learning the sign language alphabet. 

Ruth earned the CAP rank of staff sergeant. 

This cutie lost his second tooth.

Ruth finally got the letter jacket she earned during track season.

Our kids became outraged when they realized that certain
books they love, including some they are currently
reading, have been banned at certain points in time.
Ironically, we discovered that our library was celebrating
Banned Books Week just after we encouraged the kids
to keep on reading the banned books. 

This enterprising kiddo volunteered to help sell
popcorn with his Cub Scout pack. 

Clay participated in the Cub Scout Raingutter Regatta and got 2nd place in his den.