We have had a fun crafty week that is ending on a rather sad note.

Some of the fun things we've done this week:

Aeva decided to make her very own yeti. Rhaevyn helped her do some of the hand stitching, but Aeva did the rest all by herself. His name is Herbert, and he is so cute!

 Rhaevyn made this cute cat flax seed warmer.

 
The little kids and I made some paper crafts:
A thankful wreath, Christmas cards, and a turkey.
 

 

 

 For an upcoming young women activity we are going to watch Christmas movies and make some cute ornaments and cards. This was a great way to try some ideas out and have fun with the three younger kids.

  Meg had fun finger painting her Christmas card.

We made a rainbow in a jar while talking about molecules and density. This little activity was spell-bounding and fun!

On Friday Myles and Elsa were over at Sister Lee's house. Elsa had plans to make lemon bars with Sister Lee's daughter, Alayna (she babysat the girls when they were really little), and Myles worked on a Christmas present for Aeva. 

A friend from church came over and helped Chris mount the tv on the wall. Chris has been wanting to do this for months and is thrilled that it finally happened. There won't be any wires showing once our friend comes back to help finish up after Thanksgiving.

 Myles was having a bit of fun while putting dishes away.

Thursday was Young Women in Excellence. At the end we honored the two girls who will be graduating. Aeva leaned over and said "that's not me, I'm next year." I had to giggle and remind her that while she will only be 17 that she is in fact a senior, and yes she is graduating in June! It still hasn't sunk in that she is a senior. She was given flowers and her very own cake. Her former Miamaid teacher made her a very special cake. We will finally be eating that for dessert tonight.

 Myles was planning to enter a Lego contest, but then realized you have to be 13 :(

Myles has been wanting to have Zuppa Toscana soup, so last night he helped me make it. He was an excellent sidekick to have in the kitchen. He did a fantastic job helping to chop and cook. The soup was most delicious!

Yesterday Elsa and Rhaevyn shared a date with Chris. Elsa's date month was October, but life got a bit busy and Rhaevyn said she didn't mind sharing her date. They went to the Japanese store, where Rhaevyn treated herself to a fountain pen, and then to Ikea. Elsa bought herself a cute little husky
stuffed animal. His name is Richard, but she calls him Ricky for short.

Our hearts are heavy and our eyes are brimming with tears as a very wonderful lady from our church family will be taken off life support this evening and be going home to our Heavenly Father. We were told last Sunday that she had been hospitalized for pneumonia. She has been sedated and on a ventilator all week. Last night my dear friend, her daughter in law, notified me that she would most likely pass away today. There was not a dry eye in church today. Just a vivid reminder that you never know what each day will bring and life can be gone in an instant and when you least expect it. I am so grateful for the knowledge of the gospel.

Aeva and Myles are sick with a fever, sore throat, and aches. Aeva had volunteered to give a talk in church today. The bishop assured her that she could give it on another Sunday which was sweet because she was quite upset that she had gotten sick and wouldn't be able to be at church to give her talk. Aeva seems to be on the mend, and I'm really hoping no one else gets sick. Chris is off this week, and we are all happy to spend more time with him.

The girls are registered for winter quarter. There registration times were during their classes on Wednesday. I volunteered to get online and register for them. That was really stressful!!! Aeva got her classes with no problem, but Rhaevyn's classes, even her back up classes, were all full. She got into one class, is on the waiting list for biology, and needs to try out for a music class. Then at 10:00 that night I realized that I registered them for the wrong history class. Instead of World Civilization they are now signed up for US History. Ugh!!!! Well, the good news is the professor is supposed to be  really good. I hope that turns out to be the case. I am hoping Rhaevyn gets into her biology class and her music class soon and that all goes well for the winter quarter for both of them. So far it is looking like they will be at school less, which seems like a big win for me :)

We are all excited for Thanksgiving this week and to put up the Christmas tree. Everyone has picked something to make for Thanksgiving dinner, so this should be really fun. Myles is making mashed potatoes, Elsa is making gravy (she also wants to make an apple pie), Rhaevyn is making her sugar cream pie and maybe the rolls, Chris is in charge of the stuffing, I'm in charge of the turkey and deviled eggs, and Meg and Aeva are teamed up to set the table.  

May you all have a very wonderful Thanksgiving holiday 💓