November

We really enjoyed spending Thanksgiving with my family for the first time since we've been married. But something else happened in November that I think we'll remember longer than the turkey. My sister and her husband went to Hawaii for 8 days for a much deserved vacation. Shawn and I moved into their house to care for their five kids, ages 4-13. Wow- what a week. With both of us working full-time, going from zero to five kids overnight was an experience. We just hung on for dear life during the week-- but we had a blast over the weekend.

Some of the craziness included: 8 yr old Jake's first pinewood derby, two unannounced birthday parties, last minute research projects, grading homework, signing papers, a school food drive, chores, piano, full-dress day, homework remembered at bedtime, and I think I've repressed the rest. Oh- and we totally went paper for the dishes after day one. Anyone caught using an actual dish or utensil would be put on trial. :)

Some of the highlights included: Bedtime stories, the Peanut Butter and Jelly song, spending the weekend at our house, dinner at IHOP, building forts, swimming at the Legacy Center, having Stephen & Anna in our primary class, and naptime! We also went to an awesome concert Saturday night with Shawn's sisters where the Passmore kids got to meet their "other cousins", Michael and Emma Pond (Shawn's niece & nephew).

Here are Michael & Emma enjoying their balloons at the concert.