How much fun can one family have?! Thursday, my niece Madysen and her brother Harrison came to play. Brigitte and Madysen were negotiating a sleepover and with their extensive series of notes went through lots and lots of paper. They even let us know Brigitte had an unopened toothbrush, p.j.s and clothes for Madysen the next day. Because of a little issue, school, the sleepover didn't happen, but Madysen did come to play the next day. Then Saturday, my brother needed help with a roof, so John and Trev took off, and Brigitte and I took Madysen with us to visit Gramma and Grampa Gailey. We found out Blake and Hannie are moving to another state on Wednesday, sad! Everyone was doing great, and it is always fun to visit. Yesterday after work, John and Brigitte brought me home for ice cream!!!!

Brigitte has no ice skating lesson for the next two weeks, so we get to relax and prepare to have our annual Thanksgiving feast.

Here are some of the pictures of my adorable, talented daughter's latest achievement!!

WAY TO GO BRIGITTE!!!!!!!

1ST PLACE IN FREESTYLE!!!!

3RD PLACE IN SHOWCASE!!!!

Another competition down and finished with flying colors!!! She worked really hard to get ready and it really paid off!! We are really proud of her! I will post pictures soon!

Food 4 Thought Friday ~
This week's questions
Breakfast
What are you most grateful for at this very moment? Peace and calm in my life right now!!!
Lunch
Did this week's election results leave you feeling optimistic, pesimistic, or neither? Answer even if you aren't a U.S. citizen. Neither, I really didn't feel strongly in favor of either candidate, I just hope we are able to improve on the current state of affairs with this new prez!
Dinner
Name five meals you repeatedly have for dinner over and over. Fettucine Alfredo, meatballs, chicken gravy w/rice, confetti spaghetti and veggie lo mein
Midnight Snack
If you had a robot to help around the house, what three jobs would you have them do? What are three jobs you would not let them do? Floors, bathrooms and changing bed linens--I don't think there is anything I wouldn't let them do except maybe dishes after Thanksgiving, totally don't want to walk in and see any broken dishes!!
Recipe for this Week (instead of your recipe for life - what is it for just this week?) Stop and breathe. Maybe that will help my mind catch up and I will quit forgetting everything!!

O.k., O.k., another week has come and gone seemingly without notice, but John is leaving town this afternoon, Brigitte has a competition we are preparing for, and with Halloween over we are transitioning decorations to Thanksgiving. Yes I think it is sick and wrong for people to be putting up their Christmas decorations already. Thanksgiving sets the mood for Christmas, so do we really want to pretend not to notice this extremely wonderful holiday?! I say no way!!!! Alright enough of the soapbox speech!
Thursday is already here again and time for
Thankful Thursday

1. I am thankful for the right to vote!!! I hope all of you out there did!
2. I am thankful for my very cute nieces and nephews! Especially when I get to watch them!!
3. I am thankful for my husband's willingness to help out with whatever I need!
4. I am thankful we are setting my mom's headstone today, it will help me feel better!
5. I am thankful for a headstrong daughter, she isn't easy to talk into things she doesn't want to do!!
6. I am thankful for snow! I know that's crazy but we do need the water and it makes things feel really beautiful and peaceful, don't believe me? Try a walk in the snow, you hardly even hear the cars passing!
7. I am thankful for my fireplace!
8. I am thankful to be able to cook dinner for my family most nights!! John is thankful for the leftovers on the other nights!
9. I am thankful for my activity day girls and their willingness to help others!
10. I am thankful for the comfort of the gospel in my life!