November

We started out November by attending our church's first all-church-date-night.  It was awesome!  We came to church and dropped off the kiddos with free babysitters.  We then listened to a 15 minute sermon about marriage before being shuttled out into the night for a date!

We went to Connected restaurant (by the Walmart on University) and had delicious Italian food and great conversation.  We even had a question list (from the church) to prompt thoughtful conversation.  I thought it was a terrific idea, and was glad to hear that they'll be having another date night in February!

We kept Obi and Guinie (friends' kids) over night, and thoroughly enjoyed showing them our neighborhood.  The kids stomped into our icy cold lake, and then decided to keep on trucking in our backyard sandbox.  

My nephew Griffin is adorable.  End of story!

One November evening Nate took Elena and Annika on a daddy date.  They ate at Culvers and then went to the store to buy presents for Operation Christmas Child.  The girls returned talking up a storm about the wonderful time they had.  I got a good one (husband, that is)!

The Annual Fall/Winterish Beutel trip away ended up being in Lake Geneva, WI again.  Outside of the water park in the hotel, the girls' favorite part of the vacation was no doubt the trolley.  They instantly thought they were in Canada again.

But sadly, the trolley took us up the road to Starbucks, not Canada.  We consoled ourselves with caffeinated beverages!

We went up early to get a few 'just us days' before the rest of the family ascended.  We enjoyed a yummy pizza dinner at a local family restaurant.

The next day we went for a long (and cold) walk around part of Lake Geneva.  We came prepared with carriers, and were very glad we had them.  The girls were whining that they were cold and tired pretty quickly!

Mom and Dad came with us on the hike!

Dad was even a peach and gave me a break from the back carry.  I think Anni enjoyed her Grandpa-bonding time!

We really did like this nice 'little' house on the lake.  I meant to call and get the price, just for giggles, but forgot.  Tsk tsk!

Finally, the cousins arrived!  And didn't stop running the entire weekend!!!

The almost birthday girl got her own crown!

Late night card games!  We finished out this weekend with a tornado warning in the basement of the hotel.  A tornado was sighted only miles from our hotel, which made for a lot of nervous guests.  I don't think the damage was nearly as great as what the people in Washington, IL suffered, but it gave us all quite a fright.  Our drive home from Wisconsin was quiet and eerie.

Back at home, with the same struggles to get daughter #2 to eat properly.  Someday she'll like something other than chicken nuggets and corn dogs, right?!

November 21st!  Sheila's birthday!  We started a tradition of Carl's donuts and 30/30 coffee for the birthday girl!  My ladies love this tradition almost as much as I do!

The girls were invited to a Ninja Turtle birthday party for one of our favorite boys, Bryn.  

The Moms at the party had just as much fun as the kids!

I had an Usborne party at some point, and we found a favorite book in the Big Book of Big Bugs.  Annika requested this book 2-3x daily for about 3 months.  Today I can cautiously say that the obsession is over.  I hope I don't jinx myself!

Thanksgiving with the Beutels!  Here's Anni playing Pin the Tail on the Turkey!

and Papa winning big at Twister.  The kids thought it was hilarious watching the Dads duke it out.  I knew Nate would win.  He'd rather die than lose at pretty much any game!!!!

Babysitting baby Bronwyn.  She fought me for about an hour, but no one can resist my back carries forever!

Thanksgiving with the Ramquists wouldn't be complete without a long soak in the bath!

and some book reading time..............

snuggles with Opa........

more book reading time...

and a shopping trip with Opa.  Oh wait, that's not normal!  When Opa mentioned that he needed new jeans, we persuaded him to come with us on a trip into town.  Amanda and I scoured the racks at Macy's, and forced Opa to try on pair after pair until he settled on a nice dark pair of Levi's.  I almost had him sold on some skinny jeans, but he didn't think they were 'professional' enough.  Whatever!

November, out.