In no particular order

Aaron has held down the Roepke fort, while I have been out of town and in classes, and he has been studying for and taking finals. It's been a bit stressful, BUSY, and we all ran out of pants. Literally. Thats when you know it's time for a break, or at least a laundry day, when you can't leave the house because you don't have any pants to put on.

We have spent the last few days officially getting in the holiday spirit! The Lights parade, Christmas Tree farm, putting decorations out and finally all being under one roof long enough to have friends over.
Happy Holidays!!

Thanks

We've had a week of Thankfulness so far, and it continues... Specifically I am thankful for Ilon and Gabriel's schools. It is such a relief for our kids to be in such amazing places everyday with the friends and teachers we hoped for. We got to spend time in their classrooms and I loved seeing their little personalities come out!

This last weekend we went on our annual Thanksgiving cabin trip. Aaron found a family farm in the foothills of Northern Idaho's mountains where we stayed in a bunkhouse. We had breakfast cooked in the mornings by our host, made many visits to see the animals, cooked some great food, played games, and did a lot of nothing by the fire. A much needed time of relaxation before finals start. It's rainy and dark here, a perfectly cozy time of year.

Weather

I guess it is almost Thanksgiving, but winter seemed to come out of nowhere. It was the morning we woke up to a winter wonderland and dug our gear out of boxes; snowsuits, mismatched gloves, a hat with a hole I didn't notice until we got all the way to school. I was not prepared! And recess is hardcore, the kids look like they're headed to the ski slopes swinging on the swings! And they have to, it snows, and snows, and snows! I did brave the roads and came home armed with the missing odds and ends, including awesome boots for mom and Ilon. A great end to a cold day was a long overdue date with my honey. The Nectar, my now absolute favorite restaurant/wine bar in Moscow, was cozy and delicious. Welcome winter!

Going "boating".

Our kids were REALLY excited to be a part of Tuesday night's election process until they got back in the car without ever even seeing a boat. OH, it's not boating, it's VOTING. Well Ilon picked the donkey in school and Gabriel picked the tiger, I guess that makes him an independent? I don't think our vote would sway Idaho either way! Anyway, grateful for the right to vote, and thankful that God can use the leaders of this country for His good! Congratulations Obama!

5 DAYS off!

For me, anyway. I didn't study, think about work, worry about work, go to work, or even talk to any pregnant women, not intentionally of course:) Sometimes you need a break! Aaron worked, enough for both of us actually. We had a great Friday night out at Gambino's Pizza, I went to a women's retreat on Saturday with some really sweet people, and spent Sunday sewing and redoing our room. Aaron said it started to resemble an aviary so I took the birds nests off the walls... It's very peaceful.

Happy Halloween from Moscow, Idaho!

We had pumpkin cinnamon rolls, parties at school, and made the rounds in the neighborhoods. Our little super heroes had a great day! Halloween at the Birthplace was CRAZY. Looking forward to my five days off!