October! (Erin wrote)

October was, as always, very busy!  Bob began the month with a week in New York combined with a trip to London.  We ladies had a nice weekend to kick off fall, with Anna doing a shopping outing with Sarah and Morgan in the Holly Springs shopping center, ending the day by going to youth Mass and confirmation prep afterwards for the Way. Erin likes it, but Gina doesn't. On Monday the 2nd, Anna had to babysit her frequent babysitting customers, Charlie and Jones, following with a home game on Tuesday against St. Michael's and at Our Lady of Lourdes on Thursday the 5th. Erin finished up her first quarter of high school on that following Friday and she is doing well in all of her classes, especially Math II Honors and Biology (her hardest classes). Then, Erin and Gina went to Miracle League on Saturday with her confirmation prep group, and that was a ton of fun!

The following week, Erin had Monday off, which was a good day to check out North Hills for her friend outing for her birthday! Then, Gina hosted her monthly book club at our house and as always, it was a ton of fun. Erin had to go to Gibbons early on the 10th to take the PSAT for the first time. They require all 9th, 10th and 11th graders to take it at Gibbons as a way to practice for the big SAT. Then, Erin went on her first freshman retreat at Gibbons on the 11th and she told us that there wasn't a ton of faith involved, mostly community building to get to know people in her high school class. She still had fun, though! On the 12th, it was Anna's last home volleyball game and they recognized all of the eighth graders that day with flowers. 

Saturday the 14th, Erin was originally going to take Jeff on the boat for a few hours that afternoon, so it ended up hanging at our house with a ton of board game time! It was still so much fun! Then, Erin got to read at the youth Mass on the 15th and she did a great job! Then, Bob was in New York the following week. Anna had to finish her volleyball season with two away games, and babysat Charlie and Jones again on Monday evening and Friday when she was off school due to a teacher workday! Gina, Anna and her friend Lyla got to see the new, 3-hour Taylor Swift movie in Holly Springs! 

While they were at the movie, Erin and Bob got to relax at home and went out to eat. We had a nice, fun weekend to get ready for Erin's birthday, and Erin successfully finished her behind-the-wheel portion of drivers education! She had a fun friend outing at North Hills on Saturday after driving.  We then did the annual Buddy Walk with the family, following with a yummy Mexican lunch afterwards on Sunday! You can read all about her awesome birthday celebration here! 

After the Buddy Walk, Bob left to go to California until Wednesday the 25th. Gina had to get the Pilot's windshield fixed for the second time on Tuesday after a rock incident on Sunday.  We got the car in April, and it already has over 13,000 miles!  Anna celebrated the end of the volleyball season (and potentially her volleyball career) with her team on Tuesday.  Gina went to a meeting on Thursday for her new job at Duke and learned a lot. Anna watched neighbor dogs Tornado and Scout for a few days. Then, there was the StMM trunk or treat at school (including a wild time at our house after school while Anna and 5 friends got ready for the dance), and they had a fun time at their middle school Halloween dance!

While they were dancing their hearts out, Erin and Gina went to the last Gibbons home football game of the season, and Erin had fun with her friends! Then we had a nice weekend relaxing and doing some chores. Bob and Gina had a great afternoon on the lake on Saturday! We plan to carve pumpkins on Monday.  Then, it's off for getting candy, dressing up in costumes and trick or treating! Erin is going to trick or treat with Olivia in 12 Oaks in their duo costumes, and Anna is planning to trick or treat somewhere close in our neighborhood. It will definitely be a spooky and scary one!

October was a really fun and busy month, as always.  Everything went smoothly, and we are excited to now have a 15 year old in the house!  We are looking forward to a beautiful, somewhat quieter, and more days off of school in November!