November

November was full of so much goodness!  We started out the month with possibly the biggest event:  Erin got her driver's license on the 1st!  She had an appointment that morning at the Cary DMV (the same place that she got her permit) since they were off school that day.  It all went smoothly, and she passed her road test!  So exciting!  She's been gradually getting used to driving alone, and is doing a great job and starting to feel more confident.  We are so proud of her.

We went to mass for the holy day that evening.  We took a cruise on the lake on Saturday morning while Anna babysat and then went ice skating with her friends.  

Erin worked at the Gibbons open house on Sunday, and Anna and I hit some stores while she was there.  The week of the 4th, everyone was here, and we were busy with the usual things.  I enjoyed going to a Hurricanes game with my friend Molly on Thursday evening.  Saturday the 9th, Bob and I cashed in his birthday (?) gift and went to the Wolfpack/Duke football game!  It was a beautiful day and we had a blast, other than the outcome not going our way.  The Pack fought hard, though.  We had a quick little tailgate and had a fun shuttle ride over in an open-top party bus.  Nothing but style for the Pack!  

Meanwhile, Anna went to Friendsgiving and a sleepover at Lyla's house with her new crew of friends from Gibbons.

Bob headed to Salt Lake city on Sunday for a work event.  We ladies had a busy and productive week, ending with attending Jeff's fall play, The Giver.  It was so good!  We caught up on things on Saturday, and Bob headed to California on Sunday morning for another work event.  We girls enjoyed Ms. Karen's annual apple cider-making party, then Erin lectored at youth Mass before youth group that evening.

The final week of school for the month was another busy one; teachers were trying to get final tests in and projects wrapped up, plus Erin is preparing for her fall dance show the week of December 2nd.  She also visited her alma mater, StMM, on Monday the 18th with her Service Beakers club, where they taught a science lesson to 4th and 5th graders after school.  Erin got to present the lesson to the group!  I had a kitchen consultation on Tuesday; we are considering renovating it, as well as the master bathroom.  I'm already concerned about all the decisions associated with that!  Erin also went to lector training at church on Wednesday evening.  She has been a busy bee lately!

Bob got back on Wednesday evening for a solid 8 days at home!  I had a busy week making dinner for 3 families - Vera had ACL surgery, Heather T. had surgery, and a family from church had a baby.  We ate better because we had the same things!  Anna babysat Friday night while Erin and I enjoyed a dance performance at Meredith College to fulfill her honors requirement for her dance class.  Saturday was pretty laid back, and Sunday, Erin and I had a blast at her Friendsgiving/Olivia & Luciano's 16th birthday party!  Monday, I took Olivia hiking and to lunch as her confirmation sponsor; we ended up doing a pretty intense 4 mile hike along the Haw River, but the weather was beautiful and nobody got hurt!  Tuesday, Erin and I worked at CPO on what was advertised to be a crazy day but in reality wasn't bad at all.  Erin did a great job and enjoyed it.  

Bella came over to hang with Anna that afternoon.  Wednesday, we girls headed to Concord for a super fun 2 days with the family!  The girls went shopping in the afternoon, then helped Grandma make pies and cranberry salad that evening.  

The California Ambrosinis arrived late that evening, and we all had a super fun sleepover!  Bob drove down on Thursday morning.  Thanksgiving was a great day, too, with family portraits, an awesome meal, football for the guys, and lots of fun family time!  We headed back that evening.  

Friday, Bob set off again, this time to Sydney for his bi-annual trip there.  He had a marathon travel schedule:  RDU to O'Hare, then to Houston, and THEN the 17.5 hours to Sydney!  He's still in the air as of writing this.  Jeff came over here Friday afternoon, and he and Erin played games, baked, and made dinner for us!  Anna managed 3 pet-sitting jobs that day, too.  Saturday, Anna is planning to shop with Bella while Erin is at Hadestown at the DPAC with Jeff's family, then she and I are going to see Pentatonix tonight!  We cannot wait!

So- November was full of lots of work, but fun too.  I've been working on the Duke/UNC applications again this year; 'tis the season!  We are so thankful for our health, family, friends, and all of our blessings!  Bring on December!  It's going to be condensed and jam-packed!