November

 With November beginning and Cross Country ending, we thought our activity level would slow down a bit.  We were very mistaken.

Our month began with a quick visit by my Aunt Wanda and cousin-Denise.  They drove in from Ohio to come and see Keenan in the Veteran's Day program at school.

This program has always been one of our favorite and having them attend made it even more special.  They shared a breakfast and made some new friends at the table, were served and waited on by Keenan and other Seniors, then attended the main program.  Keenan did play piano before the performance began, and the choir sounded wonderful.  So thankful they came.

After we finished up at school, we drove over to have lunch and visit with Brenda.

We spent most of the afternoon at Brenda's and so thankful we all had a good visit to relax and enjoy catching up.

And that evening we introduced Aunt Wanda and Denise to NC bbq, and watched OSU basketball together.

The next morning they headed back north, Keenan worked, then it was time to watch OSU football.

Tuesday, the 11th, was another Choir performance over at a retirement community.

Once again, they were fantastic.

That evening, the Seniors from the XC team got recognized at the basketball game.

Due to a schedule change, Kevin was out of town and missed the event.

The weekend included a UNC game.

Unfortunately one of our favorite players is sidelined with a broken arm.

Ugh.

We've realized Brutus is by far the most snuggly dog we've ever had, but Ramses is also a snuggler too.

Nowhere Brutus level, but still.

Friday before Thanksgiving Kevin and Keenan took off for (maybe) Keenan's final college visit.  It's one in the mountains he and I visited in the summer without students on campus.  This was a program for Criminal Justice majors and I think it gave him a better feel for campus.  

He continued to hear back from colleges.  A couple gave him initial scholarship offers with acceptances. A couple also invited him to compete for larger merit awards.  One of those caused a bit of a scramble.  On a Wednesday, he learned of his invitation to compete for a very large scholarship at one school.  But it required 2 letters of recommendation plus an essay....by that Saturday evening.  Keenan sent out some texts and emails and thankfully one of his cross country coaches and a favorite teacher completed his letters of recommendation.  He got the essay completed, then baked some thank you goodies for his teacher and coach.

Friday before Thanksgiving the men's track team FINALLY received their State Championship rings from last spring.

To say they were thrilled would be an understatement.

He loves to make statements about being our favorite State Champion son.

And then Tuesday afternoon, Kieran rolled back into town.

The pups were thrilled.

I tried out a new recipe-Pistachio Ricotta cake.

Delicious.

And since we weren't traveling for Thanksgiving, things were pretty low key.

This got completed.

Sheesh-where did the time go?

And Brutus supervised Keenan's Thanksgiving baking.

Maple pecan pie-absolutely delicious.

He also made lemon oatmeal crumble bars-equally tasty.

Friday we decorated for Christmas, went to a movie, then ordered pizza.

Wee bit smaller of a gathering than the Ohio Post Thanksgiving pizza party with all of my relatives on Dad's side, but we were there in spirit.

Saturday we were thrilled with OSU's win over the team up north.

Thrilled.

Sunday we watched another movie, relaxed, then Monday Kevin headed back to work, Keenan to school, and Kieran headed back to CU to finish up the semester.

And we saw the first promo for an upcoming 5K fundraiser for the Rescue group we adopted Brutus from:

He looks great, right? :)

Come join us-we are all planning on being there!