BB8

 Once we were back from camping we had to quickly begin decorating a pumpkin for Madi's contest at school. 

 Matt and I thought of BB8 from Star Wars and Madi loved the idea.

 All done!  Fingers crossed he wins.

 Monday was a holiday so Madi spent it at her cousins' house playing and eating at Chick-fila.

Tuesday

 Wednesday, she was ready for her field trip to the Ag barn at Tech.

 Matt got a Man Crate from a client that was happy for his help.  It came with a concrete slab and a hammer.  Madi helped him crack it outside to reveal a gift card in it!

 Thursday

 Fun crafts made in PE!

 While Matt went to a scholarship dinner, Madi and I enjoyed her school's Fall Family Fun night! 

We went and saw BB8 and all the other pumpkins.  Sadly, he didn't win.

 They played carnival games, won cake from the cake walk, took pictures in the photo booth and bought stuff at the book fair.

 We found Madi's hat that she decorated!

 Friday

This girl is excited for her birthday party weekend! 

Palo Duro Camping

Right after Madi got out of school on Friday, we loaded up and caravanned with the Foley's to Palo Duro for our Sunday School camping trip!

 

10 families total went with us and we all had campsites next to each other. 

 I told Matt he could document how I looked as the weekend went on!  :)

 All of Madi's best church friends were there so they ran from one campsite to another!

 We all survived the rain storm Friday night so we were able to go horse back riding Saturday morning. 

 Madi's horse was named Gus and mine was Lloyd. 

 We loved eating all together by the campfire! 

 Hiking was also a lot of fun!

 We saw Longhorns . . .

 And learned how to throw the atlatl . . .

 There was more hiking . . .

 And a lot of smiles!

One of the highlights of the trip for the kids was being able to dig and play in the dirt!

 Visiting around the campfire was definitely my favorite!

 Sunday morning we gathered and had a Sunday School lesson that Greg led us in.  He involved the kids so it was a special time.

One last look at the campsite before loading up and heading home . . .

The WHOLE group (with a little help from photoshop!).

It was definitely a good trip if we are already planning the next one!

Swimmer of the Week!

 Monday

Monday at swim practice, Coach Derrick gave Madi the special kickboard because she was named Swimmer of the Week!  She was chosen since she got two B times at the last meet. 

 Tuesday

 Wednesday

 School pictures came home Wednesday!  Love this little 4th grader!

 Thursday

 Matt texted me asking what time Madi's lunch was this year and then a few minutes later I was sent this picture.  Guess she missed his girl so a lunch date was in order!

 Friday was House Party day at school to celebrate the end of the first six weeks!  Madi's in the Sigma house so she wore yellow.

 I took this picture Friday afternoon as the Alt-Cert people wrapped up a curriculum planning session.

We are beginning an Alt Cert program in January at Tech and it's going to be good.  I love being part of a team that never settles!

Another Swim Meet in the Books!

 Monday we were rocking the patterns and bright colors!

 Tuesday

 Tuesday evening after swim practice, we celebrated Morgan's 18th (yes 18th!) birthday at 50th St.

 Wednesday

 I'm bad about asking Madi about her spelling tests, etc.  So when I actually did this week and she said I think one of my words is calisthenics I thought she was joking.  I asked a few people that day at work how to spell it and most couldn't! :)

 Thursday

 Friday we were running a little behind and it was a little too wet for an outside picture!

 Friday night we headed to a swim meet.

 Madi raced the 100m freestyle and the 50m breaststroke. 

 She is doing much better on her starts and turns.

 She was first in her heat for the 50m breaststroke.

 Saturday night we went to the Foley's house to watch the game and grill steaks.

 Madi had the most fun with all the Foley kids playing in and outside!

 Brownies for dessert and then off to play again!

Tech played a good game but sadly it didn't end in our favor.