Thanksgiving!

We get a whole week off from school during Thanksgiving, here in Texas.  Growing up in California it was just Thursday and Friday. I like the extra days off. 

We invited friends over to celebrate fall which included lots of play time, a fall scavenger hunt/walk, making fall collages with our finds, and a game of fine the scarecrow.  It was a lot of fun, even for me.  We sent them home with "fall friend" acorn necklaces.

Memphis, Rhys's buddy making collage

Our family was excited to visit our family in Louisiana.  Neal generously let me listen to Christmas music all the way out there--that's like 5 hours or so of joy! 

We got to visit with everyone, see all the young and new ones that have been added to the family, and check out some things around town. This included the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum that was closed in past visits. 

On the Ouachita River

Nonnie even told me that we could go fishing for crawfish (crawdads) in the mud piles in the yard.  I thought for sure they were pulling my leg but gave it a bit of a go anyway.  Later, quite a few confirmed that they did this as kids with positive results. Who knew?! 

We went for lots of walks too because the colors were just gorgeous and we all do better when we move around a bit.  Thank you Cummings Clan for making our Thanksgiving so wonderful!

Surgery and Camping

So very soon after the race, I had breast reconstruction surgery to make things look more normal after the reconstruction I had done back like 10 years ago or more. I'd show pictures but it would look like someone took a knife to my chest because, well...someone, qualified mind you, took a knife to my chest.

My amazing mom came out and took care of us for a week and then we played a bit the week after that before we had to send her home.  Had fun shopping, talking, and watching movies and such.

I am doing a lot on my own now put suprisingly, opening jars hurts my chest as does moving hanging clothes from one side to another.  Not surprising, is my new found passion of peeling disintegrated surgical glue from my chest--a picker's dream!

Meanwhile, Neal took the kids camping Friday night despite dropping temperatures. I do not join my family once it is cold.  I become too much like Laman and Lemuel in The Book of Mormon who are know for murmuring (complaining).  Neal packed well and even sent me a photo with a text, "Shirt, sweatshirt, jacket, gloves, and hats. The first thing they tell me is that they aren't even cold." Such a good daddy!

Still, Mohini and I were pretty content to be snug back at home!

First Place!

Apparently, so many teams dropped out of the Ragnar Trail Relay that our team truly benefited! Also due to hard work and team effort, we placed first in our division, earning a whopper of a belt buckle--no wait! It's a bottle opener! No?! It's a bottle opener belt buckle!!!, in addition to our finisher's medal. My first and likely only time placing in a running event!  Yay!!