The Keene Family

We started the weekend with a benefit dinner for Stronger Families . Taya Kyle was the keynote speaker, and the organization raised almost $300,000 in that one event. It was fancy and fun! Saturday, JT had his last football game for the season. It was cooollld. We also got his football photos. Isn't he handsome? Matching cousins Grandpas staying bundled up   We left straight from football to our Friendsgiving with the Bonnell and Schmalz families. It was yummy and we were, as always, sad to leave. Sunday, Ali and I went to see the last Hunger Games movie. We liked it! But before that, Ali asked if Jim and I could help her with a math problem. Jim helped on paper, and I pulled out the Photo Math app, scanned the problem, and gave her the step-by-step solution, with explanations for each step. It's nice to have that technology available when your aunt and uncle are 15 years past our last higher level math class.

We lost power for about 28 hours during the big wind storm. We are blessed with gas range, fireplace, and water heater, so we had a warm house, warm water, and warm food the whole time. We did have to add ice to the fridge to cool down the food, and the freezer kept beeping angry "high-temp" alarms at me when the power did come back on, but other than that we were just fine. Since there was no school, Sawyer and Jozie came over to play in the morning, and that was fun.

Haley's date with Jim this month was to Disney On Ice: Frozen . Jim told her they had a special date and asked her if she wanted to know what it was, or wait to be surprised. She said she wanted to wait and be surprised! So Sunday after lunch, he told her to get dressed like Elsa and get ready to go. She couldn't stand the suspense any more and asked to know what they were going to do. I can't believe she held out so long. (Who am I kidding? Haley is the type of girl to keep her word.) I helped Haley get ready for her big date with Elsa-ish hair and her Frozen outfit. I love the way she arranged her train, popped a hip, and pointed her toe out for this pose, complete with one hand on her hip. You just can't teach this stuff. Fun times with her prince charming. :)

Last week during half days for school, the kids and I had dentist appointments in the morning. Since that meant JT would only go to school for about an hour, we skipped it and took a ferry to visit Uncle Jeff at work instead. We had a front row view on the ten minute ferry ride. The kids were thrilled. We had a nice tour of Uncle Jeff's building and CPA firm . Then Uncle Jeff treated us to lunch at this quirky, home cooked, very yummy spot just down the street called Zombiez. The fries were probably the best I've had in a restaurant, and Haley's chicken strips were amazing. Other photos from this week: my view from the back door as JT and Jim work in the shop late at night, with their stove going and their music playing. Love it. And this, right outside my door in the property next to our house. Gorgeous fall colors!

We have another nephew! This makes four, ages 20, 3, 1, and newborn. Quite a gap there. :) Congratulations to Matt and Jennifer. He is a cutie! One day old Walter James Small arrived on October 10th and we attended his Catholic baptism this weekend. Look at the difference a few weeks makes! Great Grandma with her 27th great grandbaby, among others :)