Where did November Go?

I still don't know how it can already be the end of November. Where did this whole month go?

 It was spent taking exit polls on Election Day. Sophie needed to do this for her Humanities class. They are studying Government this semester.

 We also celebrated Grandma's birthday by visiting with her and riding the old steam train in Railtown.

 We rode in the first class car which is the car specially made for some rich man to use way back when. It has only recently been restored and put back into use for the public to ride.

 Sophie has also been doing quite a few Science experiments. She is currently doing Chemistry and gets to use some common household supplies to do experiements with. This one require fire along with alcohol and money. Those three made quite a combination. Henry of course was the firebug and despite the alcohol burning off he decided to burn the bill anyway.  Don't give that boy a match or a lighter.

Mostly we have been doing lots of school work. 

Soccer ended a few weeks ago so we have been taking some of that freed up time to head to the park to play tennis. 

We also have a piano recital coming up so the kids have been practicing a lot recently. The songs of Christmas begin early when preping for a recital. 

 At Sophie's recent visit to the Orthodontist (Yes the braces are off but she still goes in for checks on the retainer) she was presented with this bunch of balloons and a gift certificate for a bike shop. She won the trianual bike raffle. Evidently when you come to the Orthodontist with clean teeth and evident good dental hygene you are entered into this raffle. Her name was picked and she gets to go pick out a new bike. Since the shop is in our old town we are going to have to make a special trip into the city to pick out a bike soon.

 Thanksgiving at Grandma's means lots of time on the tire swing.

 Hikes with the cousins.

 And more time out on the tire swing.

 We brought some friends up to Grandma's house this year. Their kids fit right in with large group of cousins that were there and everyone had a great time.

November was a whirlwind. I don't know how to slow things down so I can get more time to post here. I guess we have the problem of living and being busy which leaves us little time to sit and write well thought out, witty posts. Sorry to anyone who comes here looking for updates on us. I will try but so far this is the best I can do for now.