127/365

I have no words.  But if I did, they would best expressed though my son's reaction.

126/365

Even with all of the Advent activities and Christmas celebrations, gymnastics must go on!  (Much to my chagrin)

This month she had her second meet of the season: Gymstrada Invitational.

Chat from the beam coach:

 (again, she's the shorty on the end)

Practicing her jump on the floor before she does it on beam.

 (uhhhmmm... yeah, never in my life.  Not off a diving board or even on a trampoline..)

Beam mount.

First series: Back walkover...

followed by back handspring.

 (and then I exhale)

Prepping for the front walkover

 Front walkover.

 BAM!  Lands it like a boss.

(and I exhale for a second time)

Jump on beam that was practiced earlier on floor.

 (only I missed her at the peak.  Dangit!!)

Aaaand back tuck for the dismount.

(and now this momma can breathe.. at least until bars start...)

 DONE!

Last meet I filmed this event, so this time I decided to film floor.  Make sure you click on one of the HD formats when viewing. 

125/365

On this fifth day of Christmas, I am grateful that my eldest made it home safely.  I think some others are too...

124/365

 Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night....

123/365

This is my husband reading to my baby...

In front of OUR NEW FIREPLACE!

Yep, you heard that right.

Bam!  Take that base housing.  I see your bland, plain walls in all their bareness and raise you one electric fireplace.

122/365

House is filled with Christmas music and AH  LOVE IT!

121/365

Men in the kitchen.

It's a good thing.

120/365

Yeah, there're cool like that.  Spending the day, gettin' some Christmas on...

119/365

Who needs Black Friday??

We were a bit to busy 'round these parts to deal with that nonsense.

Lots of gaming was goin' on here, and we couldn't be bothered by retail craziness or the crazies that partook in it.

I'm telling ya, it was serious stuff...

It was intense...

 It was even downright nail biting at times (or something)....

But I'll take it.  It's the best bargain out there in my opinion.

117/365

Whoohoo!!!! Straight in from the Lone Star State to celebrate Turkey (.. or in our case, Steak) Day with us:  Grammy and Grandpa.  

We are especially greatful when we are able to share holidays with our extended family.  A rare treat, for sure.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

116/365

Preppin' the bird for Thanksgiving dinner at work...

115/365

114/365

Sunday morning after Mass omelet making in progress...
.

113/365

Hangin' out with numero seis today.

112/365

Thankful for little people that still sneak into our bed at night....

..aaand thankful we bought the king.

111/365

110/365

Last week we had a chance to visit Annapolis and the Naval Academy.

One word:

Stunning.

109/365

Poser.

108/365

Holding on to the last bits of fall...

106-107/365

First meet of the season.

Pep talk by one of her coaches...

 (she's the shorty...)

Working the bars...

 Encouraging words after vault...

 Waiting (oh, the waiting) for floor..

Warming up on beam...

And on the podium for First Place on Beam!

105/365

They are the few that are hanging on to the trees, fending off the wind storms and cool fronts as if to shout, "Fall ain't over yet people!"  So even if Starbucks has moved over to Peppermint Mochas; commercials, radio stations, department stores and even my neighbor have been all about Christmas lights and decorations for the past week or so,  today I stopped and admired this autumnal beauty because, after all, it's NOVEMBER and it's still Fall y'all.

104/365

Imparting wisdom (yeah, that's it) to his grandson, all the while being photobombed by his granddaughter...

103/365

Ready... aim... FIRE!!