Holiday Season Start

 We hit the ground running with Christmas cheer this year. Immediately after Thanksgiving we put up the real tree in the living room and filled each weekend with holiday activities.

Jay and I always enjoy serving at our church's Christmas Kindness event which provides gifts for local families in need. This function really put the reason for the season into perspective. I helped four families shop, but one particular grandmother had both Jay and me in tears with her gratefulness. I think we have found someone meant to be in our lives.

While the boys did some shopping, Maggie and I joined Gram at the Marietta Tour of Homes on Sunday. I had not attended the tour since Maggie was a baby. The historic houses were beautiful and provided so many new decorating ideas. Thank you, Gram, for a festive day together!

The elves have been up to their antics again, but to be honest, Jacob has little interest in them. Tuttle and Maggie used to bound out of bed every morning to hunt them down, but Jacob just casually mentions if he sees them, sometimes going until the evening until he notices. Much less pressure but also the real possibility for the elves to forget to move. :)

Let's do this, December!

Thanksgiving 2023

 "The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for."

- Norman Vincent Peale

Luckily we get two opportunities to celebrate Thanksgiving with our families. 

We appreciate the Peace Family and Gram and Grumps for hosting this year!

High School Reunion

I cannot believe twenty years have come and gone since my graduation from Harrison High School, but it was already time to celebrate! Thanks to a few amazing graduates that planned and organized a perfect event, we had the absolute best time reminiscing and catching up on life with about 85 classmates and spouses in downtown Kennesaw. The highlight was spending the evening with "The Gang" and realizing we needed to put more effort into our friendships going forward! (We definitely missed Ashley and Allison!)

We laughed about all our teenage antics and took over the dance floor at the after party. I loved high school, and these girls are the main reason!

Just a little PSA. If you are going to buy a round of shots for your friends, make sure they will actually take them, or you will end up drinking most of them and making a fool of yourself. :)

Everyone felt the late night and drinks the next day, but we are already planning our next night out! 

Go Hoyas!

Carving, Costumes, and Candy

 Our much anticipated pumpkin carving contest brought a lot of trash talking, but ultimately everyone produced a pretty amazing creation.

We took the vote to social media, and it was a CLOSE race between Daddy and Maggie. In the end, Daddy claimed victory with his "Ghosty Besties" pumpkin.

Special recognition goes to Jacob for his "Big Jaws' pumpkin that he carved completely by himself!

Halloween looked a little different this year for our family since Maggie and Tuttle both made plans with friends instead of a family walk around the neighborhood. Maggie went home with Hannah after school, and Tuttle ventured to the neighborhood across the street. Luckily I received photos from Hannah's mom throughout the night, and Tuttle stopped by the Mitchell's house for dinner before Jay dropped him off in Fernwood.

The Mitchell Family hosted several families for pizza and chili before the kids took over Foxhall.

Our sweet neighbor, Lindsey Smith, allowed our crew to hitchhike on her golf cart to trick-or-treat. Jacob loved running around with Hudson!

While the kids are still eating too much candy every afternoon after school, Maggie could not take down the Halloween decorations quick enough to start decking the halls for Christmas. Since we do not host Thanksgiving, we use this as an excuse to decorate the house early! 

Happy Hallothanksmas!

Touching Base With The Thornes

 Homecoming for Maggie and Tuttle was such a fun event, especially since they are in school together again. Tuttle played it more relaxed and just met up with friends at the dance while Maggie was invited to pictures and dinner beforehand with a new group of girls. Jacob spent the night with a friend, so I could focus on the older kids.

The following weekend was busy with football games for the boys and the Roswell Youth Day Parade for Maggie followed by the Eras Tour at Phipps Plaza AMC with gym friends. I joked with Maggie that I got her floor seats to the concert because this was the closest she was going to get with inflated ticket prices to the actual concert. The girls dressed up, traded friendship bracelets, belted out every lyric, and took home some merch. Maggie and I channeled out inner "Lover" and "Fearless" vibes. Such a memorable afternoon with these girls!

Sports have not slowed down as football playoffs and meet season are quickly approaching.

I cannot get over all the activates we cram into one week, and the kids continue to meet goals and challenge themselves outside their comfort zones. Jay and I are lucky to know them. :)

Work/School, Sports, Sleep, Repeat

 The Thorne Family is BUSY with at least one (usually three) practice seven days a week. The kids are living their best lives with their parents as unpaid Uber drivers. :)

Maggie increased her gym commitment to 24 hours a week, including two 6:30am-8:30am practices. I have asked her so many times if she feels overwhelmed to let me know, but she assures me that she is loving every minute. After final evaluations, Maggie is officially competing Level 7 this year and will start meet season in December.

Jacob has found his spot in the defensive line and was named "Defensive Player of the Game" against Walton. The Hornets are working hard and increase their physical presence each game. I have to remind myself that the kids are only seven and eight years old. They do not admit to injuries or fatigue. They want to play and WIN!

Tuttle and I have grown a very close texting relationship because we constantly miss each other between work, school, and practices. Luckily we are part of a carpool with three other 8th grade boys, so my driving is reduced, but that also reduces my face to face with Tuttle. While the team has not brought home many wins, Tuttle is fully dedicated to improving and continuing his football involvement in high school. He has also agreed to try wrestling in the winter since he heard coaches value the skills wrestlers bring to the field. Middle school is an intimidating time to try something new, but that does not hold Tuttle back at all. He impresses me daily.

Dinner can be eaten at 4:30 or 9:30 with our schedules, and bedtimes are far later than ideal, but the kids are focused and enjoying their sports. I wish I had their energy and commitment. 

Next Stop: Los Angeles

 Tuttle and Jay were finally apply to officially celebrate Tuttle's 13th birthday with their weekend trip to LA! Our teenager had requested to attend a Dodgers game, so we waited for the Braves to be in town before flying the boys across the country.

Prior to the game, Jay and Tuttle explored Venice Beach. They discovered a car show and checked out several shoe stores. 

The main event pitted the two boys against each other, but after overtime, the Braves took home the win.

I love that we are so invested in traveling individually with the kids and making experiences the focus. The trip combined all of Tuttle's favorite things- Dodgers, shoes, and missing school! This was definitely a birthday to remember!