Playing Catch Up

What a fall we are having, my friends!

From preschool, to Cub Scouts, to football and soccer, an anniversary trip, a new job, a fun Halloween...and those amazing Royals, we haven't had much time to sit and reflect on what's been goin' on at the Riffel house.

Here's the condensed version.

Andrew is absolutely loving his preschool days!  He loves singing, playing outside, seeing his buddies, eating snack, taking snack, sharing time, and talking about the weather...and when you ask him what his favorite part of preschool is, he will tell you all about his three best buddies!  He is soaking it all up.  It makes this momma heart proud to see his sweet personality shining through at school.

I love these four friends!

At Trunk or Treat...one of the best photos I have this year of both my boys in their costumes!

 And, he is LOVING speech class.  We go every Tuesday and Thursday after school and I sit outside the cubicle and listen to Andrew and his speech friend work on their sssss sounds.  He can say Sssspider-man just perfect!  They play games, laugh, get stickers and have such a fun time with Miss Sssssara!

Something else Andrew loves...his baby cousin, Olivia!  Oh man, does Andrew love this girl.  He gets the biggest grin on his face whenever he sees her {he also gets this way around his cousin, Reese...something about being the oldest, makes this guy extra caring}!

Andrew and Olivia...she's thinking, "Who is this  kid with no shirt on?!" Lol!

Parker is an awesome first grader.  He is excelling in every part of first grade.  Just today he told me that he was awarded the honor of being Athlete of the Week in PE class {he said he was the first, first grader to get this achievement this year!}.   He loves math, reading, art, computers, science, recess, lunch, and seeing his friends every day.  He doesn't love homework all that much, but we're workin' on it. Ha!

Parker is also loving Cub Scouts.  He even loves the meetings.  He loves getting badges, had fun on their first camp out, likes the 'field trips', and it is something that he looks forward to every week.  He even loved walking in the Veteran's Day Parade this past weekend.

Getting ready to walk through downtown Ottawa.

Parker is also loving sports this year.  He went from a kid who never wanted to go to practice, to being a guy that loves to play, watch, and learn about every sport out there.  He's even started quite a baseball card collection and he was so so so excited to get a George Brett baseball card for his birthday {thanks Grandpa Mike} and we were super excited to watch the Royals play in their post season games and the World Series!

We wrapped up another successful season of soccer...

And played Flag Football for the first time!

Brandon and Parker got to go to a Royals post-season game and had the time of their lives!

This is such a special time in Parker's life - a time when his personality and his interests are really taking shape and I am so thankful that he is 'in to' so many different things.

And....Brandon and I...wow, we've had quite a time these past couple of months.  From Brandon's new job to celebrating 10 years of marriage, we are certainly feeling very blessed!

Half Moon Bay, CA

To all of you out there who have wished us well {thank you!} and asked us what the future holds...we are still 100% unsure at this point! Ha!  It's been so hard for my super duper planning personality to just go with the flow and see what happens, but only time will tell what the future holds for the Riffel family and I can't wait to see how our story turns out!

And, because I probably won't have time to post anything between now and the upcoming holiday, I want to wish you all the very best this Thanksgiving.  Take time to be thankful -- There are so many reasons to be.