We had a GREAT Thanksgiving, how about you?!?  Ours was much less busy and stressful since we didn't travel long hours in bad weather or have finals looming right around the corner.  We split the menu work, and had thanksgiving only a few blocks away at Sean's folks.  Food was

great, and we just kept coming over the following few days for leftovers.  The kids love spending time with their cousins.  They did fancy hairdo's, ate, wore crazy things, ate, played games, oh and did I mention that we ATE?!?  Definitely the holiday to eat, drink, be merry, and be thankful that we can (the glass bottle in the picture below is sparkling cider, not the real stuff).  Credit:  Celeste made the turkey in the top picture and Aspen made the pinecone turkey.  I know I'm biased, but aren't they cute?

Aspen and the rest of the fifth grade classes at Rolan Melton Elementary have been working hard for over two months on their big pirate musical.  Most of the kids just sang in the pirate choir.  A handful in the front of the stage actually got speaking parts.  Aspen, our dynamic thespian, of course got a speaking part.  She played "Yellowbeard"  unfortunately the yellow dye job turned her beard green.  Oh well.
It was a cute play with great singing and funny lines.  My favorite line was when one pirate exclaimed, "Yo Ho Ho, there goes our bottle of . . ."  Then Yellowbeard (Aspen) quickly interrupts, "SARSAPARILLA!"  Too bad I didn't video tape it!

My siblings and I contributed to get a new dog for my Mom's birthday (she hasn't had a pet since I lived at home).  I had no idea she even wanted a dog, let alone a puppy!  We are all jealous here because we can't have a dog while we're renting.  Anyway, she's a four-month-old, six-pound cutie of puffiness that my Mom picked out.  She named her Meisha.

We found out last month (Oct. 14) that Sean DID PASS the bar, yea!  This was great news, but it didn't automatically come with a paycheck.  On November 4th, Sean was officially sworn in as an attorney for the state of Nevada.   Now, after Sean got sworn in he can practice as a lawyer in and out of court here in Nevada.  This was also a great step, but still no paycheck.  Sean's been interning for the county prosecution all this time, but budgets are squeezed tight tight.  Even though everybody there loves Sean and wanted him to stay permanently, there have been no job openings.  That's what he wanted to do more than anything though--prosecute--and he had BIG faith to wait it out.

I have to admit, I was getting stressed out and worried.  We had absolutely NO PLAN B which scared me to death.  I had already given up getting hired into the landscape architecture arena months ago because NOBODY was hiring here in Reno (besides, I like being an at-home Mom).  Luckily we have had some savings to pull from.  Don't worry, we haven't been starving or homeless over here!

Well, we just found out last week that another prosecutor will be moving on to other things.  Sean will be able to take her place!  All of the paper work is now signed, and Sean will have his first paid day as a prosecutor tomorrow, on Monday November 17th!  Whew! 

Tomorrow bright and early, he will get sworn in as a Deputy District Attorney.  This means more rights and privileges (and health insurance, yea!), but also a lot more responsibility for Sean.  He can't wait!  Me, I can't wait to actually see that paycheck now that student loan payments are due.  The whole thing's still amazingly incredible to me, especially with all of these economic troubling times. 

Thank you everybody who have kept us in your thoughts and prayers.  We feel your love and concern.  I know it especially strengthened Sean to know that friends and loved ones were rooting for him.  Prayers are definitely answered!

First picture:
Andrea, Sean, and Judge Brent Adams (who swore Sean in as District D.A.)
Second Picture: 
Sean with District Attorney Dick Gammett (his BIG Boss) and Sean's new badge)