So where were we...

Oh right - Back at Cole Field House!

We were told this was States - but it seemed more like a regional competition run by a completely different group.

The competition was tougher.

The girls lost one of their flyers (her family had long standing vacation plans and they couldn't be there) so they had to rework their entire routine - in TWO practices.

Oy.

There were tears on Saturday at practice.

But they rallied and we all told them that this was just a BONUS performance and they should just have fun.

And then one of the girls rolled her ankle while they were on deck - five minutes before they were to perform.

I mean seriously. 

Her ankle was wrapped, and everyone held their breath. 

They blew us away - I think this performance may have even been better than the week before!!

Maybe because they had nothing to lose?  Who knows.

But even with that performance, we thought they'd be lucky to get Honorable Mention.

They walked away with THIRD PLACE.

And then we all sighed with relief that Cheer Season was over.

Or maybe that was just me.

MOVING ON......
Right before Thanksgiving - these arrived....

THE TREES!!!

I came home to excited shouts of "THE TREES ARE HERE!!!"

"IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!"

The girls have been getting these trees every year since they were babies from Gamma Judi & Mister.

We'll plant them in the yard in January.
(we have about a 60% success rate in the trees living when planted)

Olivia's is full of silver stars and Angels....

Sydney's has bronze Christmas ornaments and reindeer.

They're beautiful.

And always mark the official beginning of the holiday season here in our house.

(The 2008/2009, 2010, and 2011 trees)

And finally, I just had to post these pictures.  These were taken of  a fire in the wood stove last night with my little point and shoot camera.

The coals were so beautiful - red, almost vibrating - it looked like lava...

Imagine my surprise when the pictures showed PURPLE lava.

So freaking cool.