It was Homecoming Week in the Falls!!!

With all the extra school activities, Bryn got worn out. With my nudging, Bryn came home early from school Tuesday. It was a rainy day and Bryn got herself a bad cold that seemed to start wtih a sinus headache and is dragging on with a congested cough. She slept the afternoon away and missed Cross Country and Powderpuff practice. She still went to UWAY rehearsal that night because she has a concert this weekend (tonight!) and it was my turn to drive. Wednesday she made it through school, but the Cross Country coach excused her from practice again hoping that rest was better for her recovery than pushing her body. The weather took a turn for the better and Wednesday night we watched as Bryn battled with the Junior girls to try to upset the Seniors at the Homecoming Powderpuff football game. (It's tradition for the seniors to win.) Bryn was in on the scoring plays, but never got to handle the ball. I think the Cross Country coach paid for Bryn to be protected.


Thursday Bryn and Paige enjoyed a half day of school. Of course it's never the earlier half of the schoolday so they can sleep in. Paige and a friend made Beatles t-shirts to wear the next day to school in honor of Beatles Day that their band teacher turned them on to. Bryn had to report to the bus at 1:45pm for a Cross Country meet in Saukville. It's a beautiful natural park that the kids either really love or really hate. It was definitely not Bryn's day as she didn't finish her usual first for our team. After the race she sighed as she couldn't get a good breath throughout the race and her legs felt really out of shape missing those practices the last couple days. Poor Brynnie.

Abby called me Friday morning to scream that she was in the mosh pit (standing area directly in front of the stage) at the McCain rally in LaCrosse! She was only 10 feet or less away from McCain and even got to shake his hand. She is so lucky that in her first voting year she was able to see both party's candidates in person! (She saw Barack just a couple weeks before.)

And Friday night was the big Homecoming game. And Bryn still didn't have shoes for the dance the next evening. Luckily Bryn doesn't care to shop so we found them at the first store we went to. As I was making dinner, Abby walked in! We were expecting her at 7pm, but her last class Friday was cancelled (really?) and she and her carpool were able to leave earlier. You should have seen the big hugs she got from Bryn and Paige! We got to eat dinner together and knew we'd lose her for the rest of the night with the game—and most of the next day, as she informed us that she was sleeping at Kendal's. The Falls lost (big time) the game to Brookfield Central. Jeff got to chat with a college buddy whose son is the punter for the opposing team.



Saturday morning Jeff drove Paige down to MSOE for her Tae Kwon Do testing. He liked exploring their new fieldhouse. Bryn had dress rehearsal for UWAY at UWM that Jeff and Paige had to pick her up from that so she could make her Homecoming hair appointment at 1:00pm. In the meantime, I had to grocery shop for Abby's possible 64 Facebook friends that she invited to our house that night and exchange Bryn's Homecoming shoes for her proper size. We all made it and were very impressed with Bryn's very girly hairdo. Bryn was disappointed she couldn't take in a nap before pictures because of her hair already being done. Abby and her friends became Bryn's makeup artists and did an awesome job! Her date came to our house first to pick Bryn up and let us take a picture of just them two at house first. Then Jeff and I followed them over to the designated Pictures House for their group and the pictures stations were so coordinated. I was very impressed. They left for dinner and the dance and we went back home to our pre-anniversary dinner (ribs and potatoes). Abby's group arrived around 7pm and we set out candles and had the firepit going. We all (including the party) left the house for Grand March at the high school to see all the couples, then the party ramped back up til about 1:30am. Bryn returned home around then too.

Missing out on Katie's baby shower today. I picked up this cute fleece star wrap and taggie blanket from the craft show I went to with Kristin a couple weeks ago. Hope they like it! We're all a little tired today, but OK. Jeff blacktopped the driveway. My parents are here, making a pitstop on their way to Indy for a mini-vacation with Meg's family to DC. Then Mom & Dad will continue to Florida where my aunt and uncle are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Kristin & family stopped in too to see Abby complete with homemade chocolate chip cookies for her to bring back to college! Abby's already on her way back to La Crosse. Tonight is Bryn's UWAY concert that my Mom and Jeff and I are anxious to hear.