October was a month filled with cherished traditions, celebrations, and family moments that brought joy and meaning to our lives. Here’s a look back at how we spent this eventful month:
Rosh Hashanah 2024
Aiden and I attended Rosh Hashanah services this year. Aiden started by assisting with the religious school program but found it less engaging than anticipated, so he joined me in the main service. It was special to share this time of reflection and renewal together.
That evening, we celebrated the first night of Rosh Hashanah with a dinner hosted by the Arkos. The Pattee family joined us, and the evening was filled with warmth, laughter, and delicious food. Unfortunately, Josh wasn’t able to attend as he was feeling under the weather, but we brought home some of the festive spirit to share with him.
Madilyn’s High School Adventures
Madilyn continued her tradition of attending Brophy College Preparatory varsity football games with her Xavier friends. Each game brought a new color theme for the crowd—a fun way to embrace school spirit and camaraderie.
In addition to football games, Madilyn celebrated a friend’s birthday with pumpkin decorating and delicious food. These moments of creativity and connection added a festive touch to her October.
Yom Kippur and Breaking the Fast
We broke the fast for Yom Kippur at the Pattee’s home, where we gathered with friends and family to mark the end of the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It was a meaningful evening filled with gratitude and delicious food shared with loved ones.
Homecoming 2024
To kick off Homecoming week, the student body at XCP participated in a Spooky Spirit week full of costumes, pajamas and spirit clothes. Thursday night was the Brophy varsity football Homecoming game. And, the Brophy/Xavier Homecoming Dance was on Saturday night. Madilyn attended Homecoming with a lively group of her friends, and it was quite the event! The evening began with a pre-party at Jacob’s home, followed by a bus ride to the Halloween-themed dance. The decorations, complete with scary monsters, made for an unforgettable night. After the dance, the group returned to Jacob’s for a post-party, but we decided one party was enough. Josh picked up Madilyn and her friend Tessa after the bus dropped them off, bringing a fun-filled evening to a close.
A Birthday Hike
On the Wednesday before my birthday, Josh and I decided to play hookie from work and enjoy a hike at Tom’s Thumb in north Scottsdale. The beautiful morning, scenic desert views, and quality time with our dogs made for a perfect way to celebrate. It was a wonderful reminder of the importance of carving out time for each other amidst busy schedules.
Halloween Festivities
Halloween was a blast for the kids this year. Aiden trick-or-treated with his friend Alex Jones, while Madilyn joined her XCP friends for the evening. Both groups celebrated in Desert Ridge, making logistics easy for us. Meanwhile, my work hosted a fun Halloween costume contest and carrier drop-in, adding some festive flair to the office.
Reflecting on October
October 2024 was a month of family traditions, community celebrations, and moments of gratitude. From meaningful holidays and milestone events to fun-filled festivities, we cherished every moment. As we look ahead to November, we carry with us the warmth and joy of this memorable month.
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