November

It's a very rare occasion that Lizzy barks, but this sure got her going!

In November, I tried to do a little more baking. I made about 4 loaves of french bread, that the family seemed to enjoy. Luke found this big portion left over from dinner, and decided it was meant for him. I also made an apple pie and a raspberry peach pie -- which may be my new favorite. The kids seem to only appreciate chocolate pudding pie, so it's probably a good thing Grandpa Bill brought FOUR of them for Thanksgiving dinner. They didn't last long at this house.

 We hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year -- and since we don't like turkey, we opted for a prime rib, and it was delicious. Brad's parents and brother Paul ate with us, and his other brother Jeff popped in a couple times to say visit with everyone. Great times were had by all :)

Then we pulled out all the Christmas decorations and scattered them throughout the house. Lizzy loved sitting under the tree until it was decorated, and I had to treat her like a toddler trying to keep her from pulling all the things off the tree. Paul thought he could get away with just watching, but soon enough, Emma made him plop a few decorations on the tree, too.

 November 2016

Carving Pumpkins

The kids did most of the de-gutting this year -- we're making progress! They tried to help the best they could with the carving also. Fun family traditions -- and I love that we got photo-bombed by Bette Midler in Hocus Pocus!

 This boys smile just brings me so much joy :). He's so happy with the littlest things.

 Finished pumpkins! 

Oct 30, 2016

Farmstead

Annual trip to Farmstead pumpkin patch. The kids had fun on the potato sack slide, cow train, hay ride, giant pillow, feeding animals, zip line, corn pit, etc.

 Corn Maze

 Lucas was so proud of himself for finding this cob of corn. In my defense, I didn't think he would actually put it in his mouth until it was too late. He won't bite corn on the cob at home, but apparently this one looked appetizing...

 Jake wanted to haul the pumpkins this year.

 Each one picking their perfect pumpkin.

 Oct 27, 2016 

October

Why we love having a dog.

The joy powdered donuts can bring.

Jake getting his end of year soccer trophy and certificate. He won the Mr. Steady award because the coach could always count on Jacob to be where he needed to be and always ready to play. Jake had a great season, and we're always impressed with how well he does. He always tries his best, constantly chases the ball, and scored goals. Way to go Jake!

Ward Trunk-or-Treat. Luke - our ninja- was so thrilled people were giving him candy. I tried to carry it for him when it started getting a little heavy, but he wouldn't let anyone touch his bucket of treasure.

 Emma was a princess, and Jake was a transformer. He has no idea what a transformer is, but found the costume in our dress up box, and wanted to wear it. Lookin' good.

 I threw on anything I could find in the kids' dress up box that would fit, and ended up as some type of princess fairy -- with a rainbow tutu. 

Oct 2016

Leaf Attack

We were walking through Target, and they had a clearance on their back packs. Every time the kids get ready for school, I tell them to grab their back packs, and Lucas would always come to me "my pack-pack?" So I grabbed him one, and had to return for another when Jake really NEEDED one -- both Captain America Civil War back packs. Lucas wouldn't take that thing off. He wore it for days, and if you've got the Captain America back pack, might as well carry around the Thor hammer too.

And finally, we have a house with a tree! It's been years! I love watching the kids play around in the leaves. The kids actually helped quite a bit getting them all cleaned up -- earning their one dollar. I love chores.

Oct 2, 2016

Me and My Boys

My boys LOVE to help make banana bread. I love having them in the kitchen with me also, but it always takes longer to clean up, as something is always spilled. In this case the sugar. With those happy faces, the extra clean up is worth it. Love these boys!

Sept 2016

I Made Chocolate Milk!

I was outside with Luke while he was playing in his water table. He frequently will grab the hose to refill his table or sprinkle the grass. I was reading a book, when he runs up to me, "Mom! I made chocolate milk!" Nothing quite as fun as a boy with a pile of mud.

 

Sept 2016

September

We've started kennel training Lizzy, so whenever she started to sleep somewhere, we would put her in her kennel  so she would know that's her safe spot, sleeping spot, whatever... She always sneaks out most of the way, and sleeps like this... 

Lucas was a tad jealous in the beginning with this little baby puppy getting so much attention trying to get it potty trained and such, so he took over her comfy bed.

We went down to Twin for the CSI Ropes course where we did a couple climbing obstacles, and it was fun. We'll have to return when the kids are either older or at a babysitters so we can do more obstacles. After, we had a dinner out at my parents with more family than expected -- which is usually the case! Jake really enjoyed playing with the dry ice smoke when Uncle David was making homemade root beer!

The kids had school pictures, which turned out better than these, but I always have to sneak a picture.

School carnival -- the kids had a lot of fun running around to different booth activities and getting different prizes and treats. Emma participated in their class concert -- she loves to sing.

Another library excursion -- this was building creatures with play-doh.

 While there, Lucas happened to find a Big Hero 6 full size movie comic book. He was so excited, he wouldn't let it leave his hands. So we brought it home, and it was looked at every day -- eventually I had to take it back, which broke his heart. I found a kid version, but it was unacceptable. He still asks for this book every time we go to the library. I may have to find it again.

My birthday happened to fall on a Wednesday, which is the busiest day for us now, with ballet, soccer, and all the other duties. So I dropped Emma off at ballet, then ran to the field and sat in the light rain with Lucas watching Jake play soccer (His favorite color is blue if you're trying to find which one he is), and caught a nice glimpse of a rainbow. It was actually kind of fun huddling under my giant umbrella with the other mom's.

When we all finally got home that night, we all enjoyed some delicious cheesecake. I love this family of mine, and that I get to spend my birthdays with them -- even if they're spent running around getting them here and there.

Every day's a mini party with these three :).

 Sept 2016