Reminiscing....

This was a crazy photo shoot!

And I kinda miss those really chubby cheeks of his.

And there was a time I really thought I got my little red head I so badly want!

And her eyes still are so beautiful!

And when it was all over, I couldn't believe we actually got a good picture of us all. Sort of.

And this one too.

And now we really need to update since we have this little peanut to add to the photos.

Loving Joe

There are just no words adequate enough to describe the love we all have for this baby! I take way too many pictures of him that are exactly the same because I can't get enough of him!

He makes the best faces. We started food this week and his face says it all. To freeze time with him would be ideal, but then again he just gets better and better.

1st taste of sweet potatoes.

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Day of Thanks #22

Hannah- my family
Nathan- all the food
Abigail- food (pointing to it)
Aaron- our home
Me- so so much! My sweet little family that I was so happy to serve today with glorious food, a beautiful walk after dinner, cuddling up with said children and watching "Brave", dressing up as pilgrims and Indians and hearing Aaron teach the kids why we have a Thanksgiving day, talking to family that we missed today and thankful we live in a time where they are just a phone call away, and lastly, I'm so thankful for my Heavenly Father who knows me, loves me, and helps me to be the wife and mother He wants me to be.

Day of Thanks #21

So thankful that my mom taught me how to cook.

Day of Thanks #20

So thankful for my mission to Holland. Some of my greatest friends were made there and some pretty darn great memories too!

Day of Thanks #19

I'm thankful for our morning devotional routine. Love teaching my kids the primary songs, reading the scriptures to them, and installing in them a love of country. This is usually done with lots of giggles no matter how hard I try to teach them about sacred things, but I'm hopeful that it'll all sink in one day.
*saying the pledge of allegiance

Day of Thanks #18

So thankful for music and that I can play the piano.

Day of Thanks #17

So thankful for wonderful children's literature and that my children enjoy these books too!

Day of Thanks #16

I'm thankful for doctors.....sometimes.

Day of Thanks #15

Everything is just more of the same. I've been so sick. Sicker than I can remember being in a very long time. In desperation, I turned to some cold/flu medicine to help me "sleep". Yowzers! I forgot that I have an incredibly sensitive response to cold type meds that have any sleep aid. I was drugged all day long yesterday. My head was cloudy/spinning all day long. My poor chickens were out of food, and couldn't go one more day without eating. So my dad drove me to the store where I could buy their food. I was in no shape for driving. Then, I called my sister and asked her to come get all my children. She said I sounded delirious. Five minutes later, my mom and sister were here to pick all of them up so I could sleep the wretched medicine off. When they brought my kiddos back, they were fed, they were happy, and I was feeling much, much better.

I've been given oils for my sickness, medicine, food to stock my cupboards. I have been served, served, served. I'm so thankful! And today, I'm finally starting to feel a little more on the human side.

Day of Thanks #14

So thankful for Legos and the many hours of fun and creativity they provide this little guy.

Day of Thanks #13

I have had a bad case of the flu ever since Hannah's birthday party. With a fever spiking 102+, I have been a little more than down and out. But, I have had a sweet daughter put a cold towel on my head and walked to get her brother from school so I didn't have to, a mother who has cleaned my floors, bathrooms, vacuumed, done the dishes, and entertained children, a husband who has taken the children out so I could rest and called to check on me whenever he could, a sister who came over late one evening to give me some of her essential oils (that I'm convinced is what actually kicked the darn flu for good), a friend who has taken Hannah to school even though it is my turn to drive this week, and many phone calls from those who love me. I have felt very lived indeed! So thankful for these wonderful people in my life.

Day of Thanks #12

I am thankful for sleep because at this phase in my life I'm not getting much. I'm also so thankful for all the advice I've been given to try to help Joe to sleep longer.

Day of Thanks #11

I am so thankful we live close to cousins. They are the best of friends.

Hannah's Birthday and Party

Birthday Day: Opening Presents.

Her cute new outfit for school.

Waiting for her ride....she loves to have her picture taken.

Having lunch with Hannah and all her school friends. So happy she has good friends.

 Cousin Grace

 This boy totally has a crush on Hannah.

Playing at recess.

 Cute girl friends. Hallie, Ella, Allie, Hannah, Eveiya, Grace

Running off, back to class.

Came home looking like this and had a large envelope with birthday cards from everyone in her class.

Getting in trouble with younger brother and sister. Crying. Making up. And eating cake. (younger brothers can be so rotten sometimes. Somehow Nathan looks well pleased with himself...little stinker).

Poor quality pictures with mom and brother.

  
And some more with dad.

On with her birthday party. We tried to go with a rainbow theme. While waiting for her friends to arrive, these three sure had fun with the giant balloons.

The girls played, pin the cloud on the rainbow, made suckers, a really hard, but really fun candy game, and made necklaces.

 The kids LOVED these rainbow suckers we made out of jolly ranchers. (Thank you pinterest!)

The idea of the candy game was to try to pull out as much candy as you can until the person to your right rolls doubles. Much, much, much harder than it looks.

Aaron explaining the rules. Intensely.

 Addy scored a big chunk of candy.

Making necklaces.

Opening Presents: Her friends know her well. She got lots of art stuff and journals. She really enjoys writing lately.

 Back row: Grace, Mia, Sophia, Lydia.  Front row: Addison, Lindon, Suzy, Hannah, Chadley, Mackenzie

Cake and ice cream

Cute Sophia is tri-lingual. She sang happy birthday to Hannah in Spanish, English, and Chinese. Smart girl! and silly too!

 Made this funfetti cake from scratch. Was. Not. Good. Bummer!

I think Hannah had a fun fun day. I was completely exhausted by the time it was over.

Two more to end the night, because for some reason it's tradition.