Thanksgiving

The California Cousins came for Thanksgiving so of course we had to go have fun with them.

We're as big as bears, well maybe tiny bears at least.

Isabella came over to help make the pies and she let the boys help her.

They were even more interested in helping that normal and she was so sweet and patient with them.

We're all as big as various monkeys.

There was healthy food at Thanksgiving but since I was only in the charge of the pies, that's the only pictures you get.  2 pumpkin, 1 peanut butter chocolate, 1 ras-pear-y, 1 chocolate pecan, and 1 pumpkin pecan cheesecake.  Yum!

The kids had to sit at the kid's table because there were so many adults.

Let the fat-dogging begin.

Friday night I took the kids down to meet up with the great-grandparents at the temple lights.  They were late so we went to see the fountains at City Creek first.

Random leaf jumping in the middle of this post.

The kids were good sports with the huge crowds, cold weather, and slow pace.  I'm glad they get to see my grandparents though.  I didn't grow up around them and I'm glad my kids get to have at least 1 set of grandparents so close.

Christmas Card Pics

Fall

Just some random fall pictures.  Isaac picked out a lego building book at the fall book fair, which I normally would not have allowed, but he of all the kids is patient and focused enough to sit down and follow the instructions and build.

Miles is always inspired by his focus to sit down and make his own even if he needs a little help.

We've had a multitude of break-ins in our neighborhood lately so I've started taking pictures of suspicious vehicles.  Luckily we haven't been hit yet but I'm going to remain vigilant.

One Friday when all 3 boys were at school, Isla and I headed off to shop together.  She's old enough that she will say "I plomise to be good" so I let her walk instead of ride in the car.  Sadly I was reaching for a stocking holder on the very top shelf at Hobby Lobby and just couldn't reach it.  So I did a jump where I kicked my leg up and accidentally kicked Isla right in the nose with my shoe.  Yikes!  Instant bloody nose everywhere.  Bad mother.  So I was feeling bad for her and her giant sore nose at the next store and bought her this Cinderella necklace to make her feel better.  I know.  Bribery.  But I felt like such a bad mother even if she wasn't saying it.

We are hoping to remodel this spring so when I started smelling a dead mouse, I looked in all the normal spots and finally pulled the entire fridge out from the wall.  Sadly we discovered that the smell was coming from INSIDE the underneath part of the fridge where the motor is.  Taylor spent hours taking the thing apart but couldn't get in far enough to get the carcass out.  SO.... we decided to buy lots of air fresheners and just wait to 3 weeks for it to stop smelling instead of buying a new fridge or paying for a professional to take it apart and fix.  Most of the time it was fine, but when the fan would kick on... gag!

Sunday night dinners sometimes aren't ready on time so thankfully grandpa is happy to let the boys join him in his room for a cartoon.

I started running again to stay in shape and the only time I can find to fit it in without it really impacting my schedule is at 6am.  I'm usually back by 7am when the kids get up, but the few times I was a few minutes late it was wonderful to walk in to this:  everyone eating their breakfast (thanks to Ethan and Isaac helping them) and the scriptures in my spot, ready and waiting for me to read them.  Such a good group of kids I have!

For the month of November we've had up a "thankful" tree and we've tried to nightly write a new thing we're thankful for.  We failed miserably at being consistent, but the overflow of gratitude and focus on happiness made such a difference in our home.

These are some of my favorites:

We don't make it down to BYU as often as I'd like to when Taylor comes home with box tickets that no one else wanted (and even he doesn't want) but he's happy to stay home and watch Isla and Miles, then it's a big boys and mommy date to happy valley.

The elves are back!!!

The California cousins came for Thanksgiving and helped us rake some of the thousands of leaves and then jump in the piles.

Private (Isaac)

When we named our kids I wasn't thinking straight because truly I love using nicknames.  Which is easy with Miles/Milo/Milo Mo and Ethan/Ethee/Boozer and Isla/Yaya/Girlie.  Isaac however just doesn't seem to have a nickname.  And that bothers him.  So a few weeks back he announced at Sunday dinner that he needed one and his grandpa suggested Private.  He has latched onto that and now refers to himself as Private.

He is such a joy to have in our family.  He is easy going, a peacemaker, always willing to help, and just the kindest, sweetest, easiest little guy around.  

He is allergic to peanut butter so he makes "ketchup" sandwiches to take to school.

His favorite dinner is my tomato soup and grilled cheese.

Ethan's Fall Soccer

Is this shot gorgeous or what with the fall leaves on the fence and Ethan drilling a lovely shot.

Ethan's team is really fun to watch and it's finally becoming a real game instead of just 1 or 2 kids breaking away with the ball.  Ethan is still his fun, happy, bouncy self and we love watching his enjoyment of life.

And one of the things we love best about him is how caring he is of others- always congratulating those who score or do well and helping others when they're hurt or having a hard time- even the other team sometimes.  It's pretty funny to see him go give a pep talk to another team's player.

And we love where he plays this year because there are 4 different playgrounds to entertain the younger 3.

GOALLLL!!! by Ethan

Keep being your happy, wonderful self sweet Ethan!