November in a Nutshell

I was not good at taking pictures this month.  Being pregnant and feeling super blah all the time in combination with preparing to go to Germany the first part of December while also trying to squeeze in 2 birthday celebrations, Thanksgiving and a quick trip to CA in November were all contributing factors.  So for better or for worse, here is a little slice of November:

A trip to CA with the entire family.  We went out to be there for my sister's wedding, but 2 days prior to the wedding the groom called it off.  Everyone except our family were already en route and we wanted to be there to support Emma at that difficult time anyway, so we went as planned.  We took family pictures and ate cake and arranged flowers.  We hugged and cried together.  And we had a family dance in the gym at the church.  It's been a tough time for Emma, but I'm glad for the chance we all had to be together and hopefully buoy her up.  As an added bonus, we were all there to hear Jacob give his homecoming talk in church, which was awesome!  What a treat to have everybody home and together for a few days!

The Carters came for a visit and we got a whole day with them!  It was so nice to catch up and spend time with them and of course we had to celebrate the three November birthdays together.

Thanksgiving:  We had our feast with our friends, the Statens.  I didn't get any pictures over there, but here are the kids working on our favorite rolls.  We had a great time visiting and eating and playing games.  So grateful for family and good friends.  And rolls.

Hayden's Bday

November 28

Hayden's 8th Birthday Party

Hayden turned 8 on the last day of November!  8 is a party year, so this guy had a Star Wars party like every other boy turning 8 this year.  Luckily, there is no shortage of Star Wars party ideas on pinterest, and Hayden was very involved in helping me research and pick out his party activities.  The best idea I had was for Dallin to film all the kids in a Star Wars movie trailer.  Since my energy has been really low, that was perfect!  I got a little breather from all the chaos for a second while I got the dessert ready, and the kids had a blast running around with light sabers and being movie stars.  Because of the holiday weekend not very many of his friends were able to come, so we were really glad there were a few who didn't travel for Thanksgiving!  We also got to borrow some really cool Star Wars stuff from our friends the Steels who just have cool stuff like life sized Yodas and giant R2D2 drink holders and inflatables for the front porch.  Those were pretty exciting.  

We love Hayden for his enthusiasm, charisma and commitment to living a full, busy life.  He has a fun-loving personality and always has a smile on his face, unless he is reenacting an epic scene from Star Wars or Harry Potter.  He loves to challenge himself and try new, difficult things.  We love this kid and are so grateful he came to our family.  

Oh Christmas Tree

November 27, 2015

Jemez Mountains

It's been a couple of years, but this year we went up to find a Christmas tree in the mountains.  For some reason, the road into the cutting location was closed (and they neglected to inform us of that at the ranger's office!)  So a couple of things happened as a result.  We got stuck in a snowy/muddy ditch right at the beginning while finding a place to park along the turn out up to San Gregorio Lake.  Thank goodness, there was another family there getting ready to leave, and the dad helped dig/push us out, while the Mom took pictures for us!  My kind of family.  :)  And secondly, we had to hike in to the area instead of drive up and park, which meant further to haul the tree out to where the car was parked, etc.  Which meant we weren't as picky about our tree this year, and it was kind of a Charlie Brown tree.  But once it got lights and decorations on it . . . yeah, it was still a Charlie Brown tree.  Gave the family room some character.

Dallin's Bday

November 20th

Home

Dallin had a birthday this month.  He turned 14 which isn't a "party" year,  and in fact he went to his first school dance that evening, so we just had a yummy dinner of his choosing, and cake and then he and his friend Charles when to a dance at school where he asked about a bajillion girls to dance.  What a guy! 

Dallin is a go-getter.  He is responsible, loves people and music (especially a cappella music.)  He works hard, looks for ways to help and isn't ashamed to watch Pride and Prejudice with me.  We are so grateful he is in our family.  

Pieces of October

Our friends the Esplins have been moving dirt in their backyard, and Bennett is a huge fan of the tractor that has been parked in their yard since October.  He runs over to touch it every time we are over there, and asks me to take his picture with it every time too!

I made a cute Halloween banner for my mantle.  Always nice to finish something I start.

Way back this summer I ordered 40 bulbs from the tulip farm we visited in Washington over spring break.  They came in October and I planted them along with 100 pansies in our front flower bed.  Hoping spring proves to be stunning!

Sean began cello lessons and is enjoying them so far.  It's so fun for me to hear him practice!

I chaperoned the middle school show choir retreat where we spent the night at a trampoline park!  Wow.  Might not have signed up had I known that's where we'd be sleeping. ;)

Sydney lost her first tooth!  (As you may remember, the top one had to be pulled do to an abscess in the tooth, so this was the first one that wiggled out all by itself!  It was an extremely traumatic experience for her.)  Thank goodness the tooth fairy makes every thing better.

Bennett and I shopping for pansies.  On the way home, we pulled into the parking lot of a park to catch a balloon landing--always exciting during Balloon Fiesta week!

Hayden and Sean saved up their money and together they bought an impressive Lego Star Wars set.  It took them about a week to build it.  Their favorite is giving Darth Vader a mug of hot cocoa while he commands the Emperial Star Destroyer. (I think that's what it is?)

EMS Show Choir Fall Carnival

We inflated hundreds of balloons for the "Up House" carnival booth, and saw Dallin and Daphne perform with Five Star in a super condensed version of Little Shop of Horrors, along with a few other fun Halloween songs like Monster Mash and for the life of me I can't remember the other one.  

Dallin and Charles were both featured as narrators with cool, super-low voices for various parts

Daphne won a goldfish at the carnival who, miraculously, is still alive 3 months later.  We keep expecting to come down one morning and find him floating at the top of the water, but little Barry just  keeps swimming!