Recent Happenins

Hello! It's about time I post some pictures from August and September to let you know what we've been up to. Life has been pleasant and good. Nathan quit his job on July 31. To put it more accurately, he had a 3 year contract at the physician's practice where he worked and he chose not to renew. He was miserable there and it was starting to affect our home life so that I was becoming miserable too. Life has done a complete switch and I LOVE having this time with him while he looks for a new job. We're praying it won't take long, but for now he's happy, I'm happy, and the kids are happy as we all enjoy time together and look forward to our new little one joining us soon (due in 10 days) as well as the upcoming holidays.

 

Makenna playing in a hole in the deck railing.

 



 Each week we study a poet and the kids memorize a poem to be recited on Friday during our poetry recital. Alexis has asked for cooking lessons for the past year or two so this school year I finally wove it into her schedule. Every Friday she makes a new recipe for snack, which we eat after our poetry recital. One Friday (above) she made cheddar puff pull apart bread. Another Friday (below) she made French bread with a yummy cheese dip, a yogurt dip to be served with fruit, and the best chocolate fondue ever.

 The kids have had a fettish with the Piano Guys recently. One afternoon Nathan and Thomas made this cello out of Tinker Toys and were so proud of it.

What's new with Spencer? On September 16 he got braces! I'm excited for his teeth to straighten out because they're horrendous.

 

 What happened on September 17? Kylie became a teenager!! I can't believe it. My little girl. She is still as sweet as can be, loves to baby-sit, helps around the house without being asked, loves to play with her little sisters, and continues to bake and crochet like crazy. She is a huge blessing to our family and I don't know what I'd do without her.

 

 Makenna and Kaitlyn raking the first fallen leaves of the season.

 

 School is going great, especially with Nathan to help with math and science most days. Here the kids do art, which has always been a favorite subject at our house.

 

 Meanwhile, Kaitlyn and Makenna put pretzels and Life into containers and shape sorter toys. I love watching them interact because they remind me so much of Kylie and Madalyn. Those were good times! As they are still best friends, I hope Kaitlyn and Makenna will always be close too.

 

 One of Kylie's new experiment treats. These were awesome! The only problem was that they gave me terrible heartburn so I refrained from having more than one. However, Kylie promised she would bring some to me in the hospital when my heartburn will be gone and I can have as many as I want. :)

 In the middle of school one day we got an awesome storm so we ditched our books and ran out to play in it. Even Nathan ran out in his clothes and we had a great time. It's so fun having him home and involved like this when we used to see him so little.

 The ditches filled up super fast, which was fun to watch.

 

 Daddy and Kaitlyn playing chess. Again, it's wonderful to have him home and spending time with us. Before he quit his job, most nights he worked till midnight at his office just trying to stay up on his patients.

 Makenna and Thomas coloring.

 

 Kait the Great.

Doing a dance on the table??

She is a happy, fun, talkative, and sweet little girl. She keeps us all laughing and from the things she says, makes us feel good about ourselves. (i.e. she's always complimenting or thanking us for something.)

 

 Kait and Tom taking their dolls on a trip.

 

 Playing the sock stealing game where everyone tries to get someone else's sock without losing their own. It's wonderful to have Nathan home for FHE and actively participating instead of zoning out.

 

 Kaitlyn taking a turn with the powerwasher, one of Nathan's many projects when he first stopped working.

 

 FHE game again: playing the candy bar game where, when you roll doubles, you put on hat, scarf, coat, and gloves and then cut into candy before the next person rolls doubles. Nathan was hilarious and we all enjoyed seeing this new, relaxing side of him that we've never seen before. I had no idea he was so fun!

 

 Blue and white day at church. :)

 

August 18

 30 weeks pregnant