Week ending 10-29-17

We had a normal week of homeschool, pit orchestra, church activities, and taking care of little kids and life. We played outside a lot, went on a fall walk, and had a campfire. Nathan continues to work till 10pm every night and midnight on Saturdays, trying to run a solo practice entirely solo. Talea continues to be a sporadic napper--sometimes she won't nap at all and sometimes it's 1 hour and sometimes it's 3.5 hours. I never know and it's hard to plan to get things done or go places. But she's adorable and happy and I love her to pieces. All in all we're doing great and enjoying fall.

Last Sunday Kaitlyn went around with the camera taking pictures of what everyone was doing. I'm just posting a few of them. Here the 3 girls are goofing off in the kitchen while they make brownies. I love them cooking and laughing together. One day I'll really miss these times. 

Little kids watching Book of Mormon videos on the Mormon Channel. 

Thursday: Alexis, Kaitlyn, and Makenna threw away a lot of their cardboard and paper creations in order to clean up the playroom a bit. They took these pictures to remember a few things.

Here is a paper doll stroller and clothes. 

Paper doll bouncer. 

Cloth diapers Kaitlyn made for her doll a couple years ago. 

Spencer dressed up as a magician when he played the piano at a nursing home on Thursday and Friday. 

Friday: Thomas reading to his little brothers. 

Saturday: Samuel found this cake on the internet and wanted it even though he doesn't like cake. He's always had blondie brownies for his other 3 birthdays, but I made him this cake (Madalyn decorated it because Talea was too fussy) as he requested even though he didn't eat any of it. 

Sunday: Kylie took this to send to her friend in NC who also makes treats for YW and sends her pictures. Kylie was asked to bring treats for a combined YM/YW lesson today at church. She made nutterbutter ghosts and pumpkin muffins. She has well established herself as a good baker here.

Week ending 10-22-17

Last Sunday: The teenagers goofing off in the kitchen (which I LOVE) led to our very old dollar store candy corn dish to break. I had won it at a RS event years ago and it was very beloved in our house. Everyone was sad to see it go.  

Nathan playing Wise and Otherwise with the kids after tucking in the little ones. 

Monday: I love seeing all my kids splayed out on the couches for FHE. 

Kaitlyn singing and dancing with Talea through scripture reading. 

Alexis spent weeks writing a primary program for her primary (she's the president) which included Thomas, Kaitlyn, Makenna, and all of their many dolls. Their presentation was on Monday to which we invited the bishop's wife (she really wanted to see it). There were several musical numbers and everything went very smoothly. We did it after lunch but took these pictures before bed because we hadn't earlier.

Tuesday: This room has been spotless since these 2 moved to the basement. So when I walked in they must have seen the surprise on my face because Kaitlyn quickly explained, "We're at Aunt Lori's." The whole week they had suitcases and clothes and dolls in this room visiting Aunt Lori. 

Andy (in the middle) chasing Thomas with the ghost on his face. His boos were so cute. 

Learning to sit up!  

I was excited to find this at Kid to Kid for cheap. So far she loves it and I do too. It's so nice to have space in this house for baby gear. I've never been a baby gear person primarily because I don't like a lot of stuff in my house. 

Friday: After breakfast I sent the kids out to see the sun come up over the mountains. It was 8:20am. I can't believe how late it is here and wish it were a lot earlier as it makes it too tempting to sleep in. Still, it was a beautiful morning. 

I love seeing them all run around and be themselves.

Do you see Thomas about to catch the football? 

These two were finishing their breakfast. 

Friday: doing art. We were copying different trees from various children's books. We spent several hours on it while watching the temperature drop from 67 to 45. 

 Today: Taking a fall picture with my girls. 

Spencer was our photographer. 

Reassembling 

Thomas was the official photobomber. 

My six beautiful girls! 

These two have always been best friends.