Too Much Thinkin'

 There have been lots of thoughts running through my head lately.  My head is not the best place for me to hang out, by the way.  Life is much better when I can get out of my head and focus on the people around me.  I'll spare you the details of what has been going on in my head, maybe someday I'll write a very long post and put it all out there.  For now, I'll keep it in my head, and keep on movin' on.  If any of you are bored, give me a call, we can discuss the things inside my head, and yours too.  But be aware, I don't always answer the phone.  ;)

Well, I guess that little introduction was unnecessary.  Now you can all be extremely curious about what it is that keeps my brain waves alive and well.  Don't worry.  It's nothing too earth shattering.  

Anyway.  

I put together this little banner to fill the empty space below my mantle.  I love it.  It reminds me daily that I have lots to give thanks about.

This little darling is one of those blessings:

 I particularly love the messy macaroni face and long socks.

There are moments where all the kids are in close proximity to one another and there is no fighting.  See, proof:

 See the dirty breakfast dishes (photo taken at 5:30pm) also on the table?  Well, that's just real life, folks.

And, lastly, Lu finished ALL of her dinner tonight.  See!  It's such a rare occurrence, I just had to take a photo.  I swear, that girl survives on chocolate milk, cinnamon toast and nutella.  It's a diet perhaps I should consider?  It seems to work ok for her.

Halloween

 With Halloween on a Saturday I felt like we celebrated all week long.  The kids went to a Halloween carnival provided by the youth in our ward, to a Halloween party hosted by our friends, plus the school parade, and don't forget the actual trick or treating part.  Party all the time!

We finally got around to carving our pumpkins on Halloween afternoon.  The kids were so excited to attack those things.  They did a great job too, doing most of the grunt work themselves!

My ghouls:

 Maren was a Monster High something or other, Ellie was a vampire, Lainey was Cinderella, Everett was a bat, and Daisy was a princess.  Doesn't Daisy look just so big in that photo?  It's killing me.

 Crazy, silly girls.

 Everett didn't really want to pose for photos, the monkey.  His is the only costume I "made" this year.  He was so pleased with it, he's been running around in it for weeks.

Halloween was a blast.  Now, I can't wait for them to consume all that candy so my house is free of it.  They came downstairs this morning all ready to make a countdown chain for Christmas.  Always something to look forward to!

And one more unrelated photo (except for the chocolate on her face).  My Daisy baby loves to set up picnics. I love that little diaper bum running around our home.

Hoopla

 I love moments like these:

I took my newly-turned four year old to get some photos.  They turned out pretty nice if you ask me!  It does help to have an adorable subject:

 Love that girl!

You all know that Nick and I celebrated our anniversary.  We partied all weekend long, starting with a date to the theater.  We had a "fancy" dinner with the kids on our actual anniversary.  We were smart this year and ordered take out from a favorite restaurant for Nick and I, while the kids were pleased as punch to have ramen noodles with a little bubbly.  Win, win!  Notice that most of the kids are dressed up:

We got "dressed up" too:

 A crown, jewelry and high heels for me.  Tie and church shoes for Nick.  Silly somethings that make it special.  I should wear high heels more often.  You tall girls have no idea how good you have it.  :)

We also have made a fun tradition of watching our wedding videos (thank you, thank you, Jeremy and Cynthia!) on our anniversary with the kids.  It's always lots of fun and is a reminder of just how fast time flies.

We don't really do anniversary gifts, but we do try to spoil each other a bit.  This was a nice surprise from my thoughtful man:

Unrelated from anniversary hoopla; for FHE, we made our traditional orange popcorn balls, an October family favorite:

 Ya know, just to get the sugar juices flowing in preparation for Halloween.  :)

11 Years

Nick and I are celebrating us today.

11 Years of Selfies:

We were doing it before it was "cool".  :)

Marriage to this guy has been the sweetest part of life.  Happy Anniversary, my love!

A Little Adventure

I'm not very good at planning things way in advance.  Sometimes I surprise myself and do, but mostly, I'm a spontaneous kind of gal.  I knew Fall Break was coming up for my kids and I real bad wanted to get out of town.  It is the thing to do, after all (busiest weekend at the Salt Lake airport we've been told).  We looked into a few different locations, but always seem to end up in our favorite little getaway, St. George!  Maybe we'd have more places to explore if I actually booked in advance?  I'm thinking so.

Anyway, our hotel was booked.  Nick had a 4 day conference in Michigan just previous to Fall Break, and I was seriously considering ditching Nick with the kids on his return and hijacking a friend or two and enjoying a weekend thinking only of myself.  My kids are lucky little rascals and got to come along after all.  I didn't have the heart to break theirs, especially Everett who was counting down the days.  Thankfully, it was a mostly relaxing sort of vacation.

Pool time is a must:

 We tried out the Fractured Prune.  If you like warm cake donuts (and who doesn't?), you will like this place.  Highly recommend.

Keeping the Sabbath day holy can be a bit tricky while on vacation, but we did our best to make it special.  We went to church and then took a walk around the temple and enjoyed the visitor's center.

Maren and Lu walking down the temple steps like princesses:

Aw, best of friends:

I'm thinking Daisy has the silly face thing down:

 And my Everett looks so suave in that photo!  What a handsome little dude!

It was cloudy the entire time and rained on us just a bit.  Thank goodness umbrellas make for an adventure all on their own!  An umbrella with feet:

We also visited Brigham's home:

We will be growing out of 'normal' hotel rooms before too long, I fear.  But for now, we squeeze them all in.

We traveled home through Zion's and Bryce Canyon, thanks to Ellie, our resident Fourth Grader (free National Park pass for Fourth Graders, in case you didn't know).  I do believe we live in the most beautiful state.

Checkerboard Mesa in Zions:

I wanted to go to Bryce as I haven't been there in years.  It was chilly, rainy and foggy with poor visibility and wet shoes and all, but it was enjoyed anyway!

 Do you see the rainbow?

Me and my Honey, who has been my adventure buddy for nearly 11 years now!

 Let's do it some more, k?

My girls with their 'sad/mad' faces.  Sometimes it's real.  This time it was not.

A glad pic too, to even things out:

Ellie wanted to go hike in those hoodoos.  Next time.  Cause we are going back.  My kids, at this time, have short memories, so I figure we have to take them back to these places about every two years or so.  They won't complain about them already doing and seeing it all cause they won't remember it, and I get to enjoy it over and over again.  :)  

Here's to spontaneous little adventures!

Birthday Cake and Stuff

 Here are some random photos:

The girls gave Lu a spa experience:

Funny kids.  That would be Ritz crackers on her eyes because I wouldn't pick a cucumber for them.

And this is kids in the pool in October:

 It has been warm (no complaints!), but still, the POOL?  It was 60 degrees outside, and they were all freezing, but whatever.  I'm surprised they lasted as long as they did out there.  Funny kids.

They insisted we go pick our pumpkins, and then insisted we take a photo with them.  A good idea is a good idea!

And, as you know, we've been celebrating birthdays around here.  Nick is old:

 By the time we lit those last few candles, the first ones were only about an inch tall.  ;)

Grandma and Grandpa came for a visit:

And then it was Lainey's turn:

 Lu's cake was extra special because that cute little figurine was on MY cake when I turned 4.

 Golly Lu, that smile...

Present time.  Otherwise known as the attack of the siblings and cousins:

 It was a good day.  And the best part?  She was so EASY!  She knew it was her special day, but was just so happy to be in the middle of things.  No special requests, no tears, just happy, easy-going Lu and her fabulous smiles.  It was awesome.  Four is a good age.  Although I will miss her being three.  I never thought I would say that.

And, if you walked into my house, you'd know I've been working on a project:

Almost there!