November Recap

 This post almost got totally bypassed as I forgot all about it. I sent the pictures over and then left it for weeks... I randomly remembered but if I started the December recap, I am betting this would have never gotten done. In any case, our November. It was fast and fun and my days are all running together.  So, I am just doing a photo dump and will explain the photos are we go:

Bedtime around here has been extra sweet, especially when Payton takes the extra few minutes to read to her brothers before bed. Both boys are working through bible studies with parents each night, a routine that Payton loves and now the boys are starting to enjoy as well. 

For the holiday feast, Monte went to eat lunch with Payton at school. Jayden and I went and ate lunch with Riley at school, but we forgot to take even one picture of the time together. Both kids enjoyed having guests with them for a meal! We love seeing them at school doing their own thing!

We go to a library near Payton's school weekly as she has piano there as well one night a week. One night we were there the library was hosting an ornament craft. All three kids made one, but we only got a picture of Payton. Seems to be a running them for November. Life just gets busy!

We made hot cocoa special for Jayden and he really enjoys this special treat!

For Thanksgiving, we went to my husband's parents house and had a great time with them. Again, one of the few pictures I got was of the 3 kids playing at the park together. I also took this random picture:

                                          

Cups I had made for my in-laws years ago, but now my children recognize 2 of the 3 sayings on them. So that was fun! They all wanted to use the cups they knew. It made my heart so happy.

One day we were randomly out running errands and we saw a free box in front of a house. Payton insisted on stopping. She found soooo many things! I have to laugh because I don't normally stop but the frugal Payton side is always seeming to find really good items. She always has her eyes on the lookout for a "free" box. 

Riley and I spent some time together cuddling while the other two kids were sleeping/playing. I sure love this sweet kid. 

We had one weekend where we divided up. Monte and Riley went hunting together at my in-laws land while I stayed home with Payton and Jayden. We had 2 birthday parties to attend, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. The above picture is one of those parties. We also tried to wrap in all the extra fun we could, making a stop at the library in this same town after the party:

And also the park in this town, with their high lookout tower:

And right after Thanksgiving, it was time to pull out Christmas decor:

The kids were glad to see the gingerbread house come back out. I think this was the third year with it and it's starting to look very loved. I am not sure it will make it another year. 

The tree was set up and a few gifts went right under it. And our mantle was put together:

                                              

                                                         

Then on one sunny day we got outside for exterior decor. The kids all get to get on the roof this one time for about 5 minutes before the lights are hung. They live for this day.

I took a belly shot at 18 weeks:

Each year I try to complete a project around the house and this year it was a gnome decor piece. 

One weekend in November, Monte was gone for deer hunting on his own with his family. He facetimed us to share a deer he saw. Riley was so excited. We were all thrilled when he got a deer and could finally return home to us. 

And that was the highlight of our month! November went fast and as I type this, I get a few days break before I start on December's recap. I have no sense of time!

Happy Holidays!

Jayden's Birthday

 Our sweet 3rd child had a birthday! He has looked forward to this day for about a month now. This year is fell on a Monday so my husband decided to take the day off to celebrate with him. Unfortunately, our second child ended up sick that whole weekend so we decided to keep him home on Monday just to make sure he was 100% before sending him back to school. This ended up being a huge blessing as we decided at the last minute to keep our oldest home as well and just spend the whole day celebrating Jayden, as a family of 5. 

Sometimes, the best things in life are completely different from the original plan you had.

Having all 3 of our children home with us for this random Monday, a day that happened to be Jayden's special day ended up being exactly what we all needed. We spent the entire day devoted to Jayden and doing all the things he loves to do, including baking a birthday cake.

                                                           

We had birthday waffles to start the day and since we would all be at home, right after breakfast we started on a cake for Jayden. It was delicious!

One request Jayden had made for his special day was to go play at an entertainment center. We originally planned to go right after school but were able to switch and go right after nap/rest time. Jayden could pick one area (he chose the play world) and we had the whole place to ourselves! We ended up also taking the kids glow golfing since the place was so quiet, such a rarity. 

We stayed and played until dark time and so we grabbed a quick dinner (and Jayden had a packed meal with us I had made earlier that day), and drove to look at Christmas lights. We also stopped at the light festival in the park, a real treat that we all enjoy and look forward to yearly!

We came back home about bedtime and Jayden ended his day saying it was one of his best birthdays yet (at least until next year when we hope he says it again)!

Jayden, 

I can't believe you are 5! You have grown so quickly and the years go by so fast with you. You are living your best life and I pray you never lose touch with that side of you. Our true miracle child, you have taught us more about life than I think we may ever teach you. Keep finding the good in all the cards life hands you, God prepared you for your journey and you are the one that reminds us of that over and over again. We love you more than words can ever say. You are enough, just as you are.

Love,

Mommy