November 2024

 November was fast! And with Thanksgiving at the end of the month this year, we had a quick 3 weeks and then Christmas break. As I type this, Christmas is in a few days and I can't believe how fast this year has gone. One day, I will look back at this blog post and soak up these sweet little faces. These are the days. Oh, yes, these are 100% the best days of my life. Nurturing my children and watching them as they grow into these sweetest humans has been one of the best experiences of my life. I can't wait to see where my children go in life. I'm so grateful to be along for the ride.

We got out for the hot tub a few times. Avery loves hanging out and chatting with people next to the tub since she isn't old enough to get in yet. She doesn't mind. 

Payton and I took off to a nearby college town and watched their volleyball team play. Best money I've ever spent and I have asked myself so many times why we have never done this before. It was the last game of the season so next year I plan to take the whole family and go multiple times. 

We got to the park:

There are cattle across the field from us this winter and one night, we watched one get out and come say hi. It kept us highly entertained. He took himself back home before his owner made the trip to check on him:

And, oh how I love a sleeping baby picture. I have said that before. It is still true. Allow me to fill this spot with pictures of my sleeping princess:

We had some sickness this month so several of these pictures are from sickness or teething. These times are hard but also so precious. Avery June, we love you so much and all you offer this world. The craziness of you getting into everything and never slowing down (especially not for a long nap) has kept me so tired. I try to keep soaking up every second I get with you and find gratitude in this season.

I went out for a mom's night out and made a little pumpkin. It holds memories of a fun night with friends for me:

My husband got a deer and Riley got to be a part of the whole experience. He can't wait to start hunting himself:

The next week, Monte got another deer as part of deer season:

Just some pictures outside on our property:

One day, the kids decided to have their first tea party with Avery. She had the best time and was still found playing tea party long after the other 3 had grown tired of it.

Riley works really hard to read regularly to his siblings:

We went out to eat once this month, a real treat for us:

We did a Thanksgiving meal just our family in our home and that was great.

This year all the kids made something and it worked so well. Payton made the bread. Riley made the pies and cranberry sauce. Jayden helped make the pies. The food was great but the family time together was top notch. 

Over break, we hosted family for thanksgiving. It was a great time seeing the cousins play:

As soon as Thanksgiving ends, Monte finally gives the okay to put up the tree so that's what we do! The kids can't wait to put up the Christmas decorations around here.

My mom made us new stockings this year and I love them:

Payton had her first ever dance performance, in the nutcracker ballet:

Grandma came to watch, too and we loved the visit with her.

One day, while at home, I noticed people were outside. A tree came down in our front driveway and we never knew for sure they were coming. A few of us got to watch this:

Payton was selected for all state choir this year for the upper elementary school. So, we all went to the state capitol for a few days to cheer her on. We stayed at an airbnb that had a vault in the basement that contained a pool table. There was also a workout room. The kids loved this area.

While Payton and her classmate practiced during the day, we took the other 3 kids to the children's museum.

Then, late afternoon we watched her perform. She did great but I could not take any pictures or videos (rules). But we have this picture after the performance:

The next day we took all the kids to the zoo and enjoyed time as a family before returning home. 

It was a great month for our household. And now, on to enjoy December and Christmas!

October at Our House

 October blew in and out so fast, I can't even wrap my head around it. November is almost over as I type this so I know it is time to get this done before I am 2 months behind. It is actually Thanksgiving day as I type this up and behind me we have the Macy's Day Thanksgiving parade on and my children are all joyously watching and cheering on the parade. October seems so far behind me now though that October seems like a blur. That's how it goes sometimes.

We kick off the month with my birthday. And, yes, I am feeling old. The years are flying by. I was celebrated well by my family and friends though. In fact, I got the sweetest card from a friend that I felt needed to be remembered:

A few days after that, I landed myself in the hospital. I had my appendix removed and then spend the rest of the month recovering.  My mother came and helped out during this time and that was so appreciated. The view from the ambulance:

                                      
And from my hospital bed:

My kids came and visited me and Payton laid with me for a bit:

I had surgery and was out by the end of that day. This was a huge relief as my family was ready for me to be home. During this recovery time, I taught my mom the art of sourdough bread making:

                                                         

At the time of writing this post, she continues making bread now and all the various sourdough foods to her hearts content. It has been so fun to watch others grow in this hobby. We also loved having her around for all that goes on in our day to day life.

                                        

The rest of our lives didn't really slow down though. Football kept going and then came to an end part way through the month. 

Both boys enjoyed this season and we loved cheering them on, despite only having the one picture.

Payton took on her first real babysitting job. And she LOVED it:

Payton also had some volleyball tournaments this month. The first tournament they were on the bottom and learned how to lose with grace. The second tournament they fought hard and got first in their bracket, a win they really needed. It has been so fun to watch their personal growth and makes me so excited to see where Payton goes with this sport.

We headed to a pumpkin patch, one of my favorite October activities. Our local one we used to go to closed unfortunately and we will forever miss that location. However, we went to the next closest patch and still had a great time.

Then, we came home and promptly carved those pumpkins.

                                      

I am so much better over the years at letting things go and just letting the kids have fun and get messy. We clean the mess up later. So, lucky for Avery with this, she had a total ball and made a major mess! But she loved every minute of pumpkin carving.

Speaking of Avery, here are just some random baby love moments with her this month. If I haven't said this before, it is worth noting now, that I love having a baby/toddler around. They keep life so fun and I have a million pictures of each of my children at this stage. They make my world go 'round:

In her Halloween outfit:

Miss Avery, life is so much better with you in it. It's true, our whole house agrees. Thanks for being you.

I painted Jayden's bedroom that he would share with Avery. But, while we let the paint dry he slept downstairs and is currently debating staying down there. So, time will tell how this story plays out. We did move Avery out of our room though and into this room:

We continue to make good food. This month I tried a cheddar jalapeño sourdough bread requested by Riley and it was AMAZING!

I also made a cinnamon roll coffee cake that was then made again to go to some friend's houses with a meal we took them:

All the kids did a few library events this month, including one where they made (and ate) a spooky Halloween house:

I found a few afternoons that I could get into the hot tub alone. Avery takes very few naps in the crib currently and I take full advantage and am the most thankful for these few small windows of time:

It is time spent well! 😜

I made some treats to send to school with Jayden for his Halloween party:

The kids participated in a pumpkin painting project our local (and new) art district group set up and it was amazing:

                                                   

And then, it snuck up on me, we ended the month and it was Halloween! Each year, I get at least one event where the kids dress up in a themed photo. This year it was little red riding hood:

Meet the wolf disguised as grandma, the hunter, little red riding hood, and grandma herself!

Avery loved this dress and she even begged to wear each day after Halloween, to which I obliged. It is now snuck back into the dress up bin but will be pulled out again next year I think! 

Halloween night we went all over and even saw some friends:

                                      

The kids made out well:

We actually sent a bunch of our stash to Monte's work and let his coworkers enjoy extra treats!

And that was our October! Or at least what came up in my stash of pictures this month. It's been real. It's been busy. It's been real busy!