48/52

Aubrey: Just another day learning around the kitchen table.


Allyson: This horsey is her current cannot live without or the whole world will not be right toy.



Austin: Just sitting in the playroom with his feet tucked under him getting lost in play.

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for ...

*Conrad's back surgery. Without it, that picture up there of him with kids climbing all over him, would still be just a hope for the future.  

* my hardworking husband, he works hard to provide for our family. 

* my job as wife, mom, and teacher. I get to spend my days at home with the people I love the very most. 

* Friends. I have some of the greatest friends who are there through thick and thin. Those ugly cry times and those times when you laugh so hard you think you just might pee a little. Yeah, my friends are awesome.

* Jesus, because really I can't do this without Him. 

My Mission field

Some times I forgot these little people are little children. I get so busy doing the things that I have to, need to,  I want to do, that I'm rushing these little ones along. I forgot to take the time to just enjoy them. It's I need to hurry up and make dinner. Have to hurry to get to the grocery store. I forget to take a moment and enjoy life with them, while they are still willing to share it with me.

Enjoy jumping in leaf piles. Digging in the dirt. Enjoying life together.

These kids are everything that I've wanted, I wanted to be a mom and have a family to take care of. And here I am rushing and hurrying and becoming annoyed at the very things that I wanted so much. I forgot that these children are my mission field. These moments are passing by faster than I ever imagined, I need to remember that dishes will always be dirty, the house will need cleaning and the laundry will always be there, but these little children won't, and I'm going to soak up these precious moments with them.

47/52

I was having a rough day Friday so we enjoyed a {mostly} day off. The kids enjoyed playing on the iPods and we still did some school work with Aubrey, but she was able to listen to music as worked.







"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

46/52

I don't want to forgot the little things. Little feet climbing the ladder to bed.



The way Allyson holds Big Goofy like a baby.


Austin's little feet kicking and dangling while he potties for the fiftieth today.


"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Happy Veteran's Day

Thank you to those men and women who have served to protect our country and our freedom!



We are forever grateful!

Halloween Recap

This years Halloween was a wet  one! Which was great because we needed the rain here but we haven't had rain in forever and of all the days. The kids had an absolute blast trunk of treating at church in the rain. They were giggling with excitement as they plowed through the puddles and they were soaked from their head to their toes.

This year we had 2 Queen Elsas {duh} I really wanted one of the girls to be Anna. I even tried bribing them with an Elsa dress to have after Halloween. No luck though.

Spider-Man and all his muscle showed up too!! Austin was hilarious, when someone would ask to see his muscles he would give me his treat bag and then flex.




Thankfully, the church had some bounce houses set up inside so we were able to escape the rain. The kids bounced out most of their extra energy.

The next day the kids got up and counted their candy. Sorted. Traded. And of course ate lots of candy!
    

I was surprised we didn't see as many Elsas as I was expecting. I saw quite a few Anna's and a some Olaf's, which made me smile and I made sure to compliment them.

What was your Elsa count this Halloween? 

45/52

My sweet little lady turned 4 on the 4th, her golden birthday! We celebrated this week with all things Frozen, Allyson's current favorite.



It came with some difficulties, but Aubrey enjoyed helping me with Allyson's Frozen party. It can be hard to watch your sister get the party that you want and the toys that you would like. After a couple talks, she was able to be happy for her sister and little sister was pretty excited to share her new goodies with big sis.


What better place to eat cake and your sister's birthday party than in the middle of the kitchen floor.


"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Pumpkin Patch

At the beginning of October we made a trip our to the pumpkin patch.



We went after the girls had their very first sleepover at Auntie Candice's house and the kids all went in costume. The kids weren't really into taking pictures except for Aubrey, of course.



The kids loved seeing all the animals, as usual. These rabbits were a hit.


Mattress jumping is always a favorite!!



Spider-Man, Doc, Cinderella, a Giants fan and another Doc holding their pumpkins at the end of the visit.


We only managed 2 trips this year. One was a really quick visit and then this one. The month of October flew by for us.

I went through and looked for all of our past pumpkin patch visits. I don't know why I didn't label posts when I began blogging. Didn't I think I would want to go back and see these things?

Oh, my goodness, Aubrey was so little!!! 
2009  2010  2011 Trip 1  2011- Trip #2  2012 2013

The night before four

I can't believe a whole year has come and gone. Wasn't I just tucking you in for your third birthday and here we are tucking you in for your last night as three?

Tomorrow is your fourth birthday, your golden birthday, and you are so very excited to celebrate, with all things Frozen, of course.

Three has been tough, you've definitely tested your daddy and I. Allyson, you are stubborn. You know what you want. You are a sneaky little girl. You are a goofy kid who just likes to have fun. You have such a kind heart. You give hugs and kisses freely to mommy and daddy. You like to cuddle and be held.

Really, I wish I could bottle you up right now and keep you in this moment. But there are so many things I'm looking forward to doing with you. You are quite the little game player. Chutes and Ladders is one of your favorite. Hide and Seek. I love watching you learn. Soaking in the whole world then listening to your sweet voice tell me about it.

Allyson Grace, I'm so excited to celebrate your little life tomorrow. Love you lots, Mama

44/52

Aubrey has a heart of gold. One morning she asked if she could make posters to sell. I said sure. She happily colored away. She came back in like 30 minutes later and was ready to set up shop outside "just like a yard sale". I broke her heart telling her that we couldn't do that.  Cue the tears. She looks up and tells me that she wanted to take the money from selling posters and donate it to children or animals that need to be adopted. I have some of the greatest friends, because I posted this on Facebook and in minutes people were telling her they'd buy a poster. Her face lit up when I showed her the comments. She's been a busy bee coloring away!




Allyson has been crackin' me up lately. She's been more adventurous in trying my food. She asked to try my kung pao chicken.
"Momma, that's too hot for me. It will make me a dragon. "


Austin was took cute for his shirt. Why not wear it on your head?

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."