In November we ...

...all squeezed in together to Facetime with my mom. She didn't answer. Shucks.

...cuddled through some sicknesses.

...and cuddled some more.

...lost some teeth.

...had some sicknesses that took a bit more than cuddling.

...enjoyed what sunshine and relative warmth the last of the year has to offer.

...had our last park day (in UT) of the year.

...and enjoyed it immensely, even this cute girl who came home from the park with a fever.

...tried out the big kid swings for the first time!

...climbed higher than mom's little heart could handle. This made me pretty nervous.

...helped daddy change the air filter. It takes an army, apparently.

...hung out in the car during dance and tumbling. No errands for these sickies. (Lots of sick this month.)

...shared our gratitude at preschool play group.

...watched shows.

...drew darling pictures.

...made delicious bread. So, so, so good. (Here)

...learned that Sam really loves Pirate Booty, and any generic version thereof.

...and he really doesn't like it when I put it

...in the car.

spent an absolutely fantastic two days being enriched, taught, and motivated.

...met Sheri Dew.

...dressed as the cutest Pilgrim ever.

...shared some love.

...spent family time together.

...had Thanksgiving at "the farm". Dani (my cousin's daughter) and Marie became fast friends.

...made apple turkeys.

...dressed dogs as turkeys.

...modeled our cute apple turkeys.

...had a pajama party.

...made a successful batch of monkey bread with grandma's surveillance.

...fed the dog.

...decorated for Christmas.

...saw a dear friend get baptized.  (Nice photo bomb, Sara.)

...and looked forward to welcoming December and all the wonderful Christmas magic ahead of us.

Halloween

On the morning of Halloween I dressed the littles up and took them to story time at the library. We don't frequent story time as much as I would like because it is too late in the morning for me to get Marie to school on time afterwards.  (read: I would like to every week and we don't ever go.) But then I noticed that another branch of the library is just as close to our house and has story time 30 minutes earlier. Hurray! I only have a picture of Sam the man, er, donkey because he was the one I was following around while the three girls (Anne, Marie, and our neighbor Alli) sat quietly and listened to the stories. Yes, Anne sat quietly and listened to the stories. That is another reason why story time might enter back into our lives in the near future.

My wonderful mother made the girls dresses for them. So darling! And an old friend/neighbor lent Brandon and I our costumes. Technically, this picutre was taken two days before Halloween on our way to the school Fall Festival (where Brandon and I were some of the only adults dressed up, lame). We wore the same costumes for Halloween, of course, so we didn't bother to take more pictures. 

 Las Tapatias, El Zorro, El Burrito, La Senora, El Guapo

 Trick or treating on Halloween night was a success. It was supposed to be pretty cold, but we got by with long sleeves on the kids and they were comfortable. They always love to sample from their spoils when they get home and before we send them off to bed. 

 

Sam was quite pleased with the whole, walk-around-hold-out-a-bucket-and-get-candy deal. Cutest donkey ever, if I do say so myself.

Another successful Halloween in the book.

Happy Birthday, Marie!

October came with excitement in the air in a way only Marie can provide. It was birthday planning time and she was ecstatic. Birthday executing time would perhaps be a better phrase, as she has been planning this party for, well, nearly two years now. Seriously. 

 We began with the invitations. A simple white card read:

Purple, pink, green, and blue,

we have some fun in store for you

It's Marie's birthday!

She loves to draw and create,

it's an ARTS and CRAFTS

party to celebrate!

 She joyfully took the time to decorate each invitation and write her friend's names on them.

The girls started the party out decorating their goody bags that would later be filled playdough and crayons.

Drawing portraits of themselves, decorating crowns with jewels, and drawing blindfolded (you can see the results of that in the background of this picture.)

 Frosting and decorating their own cupcake was a must and is always a favorite.

And some darling pictures of the guest of honor with some of her very favorite people.

I sure do love these sweet girls that are in my daughter's life. I'm so grateful for them!

The next morning came with the traditional decorated table with a small gift. This year the gift was a journal and some colored pencils.

Presents were opened, some cute clothes and a piggy bank to paint. She was super excited to wear her new dress to her friend RJ's baptism later that day.

Then some pictures, naturally. Sam would have nothing to do with standing still, so we gave up trying. 

That night we finally were able to present her with her "big" present, an easel! She's our little artist and continues to put it to use every day. 

 Red velvet cake and ice cream brought the night to a wonderful end for our sweet, darling, enthusiastic 6 year old girl.

What a wonderful weekend celebrating our Marie!