November (25)

 

One night Michael read stories to Maebryn I came in to find them both like this. They both were completely out. It must have been a great story that put them both to sleep.

Our nativity scenes around our house. I enjoy seeing the different ways that people depict the story of the Savior's birth.

These are our Christmas stockings. My grandma made stockings like these, and in fact made three in this picture (two of which are turned), I have continued on the tradition by making them for my kids.

We went out with my brothers and my brother's family to see the lights in Tennessee. It was a beautiful night and I enjoyed seeing all of the ways people chose to decorate their trees and windows.

Thanksgiving Day! It was such a joy to be with so many on Thanksgiving. We had one year where we were sick and were just us on Thanksgiving, it was fine for that year but since then I decided that we needed to make an effort to be with family on Thanksgiving. There is something about gathering that brings such a nice spirit. I really enjoyed being able to visit with my brothers and my sister-in-law. I also loved being able to see all of the cousins play together.

Working on a Thanksgiving craft I brought for the kids to do at Uncle Austen's farm. It was a sand art and everyone's looked beautiful!

Working on little projects around Austen's farm. We planted flowers, trees, cut down a Christmas tree and cleaned up the porch and few other things. We also had lots of fun yummy foods at his place.

Above was a quick stop on our way to Tennessee, originally we were going to have a few big stops but we ended up just walking around and getting right back in the van to make it to Austen's. It worked out and we made decent time. The trip really went very smoothly.

We put up most of the decorations at our house before we left so that everything would be up when we got home.

Our 17th Anniversary- The night prior we went mini golfing and got some food, then on Saturday morning we went to the temple, a gluten free bakery and walked around a couple of places in Fort Worth. It was a beautiful day!

My friend that just got baptized has been in and out of the hospital with her husband. We have been watching her cats while she has been away. One got out for a while and we couldn't find it anywhere until at some point we opened the trunk to the van and it was up in there. I really wanted them in their cage when we went on our trip so another little miracle was the night before our last night their was a big storm, I woke up to some sounds and felt like I should get up. It was the cats outside, they were scared the one finally came out, I sat down and let him come to me and was able to grab him and put him into his cage. One of many tender mercies as of late.

The lady that just got baptized had these barbie dolls for my girls one of the times we went by.

Our ducks, we love our ducks and how they run to us every time when we come home. We love watching them waddle around our yard.

Sending off all of the boxes of Squeaky Kingdoms to the people who preordered. Alden was very grateful for so many that ordered them from him. He sent them out all over the world.

Our art gallery, upstairs we have our wall of art that I love. I love that the kids can change them in and out as they please and that we have a place to hang all of the art they do.

October (25)

 

We had friends over for Halloween. We went trick or treating and then watched Black Beards Ghost.

Halloween morning having our traditional breakfast. And traditionally I try to scare them in the morning and I think I got one or two.

Halloween was on a Friday, so I taught sewing at Friday school. We made little bags together, so that was fun.

On Thursday the kids could dress up for Halloween, we didn't dress up in costumes but the girls wore Halloween outfits.

Michael's parents came through for a quick visit. We always love having them come through. 

This is a friend I made through the missionaries, I have learned so much from her, it was neat to see her enter the waters of baptism.

Celebrating Maebryn's birthday, she brings us so much joy and we are so grateful for her. It was fun having a day to celebrate her. She got some new dolls for her dollhouse.

Alden's game came! He now needs to get them all boxed up and shipped out and then find a way to sell all of the rest of the games.

Going to the Casa Manana play, we went to see Junie B. Jones. They did a good job, it wasn't my favorite of plays but I was amazed at the good messages that came from it. The main message I got was the importance of writing in our journal. 

Girls working on their paintings. I love that they enjoy doing art and will do it spontaneously throughout the day. 

We celebrated Benson's birth the day after his birthday, it was a great day. He wanted to visit the zoo, so we went their and enjoyed seeing all of the animals. Benson and Evan love animals. Benson got a rainforest lego set and a computer.

General Conference. We listened to Saturday at the campsite but then got to listen to Sunday's at home. I always enjoy General Conference. It brings such a sweet spirit into our home. 

Hike just before the first session of General Conference.

In between conferences we went out on this kayak, it was fun to be out on the water. 

We had lots of great meals that Michael had prepared before we left. We had very yummy enchiladas, then banana dessert, corn bread and chili, strawberry cake, we had nachos, we were going to have pizza but we didn't end up needing to make it. It was a very yummy campout. I was impressed with all Michael had prepared.