My Kids

This week, Madeline finished reading The Book of Mormon on her own.  I am so proud of her.  She read every day because she wanted to.  How many 11 year olds can say that?!?  

 Oliver is my cute little turkey

 Cooper always makes us giggle!

And the teenager is once again not pictured.  But can I just say that I really enjoy playing dice and cards with that kid.  I CANNOT beat Ethan in Quiddler, though I tend to win Dutch Blitz.  And we both take turns winning in Yahtzee.  I find it all quite fun!

Week 4

Week four of pie month:  Pecan Pie!

 I've never been able to eat such a big piece of pecan pie in my life.  I'm totally loving this pie month thing!  :)

This Week

My little donut buddy 

Cooper was very impressed with himself when he spent the afternoon collecting a bucket full of worms!  It was probably at least an inch deep!  I made him put them back in the dirt.  :)

 Waiting for the kids to come out from school

 Cooper's concert was very cute!  He likes to perform.  He sang seven original animal songs.

 Last Sunday was week 3 of pie month.  Cherry Pie!

 And yesterday, Todd and I celebrated our 16th anniversary.  We enjoyed breakfast together and then in the afternoon went to Vancouver for shopping, temple sealings, and dinner.  I have felt so very grateful for Todd lately.  And so blessed that he is my companion now and forever.

Cute Kids and Treats

Madeline came home from school in the mood to sew a Pokemon.  So she did!

Cooper spends a lot of time upside down at ninja class.  He still loves it!

Oliver is pretty pleased with his first ever lego set!

And these two have been playing legos for hours!

Ethan is awesome too.  I just don't have any pictures of him.  lol.

I turned the leftover birthday cupcakes into cake pops.  I just wanted to randomly.  teehee, kinda like suddenly wanting to sew a Pokemon...

They were sooo yummy!

and cute!

Week two of pie month:  Chocolate Cream Pie

Sooooooo rich!  YUM!!

Oliver's Birthday

We started out the birthday with chocolate chip muffins!  Yum!

and a present because waiting until the party at night is too hard!

 Giraffe cake!

 John Deere Action.  Oh yeah!

 Oliver and I went to McDonald's for lunch.  It was a fun little date.

 Admiring his beanie boo zebra

 It is Nana's birthday too!

 First LEGO set

Playing Hungry Hippos.  This game is a winner!

 Happy Birthday to two of my most favorite people!

Oh how I love you both!

 It was such a fun day.  I especially enjoyed the evening which was full of chaos, excitement and a very hyper Oliver.  I couldn't stop giggling.

Happy Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Oliver!

Look who turned five!

 I've really enjoyed thinking back to his baby days and sharing stories with Oliver.  He didn't know he was so early and tiny and sick.  With feeding and breathing tubes and phototherapy lights and wires.  I remember snuggling with my tiny little baby and even though he was in the NICU and life was upside down, when I was with Oliver, I felt peace.  Calm and good.

 I still feel peace with Oliver.  And happy.  He is shy and quiet in public, but loud and dynamic at home.  He has big ideas and plans on how to execute them.  He loves playing board games with me everyday at lunch.  Life and Sorry and Uno.

 He loves giraffes and elephants and zebras.  He loves cars and trucks and building toys.  He loves to paint.  He still loves fruit snacks best.  And chocolate ice cream cones.  Milk and ramen noodles.

One of my greatest joys has been watching him and Cooper become best buddies.  They went from not wanting to be in the same room to playing every waking minute with each other.  My heart is so happy that they have each other.

Wow!  My baby is five.  He's been such a gift to our family.  Happy Birthday Oliver!

Pie Month!

This year, I decided to make November "pie month".  I have way too many must-bake pies on the list to be able to make them all on Thanksgiving, plus this way, we can enjoy all of them without being too full.  More pies and more enjoyment!  I'm super excited.  This week, peach pie!  

 We ate it while enjoying the beautiful sunset.  It seems like every night the sky is amazing.  I love it!