Two is easier than four!

Had such a fun day with these two cuties on Saturday.  We did some small business shopping and treat eating!  Todd took Ethan and Cooper out.  Divide and conquer!!!

Magic

This happened!  And he's loving it.  Might as well be his first Christmas all over again.

Thanksgiving

There is much to be grateful for

 We plastered the wall by our table with thoughts and expressions of gratitude

 Some delights from our day:

 The greatest delight I had was being with people I love.  And feeling love from family far away too.

 Happy Thanksgiving

My Anniversary

Celebrating 14 years!

We spent last evening shopping and eating good food and Todd spoiled me like he often does.  I'm very grateful this man is in my life.  Sometimes life is hard, but it's easier with him.

Random Fun

Madeline had a marvelous tea party

 And Cooper made me a treasure hunt.  This purple crown was the prize!

 Oliver's favorite way to spend the morning is with cars and colors!

 Ethan snuck in a month early to the youth activity and got a mission call!  He makes a handsome Elder.

 Brothers that color together...

 smile together!

Potty Training

Yesterday was Day 1 of potty training.  Halfway through the day and he was already on his 11th pair of underwear...haha...but all things considered he's been awesome.  So glad for my tile floors and our awesome new play mats (97 cent shower curtain liners)!

 Half as many accidents today (day 2) and all smaller.  I actually might survive this thing!  Meanwhile, playing in the tub is the best way to end the day!

Potty training is such a pain.  But he's a cutie and doing great.  Last kid last kid last kid!!!

Oliver's Birthday

 It's a great day to be THREEEEEE!

 We had such a fun day on Oliver and Nana's birthday.  We played at home and also went to Appel Farms.

 They sat by the fire there and read books.  Such sweet cuteness!

 Oliver's Tractor cake!  (Looks a lot like the one he had when he turned 2!)

 Cutest napper ever!!!

 Spoiled as usual with lots of fun presents

 Nana got a Berry Ricotta Cake.  They make a cute birthday duo!

 Happy Birthday to you!!

 kiss kiss - I LOVE YOU!!!

Happy Birthday Oliver!

Oliver came to us more than 6 weeks early.  It was a difficult and wild ride, but despite the craziness, he had a wonderfully calming effect on me.  This is what I wrote about him then: 

"Tiny and perfect.  Calming and peaceful.  I wish I had more time to just hold you and soak you up.  But when I do, I feel so much love and I feel safe and happy.  You belong with us.  Like, how did we ever live without you?  I don't know who you are yet, or who you will become, but I know you were meant to come into my life."

 And now Oliver is THREE!  How is my baby three?!?

 Hugging and snuggling him is still one of my favorite things.  Still makes me feel calm and so much love.  And he really does belong just perfectly.  Completes us in the best way.

 He loves when things are calm.  He loves playing with tractors and cars and trains.  He isn't much of a morning person and doesn't like eating very much.  Unless it's fruit snack and chips.  Ha!

And he sure loves his mama.  Sometimes I just wish he'd like someone else for a tiny bit.  Anyone.  But in the end, I'm grateful I'm so loved.  Grateful that no matter how I look or act or feel, I have a little buddy who is happier to be with me than anything.

Happy Birthday Oliver.  I love you forever!

Halloween Fun

All ready for the Trunk-or-treat at the church.  My beauty fortune teller.

 They almost won musical chairs

 Carving Pumpkins!  I got a kick out of Oliver choosing a gourd.  And we had fun carving it.

 Cooper was a good goop scooper!

 cuteness

 GIANT pumpkin

 I like the mustache

 And what fun to try a ghost pumpkin!  Harder to carve, but it looks really cool.

 I think these pumpkins are a real testament to how different each of my children are from each other.

 Trick-or-treating 2017!  Fortune Teller, Superhero Dinosaur, Jedi, Doggy.

 Awesome pumpkins

 Trouble...