November

November was a pretty typical month for us and not much going on. For Thanksgiving we were planning on having Grammy come to our house, but she ended up getting really really sick and spent a week in the hospital. Even after getting out of the hospital she wasn't feeling well and was told to stay home bound for a few months. So it was sort of last minute, but we took off to Colorado for Thanksgiving to be with Grammy! 

 We pulled into Colorado Springs after first stopping at the grocery store to get all the Thanksgiving fixings. Our drive was a little rough. The kids were great but I think we ended up being in the car for over 11 hours because of the traffic and some accidents! So we were all ready to get out of the car that's for sure!

Thanksgiving day was really chill... Cathy relaxed and Kevin took the kids for a walk while I got everything cooked and ready. Ari and Hailey set the table cute of course- their favorite task :) 

The rest of the holiday break we just did some things for Grammy around the house and played with cousins. After a few days in the house the kids were itching to go do something. So when Kevin took Grammy to her doctor appointment I took the kids to a local park. The park is so cute and fun, but we had the most fun playing around on the turf! The kids and I just raced around, practiced our gymnastic stunts,

 and the kids were begging me to teach them some of my yoga moves lol

I think Scott needs to start joining me in class...he has some major skills serious! 

It was a perfect morning. I'm sure you moms (and dads) out there know what I mean. Just one of those times you feel really connected to your kids with no distractions. Just pure fun and giggles. I always remember those moments the most!!

Then of course we were all thirsty so we grabbed some slushes afterwards.

 I didn't grab a ton of pictures mostly because we stayed really busy at Grammys and I was too distracted organizing which is my favorite thing to do. I get lost in work when it's organizing...I'm a nerd like that. ;) 

The kids did get to play with cousins a lot, and Brynlee even had a birthday party while we were there. 

Cute girls!

 We went with Aunt Brittney and our cousins to Bass Pro to see Santa which was awesome! My kids know that the real Santa only goes to Bass Pro, and it's been since Missouri since we got to visit with him. Always magical. 

 We had a good trip. Kevin was actually suppose to go on a work trip to Germany right after Thanksgiving. He was able to change his travels to fly right out of Colorado Springs so that was good! And the kids and I took off back home via car. The kids were so good and I listened to podcasts in my earbuds practically the whole ride. I think I even shaved an hour off our normal time the kids were that good for me. 

Aunt Lana got the kids extra projects from the Home Depot kids workshop which was the perfect way to keep busy while I unpacked everything from the trip.

Jay thrilled over a mini papa murphys he got for lunch one day 

 Kevin was out of town a full week. It takes longer to get everyone to bed when we can't divide and conquer. This was Ari waiting for her turn to be put to bed and she passed out on the stairs. I am always amazed at how fast and where my kids pass out!!

October and Halloween

We have an awesome Pumpkin Walk here in our town where people make scenes out of all kinds of pumpkins and squash. Its super fun and we took the kids one night

crafting with Jay

 Ari fell asleep reading her book one night

 We had a few days off of school and spent it doing some family fun things. The other kiddos were being shy with the camera, but here's Jay ice skating :)

 Arianna's dance studio added a Halloween show this year! It was super fun! Ari's class danced to Cruella Deville

 Carving our pumpkins

 Jay shares this trait with Hailey where they stick out their tongue when they are concentrating hard. lol so cute

 I helped Jay draw his face and then he cut it all out by himself! Pretty impressive!

 I love the eyes and jagged mouth Hailey did

 And Ari did a decorative cutout along the top of hers which she said were eyes- spooky!

 Scott has a lot of patience always doing very intricate cutting

Then there's dad just getting down to business haha

Mom's is the little cat cutout

Jay is the king of dress up so of course he was super excited for Halloween! He's also the youngest so he has a huge helping of outfits to pick from! He got to have a party at school the day before and he was batman

Then while the older kids were at school, Jay and I got to trick or trick down main street. He was spiderman!

For me this is such a special time with my kids. I've gotten to do it with each of the kids, sometimes more than one at the same time. This time I was just relishing it up realizing it will be the last time I get to do it with Jay since he is heading off to kindergarten next year! Crazy!

 Then one final costume change into a fireman for trick or treating :)

Scott the soldier, Hailey the man pirate, Jay the firefighter and Arianna the leopard

Hailey had a blast at school with some of the mom helpers actually thinking she was a boy. And at the grocery store and several other places. She thought it was the funniest thing on the planet. This girl... lol

 Lots of candy so I guess you can say we had a successful Halloween

And then it's time to crash! (Mom's favorite!) :)