Rachel was pulling him on a blanket across the wood floor and somehow his face ended up smacking the corner of the couch. He was relatively calm about the whole thing until Rachel told him he was bleeding. BUT I was able to get him calmed down quickly and we averted a major emotional disaster. I wonder what it will look like in the morning...
Every year we get together with all the cousins at Grandpa and Grandma Swensen's house to make gingerbread houses. The first couple years, we made them from scratch, but as our lives have gotten busier we have all opted for store bought kits. They work, so why not?! Simplify... that's what we're told, right???
Aak, he's out of little, teeny, tiny round candies for his gingerbread tree. Call in the Marines!
Phew! Thanks Grandma for finding more to finish it. The world didn't end after all!! [But it ALMOST did! And he really likes to cheese at the camera if you haven't noticed.]
The finished product.... for about 2 minutes anyway. We're down 3 trees and the gumballs on the roof. I don't think it will last through the week!
Gingerbread track housing!
We also like to get a group picture of the cousins when we're done. (We're minus 5 that couldn't make it... we missed you, Harwards!) So- with the commotion of gathering all the kids together and actually getting them to stand still for two seconds, no one noticed a little visitor up on the roof. We've seen him once or twice before, usually only in pictures. I wonder if Santa likes it when his elves get caught??? I guess we now know how he knows if we are naughty or nice! He's making his list and checking it twice!!
a bead wedged around her tooth! Lovely. Just lovely.
That's one proud girl!
I have been feeling very blessed the past few weeks and am so thankful for so many things. The bigger obvious ones are my family, my faith, this country, my freedom, my friends, but beyond those there are the little things that I take for granted that I am soooo grateful for.... running water, hot water, washing machines, a yard, cell phones, medicine, doctors, cars, lower gas prices, computers, the internet, DVR, cozy beds, electricity, heat, a semi-clean house, disinfectant cleaners, stores, etc. etc.. I know those are just conveniences that make life easier and better which is why I am thankful for them, but the truth is the things that really keep me going are the daily giggles, sincere notes, hugs, kisses, and unconditional love I recieve from my four little ones [and Nate, minus the notes and giggling.... he doesn't do that daily].
Here are some random happenings at our home this fall....
Rachel was so excited to open her presents when she woke up. I teased her and told her she couldn't open them until it was 8:31 AM because that's what time she was born. She didn't think waiting 45 more minutes was a good idea. I don't blame her. As you can see from the pictures, she was VERY happy to get an American Girl doll. She wanted the ice skating doll, Mia, but wouldn't you know it, the skates come separately... At least it made for two gifts to open instead of just one!
After school we had a "mini" birthday party. I let her invite 3 friends over to do a little frame painting project. I think she had a lot of fun. She has some great friends.
We had cake and ice cream with both sets of grandparents. She sure loves each of them and I know enjoyed having them over. I always forget to get pictures of her with them, though. I frustrate myself!
Isn't she just the cutest little 7 year old?!
Rachel did such a great job dancing at the Poinsettia Festival. She got a little nervous waiting for her turn, but didn't let it get her down.
The kids were so excited to give their dad presents! They hovered over him as he read their cards and opened their gifts.
Blowing out the candles...
Speaking of cupcakes-- I made ice cream cupcakes that were pretty good if I do say so myself!
They were a hit!
We hope you had a happy birthday, Nate! [Even if we had to celebrate it a day late!]
Today is Nate's 30th birthday! He is actually in Washington D.C. so we'll celebrate it with him tomorrow, but I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my best friend! I love you and miss you soooo much. You are such a blessing in my life. Thank you for being you!
He tried to open his eyes and smile, but he wasn't really awake. So I had to pull his lip down and try to snap a picture. [How do you like the dried up tooth paste on his upper lip?!]
The next morning..... "Hey Kaden! Show me your missing tooth. WHOA! Thanks bud!"
It just made me laugh because I wasn't expecting to find her shirtless again. It was actually the 2nd time today I found her that way. I've never had a child who liked to undress so bear with me as I find it funny and worth note. She woke up happy, but when she saw I had the camera and I wasn't picking her up right away she got ticked off!
I found her shirtless and proud!!
But couldn't!
Next thing I know she's mad as heck trying to get out of the house and I'm just laughing because she REALLY is mad that her shirt won't come off! I love the entertainment I enjoy from my children!!
This little kitty joined us for dinner tonight. We were very surprised! We didn't even know we owned one, but she is the cutest little feline we've ever seen!!
And here's the culprit!! Rachel was rather proud of her "face painting" skills. She got a little time-out, but how could Nate and I really be mad about that??? It's hard to try to look disappointed when we're laughing! [In case you are worried- it washed off just fine.]
Rachel smiled and looked at the camera. "Hi, Rachel!", I say. "Hi, Mom!", she utters back.
"Hello, Kaden! Hello! Helllllloooooo!" He wouldn't even look at me. I think he gave his Dad 5 or something then went on his merry old way. I did not exist to him! He must have been concentrating on the line of kids and where he was going next. Yep, that's what I'll tell myself so my feeling won't be hurt!
Poor girl! It was so loud in the gym, but sleep over took her!
Here are our little stinkers! Rachel was a witch. Kaden was Optimus Prime from Transformers. Tye was a Hot Wheels race car driver. Haley was a lady bug and wasn't very interested in gettting her picture taken!
We didn't do anything fancy this year. We just used whatever came with the costume. I'm determined to be more creative next year, though.
Our ward does a trunk-or-treat every year on Halloween day. I have mixed feeling about it, but our kids seem to like it and didn't care that we didn't do any traditional trick-or-treating this year. Our neighbor is in the top right picture. He's very creative every year and didn't disappoint! Our bishop's "trunk" was the llama... it wouldn't look at me, though! Maybe if I would have dressed up it wouldn't be so afraid of me!!! According to Nate I don't need to "dress up" to be a witch!! Ha, ha! No one's ever heard that joke before! Sorry... moving on....
Our fun filled day ended with Tye grabbing his stomach and saying, "My tummy hurts!" I hurried and emptied the treat bowl and handed it to Nate. Within seconds Tye was throwing up. Apparently, Nate wasn't ready for it because the first heave landed on the carpet. I didn't think he had eaten that much candy, but I'm guessing he sneaked more than I thought. He was fine after that. Nate didn't think it was necessary to take a picture. I assured him it was!!