11.4.2014 - for the privilege to vote

Tuesday morning I woke up and realized I hadn't researched all that I should have on the candidates and everything that was going to be on the ballot. Luckily Utah has such a great website to help become of aware of what is going on. I spent an hour in the morning researching and finally left feeling pretty confident in my decisions. 

It felt great walking in with Rudger holding my hand and looking around to see that 90 percent of who was there were the elderly. One man was in his American flag jacket that I can only guess he wears just once a year, another man in his full army uniform, and so many other good citizens. I left feeling very patriotic and proud to be an American. Plus Rudger and I loved getting our sticker.

11.3.2014 - for mondays

Mondays are one of the greatest days for me. I love being home and just recovering from the weekend. Why does my home go through such a whirlwind on those two days? If I can, I avoid leaving the house for the day.

I get laundry going, clean up any extra messes around the house, and try really hard to focus on the goals that I have made for the week. Mondays are such a fresh start. And adding Family Home Evening in is just the icing on the cake...most of the time :)

11.2.2014 - for happy sundays

Yesterday was just one of those really good Sundays. (for me, most Sundays are really good). It started out with the boys being extra good during Sacrament meeting. Lately we have been sitting among the elderly in our ward. After the meeting, one of the sweet sisters leaned over and told us we sure have our boys trained well. Made my day right there. Our testimony meeting was one of the best we have heard in a long time. There was an incredible spirit there that day. Which reminds me, I am so grateful for my testimony of the Prophet Joseph and for temples.

Sunday was an extra chilly day, finally felt right to have our traditional chili, rolls, and pumpkin pie. Always feels like I am back at home in Brigham City when I eat this.  Then the boys decided to brave the cold (Levi in shorts *sigh*) and run around and play together outside. I am just so thankful for happy Sundays like this one.

11.1.2014 - for preserving and that smell

I am so happy that it is November. Like, I have been completely giddy and excited the past few days. I was looking at what I did last year and remembered how much fun I had writing up simple things I was grateful for. So I'm doing it again, only last year I started part way through the month, not so this year :) I'm starting at the beginning. 

Obviously I am incredibly grateful for my family, and really this whole blog is dedicated to how much I love them and our memories. So you won't be seeing posts about them individually, unless there is something unique on a certain day that I am just so incredibly thankful for...we'll see.

The first day of November we put away all of the Halloween decorations - I was so over it, washed sheets, cleaned the house, and then spent the afternoon making applesauce. My dear friend gave me two boxes of apples AND let me borrow her Victorian Strainer so that we could turn those apples into some deliciousness. 

That whole day I kept thinking, I am so grateful for fruit, for inventions to help in preserving the fruit in different ways, for good people who share their produce, for help from my husband and our babies, and definitely for the smell of cinnamon and apples filling our home on that windy day.

halloween for days

Halloween has come and gone. I hope it was good for everyone. We had some good times, but I have to say, when Saturday came and Halloween week was over, I was one happy mama.

We kicked off the week by going to daddy's work for trick or treating. They got plenty of candy.

^^ I love how Justin is the only one aware of photo time. ^^

 We had a pumpkin carving party with some cousins.

 ^^ how cute are these! Justin's sister brought these. loved them ^^

 ^^ we also made treats for the ward Halloween party ^^

 ^^ I love how Levi washes his face the moment we came home from the party. ^^

Halloween day we stopped at the side of the road to get pictures of the boys in their costumes. We had just come back from McDonalds. We got happy meals for 1.99 for dressing up. Booya. Which explains the messy faces.

 Halloween night was lovely. We had pumpkin pizzas, and good intentions to have eyeball deviled eggs. We just had deviled eggs. Good enough. The boys loved trick or treating. Corbin and Taylor were all about having friends with us. Levi was all about getting to the next house as fast as possible. And Rudger was just stinkin cute saying "trick treat" and "thank you", then he would grab my face and say "trick treating...fun!!"

The highlight for the older three boys is when we climbed in the van with five of their other friends and drove over to the other neighborhood where they don't get a lot of trick or treaters. They scored big time there. I think some good memories were made.

And now, hello November!

around the table

So much life happens around our kitchen table. It's not my favorite table, but I love how many memories that table holds. After school the boys pile their books, papers, and homework onto that table, then they enjoy their after-school snack before we begin the long homework routine sitting at that table. We couldn't count the number of papers from crafts and drawings this table has seen. We talk about happy things that have happened to us as we sit around this table for dinner each evening. We have played countless games and put together many puzzles as a family here. So many happy birthdays, Christmas dinner, special events, fancy Sunday dinners have been set up at this table.

Every now and then I get the itch to start building a new table with Justin. But I think, how lucky are we to even have a table! Does it really matter what it looks like? We have managed to still have some pretty awesome memories even though it isn't the 'perfect' table.  So today, I am very happy to have our OUR table.

(but I really will love the day that Justin and I can build a table together) :)

days with a two year old

^^ this kid never has liked binkeys, now that he is two, he enjoys it every now and then. And hats, he loves hats. ^^ 

1. bikes inside, totally normal around here.

2. I'm trying really hard to be patient with him helping me.

^^ goodness gracious I love this boy.^^

 ^^ In our backyard is a big alfa-alfa field. We love the day when they come and cut.^^

^^ Puzzles are a favorite right now. And this is the choice of hats right now. I love how he wears it :) ^^

1. Again, painting with a two year old is a great way to teach me patience.
2. Babies today really are born knowing how to run technology. While I was washing dishes this morning, I looked over at Rudger to find him playing on his brother's tablet. AND he really knew what he was doing. Seriously.

I have been loving these days at home. Mondays are my favorite because we don't go anywhere. Just clean the house and wash laundry. Then play, watch Curious Goerge, and nap.  Today we need to run errands, and I'm having a really hard time getting us out the door. 
And...time to get off the computer...now.