Crazy Day and Family Fun

 

We drove and then had to take a bus to a skate park event with Tony Hawk in Raleigh. It was too crowded to see Tony at all. We could hear him skateboarding and listen to the announcer, but they hadn't set up any way for people to watch, so there were three people deep of sweaty men all around the competition bowl  and I wasn't going anywhere near that :) Jim couldn't see either but held the kids on his shoulders and they could see and told us it was "way cool." It was killing us that our 6 year old who really has no appreciation for this was enjoying it and we were just enjoying the smells lol. The best part of it was the bus ride. Jacob felt so grown up since the only buses he sees normally are school ones. Nicole and Mike were laughing and playing the whole time. It's fun to see them enjoy each other and have good times. They both recently had their yearly doctor checkups. Mike is 50lbs (73rd%) and 47.5in tall (82nd%) with a bmi of 15.7 (59th%). Strong solid kid. Loving school and my favorite is trying to read his stories. This age is the best since they spell phonetically. Mostly. Nicole is 61 lbs (68th%), 55.75in tall (off chart), with a BMI of 13.9 (10th%). She is so very tall. I have to tell her to sit down or lean her head back when I'm doing her hair because it's hard to see! 

 

After the trip to Raleigh, we headed down south to a hayride and activity day at a local lake. Turned out that free tickets were required for the hayride and they had already given them all out. So we had the kids run around and do the activities which was plenty fun for them.

 

That night Jim and I had date night, but he got a call and had to leave so I was home alone and got the mail to find that the mailman had put our dwarf gala apple tree into the mailbox and by shutting the mailbox had even clipped part of the tree. Which in the case of this twig, was a big deal. So sad. The child care called as well telling me Diana had a big bruise they already were icing on her head from another escapade. She is fearless! After the kids were in bed, me and the little twig commiserated over the day. Thinking it over I realized how much fun we had as a family despite the craziness and how grateful I am that Jim could go right away to help.

 

 

We planted the twig. It stands tall and proud, surrounded by cow manure and mulch. It feels strange watering it, we'll see if it "sticks".

 

 

While Jim was planting the stick, the kids and I carved four pumpkins. When I say "the kids and I" that means they drew the design, stuck sharp things into the pumpkin attempting to carve but mostly being dangerous, and then asked me to do it. Nicole actually started carving this year and made it a fourth of the way. Yay! I was able to have them gut their pumpkins and that really helped.

 

The LOVED seeing their spooky pumpkins! We got green tea lights and that works a lot easier than lighted candles.

 

After a message from the Friend magazine, we decorated cupcakes.

 

I started teaching the kids about flag football. I didn't realize they knew NOTHING about football. I wish I could have recorded the hilarious process of our game. Michael never really got the flag concept. He tackles and THEN takes the flag. Him counting 1-mississippi, etc is hilariously mixed up. Nicole acted like the world would end when Jake scored a touchdown because she was sure it meant he won the game on the first play. Jacob started running the other direction laughing whenever he got the ball. Diana didn't want anyone touching her fashion accessory aka flag belt. I could go on. I'd like to think that after a few days of practice we are a little better. 

 

Friday we made pizza and gingerbread men. We had dropped off dinner for a new mom and then "booed" a cupcake cake off at the cousins. I loved being able to do a few things for others and showing the kids how great it is to give. They made the most adorable card for the new mom. Anyways, Diana LOVED frosting her gingerbread ghost. Shortly after this picture she dumped an entire canister of stars onto her cookie.

 

Michael was hilarious he loved these cookies so much he was making sound effects and exclaiming in delight.

 

Jake would not look at the camera for long, he couldn't take his eyes off his cookies. He has been so fun to have at home while his older siblings are in school. This year is such an important one for me to really enjoy his time at home. He is going to be a young kindergartner compared to Nicole and Mike who are among the oldest in their classes. He's doing great at reading lessons and loves preschool so I think he'll do great.

 

Nicole is a lot like me. What can I say? She loaded every possible sprinkle and topping on her cookies and then said "Wait! I need more!" She didn't have every color of frosting on her cookie so it could in no way be done. Of course.

 

 

The rye grass grew! For three weeks we seeded, watered, seeded and watered and kept the kids off of it...and now 90 percent of our mud/clay pit has grass! It will only last the winter and then we'll have to deal with seeding or laying sod. But now the yard won't be muddy all winter. The kids love playing soccer back there now that it is like a real yard with all of the holes they had dug filled in and a good carpet of grass.

Nicole's Baptism, fruit planting, cousins

 

On October 5th, Nicole was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She has been anticipating this day for a long time and has felt nervous. Before we went to the church building that morning, she read letters of love and encouragement from some of her grandparents and uncles. When we got to the building, she told me she wasn't nervous at all anymore. And I could tell she wasn't. Even though being in front of a lot of people was something that had her worried before, she was totally relaxed and just ready for her special day. It was sweet to see how those letters and all the love of family supported her and helped her feel the Spirit.

 

 

It was so neat to have Marian (who conducted the music) and her family there, my cousin Greg and his family, as well as Kathryn (who said the closing prayer) there to support Nicole.

 

Our oldest child is baptized! Such an exciting day for our family.

 

 

She was sweet and beautiful in her white dress. She has shown more spiritual maturity since her baptism- more taking charge of her actions and trying harder to do what's right. She has such a good heart.

 

 

Each of these friends and family are so dear to us, it was a privilege to have their love and support for Nicole.

 

 

Kathryn stayed with us the next week as well and we went to the farmers market in Raleigh. I had never been and it was pretty cool to see everything they had.

 

 

Jim took Kathryn fishing and they had an epic day.

 

 

Here is their haul of fish they kept. They even caught a stingray! When they got home (Jim graciously cleaned the fish at the pier) they were eating fish for days.

 

 We planted a dwarf golden delicious apple tree, 4 blueberry bushes, muscadine grapes, and blackberry bush. We're still waiting on our dwarf gala. We used prettymuch every inch of area that gets good sun, I hope the plants survive the weather and the kids.

 

Almost two weeks later and they are still standing!

Michael playing soccer!

I love watching Michael. Literally skipping around, racing after the ball with a huge grin on his face, totally loving every second of play time. I didn't get a pic at Nicole's game but she had her best game ever yesterday. She usually kicks the ball one or two times a game, so I encouraged her with the incentive that she'd get a cookie for every time she hit the ball. Not only did she kick the ball 6 times, she got into the game and one time even kicked the ball right on her laces to clear it away from her goal. It was the best kick I've ever seen her do in a game. With her non-aggressive personality it was a huge game for her and you should have seen her grin every time she turned to me and held up her fingers to show me how many times she'd kicked the ball so far in the game. All for cookies! She is definitely my daughter.

We had the Kofford kids over last night so Brandon could take Marian out for a birthday dinner. The kids had pizza and I made some cod chowder for Jim and me.

In sourdough bread bowls, this is a favorite meal of mine! We usually only have it Christmas Eve, so it felt like a special treat.

 

Diana and Evelyn enjoying their treats.

 

 

Marian watched the kids so Jim could take me to Phantom of the Opera at DPAC with tickets a friend gave us. The show had live gunshots, pyrotechnics, fire, and talented performers. I had the time of my life! The music was so amazing live and the sets were incredible. It didn't get over until 11pm and it was hilarious how Jim and I were so tired. My teenage self would have been appalled :)

 

The back porch is like an extension of the house during this time of year with mild weather and cool breezes. Katy plays out here too and it is so wonderful to have the screen so I never have to worry about bugs.

 

 

On General Conference Sunday, Conference doesn't start until noon, so we took a walk around a lake with the Koffords and Kathryn. The two mile hike was a great way for the kids to be outside and we had them take pictures and point out Heavenly Father's beautiful creations. The weather was amazing and the kids managed to not get run over by an bikes or frighten away any of the dogs. 10 kids is sure a lot to have on a walk!  

 

Diana was all over the place- running ahead, lagging behind, checking out everything... whew!

 

Looking at the big leaves.

Nicole took a picture of some ducks in the pond. They saw lots of turtles too. We loved having Kathryn, Kelly and Sterling visit and spending time with cousins these past few weeks.