Family Day with the Burkes

Last Saturday our friends the Burke family came to visit us. Between our 2 families, there were 6 children 3 and under. It was wild. What is funny is that earlier in our lives (back in our Louisville days), when we first became friends, there was no children between us. Now there are 6! We always have so much fun when we get together. We enjoyed playing, decorating Christmas cookies, watching movies, visiting the arboretum, eating white chicken chili, making smores in the fireplace, and just chatting and catching up.

A very sprinkled cookie. 

Hampton at the arboretum. 

The boys loved playing in the leaves. 

Wyatt and Everett just being boys!

All the boys: Silas, Wyatt, Everett, and Hampton. 

We look forward to seeing the Burkes again!

Breaking the Rules

Eric and I have been trying to be more intentional about spending one-on-one time with the children. So last Friday evening I had to pick up a few groceries at Wal-Mart and I took Everett along. It was already 6:30pm at this point, but I figured we could be back by bedtime. Well afterward Everett said he wanted to go to Target. He much prefers Target over Wal-Mart (so do I). It was already 7pm at this point. Bedtime is at 7:30, but we were having some special time together, so I went with it. There was a chill in the air and it was already dark. We had so much fun at Target. I let him direct where we went. We looked at the toys, the big televisions, browsed the shoes (I even found a new pair!). We giggled. Cookie from Starbucks? Sure! 

Try on sunglasses? Sure!

I am embarrassed to say, we may even had made up a song about stinky poo. Just trying to cater to him being a boy. I love these moments of spontaneity with the children. Staying up past bedtime to watch a movie. Having ice-cream for dinner. Breaking the rules. It happens every now and then and I love the response it creates as if to say, "Are you serious!?! This is great!"

When Daddy Comes Home

This past week Eric has been away on a business trip. We miss him so much when he is gone! It is always a joyful reunion upon his return. In fact, I got little miss all dressed up for the occasion. Her shirt said, "I love Daddy." The big boys were pretty happy to see him too.

The Past Few Days in Pictures

We've had a busy few days. Here is a hodge podge of happenings......

Everett has been busy with Thanksgiving festivities at preschool. He came home in this Indian hat today. His teacher names each of the children with an Indian name. Everett's is "Little Turtle." I'm thinking it has something to do with him hiding in his shell at times. 

There is a new lady of the house and her name is Eleanor. The boys just love this sweet girl. They have different ways of showing their love though. Hampton is a little bit of a bull. He has a tendency to hit her and squeeze her a bit too tight. It's all out of love though.  

She actually flinches a bit when he gets near. They'll be chums soon enough though. 

Everett is definitely more gentle. He gives her sweet kisses. She smiles and coos at him. No matter though,the big boys love Eleanor and she is becoming more and more aware of them.

Walking with the three. I am trying to lose this baby weight so when I go walking with all 3 children, this is how we have to do it. I certainly get a workout!

Looking forward to having friends over this weekend and of course, Thanksgiving next week. I love the holidays!

Homework, Weekend, and Teeth

We had a very fun-filled busy weekend. Nonny came to visit. But first off though......

On Thursday at preschool Everett was given his very first homework assignment. He had to decorate the feather for the classroom turkey. The instructions were he was to do it all by himself with very little guidance. So I gave him a few craft items and this is what he came up with. 

Last weekend my mom brought her two dachshunds with her. Suprisingly Maggie got along with both of them, which was great. So in honor of my mom's dachshund I put Eleanor in this cute dress.

Last weekend was a breath of fresh air for our marriage. Eric and I have practically had no time alone since Eleanor has been born, and even before that. So Friday night we had the opportunity to attend an event at our church. It was called Secret Church and was on marriage and family. It was a simulcast with David Platt as the speaker. It was amazing. And long. Seven hours to be exact and worth every minute. On Saturday we got to sleep in a bit and then went to Panera Bread for breakfast and then went shopping. Eleanor came with us, but it is still so much easier with one child! When we got home my mom and I went to the aboretum to hike one of the trails. It was such a gorgeous day and the sky was so blue!

We spent a lot of time doing this......looking at a map! 

Everett has fun when Nonny comes to visit. Especially when she gifts him with gingerbread cookies in the shape of a turkey!

Saturday evening Eric and I attended our friends annual Autumn party. It was fun to get out again on our own.

And none weekend related, but worth noting....I took Everett to the dentist today for his 6-month check-up. I actually took all three children.....by myself.....to the dentist.....and it wasn't a disaster. I am happy to report that Everett has no cavities and in the words of Dr. Jackson has "handsome teeth."

I am looking forward to a bit of "down time" with the children this week full of stay-at-home activites, crafts, and baking. 

Thankful

For the month of November, we started a thankful tree. Every day this month I will ask Everett what he is thankful for and I'll had a "leaf" with the his response on the tree. So far this is what we have:

1. School

2. Mama

3. Daddy

And while Everett was in preschool this morning, Hampton and I made this......Autumn bark! It is so good. It is white chocolate mixed with mini pretzels, dried cranberries, and candy corn. 

The boys loved them! I can't stay away from it either. 

Last night I had so much fun making some seasonal hair bows for Eleanor. She looked so cute in this pumpkin one today.

But she looks cute in anything if I do say so myself!



Aboretum in Autumn

The other day the air was cool and the skies were clear-so we decided to take a late afternoon hike at our favorite spot, the arboretum. Well we were looking for a picturesque spot for a few good pictures. Well the arboretum delivered, or Fall delivered.....either way it was gorgeous. Happy November!