Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Feast in Nursery

Katie absolutely LOVES nursery. She is always so excited to go. She names of each of her nursery friends often during the week and calls each of them her best friend. 

 Hailey's Preschool program in November was just adorable, again. She sang and smiled and did her best. She doesn't enjoy having all eyes on her and isn't one to sing out but, she sings loud enough to be heard and does the actions too. It is really fun to watch her! 

Afterwards they brought home the special plate they had made with our family on it. 

Nathan can't get enough of brooms and sweeping as he crawls around. 

This is not a flattering picture but, it's all I got. Dave, Andrew and Ashley enjoyed 'Dads and Doughnuts' early morning before school. In truth, Dave said it disorganized chaos but, the kids sure feel special to be there, love eating a doughnut for breakfast and are lucky to have a dad who supports them in all that they do. 

Andrew had his second piano recital. He was feeling nervous and when he saw the program he was happy that he wasn't last because he wanted to get it over with. He announced his song with a good clear voice, sat and played perfectly! When he was done he gave me a big smile of relief. Andrew doesn't like piano practice and I wouldn't say that it comes naturally but, he does do his practice and we work hard as a team and he is learning very well. I am having a fun time learning alongside! 

Andrew and his teacher, Sjaanie Olds (pronounced Shawn-ee)

We had the car packed and ready so we left the piano recital and drove straight to Star Valley, Wyoming. We were there from late Tuesday night until late Friday night to spend Thanksgiving with the Schmidt Family in their beautiful cabin. We spent most our time playing games, watching shows, sledding, eating, spotting animals and playing more games, and more sledding. We made a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner altogether too. The kids had a fantastic time being with Ty and Mara and being out in the snow! 

One time during sledding Hailey saw a mouse in the snow and she walked right over to it and scooped it up. Mice are so fast but, in the cold, deep snow he was easy for her to grab. She let him go and re-caught him a few minutes later. She loved that mouse and was sad the next day when she didn't see him again.

Ty, Kate and Ashley watching a show one morning

 Sleepy Kate

 

The day after Thanksgiving we drove to Jackson Hole. It was freezing but we enjoyed a nice afternoon there. 

Lunch at Bubba's was fun and yummy

On our way out of Jackson Hole we saw Mountain Goats, a wolf and lots and lots of deer. 

We came home late Friday night because Dave, Andrew and Ashley had tickets for a very fun, very cold Utah football game on Saturday morning. 

  Ashley made a great sign to bring. She was cracking herself up that she couldn't make a U sign in her big huge gloves. 

 While they were at the game the 3 littles and I were home playing and enjoying our warm house. Cute Nate recently figured out that push toys are pretty fun. He has a few and loves his new perspective. If only he knew that walking unassisted was even more fun. 

That same night we had 2 tickets to the Jazz game. Andrew was lucky that it was his turn for a Jazz game, so he had double fun that day. 

Afterwards he wanted to see the live TV coverage so, we stuck around for a few more minutes. 

Dave sent me this picture during the game. I'd been working with Kate all day on potty training with no success but, that evening she used the potty! It was short lived and she was back in diapers the next day but, it was exciting and a good warm up on potty training. 

After such a big, fun weekend Kate fell asleep during Nursery. 

Piano time. Andrew is a wonderfully kind brother to Nathan. 

The sweetest

Dave and I got to use his work's Jazz tickets on the last day of November. We aren't used to such good seats! It was an exciting game, a heart breaking loss, and a fun time! 

November Part 1

Two little ladies helping me out at Smith's 

 We had a birthday dinner at the Farnsworth's house and Nate sure loved Hawkeye and his big bed. It's pretty disgusting really but, still pretty sweet. Nate has learned to love dogs from his dog loving older sisters. When he see a dog he yells, dog, dog dog, on repeat. It sounds like Dog but with a very light g. He does the same for cats, yelling Ca, ca, ca. He isn't a big talked but, I would say Dog is his first word. He used to say Uh, for Uh-oh but, not very often any more. He signs more and waves Hi and Bye.

 After Church, another nice day

Nate was NOT happy to be part of the picture. A few days later I learned he had double ear infections and one actually ruptured! He wasn't feeling great so he was sad and clingy but, still so good. 

 Another visit to Smith's. They found a camera and TV of themselves. 

 Ashley won the Road to Success reading program raffle prize....again. It was a very nice prize! Last time she won a Razor scooter. She is a lucky girl! 

 Hailey and Stella playing in the little bit of snow we had before it melted away. 

 These 2 (plus Nate) are my daytime sidekicks

Hailey went to a birthday superhero party for a preschool classmate. She sure loved it! 

A special treat for Cold Stone Ice Cream with our family

Ashley loving some Hawkeye time at Callie's Birthday Dinner

Reflections

Andrew entered 2 categories of Reflections this year. He was a winner in  the photography category and honorable mention in the visual arts. Ashley entered 3 categories this year. She won for visual arts and for literature. It was so much fun! The parents whose children have won are invited to the assembly. Usually you know what they have won ahead of time but, I had only been told that Ashley won something and Andrew might have so, it was a really fun surprise when their names were called for special honors 4 different times! 

 

Unfortunately, Andrew wasn't feeling well at all. He went to school because he really didn't want to miss the assembly. When I walked into the auditorium he came straight to me and said he didn't feel well. I asked if he needed to throw up and he said yes. We ran out in the hall, saw a big garbage can with a sack inside and ran for it. He threw up right in the garbage can. I was so happy that he made it and glad I was there. During the assembly he sat in the back with me except to go to the front for his awards. I took him home with me afterwards, of course. 

Can you believe how handsome he is, even when he's sick?!

 Boxes are always a favorite toy

 We rotate date nights with the kids and Dave and I. We are lucky to get free tickets to Jazz games from Dave's parents sometimes. Hailey loves going, because she loves getting a treat. 

 Kate takes a nap when she wants to and not when she doesn't. She is different than Hailey in that she often puts herself into her bed and naps, rather than some funny place. 

Cutie Hay Hay home from a preschool day

 Football  games continued into November and then, finally, it ended. Hallelujah! 

Nate somehow ended up with a sticker stick stuck in his hair. I thought it was so funny, especially since I didn't know how it happened. As a fifth child he sure has different experiences than Andrew did as firstborn. There are pros and cons to both. 

Nate likes dogs so much. We're lucky to have neighbors with sweet dogs. 

Hailey dresses herself and it's fun to see what outfits she puts together. She is very picky about socks and shoes and goes crazy if they feel bunchy or itchy at all. 

Cute Kate

The sucker was so sticky that I let him play for a minute before taking a tubby to get it out gently. 

(Curious George Christmas on for the little girls)

After Church. It's pretty hard to take a picture where everyone is looking and smiling at the same time. So, here's a few so that everyone has a good one. 

Ashley is an incredible big sister!

Ashley wanted to take one of Nate and I too

A play date pile up. Hailey had Jemima J over and Kate had Millie H. 

Ready for pictures with Santa! It is always in November and sure gets us in the Christmas spirit! 

Our 10th annual visit to see the same Santa we've gone to since Andrew was a few months old! Seeing the 10 years of pictures lined up is very special! I really love this nice looking Santa. Poor Nate had his double ear infections and wasn't feeling right yet, so he was really upset to be held by anyone other than me. He didn't want to sit on Santa's lap so he is actually photo shopped in. I sat in the chair and he stood like this and took a pretty good picture. Poor kid, he felt better a few days later.