Thanksgiving Feast

 Our family was super excited to host Thanksgiving this year! We woke up to snow gently falling again and I was grateful for our cozy home. We had my whole family here except for my oldest brother and it was so fun to be together! I got the turkey in nice and early and had the dressing simmering when everyone came in. Those who weren't able to stay the weekend arrived early on Monday morning. My Mom got busy in the kitchen peeling potatoes and helping with the meal. She's always so good at seeing a need and filling it. Naomi happily made a couple of pumpkin pies and my mamma brought three apple pies! The kitchen was hot and the house was buzzing with conversation. Hyrum brought up his legos and built with Uncle Ryan and Grampa. They made a pretty awesome little car and made it go over jumps. Auntie Emma crafted up some turkeys with Cami girl at the round table. Oliver got passed around most of the day, and nursed frequently. We squished all of the adults around our dining table and the kids around the little table. Everyone brought a little something to contribute to the meal and we could hardly fit it all on the table. It was a feast. Once dinner was finished the men cleaned up and put everything away. We all enjoyed a few pieces of pie with ice cream and then some of us snuck off to different corners of the house to nap off our turkey comas. Everybody visited as long as they could before taking the long drive to their homes. It's always hard to say good-bye! It was such a fun day! I was glad everyone put in the effort to be together and make memories.

(I snagged most of these pictures from my sister. Thanks Em!)

Feeling Thankful

This Thanksgiving weekend my heart is so full of gratitude! I've spent the last few days looking at our family pictures often and counting our blessings. We really have so much to be thankful for. I am grateful that Mike has an education which has given him a good job that allows me to stay home with our littles. They are growing so fast it seems and I am glad that I get to watch it day in and day out (even though some days are hard). I love the area that we live in and my heart fills with gratitude every afternoon while I watch the children play at the park surrounded by a dozen neighborhood kids around the same ages as they are. Their life is rich and wonderful and I adore their imaginations. But most of all I am grateful for a loving husband and my five healthy littles. I see this little family as one of my greatest accomplishments in life and I am so grateful that I get to share in the joys with my best friend.

Happy Thanksgiving from our crew to yours!!

(And a shout out to my sister-in-law, Naomi for snapping these shots of our wiggly crew!)

Saturday Shenanigans

 We had family roll into town late last night. We were grateful they braved the snow and took their time driving. Today was filled with lots of family fun with Auntie "O-mi", Uncle Arland, and Uncle Chris. The kids always like having their aunts and uncles around! 

Camilla helped me pick out some Thanksgiving flowers at the grocery store yesterday and they looked lovely on our dining room table. Fresh flowers make me happy, especially since it's still snowing!

The rest of the day we all relaxed and visited. The littles played outside a bit and I baked up some artisan bread to go with our chicken and wild rice soup for dinner. The house was warm and smelled delicious the rest of the afternoon.

This little guy hung out with me in the kitchen and I couldn't help but grin at his double chin and how chubby his cheeks are getting! He will be one month old tomorrow and I can hardly handle how fast that went!!

After dinner we used our stack of "buy one get one" coupons and headed to DQ for dessert. The littles love going to a "resternaut" and sitting down. It was especially hilarious seeing the look on the ladies face when we ordered nine blizzards. I'm pretty sure they hated us! Finley sat at the end of the tables captivating our attention with his brain freeze faces and loud bursts of laughter. 

Once the littles were in bed Naomi made us up a pumpkin spice steamer and the grown ups sat down to a show. We stayed up way too late, but I love squeezing in every last ounce of visiting that we can. It was so fun having everyone together!

The First Snow

The baby woke up many times last night and each time I crept out of bed and tip-toed across the cold, hardwood floor I would shiver. As I rocked and nursed Ollie I listened to the wind blow outside. The soft glow of the salt lamp and Ollie snuggled next to me made me feel warm and grateful. The wind blew and howled all night long and I was sure there was a Winter storm blowing in.

Sure enough, mid-morning the snow began to fall. It danced down slow and gentle turning our golden Autumn into a Winter wonderland. The children watched from the window at first, and then dug out whatever snow gear they could find so that they could play in the yard. Most of it was too small and I chuckled as they squeezed into coats and tugged on their little boots.

The snow was cold and wet, perfect for snowballs. Camilla and Hyrum made a little snowman together while the little boys rode around making tracks in the snow on the cement pad.

There is always something magical about the first snow of the season. Perhaps it's the way it sneaks up on us arriving like an unexpected visitor. I find it's magic in the season of "Hygge" that the snow brings along with it. The excitement for Christmas, a more giving heart, cozy afternoons watching snow fall out the window, and being together with family. Those Danes know where it's at!

Olivers Newborn Photos

My fabulous sister did a little newborn session of Oliver a few weeks back and I am in love with all of the photos she was able to get! We turned on the furnace and made my house like a million degrees. He was such a champ and slept pretty much the whole time. I love the little details my sister was able to capture like his tiny feet, his long fingers, and his dark hair (that he has since lost). I sure wish the newborn stage lasted just a little bit longer! 

My Joe

My kids have been taking turns waking up each day seeming just a little bit older than the day before. Today it was Joseph's turn. As he ran out the door to the park this afternoon, I had to stop him for a quick picture because he was just looking so grown up! Be still my mother heart....

First Baby Tooth

My first baby lost her first tooth on Saturday night! She had been playing with it all week and could push it straight forward with her tongue. She was constantly asking us to look at the cool ways she could twist her tooth and move it. It's been ready for a while! She jumped up and down with glee when she finally conquered her fear and twisted it out. I hear the one beside it isn't far behind!

Welcoming October

October has arrived and there is a definite chill in the air. Each day the Autumn breeze takes more and more leaves from my favorite yellow tree out back and blows them to the ground. There is a sweet smell to the air that always brings back memories of when Mr. Stannix and I first met.

The children still insist on spending all afternoon at the park, bundled in fall jackets and hats. They come home with runny noses and rosy cheeks. My kettle is happy to be put to good use again boiling water for tea and hot chocolate to warm our hands and tummy's on these chilly afternoons. It's the first thing the boys request when they get in from the park each day.

We've taken up crafting again when the little boys are napping. Today we made some thankful turkeys and talked a bit about Thanksgiving. The boys are always so much more agreeable and loving when we take time to do things together. Hyrum has been doing well with his letters so I made him write his own words, and then Joe wanted to write his own too, so he copied what I wrote on another piece of paper.

Gramma brought us a bunch of garden carrots last time she came to visit and we made them into carrot cake today! Joseph insisted on peeling them and I grated. We made up a bunch of muffins and a cake and topped them with cream cheese frosting. I've been craving it for days!!

We've had lots of afternoon snuggles, and sweet baby smiles to enjoy.

Instead of turning on the furnace when the house gets cold, I prefer to bake! Bagels were on my to-do list today, and combined with the carrot cake, my house smelled pretty great all afternoon! I'm looking forward to more snuggle time with the littles as the Seasons. Autumn means warm sweaters, crocheting, lots of baking, books to read, and warm drinks.

The Golden Autumn

 Yesterday afternoon there was a brief moment of chaos when the baby was crying, Joe was throwing a trantrum and Finley was whining for food all at once. I rocked in the rocking chair while tears streamed down my face and thoughts of inadequacy crept into my head. I can't do five!! I called Mike in the middle of it all for some reassurance that I can do this, then I wiped away my tears and forced myself to get out of the house. The older kids grabbed their bikes and I wrapped the baby on me and walked with Finley. Half way through our walk the golden Autumn light was irresistible. The sweet smelling, crisp breeze filled my nose and I took a deep breath to drink it all in. I looked over at Finley and admired the sun in his wispy, blonde locks. He giggled uncontrollably while he ran through the grass on his tip toes. I knew that it would all be okay. Tomorrow would be a new day. I promised myself to yell less and understand more. I called for more patience and kindness and the ability to see as my children see.