Family Bike Ride

Today we enjoyed a lovely family bike ride. I wish we had taken advantage of this opportunity more this Summer! Our bike trailer has been mostly used as a stroller this year, and we only hooked it up to Daddy's bike just last weekend. The kids went for a nice long ride across town and had so much fun. We decided to go again this weekend, and this time I joined them on Mike's old bike that we've lugged around from place to place and never used. The gears are pretty much shot (which I discovered half way through our bike when I began peddling at the speed of light without going anywhere). Before we left the house Mike ran back in for his wallet with a wink, causing the littles to look at each other with grins slowly forming on their faces.

We biked to the golf course, across the main drag, and around the lake. Joe and Hyrum started racing part way through which ended in Joe almost crashing into a pedestrian. No harm done, but she wasn't very happy when I biked by at the end of the gaggle of kids and apologized.

We made it all the way across town to DQ where we snuggled in a little booth to enjoy dinner and an ice cream cone. My heart was full to the brim as I stared at their beautiful little faces. They were all so happy to be there and I just felt like the luckiest Mom. I sure love these kids! 

 Finley learned how to wink and it was pretty much the cutest thing ever watching him scrunch up his face and close one eye. He's been practising for quite some time and was pretty excited about it!

Everyone had worked up quite the appetite on the way over and I was surprised to see them polish off their burgers and finish their cones (Ollie enjoyed the last half of mine).

 As we biked back I admired the crystal blue water, the last few brightly colored leaves fluttering on the big trees in the park and the golden light. While Daddy led the way, Camilla and I stayed in the back. As we made our way around the big lake Hyrum stopped biking and complained of a flat tire. Upon closer investigation we realized he had blown a hole completely through the rubber! I suspect it's from too much drifting on the pavement. After some debate, Daddy led the other kids home, pulling the little boys in the trailer and Hyrum and I walked our bikes the rest of the way. "At least we get some Mommy and Hyrum time!" he exclaimed with a smile. He's so optimistic, just like his mamma. We finished off the evening watching Starwars and eating treats.

Tradition

Today started out nice and slow. I spent the morning organizing the filing cabinet and my closet (which always seems to get cluttered with stuff that doesn't belong). The little boys played all over the house, happily engaged in a game of make-believe. Ollie crawled at my feet, protesting and complaining whenever I'd leave the room to get something. 

Before too long it was lunch time, followed by a nap for Fin. Joe and I worked on a few pages of school together and then he spent the next little while playing with Ollie. I admired them from across the room, playing so sweetly together. Oliver is getting so big, and so interactive. He loves to wave at people, point at things, and shake his head yes in response to questions. He asks for things in his own language and uses his adorable wave to let us know when he's finished eating, ready for bed, or saying good-bye to someone. 

In the late afternoon Joe and I snuck into the kitchen and made some sugar cookie dough. He helped me mix, roll, and cut the dough into shapes. "I'm so glad I have a mom like you," he smiled thoughtfully. The first pan came out just as the kids walked in from the bus. They were so excited to decorate our Halloween cookies and giggled as they reminisced about the black icing coloring their teeth last year.

They each iced and ate a couple of cookies and then headed out to the park to play baseball with some neighborhood boys. I finished icing the last of the cookies while Reese curled up on my feet. The kitchen felt warm and happy as the chicken soup simmered on the stove. Soon Hyrum came home and offered to help with the last few cookies. He sang along to the song "Humble and Kind" while we both iced away. "Mom, is this your favorite song?" I told him it was definitely one of my favorites and he said, "Oh, well it's my favorite" and then went back to singing along. I moved down the counter and started a batch of biscuits. We cut them into heart shapes and put them in the oven just as Daddy walked in the door. A light rain had started sending the remaining kids back to the house for warmth. There was lots of "I love you's" shared between siblings and they were all genuinely helpful and wonderful. 

This week has been crazy long with many late nights for Mr. Stannix. I have looked forward to my time with him all day today. We've shared many midnight chats and early mornings this week. I was excited to take it slow and easy tonight. We curled up to a show, I blogged and tucked my toes under his legs on the couch like always. All is well.

Prayer Time

Oliver folded his arms for our lunch prayer yesterday without any prompting. 

I love the things they learn by watching!

And those arm rolls are to die for!

A Blustery Day

 It seems that sleep has been a hard thing to come by around here lately. Ollie is cutting some teeth (or something, I'm not sure what) and has been up at least five times a night. I woke with dark circles under my eyes to hungry kids and a messy kitchen. We spent the morning running errands in the city and came home just in time for lunch. With the blue sky and sunshine today the littles begged to go for a walk and get some fresh air. The wind had been blowing relentlessly all morning, so we made sure to cover our ears (Fin even brought along some eye protection for good measure).

 We left our bikes at home and walked to the trails behind the houses that aren't paved. We admired the golden Autumn colors, watched the leaves bustle about, and ran with our arms outstretched as the wind threatened to blow us away. The sun felt warm on our faces and the breeze was filled with the fresh scents of Fall. It was the perfect day for a walk!

Ollie nestled in on my back and when the wind blew really hard he would tuck down and lay his head against me for warmth. I love my Chimparoo wrap!

Fin wasn't cold, but he walked like this, hands in his pocket, for the entire distance. 

The fresh air was just what we all needed!

Park Lovin'

We spent a lot of time outside today soaking up the sun. It was practically t-shirt weather (minus the wind) and the boys loved every minute. Ollie played in the backyard in his barefeet for quite a while this morning. Being outside is his favorite thing to do. I popped my bread in the oven after lunch and set the timer on my phone while we played at the park. I popped home quick to take it out and then joined Fin and Joe again at the park. I love our neighborhood and it's proximity to parks and trails. We are relishing in the last of Autumn and soaking up as much of the sun as we can! 

Sunday Snapshot

Sometimes my kids wake up looking older than they did the day before.

This boy melts my heart! 

Happy Sunday!

Autumn Evenings

These warm Autumn days have been such a treat. The children have really enjoyed the extra time outside lately with their gaggle of neighborhood friends. I've been feeling so blessed to live where we do and be surrounded by such a great group of kids! Tonight I looked out at the park behind out house just as the sun started dipping into the horizon and the sky changed to orange. The wind was dancing through Camilla's blonde hair, she was grinning ear to ear. The leaves from the nearby trees were swirling to the ground as the kids ran this way and that. Their cheeks were pink from the cold, but the running kept them warm. I couldn't help but smile as I recalled the carefree days of youth. When you're running and playing tag, the cold doesn't seem to matter much. Instead of calling them home when dinner was ready, I let them soak up the last of the suns rays and come home when they were ready. The orange sky gradually changed to pink and then a deep violet before the children finally came home with pink noses and chilled fingers. We ate a warm meal together, they each enjoyed a warm bath or shower and then we tucked them into bed. Fresh air is wonderful at ensuring a good nights sleep.

Wonderfully Unproductive

This morning after the big kids left for school I lounged in my Jammies for a bit, nose in a book, while the children played at my feet. I needed a down day, and I was hooked on my novel. Of course I took breaks to feed my children (and by that I mean I tossed cheese strings at them and made canned soup for lunch). They built block towers, raced cars, wrestled and enjoyed having free reign on the toy room while snow flakes flew on and off all afternoon. Since I didn't bake, and only made a turkey casserole for dinner, there were hardly any dishes to do and the house is practically spotless (except for maybe the toy room). I snuggled the little boys to sleep, like I always do, while the older two read their books and brushed their teeth. I chatted with Cj and Hyrum, smooched them good-night and breathed in deeply. A wonderfully unproductive day. 

Bed Time

Tonight I snuggled with the little boys while the wind howled outside.

I love bed time.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was quiet this year! We usually go and celebrate with family, or have a whole bunch of family come to us. It is always different doing things on your own.

I put the Turkey in the oven nice and early and then Hyrum helped me sift the pastry flour for pies! This was my first year making them on my own without my Mom's expertise. I was nervous, but also had a vision of how I hoped they would turn out.

Mike watched me rolle the dough out for the first pie, and then crunch it up into a ball to start over again after it stuck to the counter. He reminded me with a wink that there was still time to run to the store if we had to, but I was determined!

And of course, when company is coming and I've never made something I always have to make it extra fancy. I was quite pleased with my not-so-perfect pie, and it tasted pretty good too! I also managed a couple pumpkin pies for the apple pie haters in my family.

We invited Mike's brother over for the day and he brought a couple of Chinese exchange students with him. They had only been in Canada for a month and this was their first Thanksgiving. They brought along some ribs to add to our feast!

Mr. Stannix carved the turkey while I finished up the honey dill carrots and scooped everything into serving bowls. We did our traditional weigh-in before we started our feast to see who would gain the most weight. Before we blessed the food we went around and said things that we were thankful for. Fin said, "I'm thankful for Mommy!" and totally melted my heart. There was much eating, laughing, talking, and sharing. At the end of dinner we joked about who would gain the most between the Stannix brothers and decided that 5lbs would be a crazy, only to laugh our heads off when we learned that Andrew had put on 7lbs during dinner! The children giggled at the spoonfuls of potatoes and corn they watched him eat. It was quite hilarious actually, but maybe you had to be there. ha!

Daddy worked his magic on the kitchen with his cute little side-kick. "You cook, I clean" has always been his motto and I appreciate the way he shines my kitchen when he's around.

We went to bed with full bellies and grateful hearts!