Halloween

The children have been eagerly awaiting this day, but no body has been more excited about Halloween than Fin. It's his favorite holiday of the year! Much of yesterday was spent rigging up costumes (I'm last minute like that), but it all came together and the kids were happy. We were pretty frugal this year and I can't see spending much on a costume that's only going to be worn for a few hours. We hit up the dollar store and gathered some things from home. The kids ended up loving them and were excited to wear them to school for the costume parade. After school we touched up any make-up and added what we needed to make sure they'd be warm enough for trick or treating. 

Camilla the Cat.

A handsome little burglar.

A dashing super hero!

A spooky vampire.

And the cutest spider you ever did see.

We had macaroni for dinner and then loaded up in the van to head into town. I brought the stroller so I wouldn't have to carry the candy and tired little boys. My mom was kind and came along to help me out. Finley ran ahead most of the evening, eager and excited to get to each doorstep. He was always the first to knock and then he'd excitedly tell me all about what he got at each house! Ollie wanted in and out of the stroller all night long. After each house he'd beg to be lifted back in, and then we'd take him out at the next driveway. Gramma and I really got our workout in. His little "Twick-o-Tweet" was the cutest! Joe ran across a few lawns, and I had to constantly remind him to stay on the sidewalk. He's efficient! Ollie would call to the big kids from the stroller, "Wait fir me!" or he'd tell me, "Run Mom!!" 

The evening got chilly pretty fast, and after a small loop around a neighborhood most of the kids were ready to go home. We hit up a few acreages on the way home and the kids were amazed at what they got. Each house would hand out cans of pop and big bags full of candy! One sweet lady answered the door and handed out candy and then called to her husband, "That's FOURTEEN, Harold!" When their bags were heavy (from all the pop) they decided they were done and we went home to sort our loot. Joe stuffed his face with candy before bed and Finley, exhausted from running, begged to be tucked in. Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Carving

Tonight we did our traditional pumpkin carve! The littles have been looking forward to this for a while. We were extra excited to have Daddy home to join in. It's always more fun When Daddy is home. He helped the kids pick out their pumpkin faces. We ended up with a scary pumpkin and a spiderman pumpkin. Only a few of the littles liked touching the pumpkin guts. Ollie hates his hands being messy and got super upset when someone made him touch a slimy pumpkin seed. It's always amusing to watch them each year. They are getting older and soon they will be doing their own pumpkins without a lot of help from us. We finished the evening by roasting the seeds and lighting our pumpkins to enjoy! 

Digging Potatoes

The weather hasn't been very cooperative as of late. Every time we made a plan to dig the potatoes out of the big garden it seemed to snow. We finally got a nice, brisk Autumn day to dig the rest of the potatoes out for the root cellar. The wind was chilly, but the littles were moving around so much that it didn't bother them too much. With all of us working together, we got it done in no time at all. Over dinner we were telling each of the kids all about how we decided on their name when they were born. Finley piped up and said, "When we got you, we named you Dad! 'Cause you're our Dad!" It made me laugh so much! I sure love these littles.

 

Day Dream Believer

The kids are so happy to be living at the acreage (they tell me so almost every day). They love the extra space to run and play and use their imaginations.

We are soaking up every last bit of Autumn by watching the clouds, playing in the crunchy leaves, and day dreaming.

It's always great to see them working together and using their muscles to help out!

Sunrise

By 4am last night I had three kids and a dog in my bed. I lay awake smooshed between Ollie snuggled on my arm and Joe pressing into my back.  Fin was snoring on the other side of the bed. The dog was curled up in the crook of my legs, and the baby was wiggling around inside me. We were all up before the dawn to get kids off to school. But before we did too much, I had to sit in the chair in front of the window and soak in the quiet moment.

Dental Check-up

Ollie's first Dental visit was a success!

Crisp Autumn Nights

We are really loving these sunny, blue sky days and crisp Autumn nights. I am also really loving this boy (and his eyelashes).

Pondering

This morning we woke up at 5am and got ready for the day. I had to drop Mr. Stannix at the airport to catch his flight to Toronto bright an early this morning. After dropping him off and trying to hold my tears until the car, I headed back home to get the littles ready for church. The drive was long and quiet and gave me lots of time to think, ponder, and breath. I didn't realize how much I needed the alone time until now. I watched the sun come up crimson red on the horizon and turn to a pink glow on the frost covered fields. It was so great to watch it from start to finish.

I arrived to chaos on the home front. The boys were pushing buttons again and beating on each other. Bless Gramma's heart for her patience! We got dressed for church while I prepped a potluck dish for after church. Thankfully I had my parents there to help! Joe's teacher came up to me after church to talk to me about Joe. I was expecting the worst and stood in shock as his teacher handed out compliments on Joe's great behavior and his knowledge of the Gospel. "I can tell you work with him a lot at home," he said. I could barely mutter a thank-you I was so taken back by his kindness. Rounding everyone up after church proved to be difficult. I belted in two kids and then ran back into the church to find everyone else. I came out to the sound of a car horn honking repeatedly. When I realized it was my van I started running. I wasn't the only parent rushing out to see what was going on. Close behind me was a father of seven who exclaimed, "Yay! It's not mine for once!" We laughed. It was great.

Surprise Date

I enjoyed a date day with Mr. Stannix today, thanks to my parents for urging me to go see him before he flies to Toronto. Having him away during the week stinks and I knew if I had to do another week without seeing him I might go crazy. I've missed him, and so have the kids. The boys are nutts when he's not around. He keeps us all sane.

I drove down to Strathmore and met up with him in the morning. We spent the day checking things out in Calgary and talking. It was a nice, quiet day. We went for dinner at the Roadhouse and split 30 wings between us. It was so nice to just be together without any distractions.

At days end we both felt that confirmation that we are doing what's right. I sure love this guy!

Lousy

It was kind of a lousy day today. I feel like all I did was cry. The kids were off school and everyone was pushing everyone's buttons. We helped a bit in the garden, but I was feeling tired and overwhelmed all day. In the late afternoon I stood in the window and let the sun pour in and warm my body. There is nothing better than a sun filled window on a chilly day.

I baked bread for the millionth time, which I actually enjoy. It gave me time to think and be still. I really missed Mike today and may have cried over my toast. 

When I looked at Joe tonight after dinner I couldn't help but wonder when he got so grown up!

Peering out the back door at this gorgeous sunset gave me strength to endure the bedtime routine. Sunsets bring me joy and cause me to pause and reflect. There were more tears after a rambunctious scripture study and prayer time and I didn't have the patience I needed to make it through the rough bedtime hustle. Tomorrow is a new day though, lets hope it goes a little smoother than today.

Service

 A few days ago we heard of a neighbor in need of help with some yard work. When I heard that it was raking leaves, I quickly volunteered my littles for the job. We spent a few hours this afternoon enjoying the blue sky and sunshine and helping someone we love! The littles were having so much fun that it didn't really seem like work at all! They all worked super hard, played super hard, and were super tired by the end of it. When we finished she invited us in and gave each of the kiddos a Popsicle for their hard work. They were absolutely tickled and wore big smiles all the way home. Service has a sneaky way of bringing cheer to both the giver and the receiver. We all went home with warm hearts and smiles.

Fresh Eggs

It was another beautiful day filled with collecting eggs and playing outside. The little boys helped Grampa wheel the raspberry canes to the fire pit. Finley is almost strong enough to use the wheelbarrow all on his own and loves to help! Ollie likes to run and play all day, especially when it's warm!