Hi-Ho Halloween

Wishing all a Happy Halloween

From: Grumpy, Sleepy, Happy, Dopey, Sneezey, Doc and Bashful

Anna's First Field Trip

Yesterday I went with Anna on her field trip to a local pumpkin patch. We had hardly any time there and I felt bad for her, but she had a lot of fun. There are a few of the pictures captured before my camera batteries died.

FHE

Monday night we headed out for the beginning of the holiday season family traditions. Pumpkin carving in the garage. Every year we roll out Jeff's car and use the headlights for light to carve by. It was only slightly chilly and we had a lot of fun. I didn't make it into any pictures this year - I'm behind the camera in all of them. Oh well.

What we've been up to part 2

Cabin Fever at it's worst on Friday made us decide not to cancel our Saturday plans. The kids were fever free (for the moment at least) and most of our time was going to be spent in the van anyways. So, with a bit of drama, we packed up the van, picked up some Subway and headed to BROWN COUNTY STATE PARK. Natalie even blessed us by falling asleep on the way there. She is not a good traveler.
What sweet Tabitha did during most of our excursion.

Jeremy climbed up there and stayed. He was easy to keep an eye on.

We took a hike.

And found exciting wildlife. Brenden accidentally kicked it - the turtle was crossing the path and hey - he's camflouged.

The kids were happy to be out and about even though it was chilly. Earlier we were all wearing hats, coats and gloves and scarves. It warmed up as the day went on.

No park is complete without slides and swings to Natalie.

The kids loved this teeter totter. Even Tabitha rode it with her daddy. The boys figured out how to make it rock while they were going up and down. They would have played with this for hours. I want one for my backyard.

When we announced it was time to go - Jeff was worn out, Anna was lagging and we'd been there awhile, everything fell apart. Kids whinned, threw fits and made us miserable. Why? They were all tired. Every last one of them fell asleep on the way home. Including Jeff. Good thing I was driving.

I love the views of Brown County SP. It proves Indiana is not completely flat. This time of year the trees are beautiful colors and it's breath taking. It was fun to share it with my children. We've never taken them before. For some reason I've always thought of this place as far away. Now I know it's only thirty minutes past my in laws house. We'll be going there more often now. Though I still want to hit up Potato Creek, Clifty Falls and Turkey Run - all state parks.

Random Shot. Jeff hangs the bikes in the winter so that both vehicles fit in the garage. Unfortunately we both hit our heads on them getting to our deep freeze. This year he had an idea. I love it. All it took was another hook and some twine and viola! No more hitting our heads!

What we've been up to

On Thursday Jeremy, Brenden and Natalie were running fevers and there was no school. So Anna and I baked a cake together. A pumpkin shaped cake. We had a great time.



That night Anna started running a fever as well. I started going out of my mind Friday morning.

Random shot. Doesn't her bed look comfy?

Retake - Natalie

This is the one we want - but I had to crop it and I'm not sure it'll print nice.

These pictures show how both shoots went. We consider it part of her personality.

This was her nice smile.

She refused to look up.

"Look at mom!" (This is what I got.)

I told her I wanted to see her eyes.

Look over there and smile. (My camera is to blame for missing this shot. She smiled, but my shutter just wasn't fast enough. That happened with three or four pictures today.)

Retake - Brenden

Brenden's new shot.

One Month

A peek at her on the morning of her first month birthday. Kelli sent me this lovely outfit.

She's been either smiling or crying today. A friend at church made Tabitha this blanket. The other two corners sport a green and a blue cat.

Anna's the only one home who can hold her besides me right now. Jeff, Brenden and Natalie are sick with flu like symptoms. Jeremy's been at school and then scouts. Today is showing me how much I rely on the kids to help with her.

Great Grandma

Yesterday we packed up the kids and went to Union City. We wanted Tabitha's great grandma to meet her. We're going there for Thanksgiving, but Jeff has to work so he won't be there and it's always noisey and crowded. So we decided to go when it would just be us. We haven't done that in years and it was a lot of fun.
Jeremy, Brenden, Natalie, Carolyn, Tabitha & Kristiana. The kids were all goofing off, but Natalie had no trouble smiling even though she wasn't holding the baby!

Great Grandma Carolyn with Tabitha. Carolyn celebrated her birthday a week and one day after Tabitha was born - Tabitha's actual due date.

First Day of Church

Last week was her first Sunday, it's just taken me a week to get this posted. It's not the week I would have chosen, but life happened and it seemed the only way to go. Upon having a conversation with Jeff while we were doing the dishes he tells me excitedly that he has a day off in November, and by coincidence so do the kids. I ask why. He tells me he's working Sun-Thurs the first week of November. (It's a schedule thing. He's required to work two Sundays a year.)

News flash! We just told his parents and my parents that we are blessing Tabitha the first Sunday in November. He can't work. So he goes to work the next day and manages to swap with someone - who is working Last Sunday.

Now, that's great news. We can now still bless Tabitha when we planned to. However, (there always seems to be a however) I had a committee meeting before church last week that I had already promised I would be at. The plan was to leave Jeff with all children and then go home after the meeting. I wasn't staying for church.

New plan. I attend meeting with ALL FIVE kids. Then stay for church, because, really, what does that teach your kids if you take them all home? BTW, they did beautifully during the meeting. And mostly good during sacrament meeting.

Posing for the camera has gotten somewhat harder. They wouldn't stand where I suggested. So this is what I got.
Natalie then wanted to take a picture of Tabitha and me. This is what I got - five times over. :)

Baby Shower

Yep. This is the only picture I took on my camera atmy baby shower. I've been feeling pretty good for weeks and then bam! The afternoon of my shower I'm cramping. So I sat in one spot the whole time.

It turned out to be a bad day for almost everyone invited to come. It was intimate and small - and we had a lot of fun. Thank you to Kristy for putting it together and hosting. And thanks to those who came. I promise, I will get around to writing those thank yous. First I have to remember where I set them down...

Kids Pic

Are you tired of waiting? I am. Jeff and I can't seem to find a good time to decide on pics. However, I know this one won't be chosen. It's classic kids though and makes me smile so I put it on for you to smile over.

I need to find a time we aren't too tired. Yeah right! With interrupted sleep I'm always tired and Jeff isn't getting the sleep he needs either. By the time we have the four older kids in bed we're both exhausted. Tabitha's bedtime is my bedtime - Jeff doesn't make it that late. Lol. At least she goes right back to sleep after eating in the middle of the night.

Red Head

The Parents

Ten Years

Before Conference today we took a trip to Butler University for that once a year photo session. I tried to think of everything that I needed to make a photo session go smooth. I forgot drinks and snacks. I forgot toys to make Natalie smile (then remembered the one hanging from the carseat and we were saved). I completely didn't foresee my three year old being possesive of the baby. Natalie was a complete turkey!!!

What follows are pics of the kids. The all five and family photo are being held hostage until we chose which ones are our Christmas card pics.

Jeremy

9 years

Brenden

8 years

(no, he's not eight yet, but this is his eight picture)

Kristiana

6 years

Natalie

3 years
(We have another one, but I have to touch it up.)

Tabitha

2 weeks

Boys

Jeremy & Brenden

Girls

Kristiana, Natalie & Tabitha

Sharing

Natalie loves being a big sister. She wants to help take care of Tabitha all the time. While it an be a little wearing on my part, I love it. I want to encourage her love for her new sister.

We've talked about how Tabitha can't do lots of things right now. Like play with toys. Natalie doesn't believe me. Every time I turned around this week this is what I found:

(Look close, she's smiling. Can't see it? Click on it.)

This toy is down by her hand. Natalie wanted her to be able to hold it.

She also uses the burp cloth as a blanket. I think it's cute. I hope she continues to love her just as much as the years pass.