Fill er' Up!

What I love about most this time of year is by the time October has rolled around I usually feel drained and empty and often, not this year, but often, I crash. I can't say how grateful and how much I look forward to General Conference to fill me back up.

I can literally feel my body and mind being invigorated. My faculties are enlarged and expanding. There is something healing that happens. It cultivates goodness and peace. I feel rejuvenated, rested and at the same time I have energy to go about my daily routine happily and cheerfully.

This conference was full of so many things I needed to hear. I love President Monson.

To help the boys try to focus and listen we had some buckets set up full of yummy snacks to eat. In front of each bucket we had a word. Every time the boys heard the "word" they got to eat a goodie from the bucket. Everyone paid close attention and loved when a "word" popped up.

We had our traditional fall breakfast before conference started. Pumpkin pancakes with buttermilk syrup and a pitcher full of milk. I loved sitting out on the deck and listening to the yellow and orange leaves rustle around in the trees. I'm grateful it is still warm and I'm grateful GG came to visit.

Sleeping Boy

I can't explain why I get so mesmerized when I watch my littles sleep, or Justin for that matter.

I love how Kendall can plop into a pile of clean laundry with a good book and fall fast asleep. I love how he gets tired in the car and always asks permission to take a little rest. I love how easily he transfers and how he wiggles to get extra comfy when I put his blanket over him. I love how he smiles and still has his eyes shut when you come a lay by him. I love when he wakes up and is happy with his mass of bed head flopping all over the place. I love that he still wants Justin and I to hold him while he tries to wake completely up. I love that he will still take a nap with me.

Another Tooth

It's the BIG one. Front and center and I'm sure that wiggly one next to it will pop out any day now.

I get twinge in my heart every time one of these babies come out. Just means they are growing up and there's nothing I can do to stop it.

High Tea

I LOVE a good tea party. Especially when it's done with hot chocolate and dobs of vanilla ice cream and pretty little cakes. It's one of life's simple little pleasures.

Boots

A famous costume worn around our house isn't complete unless you have some good weapons. Some strong and sturdy ones. Weapons that are powerful and unassuming. Boots.

Asking to see Nathan's tough face is like asking a cow to lay an egg. Hilarious.

The Boy Who Turns Four

Justin and I stayed up until to wee hours of the morning after the kids feel asleep blowing up balloons- Justin, and tying them off- me. I found this idea on one of my favorite sites, Pinterest and knew we had to do it for Kendall. His room was transformed into a magical fairytale land.

That morning at 3:00 AM I felt a little tap on my arm. It was Kendall telling me that his room was magic and it was his birthday. I took him back to his bed and we laid down together and talked all about what was going to happen when he woke up....again. Then something strange happened.... He fell fast asleep and I did not. I was so excited for him that I seriously could not get one ounce of sleep. It was a bit strange, almost like Christmas.

I finished putting all the final touches on the table where he would eat his gourmet birthday breakfast of Fruit Loops, his favorite cereal as of this year, and a Hershey's Kiss for good measure. I gathered his gifts and set them out and attempted to fall asleep. No luck but morning came anyway.

He opened his presents from us and immediately fell in love with his little dog that barks and opens and shuts its eyes. The name Belle was instantly given to his new friend, the exact name of his cousins' dog (he informed us that his Belle was a boy).

Then it was off to get ready for his monkey party. He has wanted to to a monkey party for months so keeping it as simple as possible we tried to pull it off.

Justin ran the jungle obstacle course, and cheered the kids to the finish line where they received their prize, a caramel apple sucker.

Mammy had Sniklefritz tell a Curious George story and by the time it was over had the kids in hysterics. I think she might have a new job.

Presents were opened, hugs were exchanged and cake and ice cream devoured. Happy Birthday, little monkey!

Ice Cream

Seriously, is there anything better than an ice cream cone when you are little? I wish I could keep these two yummy things in my pocket at all times.

These two are cousins and they love each other...most of the time.

Kendall kept telling Tessa, "You go get your baby (Austyn) and I'll go get mine (Brigg)."

Mr. B

I am feeling very melancholy at the moment. We got to watch my cousin's little guy for the past week and loved every minute of it...that is until we had to give him back.

My boys kept asking me if we had to give Brigg back and why can't we just keep him. They have been dreading Sunday all week. Now, when they say their prayers, I hear them asking if they can have a baby brother and his name be Brigg.

Everyday the boys would wait and wait for Brigg to wake up. They tried to wake him up on several occasions and succeeded on a few. I loved that morning bed head flapping around and those little feet running in the kitchen for a sippy of milk. I loved how everyone bent backwards to make sure he had the favorite toy or book. I loved how Brigg got so excited when he saw a football or his blanket or when no one was looking he would steal an extra chicken nugget. I loved how he would squeal when he would get chased and the feeling of picking him up and kissing him to death. I love the age of 18 months. I miss all of this.

I knew I loved him but am surprised at how empty and sad I feel now that I have given him back.

Hopefully something of his was left behind and we will have to return it tomorrow.




I thought this picture was so sweet. He was looking at a picture of his parents and kept kissing it.

Manly Bonding

I guess being surrounded by boys I better get used to a good ole car show. This was actually the first one I have ever been too and to tell the truth... I secretly loved it.

My Dad and Justin took the boys around to all the different "hot spots". Justin loved showing the boys all his favorite cars and I loved hearing their plans of how when the boys are older, they will be re-building a car together.

Papa spotted a car, (I think it's called a GTO) that he used to drive in high school. According to him, the thing could GO! Boy was he excited!

I'm so glad that while the boys bonded, I had my mom. We walked around and looked at all the vendors. We sampled salsa, listened to bands, and watched the bubbles while getting out our 5,000 words for the day.

When Justin's Away....

The boys will play. We were all in the car waiting for Justin while he was on an errand. It seemed he was taking forever so I pulled out my camera and the fun began.

The boys were making silly faces, telling jokes, and cracking each other up. Time flew! And before we knew it...Justin was back.