Funny Girl

The other day, Gracie was talking to me about babies while I was making dinner. I think the conversation was spurred by a good friend of ours that just had a baby.
Gracie: well, Mom. next time you have a baby, if you aren't exclusively breast feeding, then there's this really good kind of formula that is really gentle on your baby's tummy and doesn't make it hurt. It makes them really happy. I think you should get that kind.

It made me smile. Then I was watching sprout the other night with them and saw the commercial that she had recited almost verbatim. It was funny.

Maisy is TWO

 The night before Maisy's birthay, I asked her if she was turning two. She said, "No, FIVE". Then she laughed and laughed. She is so silly.

 The birthday hat was popular!

 We had a happy day and a longer wait than usual for church. Our boundaries were just reorganized, so we now have church at 1 with sacrament meeting first! Justin watched some bible videos with the kids.

 I made an apple crisp cheesecake and I think the day was a success. Maisy is growing up too fast. She has a well-child visit this week, so I may give more of an update after that visit.

 An today, Maisy had her first hairstyle with all of her hair up. She almost looks like a new person! Sure love our Maisy mouse.

Pumpkin carving

 With all of the excitement of having my parents in town, and with extra counseling appointments, we didn't get our pumpkins carved before Halloween. So, we carved them a few days later. Gunner and Maisy enjoyed gutting the pumpkin. Gracie opted to wash dishes until they were done because "it's kind of gross, Mom".

 Gracie helped out with her artistic skills.

 and pulled out the pieces mom had cut.

 And then wee had a nice glowing pumpkin. Do you like that our pumpkin has moles? Gracies idea :)

Time to say goodbye :(

 My parents truly spoiled us again. It was so fun to see them. The night before they left, my mom made an amazing German Chocolate Cake. YUM!

 We snapped some last pictures to prove that we really did visit and have a great time (why do I forget to pull out my camera when I have company?)

 We got a trip to Wal-mart the day after Halloween and Gunner scored a spider man costume that was 1/2 off. He wears it all the time. I wonder if it will make it to next Halloweeen. :)

 My parents were flying out to see my brother, Bob, so they took off early on the morning of the 2nd. Saying goodbye is always so hard. I wish we lived closer to family.

Trick or treat

 We had fun trick or treating. We didn't seem to go far, but our kids sure got  a lot of candy. Justin was on barn duty again (meaning he had to stay at the school until 10pm), so my mom came with me to take the kids. Gracie and Maisy were German girls and Gunner was a cowboy (not very dressed up from regular life, but we'll give him a pass).

 Gracie ran into one of her fun school friends and we trick or treated together for awhile.

This was our crew after the  big evening. I love Gunner's relaxed leaning pose... makes him look like a real cowboy!

A visit from Nanny and Grandpa

My parents arrived on October 30th! It was so fun to see them and they came with gifts for my birthday, Gracie's birthday, and Maisy's birthday. My mom has been making pj's for all the grandchildren on their birthdays this year. They were so cute and my girls love wearing them each night while my parents were here (and since). Gunner hopped in the picture too. don't judge me if you see too many pics of him wearing his captain America shirt...he loves it.

Anyway, we had a great visit with my parents. More to come on that.

Halloween Party Time

 We went to pick out pumpkins with Gunner's pre-school class.

 The war party was great. Gunner planned to go as dracula, but when I decided on a cowgirl costume 15 minutes before the party, he couldn't resist being a cowboy again. His friend, Roe, sported Gunner's woody costume from last year. They love playing together.

 Gracie and Gunner with Kaelyn... our friend and pre-school buddy who is in our ward.

 And... the trunk or treating. Justin had barn duty, so I recruited a recently graduated young woman to take the kids around while I passed out candy.

Maisy watched the dancing and craziness in amazement. I'm sure that line dancing and the hokey pokey seem so "flash-mobish" to a little 2 year old... and to Gunner who couldn't quite figure out what was going on:)

For my birthday girl

Dear Gracie,
 You sparkle! I love your pretty and happy smile. People around you notice that you are always wearing it, and it makes them happy too. I love your green eyes. They remind me of dad. I love it when you think of silly jokes and cannot stop laughing.  I love laying by you at night and hearing all of your stories and adventures from school (even though I sometimes need to end them so you can get your rest:) I hope you will always tell me about what is important in your life.

I am proud of the way you help Gunner and Maisy. You really look out for them and include them. That is important. Your siblings will probably know you longer than anyone else in your life. I love your zest for life. You love to be with people and interact so well with everyone around you. It must have been all of those social work classes you attended as an infant:)

You brighten my day when you use new words and show off new skills you are learning. This is a big year for you. One that I hope you will always remember.

I love getting big hugs and kisses at the bus stop. I hope you're never too grown up for that. Thanks for being a good example for me and for teaching me so many important lessons.

I love you, Mom

Gracie's Birthday

 We started Gracie's birthday off right, with some blueberry pancake squares with whipped cream and blueberries. :)

 All of the kiddos on our way to the bus stop.

 Gracie wearing her new jeans, new coat, and her new scarf, hat and gloves.

 We met Miss Gracie at the school to join her for lunch. She was excited to show Gunner and Maisy off.

I felt like one popular Mama at the school. All the kids from church said hi, as well as all of our bus stop friends.  Some even came to sit by me. It was awesome. I love that Gracie is a big school girl.

We finished off the day with a playdate and some pizza. I felt badly, because in the end, just the two of us ate cupcakes as Gunner and Maisy both fell asleep early.

My Birthday

 I had a wonderful birthday. I went into it a little bit nervous because Justin left the day before on a little trip (for school) to some Wyoming ranches to do some work with one of the doctors. BUMMER. I was pleased the next morning, when flowers from my sweetheart arrived. I also went for some fro-yo with friends. It was delightful and one of my thoughtful friends showed up with these beautifully decorated cupcakes because she knew my kids would not be baking for me.

 Then, my visiting teacher set up a dessert outing and swung by that evening with a babysitter she had arranged after my kids were in bed. It was so thoughtful and I really had a great time. 31 is already looking good!

Gracie's Birthday Party

 Gracie's birthday is this coming Wednesday. We have a good friend, Emma, who is one year older and whose birthday is one week before Gracie's. I coordinated with my good friend, Jamie (her mom), to do a combined party. It was great. We split the work up and invited a bunch of kids. There was also a lot of overlap from the ward with the kids we invited. I think it is safe to say they all had a good time.

 Gracie and Maisy went as Bavarian girls. Gunner was Dracula, but didn't really dress up because he didn't want to scare anyone.:)

 They ate good food, played a few games, beaded bracelets, ate cake and ice cream, and opened presents.

 I think this is most of the crew. Aren't they cute?

Punkin Patch

 Doesn't it make you smile to say Punkin instead of Pumpkin?

 We have a favorite pumpkin patch here. We've been each year in Fort Collins, and we love it.

 Maisy loved the chickens and the swings.

 This little airplane toy was a hit with all the kids. Not joking, I bet they played on there for over an hour. Makes me want one for my yard...kind of :) I forgot to bring my wallet, so no pumpkins, but we will be returning next week with Justin.

Ice Skating

 Round 2 of Ice Skating just ended. Gracie is getting better at gliding, swizzling, and is even experimenting with a forward 1 foot glide. Justin had seen some videos, but finally had an opening to come with us to our lessons. I am trying to decide if we should do the November lessons too or wait for January. We shall see.

Cute picture of Justin with the kids. Too bad it wasn't the best lighting.

I'm Back!!

 Where have I been? Not really sure. I've been trying to clean and organize my life like crazy. I'm a pack-rat trying to turn minimalist and it is crazy. I've rid our household of hundreds of items. I've thinned down kid's clothes, we gave away our toy kitchen, gave away  bunch of toys and ratty stuffed animals, I've parted with a lot of older clothes and shoes that were just taking up space and I've begun packing. YES, packing. I've packed about 8-10 boxes of toys, frames, kitchen stuff, and extra linens. And my house is far from feeling bare. In case you are wondering, we don't plan on moving until May or June, but I get major anxiety when I think of listing and selling and SHOWING our house. So... I'm starting now:)

 Gracie loves school. She is learning a lot and it is so fun to see her make progress in reading and writing. She is sounding out a lot of words to write and it is fun to get little notes that she has written all on her own. She reads a lot of little books from school and is still in the beginning stages, but she is improving each day and I love it each time she comes home with new words. Gracie is my great helper and I miss her when she is gone all day for school.

 Gunner is loving pre-school and is my organizer. He asked me the other day, "Mom, should I clean my room so impressive that everyone will be amazed?" Yes, Gunner. Yes you should. He asks a lot of questions and likes very specific answers. He asked me one day how old Maisy is. I told him she is almost two and he said, "But how old is she?" He wasn't satisfied until I told him, "twenty three months". Gunner loves to say, "Mom, this is what my cutest smile looks like". He gives me lots of cute smiles. He wears his boots almost every day and just started wearing his size 4 pants.

Maisy is busy and a little destructive right now. We had left the laptop on the couch the other day and Maisy started picking off the individual keys. She drew on her door with marker, found some lipstick and drew all over with it, finds gum in the most obscure places... and the less obscure places (like my purse). She learned how to climb out of her carseat the other day, She gnawed the edge of our zagg ipad protector (does she sound like a dog?). I know this list sound like I'm not a very attentive mother, but she just gets into things and destroys so quickly. Just this morning, she climbed up on the table and started scattering all the beads that Gracie and Gunner were working with to make some halloween bracelets. This too shall pass:) She makes up for it by repeating so many words and smiling and giggling like crazy.

Justin is staying busy at the hospital and in school related excursions. He came home last Monday and told me he had to leave in an hour for 2 nights/3 days. He left again today for 5-6 days. He is headed to Wyoming to the handcart ranch (owned by the church) and Sheridan, Wyoming. They will test some cows. I think he will have fun. He takes his NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam) on December 3rd. We will be excited to have that behind us.

Hopefully I will be able to post a few more updates in the next few days.