October in Pictures

Thanksgiving has come and gone already! (Which means so has November, but we won't talk about that.) I honestly can't believe there is snow on the ground and frigid temps forecasted for this weekend. I told Tom  the other night that I didn't used to really have any opinion regarding snow/cold/winter. Until now. Until I had two kids to get dressed and out the door and boots and coats and heavy car seats and honestly the thought of how much effort it takes makes me just want to cozy up inside. And it's only December 6th! Wish us luck this winter....ha.

On to pictures!

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Family:

I had a few from the end of September that carried over into October that I haven't shared yet....Tom left for his first business trip so I invited my parents up to hang out with us for a few days while he was in Chicago. And by hang I mean work. They're go getters, those parents of mine. Love that about them. In the short time they were here, Mom brought all meals, watched the kids while I worked, helped with baths and bedtime, and cleaned up our garden. That alone would have been awesome, but dad and I made a quick 2 hour trip to Lowes together and then he got right to work on a few spray painting projects, replacing various batteries around the house, sanding and installing new shelves for our antique armoire, and completely revamping our pantry. This includes taking down old wire shelves, filling holes, painting, drilling, installing, and hanging. (Are you tired yet?) Wow! And that was all in 1.5 days. They are selfless and so giving of their time and energy, especially when it comes to their kids and grandchildren. I so appreciate their love and help, and Tom couldn't believe all the finished projects. Acts of service is my love language, so I was feeling pretty loved by the time they left. And also sad because I had a lot more projects I could have used their help with! *smile.

My parents are awesome. 

Who walks in the door from a business trip with flowers and green tea for his wife?

This guy!

Oh man, these two....they never stop filling my heart with joy.

We cheered Auntie Erin on at the Twin Cities Marathon. SO impressed with her endurance and dedication to her training!

Gooooo, Erin!!!

Mimi and Papa came up for a visit so we checked out a local pumpkin patch (kind of) and apple orchard. It was freezing so we didn't stay long, but it seemed like the appropriate fall activity.

The kiddos and I went to visit my friend Lindsay and her family. She lives about 40ish minutes away so we don't get to see each other that often, but I was in her neck of the woods so it worked out perfectly. She and her hubby have FIVE beautiful children. I love big families so I'm just in awe. And her husband home schools. In awe again. 

Missing one child...

Celebrating our 6th anniversary with dinner at Red Lobster - one of my favs!

Like my mom said, it's good to get out and it's good to come home. Especially when it's coming home to these two pj clad kiddos.

Attempting some mid-day actual 6 month "birthday" pics. Sissy was more interested in whatever cartoon was on, and bud really just wanted to be picked up.

We "celebrated" Halloween with dinner at Miss Kathy's with daycare friends (she does a lasagna dinner so the kids and their families can basically eat and run - so sweet of her!), a trick or treating stop at TrishyJohn's house and then met up with Scott and Nikki at their church for carnival games. Gwendolyn cried when she had to take her shark costume off. My dad found it (he's an expert treasure finder) and it was a big hit!

Trick or treat!

Gwendolyn, Nathan and Jacob

Dinner time!

Gwendolyn:

Ohhhh shoot. This afternoon was so awesome. She and I went on an adventure together to both get haircuts. I've trimmed her hair several times, but I knew this shape up really needed the attention of a professional so off to the salon we went. The girl will do anything for a sucker. She sat so still and was so patient. It was adorable and for whatever reason, seeing her with her little bob at the end totally made me tear up. She looked so grown up!

She passed Toddler B swimming and is on to the preschool level!

This is her "I don't like falling out of bed" face. 

She was making the best faces this morning. We moved her to a queen bed this summer, and she's done great. I was sitting at the computer this particular morning and suddenly heard a loud thud and then the dreaded delayed crying. I sprang upstairs to find her laying on the floor beside her bed. She had rug burn on her nose (adorable) and of course was a bit shook up (that made two of us.) Thankfully she wasn't hurt and we now have pillows on the floor in case it were to happen again.

We got the American Girl catalog in the mail and she sat and looked through the entire thing. Every page. I loved those books growing up so of course I was right there with her.

Why must they make those dolls so darn gorgeous?!

Conrad:

Somebody was reeeally happy to see their daddy after work.

For our anniversary, I ordered pistachio fudge (best flavor ever) from the same place we originally tried it while on our honeymoon in Maine. Conrad was eyeing that fudge like crazy....

So daddy let him try it. Naturally. 

I wish I woke up this happy every morning. 

Hailey, Conrad and Joshua. Friends for life.

First time sitting up to the dinner table with the family!

I LOVE when I think he's sleeping and I'll peek under his car seat shade or blanket and find him wide awake and totally just chillin'. It's adorable. Cracks us up all the time.

Ohhh, I loved this little Gap velour outfit handed down from big cousins. 

And a baby in a vest?! Or ISU outfit? Yes, please.

Emma helps Kathy before and after school and she's so good with the kiddos. I always find Conrad snuggling with her when I pick them up. (Notice Gwendolyn in the back - ha.)

We all love it when daddy gets home from work...

I don't want to forget this sight...

I'd write more but this one post took me weeks. Lord help me. If only the blog posts I write in my head would magically appear in a post. 

Kiddos will be up any second so for now I gotta run *smile.

Happy Friday!