November memories

The sister missionaries came over this week and asked if the kids could help them put together a Book of Mormon video. It was cute seeing the kids have a little microphone clipped unto their shirt as they shared the story of Nephi getting the Brass Plates. The missionaries have been very creative in finding ways to share the gospel. 

Austin lost his second tooth!! It was dangling there for days.  

 

My phone froze up this week so I spent all day Thursday trying to get it working. The only option was to restore it to factory setting so I lost all my pictures from earlier this week. 

We snapped these pictures today after church. 

Here is the boys' club. 

I can't believe we'll be adding our last baby cakes to our family this FRIDAY! Here is my last time being pregnant while attending church. We all can't wait to meet our baby and have our family complete. 

During church today, the meeting has changed slightly and we're not longer able to sing the hymns like we've done before because the Covid numbers have increased in our area. I love singing the Hymns so I was heartbroken to hear the news. I did enjoy, however, listening to the organ being played as I followed along with the words of the hymns. Today the song "I Need Thee Every Hour" had me in tears. I have lots of worries on my mind as I prepare for our baby this week, but I also have trust in Heavenly Father and the power of prayer. We're praying lots that everything goes well and trusting in Heavenly Father's plan for our family. 

So many memories this week

We had the most beautiful, warm, sunny weather this week!

Eleanor was excited to have her friend Sam over for an afternoon play date. 

The kids were so cute racking up the leaves with their cute racks. Eleanor wrote me the best note. I love all her circles and how they're all on the line. 

We ran to a few stores this week as I've been looking for some decorations for our home. She fell asleep in the car and took a little car nap. Here is another picture Eleanor drew me. I love how her people now have arms and legs and eyes. 

Our friend Judy celebrated her 80th birthday and we took her to lunch for a celebration! 

I found this doormat to add to the doormat we already have and like the two together. Here's Eleanor racking leaves again. 

Eleanor and I had a date to the zoo this week. Thanks to a free coupon, we were able to explore the zoo together and even ride the carousel. It was a fun surprise to run into a few of our friends and join them for lunch! 

We stopped by McDonalds on the way home and Eleanor got an ice cream treat! It was a hot day so ice cream was in order! I loved spending time with my little baby girl. She's so excited to meet her sister!!

The rest of the week was spent going to Dr appointments, cleaning, preparing for our baby and enjoying the beautiful weather. For the past several months, each Saturday, Aaron has been working on painting our house. Since he's officially finished with the first floor, we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and plan a camping trip out of Grandma and Grandpa Volk's property. I loved hearing the kids giggle so much. It's so refreshing to be outside and together as a family. I slept inside on an air mattress. Being 37 weeks pregnant, this was my kind of camping - I was still close to the bathroom and slept comfortably. 

We had a nice Sunday today. We had primary early this morning and then the kids played nicely as Aaron and I participated in Relief Society, Elder's Quorum and then Young Women's over zoom. We then went to the church to participate in Sacrament meeting. Each time I've had a baby, I love being able to go to the temple to do initatories. I've been so sad that the temples are closed right now. My friend gave a beautiful talk in sacrament meeting today regarding our bodies. I felt like this was a tender mercy for me. I was reminded of the beautiful blessing our bodies are. How grateful I am that I'm able to bring one more baby into this world in a few weeks. 

Here is our little pumpkin that grew in our compost pile. It finally turned all orange! 

We had tithing settlement this afternoon and then enjoyed a walk around the temple. The leaves are so beautiful and the weather was gorgeous. The weather is cooling off this week so we took full advantage of being outside today! 

How grateful I am for family time together. I look at these pictures and want to remember these memories forever. We may not be able to go into the temple for now, but being on the temple grounds in the next best thing! 

Snow and Halloween!

Monday morning we woke up to snow! It was exciting around here. The boys hopped off the bus and started making and throwing snowballs. 

We painted pumpkins for an after school activity. 

Whenever I prepare to have a baby, I can't help but thinking back to my other babies being born. Look at Eleanor! Was she really this little?!

I love seeing the beautiful fall leaves through our window! 

On Thursday, my neighbor texted me and asked if we wanted free tickets to the pumpkin patch. Eleanor doesn't require a ticket yet so it didn't cost us anything to go. Aaron got to join us! It was the best fall activity. 

Our neighbors ended up being there at the same time as us and the pumpkin patch wasn't too crowded. 

We all shared warm pumpkin donuts! I even had half a bit. I've been working so hard on not eating sugar because of my gestational diabetes... it's TOUGH at times, but it hasn't been too hard because I want to do all that I can to keep our baby healthy. I did cave and eat a donut and it was delicious!!  

We ended our pumpkin patch adventure by riding the train together. Our free tickets included a train ride and carousel ride too. So fun! 

We got home from the pumpkin patch around 7 pm, had a quick dinner and then the kids went to bed. I was exhausted and told Aaron that Thursday evening was my talent club group, but I didn't know if I had the energy to go.. then he looked at me and said, "You have to go." I knew something was up by this point. 

My friends had a little surprise baby shower for me and our new baby. I felt so loved!! I was so surprised. I've been wanting some Christmas PJs for our baby so I was thrilled a friend gave me these. The shower was so cute! My ministering sister did the decorations. 

One more picture of our fall leaves in the window. My friend Judy from the ward, who just turned 80, made us these delicious pumpkin sugar cookies! Judy had a birthday this week so Eleanor and I dropped off cards and a bunt cake. She then handed me a baby blanket and outfit for our baby as well as a dress for Eleanor. I told her we went to shower her with gifts for her birthday and we left with gifts from her! People have been so kind as we prepare to welcome our new baby! :) My friends in the ward have also been helping so much with Eleanor while I go to the dr twice a week. In the past, I've always taken my kids with me, but because of the pandemic, kids aren't able to go to the hospital. I'm grateful my friends are so helpful! My friend sent me this picture of Eleanor in the swings at the park while I was at the dr. 

On Friday, the boys had their fall classroom party. Eli dressed up as an FBI agent and Austin went as batman. Because of the pandemic, parents weren't allowed to attend the classroom parties, like we've done in the past. I was sad to miss out, but I loved seeing pictures that their teachers shared. 

Saturday was HALLOWEEN! We started the morning with monster pancakes. My kids love when I use these little eyeballs on their food. 

Lunch consisted of mummy dogs. Austin drew ghosts on our cheese sticks and Eli drew pumpkin faces on our oranges. 

The biggest news of all was Aaron FINISHED painting our main floor. yay! It looks great. I'll take some pictures. He's been working on the ceilings and walls for about a year. 

Grandma and Grandpa Volk joined us for dinner and trick or treating! It was a blast. Eleanor was the cutest bee. Eli was a vampire and Austin was batman! 

Our neighbor makes the best balloon arches! The kids' buckets were so heavy with candy, their arms got hurt from carrying the buckets. Ha ha .. so much candy! 

Grandpa Volk appeared with 4 different masks he wore throughout the evening. The kids woke up today saying it was the best Halloween ever!

Here I am - 36 weeks pregnant at 36 years old!! Because I'm considered "high risk," I have an ultrasound every week. I've loved seeing our baby so much! This week, I laughed when the ultrasound tech said our baby has hair! 

Our friend Judy made us masks that have scriptures on them. Aaron wore his today to church. :) 

These cute kids make us laugh. We love the happiness they bring into our home. 

Here are some pictures of our sweet baby cakes!!