Making Memories

On Memorial Day, we participated in a 5K temple run. The kids also participated in the kids run. This was our first time participating and we loved it and plan to make this a family tradition! 

I encouraged all the YW to participate and I was excited when 7 out of the 10 agreed to run/jog/speed walk. 

A friend gave me a bag of bows for Adelaide. She tends to pull off all bows she finds annoying, so I turned them into bow Eleanor can wear now and Adelaide can wear when she has more hair. 

This cute scene happened after school. Eli was reading a book on the floor and Adelaide rolled over to grab the book. Eli cuddled her and they both had big smiles. 

Eleanor and Alden are doing a little weekly preschool class together. I love teaching preschool to my kids. These two had fun coloring and playing together. Sometimes I think, "Wasn't I just teaching Eli preschool? I remember doing this with Austin." And here I am teaching the same things to Eleanor. I love being a part of my kids' early years of learning and seeing their eyes light up as they learn new things. 

I've been on an organizing kick the last two weeks and got rid of so much extra junk we had around the house. When we moved in two years ago, I kind of tossed everything in random places. Then covid happened and we were all home and I was pregnant. Now that Adelaide is sleeping better during the night and taking regular naps, I have time at home where I'm able to tackle projects I've wanted to do for a while - like organizing this coat closet. 

My cousin Nanette passed away last week and I was able to watch her funeral over zoom. I cried thinking about childhood memories I had with my cousins. I love Nanette and imagined the reunion she enjoyed with my Grandma and Papa Thomas. 

On Friday the girls and I went on a little shopping trip. I bought the girls matching dresses for the first time and Eleanor was as excited as I was. My twin heart loves dressing my kids in matching clothes as much as possible. 

We got our last new window installed and the beautiful light that comes in make me feel so refreshed. 

Our red pepper plant is almost ready for us to pick our produce. 

We went hiking at Watkins Mill state park. The kids and I went last May when Aaron was gone for military duty and we were excited to go back as a family. Missouri's beauty has grown on me. We miss hiking in CO, but MO really is pretty in its own way. 

Aaron gave a talk today in church about temple covenants. He explained the covenants we make in the temple and I told him to definitely keep a copy of his talk because it was a great one that I'd love to review with the kids as they get older and prepare for the temple. 

September is here

 September! It doesn't feel like fall yet because the weather has been warm and we've still been swimming. This week was interesting because sickness hit our house. Adelaide threw up several times on Monday evening and I thought it was some food she ate. She didn't have a fever or anything and was back to herself on Tuesday morning. Tuesday night, Aaron was hit with the bug and he was sick for several days. Come to find out, several family members in North Dakota that we saw over the weekend for the wedding were also sick! So crazy. Aaron did test negative for Covid, which was a relief. I was grateful he started feeling better by the weekend. The kids and I didn't get sick so we were able to carry on with school and home life. 

I took the girls to the children's museum before our free pass expired. It wasn't crowded at the girls and I loved exploring for a few hours. 

The kids had dentist appointments and Eleanor has a few cavities, dang it. The boys were clean! Adelaide was happy waiting for the checkups. 

Adelaide has the best tan tines in between her leg and arm rolls. 

We had to cancel preschool because of Aaron's sickness. Eleanor cried and then asked if she and I could do preschool together. I appreciated her flexible thinking. She loves projects and teaching my kids preschool is something I LOVE. 

Schools, windows and North Dakota

August 24 was the first day of SCHOOL! Eli is excited for third grade and Austin can't wait for first grade. 

The boys woke up all smiles for the first day. The are still required to wear masks, but they do get to eat in the cafeteria this year and they can remove their masks during recess. I love that the boys are still excited to be at school even if masks are required during this pandemic. 

I always get teary eyed at the start of a new school year. We had the best summer together. I know homeschooling is always an option and academically, the boys are fine. Aaron and I feel it's important for our kids to learn to be leaders in their classrooms and to learn at a young age how to navigate the world around them. My heart jumped for joy when both Austin and Eli's teachers sent an e-mail saying that the boys are thriving in their classrooms! At the start of each school year, I'm grateful for the personal confirmation I receive that the kids are ready for the year. I read one chapter in the Book of Mormon each day and as the boys prepared for school, I was reading the war chapters in Alma. I love when Moroni says that they armies were prepared for battle. I also read about the stripling warriors and how they did not doubt. 

After the boys got on the bus, our house was so quiet!! The girls and I went on a walk to see the temple and then Eleanor did preschool. I love being able to spend a little one on one time with my kids. So many kids at age 3 start preschool and I have a firm belief that my kids need to be close to me until they start kindergarten. 

Eli and Austin both got an ice cream date with Aaron and then me so Eleanor couldn't wait for her donut treat when the boys went to school. The girls and I then ran to get groceries and Adelaide sat in the cart for the first time. She kept grabbing all the food and tried to put in all in her mouth! Eleanor and I laughed and taught her that we have to pay for the food before we eat it. 

I couldn't wait to hear about the first day of school!! Eleanor and I made cookies for the boys and then we went swimming. We love taking advantage of the pool as long as possible. We swan every day after school that first week. 

Here's Eli waving goodbye from the bus! And cute Adelaide loves her blanket and binky and naps. 

In April, we ordered new windows for our house and they finally arrived! Here are some before and after pictures...

They brighten up the house and our house suddenly feels years younger. I wanted to take the money and go on a cruise or something, but I knew making an investment for windows would be beneficial, not only cosmetically, but also for our electric bill. 

We pulled the boys out of school on Friday and we drove up to North Dakota. Aaron's cousin got married and we haven't been back to see family since Aaron's grandpa died in May 2020. We loved seeing so much family and eating so many sugary treats made by Grandma Volk. 

Adelaide Leona is named after Grandma Leona. These two have a special bond and I love that our children have family names. 

We haven't been to a wedding for while and the dance was as great as I imaged. 

Eleanor loved seeing Haylee in her wedding dress! 

We drove home on Sunday and stopped for church in South Dakota. I love that our kids can learn that no matter where we are in the world, there is always a chapel where we can attend church and partake of the sacrament.