Pumpkin Patch time

Aaron and I had parent teacher conferences with Eli and Austin's teacher. They're learning so much and more importantly, both of their teachers talked about how the boys are great leaders in the classroom. We love that they are letting their light shine so brightly for all those around them. 

This week we went to the library. When my babies are crawling, they love crawling to the books. 

When the boys get home from school, they gather up the neighborhood kids and play outside for hours. This particular day, I heard screams and laughter and I found them pulling each other on the bike with a rope. Oh! Our neighbor is selling his house. We're praying for nice neighbors to move in (with kids!). 

The boys got out of school early on Thursday and then we headed to the pumpkin patch. Aaron's kind co-worker gave him 3 free tickets plus with the military discount, we were all able to go for $10. We've gone to this pumpkin patch for the past 3 years and we've had friends give us free tickets. With a big family, we're so grateful for thoughtful friends because I don't know if I'd pay full price to go to something like this. 

Eleanor is tall enough this year to reach the pedals! She was so excited!

I took Adelaide down the slide! We didn't buy a pumpkin (they're so expensive at the patch and the boys were upset about it, but pumpkins are cheaper at Aldi!), but we did go on the ride out to the pumpkin fields.  

Last time we went to the pumpkin patch, this little lady was in my tummy. 

Eli seemed so big at the pumpkin patch this year. I cried realizing the years are passing by so quickly. I'm grateful I get to be at home each day and for the memories I have of taking my kids to the pumpkin patch instead of the daycare or preschool taking them. 

We ended our day with pumpkin donuts that are just the best. 

This week for Come Follow Me, we studied about Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail. We've toured the jail many times, but I wanted to go again this week after reading the sections in Doctrine and Covenants that Joseph Smith received in Liberty Jail. I wonder where we'll be living in 4 years when we study Doctrine and Covenants again. It's been a blessing to live so close to so many church history sites in MO.

This jail has become a sacred place as we talked about the revelations Joseph Smith received that we can apply into our lives now - Peace, be still. 

Friday afternoon I was able to attend the temple and then Saturday morning, I ran there. The peace I feel in the temple gives me the strength to keep going in this world where so many people are confused. On Saturday we enjoyed the afternoon out at the Volk property. I love seeing the boys get dirty and helping on the farm. 

Sunday! Adelaide is learning that she has to sit quietly during sacrament meeting. She wants to crawl all over the place. I got two new callings - I get to teach the youth Sunday school class and I'm serving in RS as the Service coordinator. Yay! I love how callings help me feel connected to the ward. 

I never got to birth twins, but I did birth babies that look alike - Eli and Eleanor look similar and Austin and Adelaide look similar too. And I love twin sister dresses!

 

Extra time with dad

Aaron had Monday off for Columbus Day! Even though the boys still had to go to school, the girls and I enjoyed having him around for the day. Eleanor was thrilled to show him where she goes to ballet each week. While she was in ballet, Adelaide, Aaron and I took a walk around downtown Liberty. It was chilly and rained a bit, but the weather didn't prevent us from having a lovely little date together. 

After ballet, we tried a new Mexican food place and the street tacos made my dreams come true. I want to eat them every day. 

Adelaide gobbled up her eggs. She was extremely messy!  

She's been a bit slow at crawling. I took time each day to get on the floor with her and help her figure out how to move her body. She's zooming all over the place now and getting into anything she can find. 

The kids helped me finish up my puzzle. 

One morning, Eleanor made a bunch of cards and last minute decided to give one to our neighbor Dianne. We were headed to the bus stop to pick up the boys and Eleanor insisted on setting a card on Dianne's porch, even though she hadn't signed it. I knew the Dianne has a security camera on her house so she would see that it was Eleanor dropping off the note, but I wasn't expecting Dianne to return a note. The next morning, we opened up the door as the boys went to the bus stop and there was a picture with a note and a rock. It made Eleanor so happy! 

 

October Events

I bought this onsie that Eleanor wore on her first birthday so I loved putting it on Adelaide! She loves to be outside and feels so big as she sees the big kids playing with their friends. 

The girls and I go to a weekly music class and Adelaide loves to play the rhythm sticks. Here she is showing the boys how she plays them. 

Cute after bath cuddles and Eleanor loves to read "Brown Bear, Brown Bear." 

Austin is very creative and I often find them cutting, glueing, taping and inventing something. He took this box and some rubber bands and made a guitar.

A friend shared part of the letter her missionary son e-mailed home. I loved this thought about how life is much better when others are happy because of us. 

We bought some simple fall decorations for our porch. It's been a beautiful fall this year!

Austin wore his clothes inside out for backwards day. at school I tried catching a picture of him when he got off the bus, but I failed to get his complete look. I listened to this book about motherhood and there were so many great quotes about how important motherhood is. I've heard some of the quotes before, but I was inspired to try a little harder to be a little better mother. 

We took a morning walk and Eleanor gets so excited when the cows come over to greet us. 

Eleanor collected leaves and sticks and we made nature wands together. Then we cleaned the bathrooms. I always try and capture the "fun" moments we have together, and I want our children to remember that we did a lot of work together too. 

This leaf is as big as Eleanor's face! 

Eli's friend Grant was baptized! As we pulled up to the church, Eli said, "I wish I could go back in time to my baptism so I could be with all my cousin's again!"

Alex's boys wore this suit and then shared it with us. Eli wore it and now it's Austin's turn. He looks so sharp (and grown up!) in a suit! 

Here we are trying to get a quick picture before church. The boys were wrestling and missed the first picture. 

Then Eleanor decided to make a funny face. These kids crack us up so much. 

Attending church together each Sunday is a highlight of our week. Aaron has been released as the Elder's Quorum president so he doesn't have ward council every Sunday morning anymore. He has decided to use that hour to take one on one time with the children. He's only been doing it for a few weeks now, but the kids look forward to their "interview with dad."