week forty seven.

 

 

Mabel: She turned four years old today! Each year she becomes more AMAZING! I love her spirit, her crazy imagination and her love for chocolate.

Gus: He is loving being in North Dakota. He saw a "real live snowman!"

week forty six.

 

 

Mabel: Ready for school and waiting for Daddy. We were out shopping for a birthday present for someone and she saw this hat. She really wanted it and was so persuasive in explaining why. "Mama, its black-and-white, my coat is black-and-white, so it matches. And I'm really cold everyday so can I please get that hat?!"  I couldnt help but laugh and we bought the hat. Her birthday is coming up so we called it an early present,  I can't believe she'll be four years old!

Gus: He's such an easy going guy and finds enjoyment in anything. The other day we had to wait at the car wash for quite awhile. He just sat and ate his popcorn while watching the cars drive into the wash and chatting with the other customers waiting. A few days later we drove by and he said, "I know Mama! We can go to the car wash and get some popcorn and watch cars today!"

a little soccer player.

 

 

 

 

 

An awesome Mom in Sedona started a soccer co-op for little ones and we've been taking Gus Friday mornings. He has so much fun and can't stop talking about it for days! It's so cute to see the little ones running around the field together, I couldn't help but take a million pictures!

week forty five.

 

 

With Sam's schedule and Mabel in school we haven't had a whole day together as a family in awhile. Everyone was home for Vetrans Day so we decided to take the kids into the canyon and hike West Fork. It's truly one of the most beautiful places in the Sedona area especially this time of year with the leaves turning and falling. We are so lucky to live in such a place. We packed a picnic and took our sweet time. It was such a lovely day. 

Mabel: A couple of times on the hike you have to cross the creek. Each time she insisted on doing it on her own. It was so cute to watch her hopping from rock to rock or balancing on a fallen log. 

Gus: He had a blast exploring the old chicken coop and whats left of the historic houses in the area.

week forty four. best friends.

 

 

 

 

  

 

These two. The other morning Sam was feeding the kids breakfast and I was upstairs picking out clothes, making beds and organizing everybody for the day. I heard loud and energetic voices and lots of laughter so of course I had to come down and see what my happy little kids were up to. I found them hamming it up over waffles and eggs and had to take a few photos. Please excuse the messy Maple syrup faces!

I'm so proud of how well they get along. Without being forced, they are actually best friends. Other than their wicked senses of humor, they have completely different personalities. I think they compliment each other nicely. They'll play for hours on end and are constantly making one another laugh. Most importantly they look out for one another in every situation. Whether it be on the playground or in trouble with Mama, they've got each others backs. 

I just love them so much!

 

 

week forty three. happy halloween.

 

Mabel: She has known she was going to be Elsa since January. I loved that she stuck to it for so long. Even when I tried to steer her in other directions she was determined. 

Gus: He changed his mind every day for weeks. Eventually (the day of Halloween) was satisfied going as Jon Lennon most likely because of Yellow Submarine.