November moments

We had such a nice fall this year. A few early (huge!) storms, but lots of warm, sunny days, too. Here is a not-so-brief recap. 

Unfortunately, we started out the month with a stomach bug running through our house. (The second one of the fall!) Ugh. Thankfully, we were able to use essential oils to really shorten it and alleviate symptoms. Poor Charlie woke up one night in such pain from stomach cramps. It just broke my heart to watch my baby rolling around in pain. But just fifteen minutes after I put some oils on him, he was sleeping peacefully again. Hooray! And for the first time in my life, I was able to avoid getting it because I was using the essential oils like crazy. 

Sick little snuggler

 The stomach flu episode happened to be the night before my 30th birthday. So I spent the day sleep deprived and taking care of sick kids, but that is life as a grown-up, right?

Another gorgeous fall day! Charlie and Grandpa spent some quality time together in the backyard and I sneaked a few pictures.

Catherine was living with my parents for a few months this fall while Richard was looking for a home for them in Las Vegas. It was so much fun to have so much time with her and her cute kiddos. On this snowy day, we hit up the library together. Cat was looking so stylish that I had to snap a pic of her and Georgie. 

These kids love the ramp entrance into the library- I remember loving it too, as a kid

 What do you do when you are stuck inside all winter long? Take lots and lots of baths!

I love Georgie's beautiful hair and kissable neck!

These brothers are having moments of playing nicely together more and more often

We also visit one of the grandparents' houses every day. Grandma and Grandpa "white house" has lots of fun toys inside and out, some are vintage and original to John's childhood!

Elmo eyeball massage time

 This is George's first experience with getting to play outside in the snow. He loves it! It took a few days for him to get his "sea legs" in his snow boots, but other than that he thought it was great!

I love the snowstorms of winter

Lest you think it's all fun and games around here all the time, I managed to snap a picture of one of Charlie's meltdowns. They're a regular occurrence.

But I prefer to remember these times. My funny boy, ready for any adventure, imagination bright and active.

One day, Catherine and I got optimistic and took the kids to Sugarhouse park. It was completely snow covered, but it was nice to be outside. We only lasted about 20 minutes.

George "helping" Grandpa assemble a new drawer

 We took a Saturday outing to IKEA one day. The little kids' area in the restaurant is so fun. Our kids wanted to stay there all day.

George's reaction to a mouthful of ketchup

I attempted to start a new tradition in our family of a "thankful tree". It's an idea I've seen others do and it looks so fun. The idea is to get each family member to write or say things that they are thankful for and fill up the whole tree throughout the month. We did it twice. Oh, well! There's always next year. And Charlie had a lot of fun helping cut out all the leaves. 

 Cat snapped these cute pics of me and Georgie at the downtown library.

A nice day spent at Grandma and Grandpa T's beautifully redone backyard.

 Proof that John is around sometimes. :) We love him and miss him a lot while he's at work.

Thanksgiving weekend, Richard was in town briefly, so I volunteered to watch Elizabeth so Rich and Cat could get some stuff done. Charlie, Lizzy and I had a nice playdate at Laird Park. It was a little cold and deserted except for a small group that was launching a homemade rocket. That was fun to watch! 

Another park outing, this time to Canyon Rim park. We were there to watch a huge dump truck deliver a few loads of fresh wood chips. Charlie thought the piles left looked like volcanoes. This was also the day that Charlie fell off the play structure.

Some of his preschool artwork

Che loves batteries. He's well supervised, don't worry. 

Little helper

Mmm, yogurt finger painting

Cornbelly's

Catherine and I packed up our four kids 3 and under and took them to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point for the last day it was open. Wow, we didn't know what to expect, and it was so much fun! It will definitely be a new tradition. We climbed a rickety set of stairs to take the big kids down the giant slide and I almost peed my pants when we caught air. 

I loved all these wooden playhouses and I had to take pictures for when Johnny builds a giant playhouse in our backyard. They were all for sale and at least a grand each.

Elizabeth and Charlie, frenemies/BFFs.

Liked this Ark style one a lot.

Inside the Ark- it had two levels.

Giant tractor wheel!

I loved this tube slide, although this play structure was stressing me out. It was giant and I had a hard time keeping an eye on Charlie and on George in the stroller at the same time. No likey.

A set of giant Lincoln Logs!

Love this little dude