November

 

After an abnormally warm October, we finally used the fireplace. Asa looked so cozy. 

This picture sums up our post Halloween vibe...lots of "tandy" as Asa would say. 

We went to a "station" on the Underground Railroad with our HSAP. It was really neat to see the effort and risks people made to make a difference in other people's lives. 

Grammie and Papa Ralph came! Grammie helped the kids make woodland creatures out of nature stuff.

It was fun to see how creative they were. 

We were able to take them to one of Mariah's basketball games,

laughed at Snapchat filters with Grammie,

went on a walk, 

And had ice cream at the Snack Shack at least half a dozen times. 

The Hilton family came up for the night on Friday and we ditched my parents with twelve children and ate delicious Thai food followed up by Les Mis. Not a bad way to spend a night. 

Grammie even had a tea party with all twelve children. The woman is amazing. 

Soon after my parents left we started on the addition to our house. The kids have loved watching all the big tractors and feel like they are experts on pouring concrete. So if you need a job done...I know a very willing crew that come cheap. 

There has been so much mud tracked into my house...the kids are making memories while I slowly lose my mind. 

Asa is often asking me to "tate a piture" and how can I say no to that? 

I got to watch Eliza in tumbling and it was fun to watch her do something she loves. 

 

I recruited the kids to clear out the shelves in the storage room so we can do some work down there. Mariah found my childhood journal and we all enjoyed listening to her read it. I talked a lot about horses...a lot. 

That Sunday the oldest four kids and I went to The Messiah singalong in Ottumwa and we were excited to see a friend from our stake was a guest soloist. The dessert afterwards was the kids' favorite part of the night. 

We had a small Thanksgiving with the Cruze's and our two sets of Elders. The food was delicious and the company was even better. 

We could block the front door because as of right now we don't have a front porch...one benefit of our whole yard being torn up. 

The next morning Tanner came home from racquetball and asked if I wanted to play pickleball. I've been asking him to teach me for a while so I was excited to go. Until I learned we would be playing with a group of people that play weekly...perfect time to learn something new. But I was brave and did it. Everyone was very nice to me and gave me some great pointers. 

We had friends come over that afternoon for pie and all the kids played marshmallow blowdart tag out on the dirt mounds. They all about froze to death, but I think they had a good time. 

We were very excited about our first snow of the season. When I say we I mean the kids...it isn't so easy without a garage, driveway, or sidewalk...but we're making it work. 

Tanner made the kids a snow unicorn...

Skippy even had to join in on the fun

There was lots of sledding and hot chocolate afterwards. 

The next day church was cancelled so we had our own little service at home. 

Asa was so sweet and reverent...maybe we should have church at home every Sunday.