October is my favorite month of the year! The smells, colors, food, fall activities, conference, and my wedding anniversary are just a few of the things that make this month extra special!
We started the month off with our 6th year anniversary. I can't believe how fast the past 6 years have flown. We officially feel old :)
We love how our wedding anniversary lands on conference weekend each year. It is a wonderful reminder to be thankful for all that we have and focus on strengthening our eternal family. This year we started a new tradition in our family. (Thanks to my friend Kiya for the great idea) we held a birthday party for our family. We showed the kids pictures of our wedding day, the temple and let them watch our wedding video. We tried to explain to them how our forever family was created on October 5th 2007 and if we are always kind and loving to one another we can be together forever. It amazed me how much Lexi could understand and how much she remembers. I made a special birthday lunch for us and filled up a few balloons. The kids loved it!
Our eternal families 6th birthday!
Nate and I have started a little Anniversary date night tradition. We have been to the Cheesecake Factory for the past 3 years! It has become our favorite dinner spot for celebrating something special. Luckily we found a babysitter for a few hours so we could spend a little alone time together. It was so wonderful to talk to my husband without being interrupted by the kiddos. We then spent the evening snuggled up on the couch watching a red box and eating the best cheesecake ever made!
I am especially grateful for Nate in my life. We have been through so much in just 6 short years and through it all we have continued to grow closer. He is my rock and always makes me feel special. I am kind of obsessed with him. I love him more than words and I am so grateful that we get to spend eternity getting to know each other better and making some amazing memories!
6 years!
These pictures loaded a bit backwards when I put them on here... so we will start with the end of the month. Confusing I know.
Halloween was a blast this year! Nate wasn't stressed about getting back to school and ended up spending the evening with us and got to go trick-or -treating. BIG BONUS!! We went with some friends in the ward and enjoyed Arizona's perfect weather. The streets were packed with people and little kids. Everyone in AZ comes out on their drive way to party while the kids trick-or-treat. It's like a giant block party. The decor on some of these houses were amazing. We saw some pretty amazing costumes, some even scared me! It was so much fun.
Lexi was Rapunzel this year. She has become a bit obsessed with the movie over the past few months. She can sing along to the songs and asks me to do her hair like Rapunzel daily. It was only fitting to have her be Rapunzel this year!
She was extremely excited to go trick-or-treating :)
Nixon was a giraffe. He was the cutest little thing I had ever seen. He was an angel baby and sat in the stroller perfectly the whole time we went trick-or-treating. His smile is the best and basically melts my heart every time I see it!
My beautiful Rapunzel!
Halloween 2013
(I love that Lexi has already dug into her candy and has a half eaten reese's in her hand!)
My adorable baby giraffe!
We spent the last weekend in October in Utah with Nate's family. Nate's little brother Cameran had his mission farewell. He did a great job on his talk. It was fun to spend a few days with the family all together before he leaves on his mission. He is so kind hearted and will be a great missionary. It is always a great blessing to have a missionary in the family. We love you Cam!! You will do GREAT :)
Papa's new shed was a hit for the grandkids. They all got to climb up the ladder and sit in the loft. They thought it was great fun.
I was soaking up every ounce of FALL I could. This giant tree in Nate's parents back yard was just beautiful. I miss all of these colors and changing leaves in AZ.
These two kids have created a special little bond. I caught Jack carrying Lexi around and protecting her. She loved to just watch him and follow him around. It was the sweetest!
Playing in the leaves!!! This was a new experience for Lexi. We don't have piles of leaves in AZ. At first she was a bit nervous about the leaves getting in her shoes or poking her but once the fun began she warmed right up!
Nate made a huge pile for the kids to jump in. They then jumped, threw and rolled down the hill in the leaves. It was kind of a perfect moment.
I'm sure this will sound a little lovey dovey to most all of you... but I have the best husband out there. He is the sweetest, kindest and well... best looking guy I know. My heart kind of explodes when I see him play with my kids. He never has to be asked or forced he just does it. He loves them SO much and feeds off of their laughter. The relationship he has with them is pretty darn amazing and most of the time I am totally jealous of it! He is the worlds best dad... and uncle too! ;)
Lexi also LOVES her nanny. She is the best. She held her own with those grandkids and rolled right down the hill with them. We all think she is a rock star nanny!
The perfect fall evening!
Most of my day is just spent with the kids! We have been teaching each other lots lately. I am trying to learn more patience these days and "let go" of the little things that don't really matter. I have been trying to relax and worry less. It is helping. I have loved watching my kids grow and learn this month.
Halloween FHE!
One monday we had a spooky halloween dinner and painted pumpkins.
(I love that blurry little face in the corner)
We asked Lexi what she wanted to paint on her pumpkin. She replied with a "MINION" from one of her favorite movies Dispicable Me! So a family of minion's it was!
The flu had made it's rounds through our family the previous week. First with Lexi, then me, then Nate and now buddies turn. He was so tired during our little Halloween FHE. He just watched from the swing.
Our Minion Family! Halloween Pumpkins 2013 :)
Lexi's minion complete with curly hair and bowes!
Decorating halloween cookies at the park!
I have the best friends. We are always busy planning fun things for the kids. We were invited to decorate halloween cookies and have some fun at the park. It was a blast!!
Nix was a good sport and watched all the kids from the stroller :)
I love these kids. They have made such strong friendships.
I finally got brave enough to let Nix get in the bath with Lexi and play. They are crazy! I basically get a shower when I get them in the tub. The splashing is craaaaazy!!
My big boy trying puffs for the first time. It was hilarious to watch. His facial expressions were cracking us up and his concentration was too cute! I love this handsome guy.
He is almost 9 months old... how did that happen?
hand coordination at it's finest!
I will end this GIANT post with pictures of the kids just playing. I love watching them together and love being their mama.
Raspberry fingers :)
Bring on the holiday season! My family is coming out to celebrate Thanksgiving in AZ with us and I couldn't be more excited. Updates to come soon!! :)
