November

Yea, yea...I know! I'm way behind. Here's our November recap.

Grandma Stacey and Grandpa Jeff came to visit. We got some much needed projects started. We started the paint in the kitchen. Paul and Grandpa built some shelving for the utility room. We will be able to move our food storage from the master closet! We also went to the zoo and to the park. Paul and I went on a date, and went running together every morning. I really like running with him! We were sad to see them go, and can't wait for their next visit!


I had my first post-baby race. It wasn't a half-marathon this time. It's really hard to find races not on a Sunday down here, and to coordinate weekends with people to watch kids, and work. It was just an 8.5 mile course in the pecan groves down here. It was a great day for a race! I'm hoping to get a few more races in before Elin turns one. I have one for December 10th near Scottsdale with my good friend, Jenni.


Ewan turned 2! Yea! He's a big kid now. We didn't get to do as much as we would have liked. It was a busy couple of weeks. We did have some friends over for a movie and cake the night before. The missionaries were at our house for a visit after dinner on Sunday. They got to sing and have cupcakes with us. After finding Ewan driving his pacifier along the rails of his crib and saying "vroom, vroom" one morning, I decided the poor kid needed some cars. He got quite a few matchbox cars. We spent most of Sunday morning playing cars on the tile, and down the slide.


We painted the great room. In anticipation for visitors, we decided to take a weekend and paint the great room. It was a big project with all the prep work and stuff! The kids spent most of the days in the play room with the gate. We moved the computer in there for movies. They were really patient with us. Paul did a really good job with all the edges! It looks great! We'll post pictures when we figure out curtains, pillows, and where to mount the tv we just ordered!


Elin crawls. She's been crawling for about a month. She's pretty fast and gets in to just about everything. She loves being mobile, and able to play more with the kids. I love that she can crawl 'cause I don't have to carry her everywhere!Elin's also starting to cruise. She pulls herself up onto everything and tries to walk along. She's pretty good on the Little Tikes table. She's had a few tumbles, but she doesn't seemed bothered by them. She just rolls over and does it again.

The twins are getting ready for Sunbeams! I can't believe how big they are getting. They left nursery last week to spend singing time in Primary. It was weird not to have them in class with me for a few minutes! Do I really have kids old enough to no longer be in Nursery?!? Where has the time gone?


Paul was called as ward organist. He's still in the Elder's Quorum, but he now gets to practice his musical talents by playing the organ in Sacrament meeting. I have to admit that I've had a few nightmares on Saturdays of him playing the organ, Ailsee escaping to sit with him, Ewan crying for him, Olivia waving frantically at him while climbing over benches while I'm holding Elin...Okay, it hasn't been that bad. And, I know lots of people who do Sunday as a single parent while their spouse is doing their calling. But, not many have two three year olds, a two year, and an infant. I probably rely on Paul too much, but he's so great!  He still comes into the Nursery to help me when he's not needed in Elder's Quorum and takes Elin so she doesn't get "loved" too much by all the other kids.

We had John and Emily (Paul's brother and sister-in-law) come from Lake Jackson, Texas for Thanksgiving. It was so much fun to have visitors! We love spending time with John and Emily. We went to the zoo, to the park, hiking, and trampoline jumping. Emily and I got to go to Wal-Mart together! We made Thanksgiving dinner together. It was great! We also had Paul's cousin, Patrick and his family for Thanksgiving. It was sad to see everyone go. We can't wait to have more visitors!

Photo of Grandma Stacey taken by Aislee...She steals the camera every chance she can get.

Elin is a good eater.

At least he's wheeling around the shopping cart and not the stroller, right?

Pre-race water.

Olivia

Happy Birthday Ewan NcGrewen!

The missionaries liked the cupcakes. They were the only ones who didn't just lick the frosting off...

That was his second helping of frosting.

There are too many kids in the tub. Too many elbows to scrub! I just washed a behind I don't think was mine. There are too many kids in the tub!

She's a happy kid.

This one was taken by Ewan.Olivia and Aislee.

She's so big!

Don't feed the animals. Okay, maybe if you feed them, they won't fuss at you!

Now there are WAY too many kids in that tub!

Elin and Caleb hanging out in the stroller. They were happy for moments.

We're so excited for our new Elephant Exhibit coming soon!

Paul and Ewan. John and Sam.

The strollers changed occupants and drivers many times.

Leaving the zoo. Ewan made it home with us.

Hiking Madera Canyon.

Happy to be out of the house!

Snack time!

Trampoline!

It's not child abuse if they're laughing, right?

Elin loves her Ewan!

This lasted a few minutes, until he ran her into the wall and she fell out. Paul was there to catch her!

Well, there's our November. We're looking forward to a busy December! I'm going to try a 31 day challenge, and blog everyday this month. I'm hoping it will get me in the habit...!