Popular

He's popular around here.

 

 

I think it's cause he's such a good reader.

Snow Day

Our first snowfall this year came on November 2nd.

 

 

And the two older girls

 

enjoyed getting their first touch

 

and taste of North Dakota snow.

Eight Month Acrobatics

At exactly eight months of age, I caught her in the act.

 

 

Standing in the crib,

 

extremely proud of herself

 

and far too eager to do it again.

 

More Comfortable

Usually they fall asleep with their head on the tray.  This position looks much more comfortable.

 

 

She was actually asleep before the picture, but was awoken slightly by me taking the picture.

Oversized

The picture are blurry,

 

 

but the crayons were cute.

 

All five of them:  purple

 

red,

 

yellow,

 

blue

 

and pink.

 

After pictures and visiting a few neighbors in the blustery North Dakota elements, we headed to church for a carnival.

 

We enjoyed hot dogs for dinner and lots of moon bounce time and candy.

 

Grandpa Tim also showed up (he was teaching a class nearby the next day) to say hello.  The only strange event of the evening occured when Xandra was not allowed in a particular moon bounce.  She was considered too old.  She was sad and I didn't know what to say...it was the first time any of my kids have  been to old to do anything.  They're always too little, not too big.  I guess crayons nearing four feet tall are kind of big.

My Word

In late October, we invited several of our neighbors over for a carving party.

 

 

Only two of them came,

 

but we greatly enjoyed their company,

 

and our annual pumpkin carving.

 

This year's pumpkin, not pictured in its final state because I somehow neglected to take its picture, had two carvings:  a kitty on one side and an owl on the other.  To date, Joe's most impressive work.  Too bad there's no pictoral proof of his genius.  You'll just have to take my word for it.

The Line Up

Not The Baby

Tikvah is discovering what Joey has long known:

 

 

who needs a high chair?

 

Clearly not the baby.

Highlights

In mid October cousins Liam, Laney and Kiyah came for a visit.  They brought along their mom and dad, too.

 

 

We had lots of fun playing and talking, but didn't take too many pictures.

 

We did capture the kids eating homemade apple pie

 

and a beautiful Saturday morning walk.

 

Grandma was in town for the weekend, too, although we didn't see her as much as she spent all day Saturday at a wedding with her sisters, Kathy and Evie.  Before the sisters left, we snapped this picture of the trio.

 

Definitely the most beautiful part of the weekend!

Loads of Fun

It's kind of a tight fit in the laundry basket these days,

 

but she still likes it,

 

at least until she tries to roll over.

 

 

A Royal Affair

Most little girls dress up their kitties 

 

 

 and pull them around in wagons.

 

 

My girls dress up their baby sister

 

 

and process her through the living room.

 

 

and sometimes leave her alone and abandoned in the royal carriage.

 

 

Other times, they skip the dress up

 

 

and just head straight for the processional.

 

 

Either way

 

 

it's a royal affair.

 

Morning Huddle

Joe and I tease that each morning the kids get together and decide on whose turn it will be to act up when.  That way, there's never a momen'ts peace in the house.  I think I saw a meeting of the minds recently.

 

 

It made me want to run and hide.

Matchmaking

Having four girls has its benefits and one of those benefits is hand-me-downs.

 

A few years ago, Theia wore Aliyah's outfit and Aliyah wore Tikvah's outfit.

 

 

Last year, Xandra wore Theia's dress and this year I found a match at a second hand shop.

 

Theia passed down her dress to Aliyah, Xandra passed down her dress to Theia and I found Xandra a new one at a garage sale for $2.00.

 

Four Christmases ago I made these two skirts.  Xandra's skirt is now on Liyah.  Theia's skirt is now on Tikvah.

 

Four girls.  Perfect for matchmaking again and again.