halloween 2015

This year we invited friends to come and trick or treat in our neighborhood. Then they invited us to their house for hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls after we were done collecting our loot.

My kids could seriously could go trick or treating all night, even sweet Bina was game to keep going. What can I say, we love our treats.

Savannah decided to be a nerd this year, and matched with her cute friend Brooklyn. It is sad to see her years of trick or treating coming to an end. Maybe in a few years, she can be in charge of taking all the little people instead of me. Pass the torch, if you will.

Devin is always wanting something different to dress up as, and this year he chose a clown costume. You never see him in a costume that everyone else is wearing. He has yet to dress up as a Ninja Turtle, or something that is all the craze with kids his age.

Bina girl picked out a ballerina cat get up, and although kinda weird...she looked absolutely adorable!

These are the kind of holidays I just love having kids. They make everything so fun! 

basement.

As soon as we found out that we were having a baby, we knew we had to finish the basement. Although this is something we have wanted to do for a long time, it wasn't something we had planned for 2015. The task seemed overwhelming in every way...money, time, and planning it out. 

There were lots of stressful moments, but overall I think the entire project went fairly smoothly. A lot of the people we hired came recommended from friends, and our good friend Lydon helped out immensely! I don't know if there is a lot that we would change looking back, so I think that says something.

playroom/family room

Savannah's room

We wanted to be finished by the end of Summer, but missed our deadline. There were only a few weeks where all 3 kids were sharing one bedroom, and I think they secretly loved it. It was a big slumber party every night.

We love the finished product, and definitely think the fun paint jobs Christy and I did on the walls really added to the finished product! One day when all the decor is complete, I will have to come back and add some photos of it.  

just keep swimming.

Every year, except one, I have come up with an excuse to not put the kids in swimming lessons. This year I saw a childhood friend offering swimming lessons in her backyard, and I decided to jump on it...make no excuses. 

At first I wasn't going to sign Bina up, because she wasn't potty trained. With a mention of not being able to swim with Devin and Savannah, she quickly potty trained in a weekend. If I would have known that is all it would take I would have bribed her with swimming lessons earlier.

It was the perfect size classes, great teacher, the right time of day. It was so fun to watch Savannah and Devin really progress, and love going. Bina started off really strong, but in the end decided she didn't love "the big bathtub" every day.

We were sad when it was over, and was definitely a highlight to our Summer. 

Silver Lake Adventure.

Uncle Kyle moved from Idaho to a cute cabin super close to Silver Lake up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Even though we live by the mountains, it is rare we ever go up and explore. We were excited when Kyle invited us to come for a picnic, and scope out Silver Lake. 

It really isn't a hike, which was right up our alley. It is mostly flat, and some of it is even deck-like material you walk on.

It was a good amount of adventure for us, and definitely worth taking another trip up to explore. We got lucky on the day we went, and saw a moose out in the water. It was made for a pretty cool experience.

painting the nursery.

The room we have used for the nursery was in need of an update. Devin and Bina have both used the same room, and we wanted to change it up for Drake. 

I wanted to do more than just an accent wall, but I wasn't sure I was up for the task. I honestly can't remember how it happened, but my friend Christy offered to help me paint and the rest was history.

Christy is a pro painter, and it made trying something new not so scary. Christy found some ideas on Pinterest, and we ran with it. 

It was so fun to do this project with her, and we made a good team. Paul took care of Bina, took Devin to school, brought us home lunch...all while we painted and chit-chatted. I love how it turned out, and find myself dreaming of when I have a reason to spend more time in the room.

starting somewhere.

post edit: I went back and filled in some of the gaps. Slowly but surely this blog might make a come back, just in time for 2016 Summer adventure a days!

Where do you even start when you haven't blogged since June? Truth, I have no idea. 

I decided to just start somewhere, even if that means that things will be out of sequence. I will forget these memories all together if I don't start somewhere.

***

This post is going to be about our newest baby. A boy. Due Christmas Day, 2015. 

{25 weeks}

His name will be Drake, and our first baby that I have given a name to. I have never really cared what our babies names were, just that I had the opportunity to have them. Then this boy came along, and I did a fair amount of begging for his name to be Drake.

Just because he is our 4th, it hasn't diminished my excitement. I still can't wait to meet him, snuggle, and soak him up. 

This has been my easiest pregnancy, and I secretly hope that means he will be my easy baby. Fat chance, I know. We have most everything ready for his arrival, which is some sort of record for us. 

There was a time in my life when I wasn't sure we would have a family, and I said I would be happy with just one baby. Now we will be a family of 6, and I feel like someone should pinch me...I am so thankful for these little people who I get to be a Mommy to. Such a dream come true.

5th grader.

Savannah was a little nervous about starting the 5th grade. Her very best friend ended up in another class, and they have been inseparable. She did end up getting the teacher she really wanted, so that was a little bit of positive for her.

Savannah is a smart young lady, and makes friends no matter what her situation is. She looks forward to learning, and is responsible with homework. I feel really thankful that I have been so lucky this first time around with a child I never have to worry about.

Every year we take the same picture of Devin with Savannah. This year Bina wanted in on the fun. Clearly Savannah doesn't think it is as cute or fun anything...which makes this picture all the more priceless.
 
I am sure 5th grade will take some adjusting, but I am also sure she will absolutely slay it! Can't wait to see how much she excels and learns.