Well, here comes November

Long time no post huh? If you notice there are times when I don't have much to say, but I post a bunch of pictures because I feel like the pictures can say it all. Other times I explain the pictures with oh so lovely commentary. This post is neither of those... sometimes you just aren't feeling it.

October brings the beginning of busy season for Michael at work. This means lots of travel and long hours. Most of the time I am fine with this, I am used to it. However, sometimes it is just plain hard. The kids and I feel the effects of not having Michael home with us as much as we would like.

Here is what happened during my blogging absence: Michael was gone for two weeks in October. During this time he missed a hurricane and Halloween. We were blessed while he was gone to not lose power during the storm. We were stuck inside for a couple of days, but the sun did shine once again. In fact the rain stopped just in time for us to go Trick-or-Treating on Halloween. I took the kids over to Michael's parents so his Dad could help me with the kids. We went around the neighborhood and the kids got plenty of candy. I didn't take any pictures.

When Michael travels they allow him to come home on the weekends. On Saturday the 27th, he was home with us for one day so we told Miriam that she could choose what she wants to do with Dad. She decided we should all go to the farm. Little did we know they were having a little wellness fair. The kids got to paint pumpkins and Miriam got her face painted. I didn't take any pictures.

This week Michael has been working long hours. He gets home after I am asleep and leaves before we all wake up. During all of this craziness we have all been sick. Michael was sick while he was in Minnesota. The kids and I survived colds over the past couple of weeks. This week Simon and Miriam got pink-eye. Then Michael came home last night with his eyes red, swollen, and full of junk. Looks like pink-eye for Michael too. Next week looks to be the same schedule for Michael.

Now in case you feel sorry for me, don't. I love my life. I am grateful for how hard my husband works. I am grateful I get to stay home and be a mom to my two wonderful children. Good things happen amidst the blur of feeling lonely. Michael's parents have fed us numerous times (both at home and taken us out). In fact, sometimes Michael being gone has benefits. I don't have to cook exciting meals because the kids don't mind if I make waffles or mac and cheese for dinner. Also, in the evenings I have alone I try to get things done. I have taken out Simon's scrapbook again and I am determined to finish it before the end of the year.

All of this rambling being said, I am beyond excited for the holidays. They have become more special to me because they land right in the middle of a time when I need family time most. I love the days Michael gets to stay home and spend time with us. Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner and I can hang in there and survive in between.

Little Helpers

Yesterday I decided to make cookies with Miriam and Simon. Miriam has been asking about making cookies for a while now, so I decided to try making some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Simon has to be where ever Miriam is, so of course he climbed right up on the chair to help. Did you know that making cookies with two kids "helping" you takes two times longer? Making cookies after nap time probably wasn't the best idea because it cut into dinner time. It was a good thing Michael was working late and I had only planned to heat up leftovers.

I am pretty sure a lot of cookie dough was eaten.

I got the recipe off the oatmeal canister. Probably a bad idea. The first batch was way overdone due to instructions to cook for 15 minutes. I didn't even think, but this is way too long for a cookie. Anyway, I adjusted and I think they turned out okay... even if it took 2 hours to make them.

Our September

I wouldn't want you to think our month was completely full of fun and games. I know I already posted about so many fun things...

• Air Show
• we love dressing up
• Perfect Weather
• Day at the National Zoo
• Life Lately...
• Can I Have S'more?
• Miriam Golfs
• Walk for the Homeless
• What started as a normal day
• Zinga!
• Life with a little boy
• Celebrating the Laborers
• At the park

...but September was more than that. We started out the month with a round of a flu bug for Michael, Miriam, and I (thank goodness Simon dodged that one). Poor Michael was out of town suffering in a hotel room all alone. Then, Miriam and Simon also had colds this past week. All the sickness made the quiet nap times all the more precious.

Simon loves sleeping with a blanket around his head.

Simon has really started to enjoying coloring. He is pretty good at coloring only in his coloring book, but I definitely have to keep an close eye on him. If he gets a hold of a pen...

Michael went out to Provo to help his firm with recruiting. He brought back a special present for Miriam. She loves her new Book of Mormon. She loves taking her own scriptures to church. I find her pretending to read out of them often. I hope that means we are doing something right with teaching her the importance of scriptures.

We spent the rest of the month completing projects and getting ready for fall. We have put most of the summer clothes away and have the fall clothes ready and waiting. (Why is it supposed to get to 85 degrees this week?) Once October hits I am ready for fall to arrive in full swing. We have some fun things in store. Michael is getting pretty busy with work this time of year, so I have to make sure I stay busy and positive about the fall season. I wouldn't want to be going crazy right before the holidays.

by the way I can't believe this is my 400th post

Perfect Weather

I have felt really bad about not taking the kids out to play as much as I would like. During the summer it was just so hot. Now that it is cooling off I feel like I have no more excuses. I need to take them outside. Miriam was asking all day to ride her bike. After Simon's nap I carried it down the two flights of stairs (living in a condo is such a pain sometimes) so we could ride around the building.

Simon was content to follow Miriam around on the sidewalk.

It has been a while since she has been on her bike. It took a little bit, but once she got the hang of it she did pretty well. She still needs to grow into the bike a bit (next year should be perfect). I was so proud of my little girl.

In other news, what happened to my baby boy? Where did this fun little boy come from? I can't believe how much Simon has grown up this summer.

Always willing to smile at the camera.

Even though it didn't last very long, it was good to get out. A 70 degree afternoon is a perfect time to get out and get some fresh air. I just hope it doesn't get too cold too soon.

Life Lately...

...through cell phone and iPad pictures.

 cleaning up, with wipes

 

 simon fell back asleep in my bed

 playing together at the park

 headed off to garage sales

 

   is Miriam my daughter or what?

she cleaned up the blocks in color order

 too much splashing in the bath

Simon is banned behind the curtain

  Miriam's new notebook and pens

 Miriam and Simon love the swings

King, Queen, Princess, and Prince

Miriam loves crafts. She randomly thinks of things and wants me to help her create. Last week Miriam wanted to make a crown for everyone. I used my best cutting and gluing skills. Next thing I know she is deeming us all royalty.

I can't wait to see what her imagination will come up with next...

In the Car... I mean Van

 Miriam likes to buckle-up all by herself.

 Simon loves being able to look out the window.

Miriam wants the music LOUD.

 If we have sunglasses on, Simon wants his on too.

 Miriam and Simon love to dance to the music.

I LOVE MY VAN!

Walking, Bubbles, and Grandma

Modeling and Taking Steps

Today Miriam really wanted to try on her swimsuit. She also insisted that Simon try his on too. She was being so silly and cute, so I took a few pictures of her modeling her new swimsuit.

After that Miriam wanted to take pictures of Simon. I decided to try to get him to walk. Miriam snapped these shots... pretty good eh?

Nooks and Crannies

Miriam and Simon always find the strangest places to play. It must be fun to be little and able to hide around the nooks and crannies in the house. Some of the favorites include:

Looking out the window

Inside the toy bin 

Stuck inside the toy bin

Under my new sewing desk

(Miriam is pretending to play iPad)