A quick visit.

 One of Brian's mission companions lives in Canada and was in Chicago for work last month and decided to come up to Madison for a quick visit. Chicago is still a 2 1/2 hour drive away so it was very kind of Chris to come and see us for such a short time! We had a great time getting to know him a bit and hear about his family. He's holding Sully like a natural because he and his wife Joy have 6 kids! Hopefully we'll get to meet them all one day.

He drove up for dinner and then drove back to Chicago that night, but the next morning he came back because his work meetings were cancelled. I think he's an electrical engineer and he fixed our basement lights (now I can see in our craft area!) and replaced an outdoor light! Hooray! It was so nice of him to use his time to serve us.

Soccer boy

Miles played soccer this fall and looooved it! It was so fun to watch him play and he was pretty darn good for never playing before. It was great to spend our beautiful Saturday mornings watching our little guy play!          

He would get super excited whenever anyone on his team made a goal.

Wesley's birthday

Somehow I missed posting about Wesley's birthday. I think it may have something to do with having a new baby around. But I couldn't skip it! Wesley turned 4 in September and had a practically perfect day, which for him meant swimming at the YMCA, coconut gelato, brownies, Lego minifigures and lots of family time.

Oh, this boy. He loves superheroes, ninja's, legos, play-doh, playing Lego batman on the Wii, the color green and wrestling/play fighting with Miles and dad. I can't say he's our easiest four year old because he's often feisty and demanding. But he brings a lot of love, laughter, excitement and happiness to our family and we sure love him. And well, nobody is perfect! :)

3 months!

I have some other posts to catch up on, I've been busy giving this baby lots of smooches on those cheeks and raspberries on that cute tummy. I can't believe he's three months old already.  A few noteworthy things; he has found his voice and we all love to hear it, he slobbers like there's no tomorrow, he smiles a ton, spends most of his day trying to fit his fists in his mouth and he has gotten considerably easier this month and is so happy most of the time. Such a sweetie.

Everyday stuff.

Life is good in these parts. Fall has been beautiful, but cold already and the thought of winter still makes me want to cry so I'm hoping it may warm up a bit before it stays cold! It's hard to find time to blog (I currently have a sleeping baby in my arms as I write this). Strangely, keeping up with 5 kids is a lot of work! ;)

 My three sweet boys

 We had a crazy loud thunderstorm one night with one loud crash that made me think our neighbors house had blown up! So we slept nice and cozy for a few hours together.

Love this face even when it's sad!

 Kids playing in the yard on a gorgeous fall day.

 Two super heroes out on a walk

 Sweet brothers

Sweet sleeping baby

Miles started playing soccer and he loves it!

My 24/7 buddies. 

 My laundry helper

a did a dance camp and then danced at the High School football half time. She was so very excited about it all. Cutie pie.

 A friend of ours gave Sullivan this Sullivan stuffed animal, he really likes it :)

Brian turned 35! We had a pretty low key birthday but we showered him with love and got a blurry family picture.

Such fun smiles.

Fall here has been COLD. I like walking the kids to school but I don't like taking Sully out in the cold too much so Brian usually walks the kids and then the little boys and I walk to pick them up when it's warmed up a bit. 

 Library day!

Wesley and I found some super hero cookie cutters at a yard sale and had fun making them together.  

 

Sophie has been running cross country this month and has enjoyed it. It's been so fun to watch her (I may or may not cry every time...)  She has improved her time by almost a full minute and had fun with friends, but I'm excited to have her around more after school!

Morning snuggles!

He's in charge.

This sweetie pie reminds me every day that he's in charge around here. From what time I get up and go to bed.... to everything in between! The state of my house and laundry pile have seen better days, and our meals have been better, but my arms and my heart are constantly full and I wouldn't have it any other way.

There they go!

Off they go!

 Sophie started 6th grade, which is considered Middle School here. She was pretty nervous about changing schools and riding the bus and finding all her classes (she's taking French and Spanish this year!) She was up until 11:30 the night before. But the past two days she's come home with a big smile. She started Cross Country yesterday and said it was really hard but she liked it. 

Nora started 4th grade and was pretty excited. She gets to start Orchestra and is excited to join a new Sewing club that started up. She's had a good few days as well and has made some new friends.

Miles started 1st grade and was excited to have a desk! Last year they sat at tables so he thinks his desk is pretty cool. He also has one of his good friends in his class so that was exciting. 

Sophie catches the bus for the first time ever and it comes at 7:04. We walk the other two and leave at 7:30. It's been a bit of a transition waking the kids up at 6:30 for scriptures and then sending Sophie off before everyone else, but we'll get used to it. Wesley, Sullivan and I are excited to start going on our long walks in the mornings after dropping the kids off at school. Time to get rid of this baby weight! Here's to a great school year!