our little corner of the world

As Morgan and Andrew adjusted to making the fun happen indoors, forts and houses became a staple in their bedroom and in the basement for several weeks.

The everyday play was interspersed with Advent and Christmas preparations.





















Matthew gained momentum getting into... everything.






















Morgan and Andrew each had school Christmas programs.



















And that brings us to Christmas Eve.
And the excitement of Christmas morning.
























Once Matthew went down for a morning nap, the bigs enjoyed some of their gifts.

Giltter glue gone wrong!

Then it was off to celebrate with family and get ready to travel.

Finally, it felt like Autumn. The last leaves were falling from the trees, two weeks later than usual, and we bundled more as we left the house.

Morgan had her turn with Corduroy, the first grade classroom stuffy, and he stayed with us for a whole week.





















Matthew, the food connoisseur, was an instant expert at using utensils. Scooping - more like shoveling - and finding his mouth was second nature from the moment we gave him a fork and spoon.
























We spent Thanksgiving day with Scott's family and traveled the weekend after to be with mine.





















Snowy weather awaited us when we arrived on the west side.





























On to December!

The warm weather stretched into October and we took full advantage. The deck project was finally complete, and the Pumpkin Picnic at church was warmer than usual.

Once the temperatures dropped the kids still enjoyed their time outside.




















Mid-October, I attended the MOPS International annual Convention in Kansas City. I missed my kiddies and fantastic husband, but the time alone to recharge my batteries as a wife, mother and Christian... priceless.























And then, of course, was Halloween. The pumpkin carving, the costumes, the trick-or-treating. Morgan decided to be Clementine, the quirky star character of Sara Pennypacker's books by the same name. Andrew wanted to be a cowboy. Sadly, Matthew never made the cut. Not only was he under the weather, but the weather itself was lousy. Rainy and cold, and I couldn't justify dragging a 14 month old out into that awfulness.

I couldn't resist a shot of Andrew's eyelashes.