Turkeys and 2 Front Teeth

 We officially brought out the beloved "Turkey Bow" for the season. Kellie has had it since she was about 3 and looks forward to wearing it all year long. On another, unrelated note, Miss Kellie can now officially sing "All I Want for Christmas is my 2 Front Teeth." She lost the 2nd top one, yesterday!

So Proud of my Caleb!

Caleb had his 8 year old check-up yesterday. As the doctor was talking to him, he asked if he had to do chores at home.
Caleb responded that yes, he had chores he had to do every day and that his parents also ask him to do a secret act of service daily, too.
The Dr. was a little surprised and asked to hear more about that.
Caleb then went on to tell him about looking for ways to help other people and how every night at the dinner table we share the things we have done.
The doctor then asked him what kind of things he does to serve others.
Without hesitating Caleb told him about sneaking into his siblings rooms to make their beds or about sharpening his friends pencils at school...

The doctor was visibly touched and didn't really know what to say after that. (I don't know that he's ever heard an 8 year old talk that way before.) I'm sure Caleb will be remembered...
I am so proud of him and his boldness in sharing our tradition. It's times like this that make all the really hard Mommy Moments worth it! :)

Levi is Beautiful!

I sent the kids upstairs to get dressed and comb their hair. Levi showed up downstairs a few minutes later, looking like this...

I love that he makes me laugh! What a handsome young man he is!

Halloween 2012

Butterfly, Dinosaur, Super Caleb, and Jedi

Halloween 2012 Preview

Levi, the Dinosaur

Levi sleeps in style, continued...

Scout Camping "Trip"

Aaron had the opportunity this weekend to participate in his first cold weather camp-out. They met about 5 minutes from here (which is why I'm not sure it really qualifies as a 'trip'...) in the scout master's back yard. We did have snow this week, so the boys had to learn to contend with that also.

They had the neat opportunity of preparing their own food outside, and also of retiring a flag. I have never witnessed it myself, but Matt said it was really something special to watch, and it was done with such reverence. To retire a flag, you cut it first, so that it is no longer an intact flag, and then it is ok to burn.

 Brandon (Aaron's fellow 11-year-old scout and friend) browning hamburger for Sloppy Joes.

 Aaron learning how to cut up an onion.

 Cutting the flag...

 Retiring the flag...

 Morning clean-up.

Aaron

Levi Sleeps with Style...

Levi fell asleep in the car yesterday, so Matt carried him in and set him down on the couch. A few minutes later I went to check on him, and caught him bouncing his foot in his sleep. I sure love that kid!

Kellie is 6!

On October 25th Miss Kellie turned 6!

Not Sleepy...

Levi is clearly "not sleepy" and "does not need" a nap. 

(or so he told me 5 minutes before I found him like this...)

Seth is 2 Months Old!

Raingutter Regatta

Caleb participated in his first Rain-gutter Regatta. I'm not entirely sure what his final rank was- but he won 2 out of his 3 races. It was really funny because we realized halfway though his 2nd race that he was trying to blow through the straw without putting it in his mouth. Once we told him to put the straw in his mouth- he won that race and the one after. Such a fun activity to watch! Good job Caleb!

Seth's Blessing