Halloween party

This past weekend we had a Halloween party at Jeremy's cousin's house.  This was the first year we were able to go.  We had to leave early because we were having a birthday party for my grandma the same night but the kids had fun while we were there.  We got to go on a hay rack ride and we won the scavenger hunt!  We are looking forward to going again next year!

two football players and a princess on the hay rack ride

looking for clues on the scavenger hunt

reading the clue

it's hard to run around in all these layers and a dress!

 

Naptime part 2

As I mentioned a post earlier we have been struggling with Aubrey's naps.  Here is a picture from last week when we had gone to the library in the afternoon and gotten a few books and movies.  She was supposed to be quietly watching her movie and then she feel asleep.  Today she had "quiet time" so I could get some homework done.  She was looking at the Toys R Us catalog that came in the mail and showing me things every few minutes and when I asked her to stay in her room until I told her I was done with my paper she feel asleep in bed.  

Naptime

We have been struggling with what to do about afternoon naps for Aubrey for a little while now.  I have been trying to encourage "quiet time" in the afternoons now so I am still able to have a little break and get some homework done.  But many days she still ends up falling asleep and then we have trouble getting her to bed at night.  I think Aubrey is a lot like me and is a night owl!  One day last week I had kept her up and I was talking to my mom on the phone when we noticed that Aubrey had fallen asleep on the rug!  She slept here for about 20 minutes and then I carried her to her bed and she slept for another hour or so.  

She is currently in her room "resting" and I am guessing she is sleeping while I type this and listen to an online lecture.  I guess for now we will just go with the flow and keep working with the quiet time while we are home in the afternoons.  

Hayden's 9th b day party - with friends

Last Saturday for lunch we headed over to Happy Joe's for lunch and games to celebrate Hayden's birthday with a few friends.  After playing the games and eating some yummy pizza he opened presents and got a free clown sundae!

Nile fall activities

Nile just finished up his first year of soccer.  The Monday following their last game they played a game against parents and siblings.  Aubrey and I weren't able to participate since she had dance but we did get to see a little of the game before and after dance class.  It was pretty chilly but everyone had a good time.

This past Saturday Nile started his 4 week football camp.  For the next four Saturdays from 9-10:30 he will rotate through football drills to learn the basics of flag football.  Hayden participated in this program the past two years and Nile was excited for his chance this year.  It was very cold last Saturday so we had him in lots of layers to stay warm!

Layla's 1st birthday

Yesterday we loaded up the car and headed up to Pomeroy for my god-daughter's first birthday party.  We attempted to listen to the church sermon on the radio while the kids played with the iPad and their DSs.  It sprinkled on us off and on during the drive.  We arrived at the party and had fun watching the birthday girl run around and catching up with my college roommate from Morningside Jaime.  There were lots of balloons so my kiddos were happily playing with them until it was time for lunch.  Layla wasn't really sure what to do with her smash cake but she did enjoy some of the frosting.  She did a good job opening her presents and loved all the books and toys that make noise!  It was a short visit but good to see Layla and Jaime & Luke.  We headed home while I drove and everyone napped.  We stopped in Ankeny to return a few things to Kohl's and look for a few other items and then a quick dinner at Burger King before heading back to Pella to meet with our small group at church.  A busy but fun Sunday!

Jeremy and Luke with their little girls

Jaime and I and our kiddos

Jeremy thought Aubrey looked so cute sleeping like this
on the way home so I asked him to take a pic

Dusty rhinos soccer

Last Saturday morning was Nile's day to bring snack for soccer.  He was so excited and had been asking us every week if it was his turn yet!  As you can tell he LOVES soccer.  Nile scored two goals at his game this weekend.  Hayden tried it one year and that was enough for him.  Unfortunately it looks like our falls will be busy from here on out for a few years.  This is the last week for fall sports for the boys.  Nile has his last game this coming Saturday and Hayden has his last flag football game on Thursday night.  We will still have dance class on Monday nights for Aubrey and church for the boys on  Wednesdays but it should be a much needed slower pace for our evenings.  

Family party for Hayden and Trace

Last Friday night we had everyone over to our place for a little party for Hayden and my nephew Trace.  We ordered Casey's pizza and my awesome SIL make a cake and cupcakes.

 

Lunch with the birthday boy...

...and a few pics from after school opening presents and eating cookie cake.

Hayden is so sweet - he said he got everything he wanted for his birthday.  I wish we could all be that happy with the things we receive in this life.

Making your home a haven - fall challenge

I found this blog through facebook and have decided to take this challenge for my home.  Maybe some of you have heard about it and are doing it to or would like to join me on this journey to make our homes more peaceful during the busy fall season.
http://womenlivingwell.org/2013/09/making-your-home-a-haven-fall-challenge-is-back-with-an-ipad-mini-giveaway/

Happy 9th b-day Hayden

Wow, time goes so quickly when you are a parent.  It seems like I just found out I was pregnant with my first baby and now he is turning 9!  Hayden has been such a blessing to my life.  He is the best son a mother could ask for.  Hayden was a wonderful baby, not so much the other two :).  He is such an easy going kid.  He will try anything once.  He is caring, kind, intelligent, and a wonderful big bro two his little bro and sis.  I think Hayden changed my life for the better and thank God for sending him to us.  Giving birth to Hayden is the hardest thing I have ever done.  After being in labor all night and the next morning I was finally ready to push just before lunch on Sunday October 3, 2004.  My mom was with Jeremy and I and she was excited thinking he would be here soon.  After almost 2 hours of pushing I was exhausted and Dr Posthuma decided to use the vacuum to help me push the baby out.  We were thinking Hayden would weigh around 8 pounds since I was a big baby and I was 3 days over due.  Well when they put my baby on the scale he weighed in at 9 pounds and 9.5 ounces!  Even my doctor was surprised.  He had a big head and took everything I had and more to push him out!  And of course my intrathecal medicine had long since worn off.  Needless to say my labor and delivery with Nile was much easier and Aubrey was turning somersaults at the end and broke my water and I had to have a c-section.

Newborn Hayden 10/3/04

not quite 4 year old Hayden hanging out at the
 Eddyville drag strip for a car show 7/08

Nine year old Hayden 10/3/13