I'm 32!

What a glorious day!  I did absolutely nothing for anyone else (well, I did feed Eddie, helped Maddie, lotioned Nick, kissed Maisie, went sledding with Meg and Andy).  All my daily tasks were completed by Austin and the children: Meg made my birthday cake and Andy washed the cake dishes.  Maisie, Nick and Maddie decorated for my party.  Austin made the most lovely dinner.  I am so thankful for the phone calls and texts.  I feel loved, though I probably don't deserve it.

Dinner

 Cake (My niece Haley and I share the same birthday.  My niece Gabby and I, too.  She's not pictured, though.)

 Party Games

 Party Animals

Pre-Party

I decided to celebrate my birthday today; we went to the rollar rink.  Maisie and Eddie were the best duo, she pushed him in the stroller for two complete hours.  Meg entertained the younger kids and Austin and I skated for 20 whole minutes uninterrupted.  So fun!

Merry Christmas!

Today was a simply delightful Christmas.  The children awakened after 7:30; then we spent all morning on the floor playing with legos and toys.  Afternoon was spent playing laser tag at the church.  Evening was spent talking quietly in Mom's living room.  Late evening was spent exploring our new devices.  What?  That is a first.   Hooray for a Nike+ Fuelband and a new smart phone.

But what I really have wanted to blog for the past two weeks is Nick and Maisie's duet.  Enjoy.

A Safari

 Austin took Meg and Andy to Kenya with him to visit his parents.  These are my favorite pictures from their adventure.

 Safari

 That lion is so close!

 Primary kids.

 Chillin' with the grandparents.

All three travelers had an amazing time!  They want to go back.

Grandmother Dearest

Grandma wanted to be on my blog.  I wanted her to be.  Isn't she wonderful!

Happy Thanksgiving

I asked the children to entertain Ed while I finished the Thanksgiving pies.

 Interesting method.

Place settings.

 Turkey and final prep.

 The fam.

 The entertainment.

 The pies.

I played two games on Thanksgiving-- Rummykub and Five Crowns.  I lost miserably.  However, I did get to play with Grandma and Grandpa Guymon, Grandma and Grandpa Goodell, Mom and Dad, and Austin.  Ha!  A feat in and of itself.  I am so blessed.

Ed's Trick

We think he is so smart; he knows it, too!

In and Out

Not the burger chain.  The weather outside and the toastiness inside.  Maddie and I made chocolate marshmallows to dip in hot chocolate and pumpkins cookies for the afternoon snack.  Our school-kids loved them!

INSIDE

OUTSIDE

VOTE

I waited only an hour to vote today.  Totally worth it!

Halloween Part II

I helped with classroom parties and decided to dress up.  

 Maisie's class

 Andy's class

 Grandma Kim hosted a ghoulish dinner.

 More costumes

 The aftermath

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Morning

The kids went to school as the Avengers.  Shocker.  They couldn't wear masks or take props, so we came up with other accouterments.  Now to face my house, two classroom parties and my crying-neglected baby.  Happy Halloween!

 Thor.

 Natasha Romanov -- Black Widow

Captain Stephen Rogers -- Captain America.

 Tony Stark - Ironman.

 Maddie will wear her Hulk costume tonight.

  The morning aftermath.

Tonight the kids will wear masks and look like the assembled Avengers.  If I can make it that far.