Happy Halloween

Halloween morning is a breeze at our charter school  and high school-- no costumes allowed!  Instead the little boys helped me bathe and dress our little pumpkin, taking up most of the morning.

 Lunch time came and they wanted to eat lunch in their costumes.  OK!

I combed Eddie's hair into the most beautiful top curl -- he made me comb it out so that he'd look more like Dash.

 Maisie is Cat Woman.

 Meg as the Pumpkin Holder.

 Eddie as Dash

 Nick in the morph suit.

 Maddie as Super Girl.

 Group photo.

The quarter and gumball machine.

Church carnival and trunk-or-treat.

 The loot.

One of the best years, because I didn't make dinner and I didn't do anything that was stressful.  I fed my baby all day, and spent 30 minutes getting the kids ready.  We were home and in bed at 9 pm.  I'll repeat this year every year.

Saturday Night Football

I bathed the little boys and Austin cuddled our Molly.  She seemed pretty content in his arms, I know that feeling.

I loved this picture of these sisters.  Maddie begged to hold Molly all morning.

Molly's First Bath

Before Grandma Kim left, she continued the tradition of baby's first bath.  She is so good at it.

 They are both so beautiful.

Mom and Emily

Both Emily and Mom have been at our house caring for us all while Molly is brand new.  We spent much of in the basment sewing various projects whilst watching old movies.  Because we had workers in the kitchen, it was the perfect excuse to not work all day, only in the evening when they left.  

 Dearest also gave Molly her first bath.

 Emily was the homework queen -- but always stopped to hold a crying baby or fetch a toy for a bored toddler.

(My phone died completely during these first 10 days of Molly's life, so my pictures really don't add up and capture all that I wanted.  Alas, what I'll remember most from their visit is the peace I felt as my mother tenderly nurtured me and all my household.  She constantly reminded to keep going and continue in love and great care.  I am blessed to be loved my Mother.)

Coming Home

Molly Babcock

She's here!  Molly Babcock was born today at 1:18 pm and weighed 6 lbs. and 8 oz. and is 18 inches long.  She's just so perfect.
Here is my final pregnant shot.  It still amazes me that an entire baby fits inside!

I sewed floral gowns this time around.  I think they are pretty. 

Austin slept a couple hours and ate breakfast.  As he drifted off to sleep he proclaimed, "It's hard work having a baby."

 Here we are just moments after.

All the children came to hold our little dolly, Molly.  

Aunt Emily and Grandma Kim were serious bonuses. 

 My view from the bed.

Their view into the bed.

Aren't we so blessed?  Four boys and four girls is a pretty fantastic family.  How grateful I am for Austin, our protector and provider and dishes DJ.  How grateful I am for my mother who came and took away all my responsibilites.  How grateful I am to a merciful Father in Heaven who gave me eight of the greatest gifts.
 (I still need a family photo from Mother's phone.  I best call her now.)

Fall Break

Our annual Fall Break is ususally spent in Mexico. However, I am due in four days, and we couldn't go.  Ergo, we stayed home and spent the week together.

Andy went camping with the scouts.  We stayed home and watched "Anne of Green Gables."  Austin watched the BYU football game.

We spent eight hours at Castle and Coasters in Phoenix.  

On the way home he passed our exit and we headed to the casino for the dinner buffet.  The soft serve ice cream is always the favorite.  Always.

 We rotted in front of evening TV.  Somehow we were really happy and really relaxed.

We finally got around to lighting the sparklers from over three months ago.

Austin took the kids to a farm for a corn maze, tractor riding, pumpkin picking and petting zoo.  Ryan and I stayed home and went visiting teaching and grocery shopping.

Austin and I spent a day in Phoenix at the temple and fabric shopping.  

Maisie gave the FHE lesson about the tree of life, and she set up an interactive version of the vision.

 Austin took the middles biking and treated them to ice cream.

He took the five oldest to Sedona to hike Steam Boat Springs.  The little boys and I stayed home to read books and nap.

 My girls helped me make a chocolate house.  Two days later Ryan has eaten all the loose candy.  Surprisingly, the house is still standing.

 Eddie found these two heart stickers and wanted both me and our baby to have one.  He placed mine right over my protruding belly button.  (That is not blood, it is beet juice.)

My goal this week was to spend time together.  We accomplished that.  The 5:30 alarm clock will be early tomorrow, but what a lovely week we shared.  I live my dream, thanks to Austin and my Heavenly Father.