The first half of November

Well hello again, mom! I am sure it is just my mother reading this blog. But at least I have one reader. Positive thinking, right?

Anyway, I thought I would catch up on our happenings. I get really far behind and then my posts end up forever long! Oh well, what else do you have to do mom?

We finally went to the Mellow Mushroom on Saturday. I didn't know it was a pizza place until we were walking in, so I was a little disappointed in my quick choice. However, it was really good pizza in a very cute environment. In case you can't see that small writing without your glasses, it says "this guy is roasting marshmallows in the restaurant." So cute. 

We got to sit in the "cut in half" streamline trailer. And yes that is a kyaker hanging from the ceiling.

Dawson started basketball season. I love it here way more than Jr Jazz. He is actually learning how to play basketball instead of just running around the court and the coaches are amazing.

Cait and Cora entered the reflections contest at school and they both won first place for their entries. Cait in photography and Cora drew a picture. Their entries are now in the city competition.

For Veterans Day we went to Sipsey Wilderness for a hike! It was so pretty! And quite the adventure! Cliffs and caves and water and huge leaves! See that bright spot on the rock at the front? That's a leaf!!! Shut the front door right! Huge!

If you look real close at Cora, she is holding a lovely bouquet of those huge leaves! 

Sometime the first part of this month we went to Fayetteville's Host of Christmas Past. Really all we did was eat and walk through the little cemetery tour. But it was kind of fun. A definite do for next year but I want to get there earlier in the day.

That same day we went to the mall for story time with Santa, the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who! Kind of lame, but the kids got milk and cookies and a pillow case. Hip hip hooray more linens. I do have to give props to Huntsville though, they have a ton of family friendly things to do, especially during the holidays. I can't even keep up with them all.

So happy day mom! Enjoy your afternoon with grandma and grandpa! And if you are lucky Soy Beans nine month pics will be up tomorrow sometime.

All for Grandma!

I called my mother today and sweet miss belle quickly took the call over. One of the very first things I hear grandma ask is what miss belle was for Halloween and if I had posted pictures to the blog yet? Well here's to you Gma. Halloween pics just for you ( and a few others)

We went to Guntersville res or the river that creates the res. The little beach was so pretty and the kids loved it.

It's cotton! I know this may seem weird to you but we have lived her for almost four months and this is the first Cotton field I have seen.

Beans was a bat.

Dawson a zombie pirate, Cora a cat and Cait was a very fashionable skeleton.

This was crazy sock/hair day. Cait was not very happy that I forced her to participate. She was sure no one else her age would be, but when we got to school she was by far the most mild of her grade.

Tri-ward trunk or treat. Cait was a rock star this time.

Ward festival. Dawson was a ninja and Cora was a witch!
(These pics are in reverse order.)

Family Pictures 2013

He's 8 months

My oh my! Why does he keep getting older? I can't believe it has been eight months? In all honesty, the months have all been a blur. They are moving way too fast. I am pretty sure I just had him and we were making our move east (that sounds weird, you don't move east you move west?). Anyway.... back to Mr. Bean. He hasn't grown at all in the last month! I know, I was shocked too. But he had a doctors appointment this week and he weighs the same and is just as tall as he was last month. It's a good thing that he might be evening out, my back can't take much more.
So here are his pictures of the month, I hope you enjoy!

Not much

I am just sitting here in our "learning room" listening to my 8 year old talk about dragons and thought, "what is a mom to do?" Blog I suppose? So here I am another week or so later with nothing much to share. The weather here is cooling down, not a ton but it's not 90 degrees any more. Our house is all decorated for Halloween and the debate about costumes is in full speed. I want to throw costumes together from our stash of dress ups the kids want new ones. Who do you think will win?

David ate frog legs at Po Boys on our lunch date this week. Gross!

Cait and I made these cute spider sacks. I was so afraid they would collapse but to my great delight they turned out perfect.

Cora and Dawson got to be missionaries for about 20 minutes. Elder Harman and Elder Price were at Walmart and my goones didn't want to shop so they stayed outside and handed out pass along cards.

Cait and David made us all custom milk shakes for fun this evening. We all have a stomache ache now but it was delicious.

And because I can't post without a picture of the fat guy! He didn't think daddy's frog legs looked yummy either.

Beans is 7 Months and HNP

My little Soy Bean is 7 months and 10 days old now! On the 19th I took pictures and weighed and measured him. He is now 24 lbs. and 30 inches long. He is huge! And yes my back hurts like crazy. I am glad David is home on the weekends because he takes care of lifting him and carrying him for me. It gives my back time to recoup for the coming week. Little Bean is so much fun these days. He is finally rolling over, tries so hard to scoot, has two teeth, comes to me on demand and sometimes without, we moved him to the big boy car seat, he sits up more than he lays down, blows bubbles and drools like crazy, and sleeps through most night. I can't believe how big he is and how much he is developing. Even on kid number four, the progress a babe makes in a year is amazing to me. 

Look at home big he is next to his monkey now!

Saturday, although Dave and I felt like #$%^ (we've been sick since Thursday), we took the kids to a greenway nearby called Hays Nature Preserve. It is a beautiful place and has many things to see. There are quit a few different trails, ponds, streams, and swamps. We had a great time and it was very peaceful. There was also a very cool park. Everything was made from wood or other natural products. There was a fort, teepees, a huge swing, the little pony swing Beans is on, and so many other cool things.

Total randomness!

Actually I have no clue what I am about to post, but the time just seemed right. The kids are relaxing into to school. Really I should say I am relaxing, it was a bit stressful there at first.

I almost have all the major pieces of furniture purchased. I still need a coffee table and two chairs maybe three, and the bed frames for the girls, then I can start decorating and then I will post more pictures. 

Life is pretty normal around here. I love Alabama already. It's just the picture of my dream area I have always had. I love the fog in the morning, the green hills and quiet neighborhood. I love the crossing guard and the assistant principal at the school. I love the magnolia trees and bean fields. I just love it. I have my moments where I wish I had a close friend or family member to share it with but I don't let those moments stick around. I am with my family here and everyone is so nice it is hard to feel like I have no friends. I am happy and I won't let those negative, lonely thoughts stick around. So, when those moments creep up I go explore something new and they quickly vanish. 

Here's to having the time of my life in Alabama! 

Cora's field trip to Burritt on the Mountain. Yes it is my child giving bunny ears to the kid in front of her. Awesome!!

Bubble fro! Gotta love it.

The boy can mow the lawn and its a big one.

Caitlin's Bio Poem. I think it's very sweet. She definitely loves her family.