Halloween

Now that it's about time for thanksgiving, I thought I'd better post our Halloween pictures. This last Halloween was one of my favorite. Nate got home from his trip the night before so we stayed home and had a pretty quiet night. I didn't get to go out with the kids this year, I stayed home with Megan and passed out candy while Nate took them, but it was still a lot of fun. It was great to see Lia and Laura and Josh so excited. We couldn't get Josh to wear his fireman costume, but luckily we had some Halloween pajamas that doubled as a costume (thanks Janet). Nate said it took him a few minutes to get the trick-or-treat concept, but as soon as he did he loved it. Both Lia and Laura were so thrilled about their dyed hair and borrowed costumes. And Megan was a good sport to let me put her in the pumpkin costume long enough to take some pictures. I love this time of year and this time of life, even when it gets crazy.

Maryland

I had the chance to meet Nate in Maryland a couple weeks ago while he was out there finishing up training for his new job. We had a great time! It was so fun being with Nate and seeing the sites out there. And Megan was perfect the whole time we were there (with the exception of when this first picture was taken) and on the airplane. My great mother and father-in-law watched our kids and they had a good time as well while we were gone.

The Washington D.C. temple is one of my favorites. I had seen it before, but I still couldn't believe how beautiful it is!
If Nate were 10 years younger and still single, I think he would join the Navy. The Naval Academy was pretty cool.
This is in Annapolis. I loved Annapolis and will definitely go back there again.
We thought this memorial to Alex Haley, the author of Roots, was cool (which is why we took a picture by it).
This was at the aquarium in Baltimore. We spent a good part of the day there. It was really crowded, but was pretty impressive. I kept thinking about how the kids would have loved it. But, I wouldn't trade the trip for anything. Nate and I had lots of time to talk and play together, which is something we don't do enough of at home. Thanks for the great trip Nate!

Megan and Me

My sister Korinne took these pictures for me. I've done these with all the kids and since the pictures of Megan on her blessing day turned out so cute, I asked her to take these. Thanks Korinne!!

October

Lovely Laura

I can't even remember what Laura was helping me make, but we had a little accident with the flour. The last few weeks have been very adventurous with Laura. Well, really the last several months, but especially the last few weeks. I just hope she knows how much we love her, in spite of our struggles. She is such a sweet girl and has so much personality... if I only had all the answers and never made mistakes.

I Love That Smile!

Lia finally lost the second of her two front teeth (okay, it was a couple weeks ago and I'm just now getting to it). She looks so cute with them missing, but it won't last long... the others are already coming in. I can't believe how much she's changed this last year. She comes home from school everyday sounding so grown up! When I became a mother, I never imagined time would go by so quickly. People always tell you that, but you don't really understand until it happens.

Nate

After enjoying having him home for most of the summer, Nate has gone back to work. We figured it was time for him to be among the employed again. We are grateful for his new job, and while we didn't exactly plan for the summer to end up the way it did, it was a blessing he was able to be home for so long before and after Megan was born. I don't think I could've made the adjustment to four without him home so much. It is a little quieter now that he's gone and Lia's at school, which helps me get a little more done, but I miss him. I especially miss him in the evenings (he's missed far too many bath nights and story times lately), but once he's finished with training and catches up on some of his church responsibilities, things will feel a little more normal. Anyway, I really like this picture--mostly because it's the first one we've had taken of just the two of us since we were first married. Hopefully in the next one I won't look quite so much like I just had a baby!