September in Review

Here's a picture recap of our month, but in backwards order :)

We went on a bike-ride-turned-exploration last Sunday.  I had that feeling of it being a perfect moment and of gratitude for our lives.  Even just looking at this unposed picture of all of my people brings back those feelings.  Not to be sappy, but our lives are blessed and I am so grateful.

It has been so fun to introduce Nora to new foods.  She's already sure that she is a big kid and also loves the attention her siblings give her when it's time for something new.  

Her hair is so wild :)

Since she can sit up now, Nora fights her bath seat and wants to sit up like the other kids.

"Guess how many grapes I can fit in my mouth?"  

The Ultimate Tickle Fight was just one of their tactics to delay bedtime that night.  

The morning that Hurricane Florence was supposed to hit, we joined the rest of humanity at the biggest park in Chapel Hill.  We had the kids run around for an hour and then took them on a half-mile walk.  I should clarify that Roy and I did the half-mile walk, Abby rode her Ripstick, and the other kids ran back and forth enough times that it was probably a mile for them.

The kids got really creative while Roy and I were doing hurricane prep.  They had an epic pirate game going.  Lydia and Andrew each got trapped by the Dread Pirates.

This year for the school play, they are doing "The Jungle Book".  Abby and Sam are both auditioning this year and Sam would love to play the snake or, at the very least, have his snake used as the costume.  He had me text this picture to his teacher since he couldn't fit it in his backpack.

With the ability to sit up on her own, Nora has had an increased interest in toys and baby dolls.  She's so cute!

Hurricane Florence hit and caused our ward to cancel plans for a campout, but Abby was really looking forward to going.  She even made a tent one day because she was so excited.

Right before the hurricane, we noticed lots of animals doing weird things, including this frog who made his home on the door to the screened porch. 

The highlight of the month for Sam was probably the Pinewood Derby.  He placed 3rd!  Sam was so lucky and enlisted the help of our neighborhood grandpa, Phil, who is a master of woodworking and loves the Pinewood Derby.  They already have plans for next year :)

This is a bad picture, but his body tells the story of excitement and anticipation as he waits for the very first race.  His name was pulled first out of everyone and he bounced up there right away.  It was so fun to see him so happy and excited!

Another bad picture, but it captures this happy baby and her gorgeous smile.

We had our last swim at the pool and Lydia wanted to commemorate the moment with a picture.

Roy, Abby, and Sam spent several Saturdays watching the first 3 Jurassic Park movies while the other kids and I hid upstairs and watched Disney movies they hadn't ever seen.  Sam is now obsessed with Jurassic Park.  This is one of many pictures I found on my phone of dinosaurs.

You guys, I just love this little gem.  She's so perfect for us!

Andrew got to start a co-op preschool with several friends in our ward.  He loves it and is so independent.  He wants to be the first one done with every task (yes, that comes from Roy) and is so good and telling me everything that happened while he is there, including who went to the bathroom or only ate 4 pretzels.  

We went up to Williamsburg at the beginning of the month to celebrate birthdays and had a great time at Busch Gardens!

Look at that hand-holding!  Heart melt!

And the hair salon...love this!