November

This poor neglected blog!  It has become my routine to neglect this little space every few months or so, and then I feel so overwhelmed I don't know how to catch up!

So, I decided I'd attempt a little round-up here based on photos from my phone.  These are mainly from Instragram, so if you follow me there this will be especially boring.  My apologies in advance!

November started out with the election.  I didn't think I'd be able to vote due to being registered in the wrong county (this problem has since been remedied) until I learned about the handy print-ballot-from-internet option.  Dedicated Americans probably know all about that.  I did not.  Anyway, at the last minute I got my ballet in the mail and felt like I didn't have to hang my head in shame anymore.  

And on Election Day, Halo 4 launched!  This was mainly exciting to me for two reasons.  The first being Pat's break from long hours at work (for example: two-day Tuesdays, 16 hour work days for months). Secondly, it meant parties (i.e. "date nights").  Maybe not my first choice in a date, but I'll take what I can get.  :)  

  

Above are Pat and Will at the launch party and below is the animation team all posing on this fancy vehicle, The Warthog (I think).  They felt pretty special because no one was supposed to be allowed on and somehow they managed to make it past security (yes, security) for this photo op.   

We finally upgraded Kira to a bigger girl carseat (she had been in her infant seat up until this time).  She seems to enjoy being less cramped.  I can't say I blame her.  

Kira spent quite a bit of time waiting for Daddy at the window.  The girl can't get enough of her daddy.  

And when she wasn't waiting for him at the window she was helping herself to some water from the dog dish.  What?  You don't let your kids do stuff like drink from a dog bowl?  I can't imagine why not.  

Oddly enough, our family managed to get really sick towards the end of the month, just before Thanksgiving.  Looking back, there could be a correlation between the germy dog bowl and these illnesses, but I'll just continue to blame preschool.  

While sick we did fun things like build towers out of toilet paper.  

Despite being sick we felt abundantly blessed, and since I'm obsessed with bunting I decided to make a little banner reminding ourselves of this.  I think I love it even though it's kind of hard to read.  

We had family outings to the Everett Children's Museum, and I continue to thoroughly enjoy treating Kira as my little doll to dress up as I please. I figure I might as well take advantage now because before I know it she'll have an opinion and refuse to wear anything but Dora or, heaven forbid, Hello Kitty.  She's the cutest, don't you think?

After a life-long (albeit only three years) fear of the vacuum we had a major break through and Quinn became obsessed.  I took full advantage of his obsession and put him to work.  It didn't take him long to figure out that the vacuum isn't actually that fun, but every now and again I still manage to convince him that he should "play vacuum" and hunt for crumbs.  

Pat had the week of Thanksgiving off and so one morning while Kira napped I took Quinn out on a little date, just the two of us.  It was wonderful.  We had donuts and coffee and then went to the library and finally got a library card!  

In preparation for Thanksgiving I made these little felt hair clips for all the little girls in the family.  Kira wasn't a very cooperative model, but here's an example.  I'm pretty sure the cousins didn't even walk away with a clip because I've still got a bag full in my purse (I need to clean out my purse).  There were also crocheted hats being given out, and I just couldn't compete!  Anyone want a little clip?  I've got extra!

Quinn loves Lucy and she puts up with him, even when he forces her to sit with him on long car rides.  At this moment he said something adorable like, "I yuv Lucy, she's my fwend.".  

He also loves his cousins.  Here he is embracing Chloe.  He can be a little too much for her sometimes, but she seemed to be genuinely excited to see him here.  We treasure our cousin time so much!

Laney and Quinn working on a puzzle.  Actually, it looks like he's trying to take the pieces from her.  That's probably exactly what was happening here.  

Driving home after a wonderful weekend in Monmouth with family for Thanksgiving.  The kids randomly hold hands in the car and it makes me melt each time.  It also thrills Kira.  You can catch a glimpse of her smile in the mirror.   

And finally, I leave you with a favorite phone photo of the kids from November.  My days can be long, lonely, and exhausting, and I spend time wondering if I'm cut out to be a full-time SAHM (stay at home mom), but these two are my world and I truly am grateful to have the opportunity to be home with them right now.  We are blessed.

Happy belated November!