Family Book of Mormon Time and the Articles of Faith

While Mike was working in Wyoming, I really needed some extra blessings for my family. So we started reading the Book of Mormon together as a family. It started out with me putting Aurora to bed, then reading to Lincoln and Sequoia while they were listening in their beds. It evolved from being bugged when the kids interrupted to ask questions, to eventually stopping happily to discuss what we just read. Yes, I know I sound mean, that's why we needed the extra blessings. Baby steps. 

We finished 1 Nephi and we made the goal to finish it before Lincoln is baptized. We read almost every single night. And even when Mike came back home in May, he helped continue reading even while I was gone doing Relief Society meetings or craft classes or any other crazy thing we always seem to have going on. 

Guess what!? We finished it a few weeks ago! What an incredible opportunity for other little family to share. I saw so many blessing throughout the time we read:

~Sequoia was just learning to read when we started. She has now excelled and 

she's a fabulous reader. 

~Lincoln followed along every single step of the way. He asked so many questions and it was so fun to see him understand. He could remember better than I could of who begat whom and other stories that aren't as common. 

~We would sometimes read with Aurora awake as well and she is getting better at sitting with us and being still. (Not perfect by any means, but getting better!) 

~Mike and I have a better relationship. We are closer than we have ever been and I truly do consider him my dearest best friend. I'm so grateful we get to do this together. He is an amazing person and I love his determination and faith.

At some point we also started working on the Articles of Faith. Honestly, it started out with, "Hey what should we talk about for Family Home Evening?" We all sat down and talked about the 1st one, they memorized it so well, so we just did the second one the next week. After about 16 weeks, lots of quizzing, poster board games, and printouts on the wall in their room, both Sequoia and Lincoln memorized ALL 13!! It's such a thrill for me to hear them repeat them. I love it.  They passed them off just about a month ago with their Primary Presidency and were recognized in Primary, with the Stake, and what they loved most of all, got a giant King size candy bar. I'm so proud of my two hard working little muffins. 

(I learned all the Articles of Faith before I graduated Primary and could say them so dang fast. I even did it for the Relief Society Talent Show last year. So... when Mike and I first starting dating, I discovered he was the only person who could compete with me in repeating them fast. We did a race! So much fun. Of course I won, by like 2 seconds. Another one of the many reasons why I love my Mikey.)

TOFW and Hair Cuts (November)

This craft is my very favorite that we've done at the store so far.

Rachel and I took our girls in to get their hair cut. It was Auri's (and I believe Ada's as well) first time getting a hair cut at the salon. I was impressed that she held so still and was a good girl. I love them both! Sequoia wants short hair. She likes to brush it and not have to mess with it. Aurora one day wants her hair as long as Rapunzel. So she just wanted a trim. I can't believe how big these girls are!! 

Hanging out at home with Daddy. Of course, Auri is on the table. She is always on the table...

~The kids hardly ever go out to play, no wait, Lincoln hardly ever goes outside to play. So I made them go out and find something to do outside. And what do they do? Create their own little fort, grab some snacks and watch a movie is the fortress. Good enough. 

~Aw, our cute Lincoln. He was doing so good taking care of himself and making his own Easy Mac. All of the sudden, it smelled really bad and the smoke alarms went off. He forgot the water. The bowl was melted to the glass. We love his independent desire:)

I know it's super inappropriate, but I can't help it!! Aurora was playing in my room one day and we found her in this!! Mommy's special clothes. She was amazed how beautiful it was. Hahaha! Sometimes this girl can drive me crazy, but then she is absolutely adorable and I can't help but squeeze her guts out with love!

Yet again, we enjoyed another fabulous Time Out for Women! This time it was in St George, but we still got a hotel and enjoy our "time out." It's a fun little tradition I'm loving to share with my in-laws! My friend Kimberly came too! (I had an extra ticket I bought when Steve and Nicole were married :-/ ) It was fun to share the time with Kimberly as well. We serve together in the RS Presidency and are together a ton, so why not for this too! I'm grateful for her wonderful friendship.

~I heard the microwave running one day, so I ran into the kitchen to see what was going on... Aurora just working away making herself her own Velveeta Shells. She put in the correct amount of water, cooked it for the right time and everything. Boy do we have our hands full with these independent children! I'm hoping that is going to be to our benefit in a few years!

~Aurora and Ada are so cute together. I'm sad that they don't get to play as often as we wish, but I'm happy they are still friends!

~Quoia is so fun and silly
~Mike's truck. Paid off baby! It seriously feels amazing to be debt free at the moment. Granted we don't have house debt which I would totally be ok with, since we don't right now, I can officially say we are debt free. Yay!! 

Halloween Festivities

~Sequoia was invited to a Halloween party and the family was invited. Bella's family was so nice to put it on. All 3 kids were so happy and had a blast. They colored pumpkins, ate food, had a doughnut eating contest, did a costume fashion show, and pretty much just ran around screaming and yelling. I'm so happy to see Sequoia play with friends from school. She is my silent one. She never shares anything about school with us. She just says, "I don't know," or "I don't want to tell you." Ah! So it's fun to see her in action. 

~I got to go help in Sequoia's classroom for Halloween. Last year I helped do spelling and centers in the kids' classes. This year, this Halloween party. Sheesh, I'm losing my touch. I didn't want to have to find someone to watch Auri every time, so I decided to not to as much this year. Maybe I will more when they are all in school. 

~Little grouchy guts was rest to go home to bed.

~I love these four cute little cousins together! They are like brother and sisters. Love/Hate relationships all the time. 

~Halloween! We have a Darth Vader, Blue Power Ranger, and Supergirl! I love our neighborhood where we live right now. It's the perfect circle to trick-or-treat. We were in and out so fast! And Dad was able to walk with us, we always love having Daddy. Then we went home and watched a scary show and handed out the rest of the candy, then went to bed. Perfect Halloween night.

~I can't not take pics of my kids while they are sleeping! My favorite time:) Especially when they fall asleep on me!! Precious.