November via Instagram

Instagram is trying to slip in and take me away from blogging, but it's too great of a family journal to stop now! That being said, there were lots of things I captured only with my phone but I do love having records of the little moments too. Looking forward to more in depth posts about Thanksgiving and our trip to Utah. Trying desperately to catch up before the holidays!!

James had an amazing pow wow in his school classroom. they died shirts in tea to look like animal skins, made pouches, talking sticks, headdresses, games, belts, necklaces...really amazing. His school and teacher are awesome.

Pierce's first experience at the zoo. So magical. This is why I had one more. I love moments like this. 

These boys! Never too old to pose on an elephant for a picture.

Our for a morning walk. He is so good at it now!

We took advantage of every warm in day in October and November and loved spending time as a family at Millpond Park. 

Pierce found cheeseballs. We found the remnants of cheeseballs everywhere.

Me and James just waiting for Mike to arrive home.

Halloween bingo. This cute girl strategically sat herself next to Jace!

When Mike heard Hostess was going bust, he bought a few things for the kids to try. Not sure they've ever really had it before, but now they have :)!

Best picture of the fall. Cutest baby ever. 

We had a Christmas Craft day for RS. Look how pretty everything was!

With Thanksgiving early this year, we busted out the Christmas carols. Jace hates them Parker love them! 

Mike and I love date nights. Downtown Ann Arbor is the best.

Jace got his first stick of deodorant. He is hilarious. He walked around the house asking everyone to smell his armpits. We just love him :)

Mike spent election night at the headquarters in Boston. We spent it on our couch. We were both equally disappointed.

Birthday breakfast with dad.

Waiting for our airplane to fly to Utah for Thanksgiving. So excited!

This is how these two sleep every single night. Yes, they have their own beds, but 2 feet away is too far.

Loving the perfect weather and outside play in St. George.

My favorite photo. These boys are the best together. Loving the hot tub!

Arm wrestles. Mike came in second with the men. I came in second to last with the ladies. Do over!!

We did tons of hiking.

We explored lava tunnels

Pierce was in love with Baby Lorenzo!

Though we were sad for the people on the east coast, hurricane Sandy kept Mike home the week of Halloween and James' birthday. We loved having him here.

Watching the ducks.

Sad day but grateful for the opportunity for my voice to be heard.

Our temple got a little remodel and heated sidewalks. We love spending time there. 

Meeting James for his birthday lunch. He was thrilled.

Matching jammies. Cutest cousins!

James' Party

James birthday is the day after Halloween so we always feel like that time of year is one party after another. James woke up to birthday breakfast with dad, I met him at school with a happy meal for lunch and he wanted a delicious dinner of hot dogs, pears, and grapefruit with brownies and ice cream for dessert. This year he chose to go to Chuck E. Cheese with his friends and they all had a great time. The boys all loved spending tokens, gaining tickets, and playing video games. I loved just showing up and not having to do anything else. Hooray!

His smile is killing me. We got him a collection of Mario guys.

Awesome air powered soccer disc from Mimi and Papa. The boys have had tons of fun with this one.

Beywheelz from Gram and Gramps. Exactly what he wanted.

At school they get a crown and get to bring home birthday bear. Pretty cute.

James delicious dinner choice

With Chuck E. It was funny to see him enjoy the little kid side of things :).

My very favorite picture. In the ticket blaster. Hilarious!!

Look who won't dance.

Anything for tickets.

Cupcakes!

His cute friends.

Boys and video games

What kids will do for a few extra tickets :)

It was a great birthday! We love you buddy!

James is 6!!

Spotlight on James at 6

My favorite food is: meatballs

My favorite sport is: football and golf

The best show on TV is:  Sponge Bob

The coolest person in the world is:  grandpa

My best subject in school is: music

I'm really awesome at:  riding bikes

If I could change my name, it would be: I like my name

My favorite color is: yellow and blue

When I grow up I want to be: an artist

My parents are too strict about:  playing the computer

My favorite song is:  flying purple people eater

My favorite book is:  non-fiction animal books

3 words that describe me are:  smart, nice, funny

When I was little, I used to:  play with balls

My favorite scripture story is:  Samuel the Lamanite

My favorite primary song is: Lullaby Little One

My favorite season is: winter

The best snack ever is: gogo squeeze

The food that makes me want to barf is: squash

My best friend is: Noah and Coltin and Cade

If I had one wish it would be: to have a little kid real car

The best thing that has happened to me this year is:  I had my birthday

One thing I want to learn to do this year is:  type fast

One thing I need to work on:  not whining

The most important lesson I've learned this year is: to not whine

Dear Jamesey. We love you so much and we are so grateful to be your parents. This has been such a big year for you and we are so proud of how you have handled all the changes. You are an amazing boy with so many talents. You are such an individual. We love that you are so comfortable in your own skin, doing what makes you happy. We love watching as you create games for yourself or just enjoy nature or the ocean or pool. We love that you can be happy anywhere. On the flip side, you have lots of friends and are a great friend, always willing to play what others want to play. You are wonderful to your brothers and love them so much. I can't imagine what their lives would be like without you. You love sports and playing rough with Jace, you love art and reading and quiet time like Parker and you love to drive Pierce crazy but he loves you for it. You are so smart. Your teacher told us, "I'm sometimes not sure what to do with him!" You are reading chapter books and your mind is like a steal trap with math. Your teacher is searching out ways to keep your mind going...but she loves that you still enjoy being a Kindergartener and are so happy in class. I see you always wanting to learn more and take more in. The other day you brought home homework that asked you to sort and draw the money you find in your house...you dumped our our change jar, sorted it, counted it all, added it all up together and came out with $12.37. You were right. Your memory is crazy. We love watching you develop and grow. This year, you were an amazing soccer player, aggressive and goal-scoring. We can't wait to see you play other sports. You are not shy, but you HATE the spotlight and shy away from it any time you can. You don't like to be noticed or put on the spot and will refuse adamantly to do things when someone forces you to.  You are stubborn and sometimes uncontrollably silly, but we love it. You are kind-hearted and sweet. You don't like others to feel badly and your teacher tells us you are always helpful and respectful to others and a good friend to everyone.  You LOVE your extended family, all of them. You talk about them and recount memories with them. They are so special to you. At home you have grown up so much and are much better at helping and responding. My heart broke a little when I had Pierce because you were no longer my baby...we had so many years, just the two of us at home. You are still my baby :). You have always been the funny one, and you still are so funny...sometimes we shouldn't laugh but we can't help it. You are growing up way too fast with 2 older brothers and I wish I could slow it all down. I love it when you act your 6 year old self or get to play with dinosaurs with a friend. We are so grateful you are in our family and cannot wait to see what life has in store for you. Happy Birthday to the handsomest 6 year old around.

All my love,

Mom