Elf on The Shelf

Our elf Molly returned on the 1st day of December.  In anticipation of Molly's return, Mikayla wrote her a note which said "It would be funny if you did something funny. I have a plan. When we wake up you eat breakfast at the table with a bowl out."

And so that sweet obedient little elf did just that.

A few pictures of Molly's other adventures:

Dear Molly, I like reading your notes but most of all I like reading big notes. Love Mikayla

P.S. I want a hamseter.

P.P.S. Write a note almost everyday.

We had a fun sleepover! How was yours?

And on the last day with Molly, Santa gave permission for the girls to touch and hold Molly at which they were beyond excited about!

Time to Decorate

Putting up the Christmas Lights

The things a husband will do to make his wife happy. He loves me!

This year Austin picked out an OU helmet, Mikayla a Christmas ball, Brooklyn a red star, and we got the heart paw print in memory of Abby.

Admiring their decorating skills!

November in a Nutshell

 Our traditional thankful tree filled with all our many blessings! Brooklyn stayed long enough to add toys and Jesus to the list. Austin and Mikayka filled up the rest. So many things to be grateful for!

And the leaf sugar cookies were a hit!! 

 Lunch date at Freddy's with Austin who learned that Katelyn can sometimes be wild in a restaurant.

 School lunch date with Brooklyn who would have me come everyday if she could.

(Had a lunch date with Mikayla too but forgot to take a picture)

Fitting in some park time while we still can!
#fallishere #winteriscoming

  Oklahoma Clay Project--I love Mikayla's teacher this year. She is super fun and artsy!

My Saturday morning running partner. I have to pick up my pace so I can keep up with him!
#myfavoriterunningpartner #somethingincommon

Our walk around the duck pond one evening ended with this beautiful view 

 testifying of God's love and artistry! 

 Backyard campfire and s'mores bar with friends!!

  

S'mores bar complete with a variety of graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate!

YUMMY!!!

 Something about this seems a little backwards.

Second cousins 

 Another soccer season in the books! Austin loves playing soccer so much and like many boys his age, dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. I just love watching him play and I love that he gets to play with a great group of boys!

 Translation: "being two is so terrible because I can't eat candy for breakfast, my mom makes me put on a shirt and she forces me to sit in the car seat when we go somewhere!"
#terribletwos  #itsjustaphase #thedailystruggle

 Enjoyed watching our good friend Lisa play the role of the gossipy church leader in The Greatest Christmas Pagent Ever. She was awesome!!

 These two argue and tease...sometimes a lot. But deep down I know they love each other. Last night I caught Austin reading a Sequoyah book to Mikayla that she would otherwise struggle reading on her own and it made my heart smile. I love and cherish those moments!

And Katelyn is in love with CareBears just like each of her older siblings were at this age. She loved watching the original CareBearsII movie!

And on this day she insisted the CareBear come to the park with her.

 The beginning of Thanksgiving Break was warm enough for a trip to the zoo.

 

 

The favorite animal was the monkeys. The baby monkey was very entertaining swinging on the ropes and bumping into the glass. 

 And climbing the rock wall is always a must!

 Being sweet or strangling? You decide.

 

A big high five to us moms who were greatly outnumbered but survived without loosing any kids.

Now that's the way to watch a movie!
#spoiled  #justiceleague

Puzzle time!

On to October

The first day of October calls for eating something pumpkin! Today was pumpkin pancakes for breakfast! Austin enjoyed them. When they are covered with peanut butter, syrup, and cool whip how can you not?!

National walk to school day was even more fun with the umbrellas and the rain!

General Conference Sunday

General Conference Sunday--they are either intensely taking notes or thoroughly enjoying the coloring pages. Hopefully some of the beautiful words that were spoken with seep into their hearts and minds.

OU game day--go Sooners!

 Primary program at church today. They did so good memorizing their parts and singing the songs. And I may have felt a little mama pride when Brooklyn waved at me several times from the stage and belted out those primary songs as loudly as she could. Definitely the best Sunday of the year!

Not a care in the world....if only life were as simple and sweet as this!

Silly Abby would always bark at the camera.

Gymnastics Parent Night--complete with medals! Mikayla couldn't wait to show me her chin-up pullover back-hip circle bar routine and Brooklyn did a fantastic forward roll.

Cousin Cuteness!

Some good old fashion skating fun!

Buried alive!

These two! Six days apart and double trouble!

Mikayla doing what Mikayla does best!