Highlights of November (thus far...)

I can't even believe we are this close to Thanksgiving! November is going by so fast for us! Before it's over, here is a little update on what we've been up to this month! In no particular order:

• We had a really lovely dinner at my friend Katie's house last Friday night. I failed to take any pictures, but let it be documented that we had a great time. Katie and I were in London together back in 2007 and became fast friends. Now she's married to a Ben as well and we all got together at their beautiful home in Pleasant View. My kids adored Katie and Ben and talked about them for days afterwards! We enjoyed getting out and doing something with friends! Ben's new work schedule is giving us all kinds of freedom!
• Likewise, we had a great date night out with our dear friends Chad and Alyse. We were supposed to meet them at Lucky 13 (a bar in Salt Lake) for what are claimed to be the best burgers ever. Well, it didn't occur to me that they ID at the door there, and of course I didn't have my ID with me. (This shows how often we frequent bars...) We ended up at a BBQ place instead which was excellent- but we still definitely owe the Bennetts a night at Lucky 13!
• My amazing BFSC Jana came down to visit this month! It was basically the best thing ever! I got to meet her new baby- little Carma- who both boys fell in love with instantly! Her visit was 2 1/2 days of wonderful conversation and lots of laughter, late nights and early mornings (thanks to our kids), some yummy food, a little working out, and mostly just chatting about life and motherhood. It was a much needed distraction for me from our normal life! These pictures show a little of how "hands on" my boys were with her. Carma's a fourth baby and seemed extremely unphased by my boys smothering love. 

 On our walks Chase would repeatedly get out of the stroller just to check on Carma- or Cah-ma as he says it. Hudson mostly called her "nora" or "cars".

 Jana and I figured out a most efficient way to get errands run with all three kids- Jana stayed in the car with the kids while I ran in and out of the store and post office. My boys were entertained by the sheer view of baby Carma next to them!

 I love Jana- she's funny and sensitive and charming and so much fun. I can (and basically do) talk to her about anything and everything. TMI doesn't even apply in our relationship. I was so so happy that she came!

•  We tried, not once, but twice, to get a decent family picture for our Christmas cards- and thus ensued the most frustrating 45 minutes of my life. This is why it would just be a better idea to pay someone professional to take our pictures- hopefully next year! We got a few fairly good shots (neither of these made the card). The first try we just tried to get pictures of the kids, which was basically impossible. The second time we brought my dad along to snap the pics. It was going horribly until my dad found a way to keep both boys looking at him and laughing- making farting sounds with his mouth. Of course. Christmas cards are now printed and ready to be sent! 

•  Along the same lines as the Christmas cards, I made a goal this year to get most of the "business" side of Christmas done before Thanksgiving (aka shopping). Ben and I had a fun date night last week and finished up all the shopping we needed to do for the boys! We still have a few things to get for family, but we are mostly done! After Thanksgiving I plan on spending all of December just enjoying the magic of Christmas with the kids- untainted by the stress of Target at Christmas time.
• I snapped this picture of my sweet baby on my phone- I just have to document his curls. Oh my goodness, this kid makes my heart melt for so many reasons, one of which being these sweet little curls! I never want to cut his hair! It's starting to get long, and I know a haircut is imminent, and I'll probably cry when it happens. We are waiting for a certain aunt and uncle to come in to town for Christmas, both of whom have requested we not cut Hudson's hair until they've enjoyed it in person. 

•  Hudson asks to wear his "gersey" every single day. Besides his obvious love for his BYU football jersey, he also just seems like he's already in training to be a football player (ie- tackling Chase several times a day). He's also started tattling- I've now heard "Chase pushed me!" about 8 times this week. He always says it like he's an innocent victim. Lucky for Chase, I know better. 

•  With it getting cold again we are enjoying our Discovery Pass more and more! Oh how we all love that place! There is a darling class every Monday morning (Music and Motion) that we try to go to. The gal who teaches it is darling with the kids and definitely is on a first name basis now with my two boys. Last time it was a fall yoga class which was the cutest thing I've ever seen. The kids were being trees, whales, deer, mice and snakes. Usually even the idea of snakes creeps me out, but Chase sliding all over the floor on his belly was pretty adorable.