November

November started with another presidential election. The last several elections have been so ugly in America that I think every kind of dreads election years now! Davis, who has gotten very interested in presidents this last year, is NOT a big fan of Trump. This was his reaction to hearing that Trump in fact won the election the next morning. No one in America took the news harder. 

Ben found Davis asleep like this one night. How this is even comfortable I'll never know! 

Two weeks after Ben's big surgery I got to take Hudson to Boston! This little one-on-one trip was planned long before we knew about the surgery and I was a big ball of nerves leaving Ben- and also leaving him in charge of the other kids knowing he wasn't nearly at 100%. But Hudson was so excited for the trip, I didn't want to let him down either. So I pulled it together and took him and it ended up being wonderful!

We went out to Rhode Island one day and toured The Breakers. Hudson loves fancy stuff, so he was all over this! (Also these poses were a joke- I suggested I hold him like I used to when he was a baby, he said only if it went both ways)

We drove out to Walden Pond and walked around in all the fall beauty! I'm a big fan of New England in the fall. Hudson had never heard of Walden Pond or Thoreau, but I told him to just tuck that knowledge away for a few years. He'll be sititng in English class and this will come up. 

We stopped at Harvard to look around. Hudson loved it there. He brought his yo-yo and used it all over Boston- and filmed it so put into a montage when we got home. What an idyllic yo-yo setting. I'm wondering if Harvard gives out yo-yo scholarships? Funny story- Heidi dropped us off here and headed out to Davis Square to get us sandwiches from the most delicious bakery. She got to said bakery, turned her car off, and then realized the car keys were in MY PURSE! So, Hudson and I hopped on the T and rode it a few stops to Davis Square and met up with her there (thankful I've been there before, but it was years ago!). As Heidi texted me, "We are always thinking one step ahead. Not always two."

We went to the Museum of Science and Hudson loved it- even Mr. Cool himself couldn't stop from cracking a huge smile during the electrical show.

Huds, Heidi and I walked the entire Freedom Trail! It was such a fun day! Beautiful, crisp, fall weather. Hudson is so happy to be along for the ride and enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the city. When we got to Bunker Hill and found out you could climb the monument he took off immediately. He beat me up the stairs by a LOT and then we were both sore for a few days (but mostly me).

It was such a great trip with just Hudson! I loved having time to focus on him. He's a kid who doesn't ask for a lot of demand much attention, even more of a reason to make this trip happen even though the timing wasn't ideal.  Heidi was the best hostess and Ben and the kids at home did great while we were gone!

Davis played a lot of basketball in November! He was so excited to finally be part of a team and relished every game and practice. Since we were all available, the whole family went to watch him most Saturdays.

Thanksgiving! We had a lovely Thanksgiving this year! Our Thankful Tree looked a little sparse- November was just so busy with Ben's recovery and normal life. But we sure did feel thankful a lot!

We went to Will's that morning for some football/pickleball. But these two mostly just played inside.

Ben likes to take us all out to breakfast on Thanksgiving morning. It's such a milestone now that we can eat in a restaurant and not have it be too crazy with tiny babies anymore! 

I took the older two to see Wicked and Ben was home with the littles. It was a late movie and this is what I came home to! Ben still couldn't lift them since he was not quite a month out from his back surgery, so I moved them when I got home. What a sweet little sight!

Lila had a darling Thanksgiving feast at preschool! Speaking of which, preschool has been such a good thing for her! She normally struggles to leave me, but she walks right into preschool happily every day. She's learning such good social skills there too!

Heidi came for Thanksgiving and Lila was especially excited to see her. Whenever she was throwing a big fit during the fall and knew she was being unreasonable, she'd reply that she was just sad because "I miss Aunt Heidi so much!" But then she was maybe onto something because she was delightful the whole time Heidi was here! Also- this game of Guess Who was hilarious. We played by "millennial rules" which means questions about the personality of the person, not just physical appearance. "Would I be friends with this person?" "Does this person spend a lot of time at the gym?" or Lila's favorite "Would this person set up their Christmas tree before us?"

I think I took this photo because all my kids were watching a show together and no one was complaining. So it was probably Bluey.

Ben made the best steak for dinner one Sunday and it made my boys all so happy! These boys are carnivores for sure!

I love how sweet and affectionate Davis is! He's just the best!

Davis really wanted to have his friends over for a campfire night. These boys were so cute and played in our backyard and roasted s'mores for a few hours. It was cold and dark and none of them seemed to mind! 

This is how Lila and Rosie said the prayer on the food one Sunday. 

Hudson loves his lapel pin that Heidi bought him at The Breakers. And he looks so sharp in his suit! He wears it every Sunday now. 

We got snow one fun Saturday! We haven't had much snow this year, but the kids really enjoyed it for this one day. 

Hudson also hosted a fun campfire night. I texted a few moms to let them know he wanted to do it and told them it was a very open invitation to whoever wanted to come. We ended up with about 12 6th grade boys back there and they all had a blast! 

And then we kicked off the Christmas season! I always love this night- decorating the tree, all the memories tied up in the kids special ornaments, cuddling up to a fun Christmas movie. It's just such a simple and happy way to start the most wonderful time of the year!

October

 

This photo doesn't look like much- but it was taken at like 6:20 am (this scene is typical for this time). Lila insists on watching the iPad on the green couch, which is right by the piano, but then is usually bugged by the light and noise of the piano practicing happening. So we make her this little tent with her blankets (she's under those blankets) and Chase can keep practicing on without too much interruption. Davis was also awake and just hanging out. Why those little kids must wake up so early is just still beyond me. 

We had a darling primary program! Lila refused to say her part, but did sing beautifully the whole time! And you could hear Davis over the other kids (his voice just carries!). It was Hudson's last program which was bittersweet for me (just sweet for him).



Lila got to go on her first preschool field trip to the pumpkin patch! She had an amazing time!

We had a fun night at Nana's making carmel apples. All the kids were super into it and loved making their own gourmet treats! We brought home about ten and enjoyed them for a solid week after! 

Hudson's idea for the perfect Halloween costume was to be a "legitimate business man" (wanting to look like someone from organized crime). He really wanted a new suit since he outgrew his last Spring, and since no kid loves a suit like Hudson does I obliged. And then he really wanted a fedora to wear with his costume. I love how creative he is and how much he loves this stuff!

Davis has been waiting his whole life to play basketball and he was delighted that he finally got to start Jr Jazz! He wears this jersey almost every day and it outside shooting hoops every chance he gets! 

Ben snapped this picture during our regular Sunday Come Follow Me lesson. It's so accurate- all three boys squished together and Lila "queen of the couch" taking up lots of room. 

This was after Lila helped Ben replace the high air return filter in our room. He held her up and she did the whole thing! 

Just Davis- double-fisting pizza right after church- his little Sunday ritual. 

Anna got baptized! Davis was especially excited to go and excited that he's next! Her baptism was beautiful and Nora sang the sweetest song that had us all in tears.

Lila is very particular about her hair. On this particular day she surprised me saying she wanted bubble braids. I was happy to do them and it looked so cute! We were rushing out the door to school and about five minutes after I finished she decided she did NOT want them "they aren't my style!" and threw a huge fit. I put her in the car anyway because we didn't have time to redo her hair. She cried the whole way to school and then refused to go inside! Finally I just pulled them all out (right there at preschool) just leaving in the first two little ponies and she accepted that in went inside. (At this point it looked terrible since I'd used gel and hairspray to put them in and I didn't even have a brush on me) This crazy girl! She's got such strong opinions!

We got to read with a service dog at the library one day. Davis, who at this point still really hated reading, did his whole homework reading right there with the dog! As he read he'd quietly reach one hand to pet him and stayed so focused the whole time! Maybe we just need a therapy dog to get us through homework every day!

More Davis homework- his iPad apps he uses can be a battle. One night he calmed down as he snuggled right on top of me (in a kneeling position) and finally focused in and got so much done! 

On Sundays Chase and Davis do quiet time together- usually watching a movie. This day I came in to them so cute and snuggled up! 

Chase finished off his football season! He had such a great season and he was so sad it was over. He learned a lot and improved so much! He also realized he was overall happier and more focused in school during the season. It was such a great experience for him and I loved watching him play! By the end of the season he was getting in some really great tackles every game.

Lindsay and I sneaked away one morning and did a beautiful fall hike up Baer Canyon. The fall leaves were popping and the conversation was just what I needed!

Sometimes I can get Lila to pose for a picture before preschool- she always looks so cute but she can be really temperamental about when she'll let me take pictures.

Davis was excited to show me this artwork at his parent teacher conference. Second grade is just a really cute age!

Davis finished his flag football season! On the very last game he finally pulled a flag and was so proud of himself! He had a great time- but after having him in football and soccer and Chase's rigorous football schedule I was thankful for a bit of a breather from fall sports.

The craziest part of October was Ben's back surgery. He's been avoiding this for years- trying physical therapy, steroid injections, and anything else that might help. But ultimately, things were just getting worse. He couldn't even walk for ten minutes without his right leg going numb. It was time. The MRI showed that the nerves were being severely crushed and permanent nerve damage could happen if he kept waiting. He also has what's called a Pars Defect in his spine- meaning part of the boney structure that supports the spine was never there, which probably caused this over time. 

On October 24 he went in for what they call a 360 procedure- they made a 5 inch incision in his abdomen and came all the way to his spine for stabilize it with a metal cage, then closed him up and flipped him over to do the back. On the back they made three separate incisions and secured the back of the spine with screws and a metal bar. Surgery was an all day affair- followed by four additional days in the hospital. It was grueling the say the least! His whole body pretty much had to figure out how to work again, which just took some time. He struggled with dizziness from the pain meds- but also needed the pain to be controlled to move. Healing was a delicate balance! I went back and forth to the hospital every day and my parents watched the kids. We were all so thankful when he finally got to come home the night of the 28th! The next week his recovery continually progressed a little each day and by the time he was two weeks out from surgery he could walk (slowly) around the block! 

Davis had a really darling Halloween program at school! He dressed as Harry Potter for the program, but then decided to pivot to a different costume two days later on actual Halloween.

We got pumpkins carved! With Halloween being just a few days after Ben got home from the hospital and all the craziness around that time, just getting this done and kids out trick or treating was a huge feat! Chase didn't trick or treat this year, but did hang out in the driveway with Ben (in a chair) to hand out candy and then hung out with some friends. Hudson trick or treated with me and the littles for a bit before heading out to a party with friends from school. Lila and Davis stayed just adorably engaged and so happy trick or treating for quite a long time before happily returning home. It was a fun holiday!