Mike's Fall piano recital

Mike participated in yet another recital and showed up all the kids. ;) Seriously though, I'm so proud of him and all the time he puts into playing. He chose to play, "I know that my Redeemer lives", which is one of my favorite hymns.

We celebrated at JCW's after. Great job babe!

Random October

During October a local Facebook group has a fun activity where people hide a pumpkin, take a nondescript picture and post it for people to find. The person that finds it then gets to hide it for someone else. The lady that organizes it gives out prizes and we got a $20 GC to Megaplex. My kids recognized the hiding place at their school and we left in the middle of dinner to rush there. We thought of a cool place to hide it in a pipe at Rosecrest Park. Unfortunately someone stole the pumpkin and didn't return it. The lady had a back up, but it's always lame when someone ruins fun for others.  

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Mike, doing his best impression of Grandma Bonk taking pictures. (Again, we LOVE YOU MOM!)

Sarah, Lynette and I went to Thriller at Odyssey Dance theater. I've always wanted to and we finally went. It was very entertaining and a nice girl's night. 

As I mentioned in previous posts, October was cold! I'm writing this in December, and November was much warmer. 

Adam with his crazy hair day at school. 

Happy Halloween!

Although we did a Harry Potter theme in 2012, we decided to do it again so Audrey would have an early appreciation for the wonderful world of witches and wizards.

In the morning Mike and I went to Adam's school for the parade. When we asked Adam what he wanted to be his reply was, "Mrs. Norris". The cat. Just the cat. ;) He chose his mask and called it good. We wrote on his shirt, "I am Mrs. Norris" in case anyone got confused. People loved it. I'm also his class "room mom", so I ran his class party.

That evening we took the customary family photo and then everyone went their own ways. Steven went trick or treating with his friend Reese and Adam went with Ephraim. They started in our neighborhood and then Mike and I walked them to theirs. Sarah went to a few houses with us and then decided she'd rather hand out candy. 

Happy Birthday baby Princess!

Well, it happened. Our little princess turned one. She's no longer a tiny baby. She is on the brink of toddlerhood. Smart. Funny. Expressive. Unique. Ridiculously adorable. That is our Audrey. (A bit much?) ;) Audrey is surprisingly picky for her young age. When she is done eating, or doesn't like something, she'll look you straight in the eyes and drop it on the floor. She even has a fairly powerful backward throw. She is very selective about what books she will allow you the privilege of reading, and her preferences change often. If you select a book she doesn't like she'll twist to the right as if she doesn't even want to look at it. If you show her an acceptable book she'll settle back into your lap and allow you too read it with her very Audrey cooing sound. 

Here are pictures from her birthday. Mike had drill and I did a half marathon in the morning, so Audrey got to spend most of the day in her pajamas. 

On Sunday she wore her birthday dress and Sarah and I attempted to take some pictures of her. We realized a book in hand was a necessity. Sarah has a matching skirt and shirt, but Audrey wasn't in the mood to pose. 

That evening we had Audrey's birthday dinner. I made enchiladas because the girl LOVES beans. They were a big, messy hit. Sarah gave her a tattoo crown. I guess it's a step up from eyebrows.

Our friend/neighbor Anna Lloyd made these two beautiful cakes for Audrey. They were almost too pretty to cut and they taste as good as they look. Audrey wasn't sure how to devour a giant cake, so her brothers lovingly showed her how.

Sarah won the sweet sister award by buying Audrey gifts. She bought the stuffed porcupine when we went to Mesa Verde and also bought her the Tiny Caterpillar book, which is one of her new favorite books. (Until she decides it isn't, and then we won't be allowed to read it to her.

Audrey's one year stats are:18 lbs 8 oz (5%), 29.5 in (56%), 18.9 in head (98%). (She has to hold all her big brains)

Audrey's 12th month

This is probably the last month I'll dedicate a whole post to random pictures I take of Audrey. We all just take so many. ;) (Can you blame us?!) It's been a fun month with her, but I already reported that in her birthday post.

Audrey loves to reorganize her drawers. ;)

Audrey found a new friend ;)

Fun trip to the library. Audrey has become more social and I realize I need to take her to interact with kids her age more. 

Audrey likes to make me nervous. She enjoys climbing up the steps and then leaning over to play with the lavender. If I move her, she comes right back. Little stinker! (literally) ;)