Happy November!

Well, apparently November happened without me posting once.

Its been a long and busy few weeks. But that hasnt stopped me from capturing the crazy things these wild monkeys were up to last month.

Like dressing up Caden as a girl. This was hilarious to all 3 of them.

Gluing the sidewalk was also exciting.

Totally unrelated: Gluing trash to the sidewalk is nearly permanent.

More of this.

Jumping on Uncle Danny was a great time.

Caden also started potty training.

I realize now the dangers of mixing those two things mentioned above.

And sleeping in trees was also a big hit.

Also, Wild Thing #2 turned FOUR. How did that happen?

Shake it Like a Polaroid Picture

We just finished Little House in the Big Woods this week. So for the one and only school related endevour this week, since the kids and I were all sick in one way or another, we made butter.

That's right.

Made. Butter.

Ethan was pretty interested and excited to see it happen. Charlotte didn't really care. I was way into it. But I really like butter.

So I got those little cartons of heavy whipping cream at the store. The really tiny ones, since I didn't know if it would actually work. Pour it in a big jar, put a lid on it, and let the kids start shaking. I could have done it all in my mixer, but that would have been too exhausting.

Did I mention Jeremiah went hunting this weekend? Out of town? So I let the kids sleep in my bed for fun. Except it wasnt very fun. I think it would have been ok if Caden had not insisted on getting in too, then woke up every 45 minutes. Or if we had a California King Size bed. Now I know what it's like to be the biggest sardine in the can. Not fun.

So we are tired today.Too tired to get out the mixer.

The kids only shook their jars for about 3 minutes. Then I had to do it, which I really didn't mind since I like butter a whole lot. Actually I only did Ethan's. Charlotte's is still in the fridge waiting it's turn.

And it worked! I made butter! I feel so invincible!

I didn't take a picture of it turning into whipped cream. But there's the butter that we made! Yippee!

Drain the buttermilk, wash it in icy water and drain again, and add a little salt. It tastes really good, really "clean" like I would expect homemade butter to taste.

Now I need to learn how to make bread...

Finally something worthwhile

I finally figured out how to get my camera card reader thingy to work again. Not being able to post pictures has been pretty disappointing.

Also, we've been very busy with school. Ethan is doing very well, even though sometimes he gets a little distracted by you-know-who.

And it finally feels like Fall. We have big plans this weekend :

1.Rake leaves

2.Jump in them

3. Repeat

So get ready to see a whole lot more of these monkeys soon...

Dear Zoey (Letter #8)

Dear Zoey,

How are you baby? Its been awhile since I wrote to you. We have been busy here. Our paperwork is all done and is in Ethiopia now. And we are just waiting.

I got to tell someone about you tonight and while it was nice getting to say your name out loud again, it still felt like another tiny pinprick in my heart because the closer we get to you, the farther away we are. The wait just keeps getting longer. Its hard not knowing an exact time frame but these things take time. Lots of time. Thats really the only thing that is guaranteed. But I know you are there and someday you will be here.

You are a part of daily conversation with your brothers and sister. Caden is learning to say your name and everything we do, every gift or activity, Ethan and Charlotte try to make you a part of. They want to save things for you or make a list of what you need. They guess what you like and what you look like and they name their babies after you. When we watch a movie, and the globe pops up at the beginning, they run and point and yell "Thats where Baby Zoey lives!" Caden points and says "Babe!"

I can't imagine what it will be like when I get to finally hold you. How different will it be from holding my other babies for the first time? Will it be just the same?

It is getting colder here.The leaves are changing colors and pumpkins are everywhere.It is my favorite season. I wonder what is going on in your life now.

I love you baby girl. I will see you soon.

love Mommy

Over the River and Through the Woods...

Last weekend, we attended the 3rd Annual Lindsay Family Emerald Forest & Lake Labor Day Extravaganza.

Or for short, the ALFEFLLDA.

Maybe someone should work on that...

A weekend of bug watching and throwing things into a big fire.

And go carts and four wheelers and kubodas oh my.
Praise the Lord for rule-enforcing "safety-first" Papas.

Sunday I got to wake up next to my baby boy

Our tent has a kiddie tent attached and mine love their cave. They all slept great. And except for that one weird noise in the woods, so did I.

But we woke up way too early.

But happy.

And we stepped outside to this. Amazing.

For breakfast we hiked up the hill for pancakes. And played with this icky centipede.

Twin cousins-born on the same day. I just noticed Ethan's hand on Noah's leg. He loves his friends.

After breakfast we got ready for the fashion show/fishing derby.

Contestant #1 enjoys dressing herself, eating all the chocolate for the smores, and using her outside voice.

Contestant #2 likes mid afternoon naps, piggyback rides, and occasional bubble baths.

He also really enjoyed just chilling out in his floaty suit.

And my cousin Alex . These two were attached at the hip (literally) all weekend.

And in the way back of this photo, you can see tent city. The yellow one is ours.

"Who dat?!"

Ethan enjoyed his big boy status all weekend long, running around with the cousins or supervising the go cart repair, he was in heaven.

Charlotte's 437th ride of the weekend.

And at last it was time to head home.
Ah, parting is such sweet sorrow.

(As family pictures go, this one is one of my favs. )

Caden was out before we got off the driveway, Charlotte before we got to the first intersection, and Ethan hung in there until about an hour from home.

All in all, aside from having to go home, we were all pretty happy campers.