November

In November Maree, Ryan's mom, came to stay with us for a couple of weeks. Our family would not have survived if Maree and my mom didn't come to help us out. THANK YOU!

Dennis made his "cubs in shining armor" fellas cake creation for cub scouts. No female could help with the project thankfully because I wouldn't have been any help. 

 Zola doing Andrew's hair. and Andrew's killer smile.

 I started to function again about the second week of November. I wasn't back to my normal self but I was a whole lot better. I gave Zola a hair cut and she loved it.

 I went to an NBA game with Ryan.

 One morning Andrew wanted to hold my hand all the way through his breakfast. My kids really missed having their mom "around".

 November 15th baby bump

 This boy loves babies!

 We got our christmas tree early.

 Andrew also got a haircut.

 I told him to get some shoes on... so he did.
 wrestling with dad.

 Our tree.

 We have lots of leaves.

 Andrew sat with his girlfriend Zoe at church. They were singing together and I couldn't resist taking a picture.

 My gamers.

October

Dennis got baptized. It was so wonderful. Nonnie and papa came and Nonnie gave the talk. She did such a great job relating the gospel to Dennis's life. I was really feeling sick at this point so I was lucky to have made it in attendance. 

 Hanging on for dear life... not exactly the way you're supposed to sit in a car seat. He was so proud.

Dennis's traveling soccer team. We went to Wisconsin Dells. It was really windy and cold. I spent most of the time in the car feeling really sick (first trimester). Dennis sure loves his team: Eli, Dennis, Colton, Jaxon, Sorren, ?, ?, Kai

 Halloween was so fun. Grandma did a fabulous job with the costumes again this year. Harry Potter and Hedwig and Anna.

 Isn't her smile the best!?

 Carving pumpkins was a success... Andrew didn't want to touch it. Zola got really brave this year and Dennis was a pro. Grandma came to live with us for a long time while I was so sick. I was not functioning as a human being let alone a mom.

 ... and this is what I did every single day. I watched all the seasons of Downton Abby, Poldark and several movies. It was miserable.

September (the last month before I got the worst morning sickness of my life)

First time shopping at scheels

The first day of school. Zola is in her second year of Preschool. She was way more ready to leave me this year. I didn't even get a goodbye. 

Dennis is in 2nd Grade and has Mrs. Ellingsen. 

Girls weekend up north.

I'm determined to not feel like a failure at parenting today. I was so worn out that I mentally checked out the past couple of days and it showed in all of our behavior. So, this morning is a new day. Starting at 7:30am  we are painting. And I realize that this is the first time Andrew has ever painted!? Cute kid hates to get it on his hands.

Andrew LOVES babies. Whenever there is a baby around, he won't leave its side. Here he is reading to the baby. He also pretend fed him some pretend food. Seriously, he stayed there for an hour. There were other kids playing with toys in the basement... he just preferred to stay with the baby. :)

Ryan signing his first JOB CONTRACT!!! Yeah!

This mornings walk started with overcast skies and unbeatable temps... but ended by getting drenched.

I guess he just wanted some alone time....

Now... he comes to ask if he can paint... all the time.

All ready for the primary program at church. Dennis played "search ponder and pray" on the piano and did such a good job. Both Dennis and Zola did a great job on their parts. I just love these kids. Outtakes: During the program Dennis kept of playing with some paper (probably the program). He would get so into it that he would stop singing. Zola was sitting next to a boy that kissed her and kept wanting to touch her. I think he even licked her arm. And it was the first time that we wore this dress. We didn't know that the front would gape open a little bit... It didn't help that she would open it up often to expose herself to the audience. Kids are hilarious.