October Round-Up!

October is over, and we had quite a busy month. I posted about several of the bigger things we did, but here are some of the other activities we had going on. 

It had been a while since we paid a visit to Vance and Darla, so we spent a Saturday morning hanging out with them. They are so special to us and were just tickled that we stopped by. 

Brianna, Darla, Brooke, and Brecklyn

Bren and Vance

We are trying out a new ELA curriculum for Brianna and Brenson this year. So far we all really like it! In several of Brenson's lessons, he has a cooking project to complete. His Irish Soda Bread Cookies were very tasty!

Brianna has also been cooking in the kitchen a lot more these days. She's becoming quite proficient, but also learning big lessons. One day, a can of pork and beans sprayed all over her!

With the twins going to school and the Bigs going to cross country practice, some mornings around here can get kind of hectic. I love seeing how the kids all help each other out.

Brianna doing Brooke's hair while Brecklyn brushes Brianna's hair

I always know cooler weather is on its way when I start seeing these foggy sunrises 💖.

Pretty much all the sunrises this time of year are impressive!

And we love how different each one is!

The kids have been going down to the pond with Daddy to go fishing a bit lately. Brecklyn was not happy when she fell in the pond, but the rest of us had to stifle a laugh. 

Russ was asked to preach a youth rally in the KC area this month, and Brianna got to go with them. She was happy to spend the weekend with her camp friends!

JoAnna, Brianna, and Chloe

Charlotte, Brianna, and Chloe

We got the twins' school photos back, and they turned out SO cute! One of the {very} few things I miss about public school for the big kids is school photos. 

Brecklyn

Brooke

Chris and I celebrated our TWENTIETH wedding anniversary this month. I made a fun video with photos from the past 20 years as a way to celebrate. I didn't have a recent photo of us that I loved, so I had him come outside and take a few with me in a nearby neighborhood one evening. 💖

Brooke and Brecklyn are really enjoying being back in public school this year. I love getting photos of them from the classroom. 

Brooke

Brecklyn

Our BFF, Sadie, turned 8 years old on the 28th, and the twins enjoyed a fun party at her new house. 

Cutie Crew!

The twins had a dress up day at school, so they chose to dress up like dragons. They were the cutest little dragons I ever did see!

Cross country nationals was the last weekend of the month in Springfield, Missouri. We've had a really good time at this race both last year and this year. As a special treat this year, we were able to meet up with the Swearingens after the races and eat lunch at Cracker Barrel. They were in town to visit Tia's brother who was in town preaching a gospel meeting. The kids are always so happy to see each other!

The triplets . . . Brecklyn, Sadie, and Brooke

Brianna and her sidekick, Caroline

It's been a hard month, but also a good month. It's sometimes strange how great sorrow and great joy can co-exist in life. I'm just taking life one day at a time and always counting my blessings.