Jaxton showing off his flexibility.

Ava performed in the Nutcracker and Jilli and I were lucky enough to attend.

The first snow of the season.  The kids kept saying, "Are you sure we go to school in this?" and "I don't think we should be driving."

We walked into Walmart and found Santa in the gardening section.  Jilli was convinced, but the tattoos up his arms and the fact that he had a 20-year olds face, convinced me otherwise.

Recipients of some great Jazz tickets, courtesy of Scott Nance.

Happy 1/2 birthday Beck-man!  Love you big guy!

Jilli's been working on her flexibility as well.

Jilli got up and threw-up all over the bathroom, so after giving her a bath and mopping up the mess, we were both wide awake -- she then said, "Mom, let me read you a bedtime story -- that always makes us sleepy."

We were able to get our hands on tickets to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert.

More snow . . .

More flexibility . . .

This was the boys' first day at their new school.  It was a good experience for all of them.

Moving problems.  When you pack something in the storage unit and then decide you need it, it's always in the very back.

The many faces of Miss J . . .

She was singing "Pretty Woman, walking down the street . . ."

Cousin and uncle time.

Jilli and I went with some friends to the NC State Fair. Right now she is obsessed with horses, so it was the highlight of her day!

As part of Mac's basketball travel team, he's strongly encouraged to attend these clinics every Monday evening for 1 1/2 hours.  It's amazing to me how good he is and how far he has come.  He loves these clinics and besides having to pay $10 every time he goes, I love what they have taught him.  These clinics will be missed when we move to Utah.

Jaxton was given the Terrific Kid award for November.  This is the third year in a row that he's been given this award and we're so proud of him for it.

We were at dinner the other night, when I channeled my inner Grandma Venice and whipped out these "napkin twins."  Jilli was thrilled and was impressed that I remembered how to do make them after all these years.

Our four little stair steps.  Sweet little kids!

Jilli gets quite bored waiting for the boys in the school carpool line, so she invents all kinds of things to do.

Mac's travel team tournaments have been a big wake-up call for him.  He's not only playing the best in the state, but he's also playing up on a 5th grade team.  It's been a bit humbling for him, but he's taken it well and continues to works hard.

Even fairies need naps.

Jaxton started complaining of his leg hurting so much that he'd be in tears and not want to walk on it.  After looking at it for a couple days, we finally decided it was time to take him to the doctor after it started spreading.  They cultured it and it came back positive for two types of skin Strep infection. The doctor immediately put him on antibiotics and told us it would take up to a couple months before it was completely healed.  Poor guy!

Jilli, on her first day back to ballet class.  Love that little ballerina!

My children can definitely be aggravating at times, but when I see this at the end of each night, I'm reminded of how truly special each of my kids are.  Love them!

Both Mac and Beckam came home with the Art award. Whatever creativity my children have, is thanks to me, since Nate throws away any crayons or markers that he finds out and has had a ban on playdoh for as long as we've had kids (instead we just do it when he's at work).
Way to go boys!

Jilli got an umbrella for her birthday and has been waiting patiently to use it.  She was so thrilled to be outside splashing around with her newest accessory.

Nate and I had the privilege of going to the temple together a couple weeks back.  The church had come out with a new movie and we were especially excited to see it since a family friend, Corbin Allred, was a main actor in it. I love the temple!  What peace it brings to my soul.

Our Mebane church building is coming along beautifully!  Jilli and I were able to attend the steeple raising and couple weeks back and it was so neat to see what a difference it made to the church when it was on.  After 6 1/2 years of driving an hour round trip to the church, five minutes to and from sounds divine!

For a couple days last week I worked on this sun at the gym's Kid Zone.  It measures about 7 feet and I was most proud of myself for freehanding the circle and getting it pretty spot on.

Nothing like sleeping children to remind me how much I adore them, even after rough days.  Such sweet kids!

There's major construction happening behind our house, which means lots of holes, lots of red dirt and happy kids.

Me, sporting my USU shirt on the day of the big game, USU vs. BYU.  Too bad the Ags couldn't hold it together -- they lost their QB early on to injury and ended up getting stomped on, 31 - 14.

Love this picture of Nate and Jilli -- he sure does love that little girl of his!

This was taken yesterday as Mac read Jilli a Halloween book.  He's so good to her.

Some of our family's favorite YW, Madison and Destiny.  I'm so lucky to have such wonderful girls in our ward!

Little Miss was so tired after YW's -- thankfully Madison and Destiny gave her their pumpkin to take home, since it doubled beautifully as a pillow.

Beckam was chosen as the first Terrific Kid in his class this year.  He is such a smart little guy and has transitioned to Kindergarten so well!  This is what Ms. Faerber had to say about him: "Beckam is a Terrific Kid! From the very first day of school, Beckam has worked hard and given 110% in everything! He thinks deeply and makes great contributions to our class discussions.  He is also a kind and caring friend, who includes everyone.  Beckam, we are so proud of you! What a great start to Kindergarten!" Beck really is terrific -- I didn't need an award to tell me so, but it is fun for him to be celebrated!

 

Bert and Kelly came out to visit for a few days in late September.  While they were here, we took the kids out early from school and headed to the zoo for a fun-filled and tiring afternoon.  The kids loved having both Bert and Kelly around and really bonded with both of them.

Jilli told me yesterday in the van,
J: Remember yesterday when me and Beckam were mad at eachother?
Me: Yeah
J: Well, my stomach really wanted me to kick Beckam but then I remembered you saying "Did you learn your lesson" and because I did, I didn't kick Beckam!
I love that she is actually listening to me, despite the many times that I think she isn't.

We were so blessed to listen to General Conference this past weekend.  The kids did fairly well and I was actually able to watch all 8 hours of it.  I look forward to receiving the Ensign and digging through the talks at my own pace.

Tomorrow Nate is taking a call from IHC regarding an offer that they are giving him for a job in Salt Lake.  I"m not sure what to think.  What I thought would be such an easy decision for us, has turned out quite emotional and complicated.  NC has really become home to us and I can't imagine our little family anywhere else.  It'll be interested to see how it all works out -- I just pray that we can decide with the guidance of the Spirit.  I take comfort in knowing that the Lord won't let us stray too far off the path He intends us to take as long as we are keeping His commandments.

This is how Jilli coped with all the boys being gone at school all day. Poor girl is so used to having a full-time playmate, that she wasn't quite sure what to do with herself. Thankfully her school started the next week and she's managed her time just fine.

This is after Beck's first day of school. Jilli couldn't wait to get him up to their room so that they could play again.

Nate and Mac went to Virginia to watch the BYU football game.  The night before they also went to a fireside where they were able to meet a couple Cougar stars.  Mac was thrilled!

Here's my boys ready for school.  Love them to pieces!

And here's Miss J all ready for school.

Jilli had her four year well-check and got her Kindergarten shots as well.  She was so brave and didn't even cry.

Admittedly, I am loving the little extra alone time that I get with my girl.  She just makes my heart happy!

I love sleeping children -- even after the hardest days, my love is renewed when I see them like this.  Such innocence and sweetness!

Beckam got in the van the other day and said, "Hey mom, I recognize that you cleaned the van out!" to which Jilli responded with, "Yeah, mom sure is a good cleaner!"