Where did the fall go?

Since I've started this blog, I've never gone this long without posting and boy do I wish it was the other way around.  This fall has been the craziest one yet.  I think between the 4 kids, school, activities, moving into a new house, working and taking a class myself, I think I finally hit the tipping point in "how much can you cram into a day" and it spilled over.... something had to give and I guess it was getting to write on the blog.

But here is it the middle of the night and I can't sleep, so I might as well attempt to try and catch up on some of the things that happened this fall.  Here's a quick collection of random photos captured between the chaos. 

With moving into a new home there was LOTS of work and time spend on house details... from remodeling, to painting, redoing floors, determining what furniture we'd need to get.  Michael was very happy to model some of the items we considered getting.  

Meanwhile Isabelle and Madelyn have become the best of friends... and by that I mean one minute they play nicely together and the other they are fighting.  Surprisingly Madelyn holds her own and Isabelle is afraid of her when she comes after her.  One thing Madelyn has learned from daycare is how to be mean... sadly, she has learned she had to fight to get her toys at school (she's been bit several times) so now Madelyn applies the same approach at home with Isabelle.  Usually Isabelle just runs away screaming "Madelyn NO!"  Fixing Madelyn's style is on our list (the list that never ends) of things to do.

Meanwhile Gabriel has grown out of everything (seriously) that fits him.  Here he is showing me his pants (just bought less than a year ago) are now high waters on him.  As you can tell, he's NOT impressed when I told him to just wear his socks higher.  

Between baseball games, cross country meets, moving and you name it, we've eaten quite a few meals out.  The kids don't seem to mind, here's Michael enjoying one of his favorites!

Madelyn likes it too!

On back to school night, meet the teachers at the elementary school where Isabelle and Michael attend (and where Gabriel used to).  We like the poster in the background... No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

One thing very important to Gabriel these days is his hair.  This is the kid who I don't believe ever used anything other than his hand most days to swipe his hair to one side.  Now he spends a great deal of time making sure the flip is just perfect!

Funny how middle school changes them... He's grown up right in front of us.

Madelyn still loves to eat as much as her mom.  Here she is enjoying the breakfast I made for myself. 

One thing the girls love to play is that they get out random kitchen items and pretend they are in a band.  It sound more like beating drums but they have fun and put a lot of effort in as you can see.

One of the very few times I can get all of them together to take a picture!

Isabelle is growing up too.  She loves Kindergarten, especially her teacher and has become quite a good speller and reader. 

One night when the boys were at baseball practice, we went for pizza.  Here is dad showing Isabelle his master pizza making skills from his days back at Pizza Hut.  

Sure love this face and that drool!

This is exactly what reading does for me too Madelyn!  

I found Facebook marketplace and its become my new favorite place to get random things for the house and kids for cheap.  Here's one of the deals I found for the girls.  They love this thing and have spent hours playing with it.  

This summer we had one of the greatest' helps in Andrea.  She kept the kids entertained and busy while we were at work.  They LOVED getting to hang and spend time.  Madelyn was NOT happy to see the time end.

Jarrett probably wouldn't be happy to see I've shared this, but I just have to right?  Seriously, one night I went to bed and he was up working.  In the middle of the night I came to the living room to see that he must have decided to take a nap and that the air conditioning was too cold.  Therefore, unable to find a blanket just decided to use one of Madelyn's stuffed animals to cover up.  I think this is the picture of pure parenting exhaustion!

In the midst of crazy, we did try to take a few minutes to stop and just enjoy the moment.  Here was our attempt at a fun family walk.  I remember doing this as a kid with my family and I wonder if my parents ended up feeling the same way about it as we did.  It turns out that the pictures look great but behind the scenes its a bit more stressful.  The boys ran out in front of a car chasing one another, Isabelle insisted on being carried, to which Jack decided he was done and needed to be strolled at the same time Madelyn pounded on his back and pulled his hair.  All in great fun right?

Some of the pictures I see Gabriel puts on my phone.  I just can't believe how much he's grown.

Mom and her girls.

Our bed has become a community bed.  Most mornings I wake up to find Madelyn on my head and Isabelle at my knees.  I remind myself, these days won't last forever.  

Gabriel off to his first middle school dance! WHAT WHAT!!!! He LOVES middle school.

Michael came with me to Homecoming this year and LOVED getting to visit all the booths  Its a perfect place for kids to gather lots of free stuff.  Here he is deciding if he'd like to hold a cricket.

And while we were there it turns out one of my ASU colleagues, brought her daughter Raven.  Michael and Raven used to go to preschool together and they were the best of friends.  A lot has changed in 5 years.

And my good friend Debbie spoiled us this year with some yummy food in honor of Noah's Kindness Project.  Here are her Noah's Kindness Cookies she made in his memory, to which our entire family scarfed down!! They are so yummy!

Yes its been a busy fall.  We're making it through and excited to bring on the holidays, which hopefully will mean quieter times, some hours of couch sitting and good old family movie night.

Until next time,
Angie