Halloween!!!

Ah these little kids of mine. It's obvious to me that they are growing up way too fast because I don't have a say in their halloween costumes anymore. I had this wonderfully clever idea that let's be honest...I couldn't have pulled off this year anyway...but I got shot down quick. Elle wanted to be a minion. And that was that. Cash wanted to be a football player...go figure. So that left me Tate. My friend Tara had ordered this shark costume for her little girl and it didn't fit so she gave it to me. I'd been trying to prep Tate to wear it but only got him in it once before Halloween and that only lasted like 2 minutes. So I had no idea if he'd wear it on that night or not. I waited till the other kids were dressed up thinking that might help encourage him but once I pulled the costume out of the bag he freaked. I tried for like 10 minutes to talk him into it with no luck. Then Toby walked over and forced him in it. It was weird...he immediately stopped crying and wanted to hurry out to join the other kids trick or treating. I don't think he even got what it mean but it wasn't long before he totally embraced it. Knock on neighbors door...say trick or treat...get candy. Easy as that. He was so cute...he wanted to hold his own bucket the whole night. He did awesome. We all came back to the house that night and ate enchiladas, breadsticks, and watched garfield halloween. Perfect Halloween Night.

Random Pics

Just little things I want to remember. Little Kemp all bundled ready to go, Elle and Cash's pictures day, Elle taking care of Kemp, Cash and Tate playing legos, and seeing Elle climb up on Grandpas lap. I have great kids.

Spider Cookies and Halloween Parties

Again through all these last months I've had to learn to let things go. Traditions as well. But I'm finally feeling like our little family is returning to "normal." (whatever that is;)  We were able to have Grandpa and Grandma over for our little Halloween tradition of SPIDER COOKIES!!! I love doing things with the kids that I did and loved doing when I was growing up.

Can't forget Grandpa and Grandma's Annual Halloween party either. We had to miss the Wimmer Halloween party at the farm this year so I was grateful that we got to to my mom's. She does so much for us. The party was a success as usual and i just love seeing Tate start to "get" things. He was hilarious with the apple bobbing. Wanted to be just like the big kids. And another of my kids very favorite things....playing in the leaves. I love their smiles. 

My Angel

More pictures taken by my little sister. She really is so talented. Even though he's like 6 weeks old here he still looks just like a newborn. So tiny. So sweet. And so perfect.

Time with my Boys

With Elle and Cash in school every day from 9-4 it leaves me a lot of time with these two little boys. I love watching Tate send the other two off to school every day. He yells things like "back-pack, good-day, lub you!"  It's adorable. Look at him looking all spiffy for church. He LOVES going to church. He just hates sitting through it. The bottom picture is him running away with Elle's American girl doll and hiding in my closet. I missed mine and Tates morning snuggles so much while I was gone.  I think we are going to have a lot of special times the three of us.

A Grateful Heart

I said it best in a letter I wrote to our Relief Society sisters so I'll just include that here. It honestly can apply to my entire family, my neighbors, my friends.

Dear Sisters,

I have no words. I really don't. Trying to put in to a few words how grateful I have felt over
 these past few months seems impossible. And like I said it hasn't been WEEKS….It's been
MONTHS.  Months of unconditional love and service towards me and my family. So much
that I haven't been able to keep up on thank you notes and so I'm praying all who have reached
 out will hear this letter and know of my deep love and appreciation.  There have been
countless meals brought in to my family both before I was in the hospital, while I was away,
 and since I've been home. What a burden was lifted for my family.  So many have been
watching my kids for me, picking them up to and from school, and bringing them lunch or
getting them out of the house when I wasn't able to. Thank you. The young women came to
my rescue on numerous occasions with babysitting and playing with my children and getting
 them outdoors again when I wasn't physically able to. Thank you. The care package that was
 brought up to me at the hospital brought me to tears. I cried as I read the letters and cards
from everyone.  It meant the world to me to know that each individual item that was in the bag
 was given with so much love and thoughtfulness. And then my mom cried as I read them to
 her on the phone. She said "I've never known a ward to be as giving and SPECIAL and all over
 INCREDIBLE as yours is." I couldn't agree more. That package lifted my spirits and brought
 me so much joy when I was feeling so very down and discouraged.  Thank you. And then
there's all of the phone calls and texts that came in from so many daily. I felt so loved and
thought of and that made it easier to stay positive during a difficult time.. Thank you for all
of this and for all the prayers offered in my family's behalf. I can testify to you that they were
answered! They were answered in the delivery of an amazing little boy that I love with all of
my heart. He was SO worth it. We couldn't have done it without you and I want everyone to
know how much it has meant to me. Your service will NEVER be forgotten. I can't repay you
all in the way I would want to but was hoping I could at least offer "A HUG and KISS" and tell
 you thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you all. 

Even after I wrote this letter the love kept on coming. These pictures are from when we
 received a care package from my dear friend Amberlee. This girl is one in a million. I can 
NOT believe the time that she spend preparing all these things for us. Each member in my
 family got a special gift from her. Something that they loved like bubble guppies sticker, 
superhero craft, American girl doll journal, and then she made each of us darling little
 homemade bags to keep our treasures in. Toby got a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch
 and she gave me a darling bag with nail polish and lotion in it. Then the best of all...a 
homemade doll for Kemp that had Grandpa Todd's old vintage BYU jersey on it. Are you
 kidding me?! The hours she must have put into all of that just to let us know that we were 
loved and thought of. I will NEVER forget it. I cried and cried. Such Christ-like service. I'm 
grateful for the examples around me. I'm blown away. I know even better the type of 
person I want to be. 

Coming Home!

Bringing him home was such a whirlwind! One second he's there and we don't know how much longer he'll have to be and the next...time to come home!  I am so grateful we caught Tate's reaction to Kemp coming home. Oh my goodness he was so excited. And it was like he "got it". Like it was normal and Kemp was just supposed to be there. There was no confusion in Tate's face. It was just like, finally he's here. I LOVE seeing each of my children with him one on one. So much love. He is the perfect ending to our little family. He completes us.