11.30.2015

november

November has been another busy month--no surprise there.  Thanks to the gratitude countdown that Harper and Hunter's beloved Grammie Eccles puts together for us each year, we have kept the spirit of Thanksgiving in our hearts all month long, as we celebrate all that we have to be grateful for--which is a LOT.  This month, we are particularly grateful for our family and friends and for the million different ways that they enhance and enrich our lives:

Last Sunday, Harper had a line in the Primary Program at our church.  She had chosen it herself: I know that Jesus loves me.  It has been a really sweet experience to watch Harper develop a budding testimony of her own, learning about her Savior and the blessings that surround her.  I am grateful that she knows His love.  During the program, while many of the other kids her age became very shy when it was their turn to speak, Harper stood right up at the microphone and proudly shared her part, "I know that Jesus loves me."


We were also lucky to have a visit from the Kelly girls this month, our dear friends who sadly moved all the way to Utah shortly before Hunter was born.  We have known them for almost ten years, and during that time they became much more like family than friends to us.  We miss them so much now that they live thousands of miles away so we were thrilled to get to spend a little bit of quality time with at least part of their family while they were in town.  On Monday, the Hs and I had a fun lunch date with Lauren, Maren, and Denise.  They returned the next night to say hi to Dallin as well.  The girls had promised Harper that they would paint her nails for her, and you know she reminded them!  Of course, Hunter didn't want to be left out so--much to his father's chagrin--he received his first pedicure, blue and green.  Very masculine.  The kids were thrilled, and we were all so happy to be able to visit with our beloved friends.  We only wish we had more time with them, but we are grateful we got to see them.

Harper and Hunter with Lauren and Maren--
We wish they didn't have to leave!


Getting in the Christmas spirit at the mall

Hunter's first pedicure!




We have also had some really fun playdates with our little friends this month!  Whether it is at our house or someone else's house, one of our favorite ways to finish out the day--or "the witching hour" as us mamas call it--is in the company of our favorite little friends.  Harper and Hunter just adore their time with friends.  For some reason, the kiddos always end up hiding in the bath tub at our house, but they are so cute and funny that it's hard to coax them out.  These wild little spirits truly color our world.


Little friends, big bathtub 

Little H and G, getting silly

Harper and Anne looooove beading.

We also made it to the Children's Museum this month.  We hadn't been since we went for Hunter's birthday last year, and it was fun to see how much difference a year makes.  Harper loved making bubbles in the bubble room, while Hunter couldn't get enough of all of the activities in the ping pong ball exhibit.  My college roommate and her husband and sweet little girl came down from New Hampshire to meet us there, and we had fun exploring together and then grabbing lunch afterwards.  

Climbing at the Children's Museum


Little h, big bubble




We have been lucky enough to spend a lot of time outside this month too.  The weather has been amazing.  We live for these chilly but brilliantly sunny fall days.  One of the days of our gratitude countdown was appreciating nature so the Hs and I went up to the wildlife sanctuary right in our very own town.  I used to go there a lot when I was little, and I have some of the best memories of attending various camps there.  It was really special to be back there with my own children, and it was magical to wander the paths together, enjoy the sunshine through the trees.  We are lucky to have such a beautiful sanctuary in our very own town and look forward to spending more time there.   


Feeling grateful for nature and beautiful fall days!

The weather has also brought us to the park this month.  Hunter has become super adventurous, making a beeline to the "big kid park" as soon as we arrive so that he can go down the most ridiculously tall slide ever.  The look of glee on his face makes the terror that I feel almost worth it.  He is becoming such a big kid right before our eyes!  I love his wildly sweet little spirit.





At the end of each day, what the Hs look forward to most is our gratitude countdown.  Dallin's mom has made our celebration of Thanksgiving so much more meaningful by organizing daily activities and lessons about the spirit of Thanksgiving and all that we have to be thankful for.  We appreciate the opportunity to come together as a family for these daily reminders.  My favorite part of our annual gratitude countdown is when we get to pick out toys for little friends who are less fortunate than we are.  As in years past, we select a little girl Harper's age and a little boy Hunter's age from the wish drive at the Home for Little Wanderers.  My sweet little Hs just love picking out the gifts, and it's such an important conversation to talk about who we are buying the gifts for--and why.

Choosing toys for friends who have less than we do
is one of our favorite things to do in November!

Getting silly while learning about gratitude

Hunter, reading about the pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving


Painting a wooden turkey to send to Uncle PJ during his deployment

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for our little family.  They are the best and brightest parts of everyday, and my heart is so full.  The days can be long sometimes, but there is nothing greater than our adventures as a growing family.  Of course, it takes a village--and we are especially thankful to our family and friends, whose love and kindness means everything and truly buoys us up.  As we turn our calendars to December, we look forward to maintaining the spirit of gratitude throughout the Christmas season.

My heart

"The baby kicked my hand!  That's okay--he can kick my hand." -Harper


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