Hi!

I've been trying to blog for awhile but my account is full and it won't let me upload pictures. I decided I wanted to blog anyway, even if it is a picture-less blog, since it has been so long!

November was a fun month for us. We got to go to the Tillamook Cheese Factory with my cousin Kalyn who was visiting from Virginia. She is looking into getting her Ph.D and applied for the program at Portland State. I'm praying so hard that she gets in!  I also got to go play a round of disc golf with Kalyn. It was so much fun and it was nice to get out and do something athletic, even though I sucked at it :)

We had a very fun and enjoyable Thanksgiving at Brad and Lorraine's with Ryan and Heidi and kids, Josh and his girlfriend, and Tanya and Scott and their kids. It was a really fun and relaxing holiday. (I so wish my pictures were working! The food was divine but words don't do it justice.)

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving we went Christmas Tree hunting with Grandma and Grandpa Janeway, and Ryan and the 4 oldest kids. Heidi stayed home with Jordan. It was so fun to get out into the crisp Fall air and run around a nearly deserted tree farm (we were the only family there most of the time.) We ended up not getting a tree this year since we'll be in WA for Christmas, but it was fun to get to help pick Ryan and the Grandparents' tree!

Now for an update on the boys.

Brayden is excelling in school. He loves it and loves doing his homework. He is such a sweet boy and is quick to help around the house. He is an amazing big brother and loves playing with his younger brothers. He  is really good at making them laugh and smile, and is quick to share his toys if it means they'll be happy. Just tonight we went to Brad and Lorraine's for Family Home Evening. We drove around looking at Christmas Lights on our drive home and by the time we were done, all 3 boys had fallen asleep. (After the other 2 had fallen asleep, Brayden said "Mom, my body is telling me that it's really tired so I'm going to let it go to sleep." Within seconds he was passed out.) We got home and I got to carry Brayden inside. His 5 1/2 year old body isn't that small anymore, and it was a little sad to carry him up 2 flights of stairs and realize he isn't a little boy anymore! I laid him on his pillow and he awoke enough to say "My arms don't want my shirt on them" (he normally sleeps shirtless) so I helped him take it off. As I was taking it off he started singing "Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go..." then he rolled over and passed back out. Ahh, I love this little boy!

Asher is an endless ball of fiery energy. He loves watching shows and playing games on my phone but doesn't so much like to do the chores to earn those privileges. It's a constant struggle teaching him that you have to earn such rights. It's like he doesn't remember it day to day. He is loving his gymnastics class and I wish we could afford to keep him in it. It is so fun to see him excel at something that he loves. He loves to climb and jump and practice his head stands. I wish we had a bigger place that was more conducive to his personality, but we make do with what we have... Which means he is allowed to jump off the back of the couch and do a flip roll on to the cushions then the floor. Couches are replaceable...right?

Everett is officially in Nursery. He's been in a couple times and...it's definitely a work in progress. If he could have gone in at 16.5 months he would have been great. But right before he could go in he started getting a little clingy to Mom and Dad. We'll get there :) He is still such a joy to have in our home and is this constant light. He is always making all of us laugh and smile, except when he is throwing food and making deliberate messes. But Everett's sweet spirit is alive and well and is definitely the best medicine for any type of ailment. That kid could cure cancer with his smile! He is talking a lot more, and goes to bed and naps really easily most of the time still. He loves to dance, and loves to be held

I start EMT school in January. I'm really excited but it's the accelerated course which means it's going to be a 10 week whirlwind, but then *hopefully* I pass and it's over with and we will have all survived.

Sean is such an amazing father to our children. He loves to play with them, read to them, teach them... just today Brayden was doing his homework and was struggling to understand the seasons. Sean got out the duplos and explained that there are 12 months, and 4 seasons, which means each season is 3 months. He had it all in visuals and by the end of it, Brayden was a pro. Sean is so patient with them, and so good to us. We definitely are lucky to have him in our family! And I am so grateful that he has 3 boys that look up to him and love him. He truly is adored!