Our Trip Back Home

I am so grateful that here in Kentucky the children get a break in the fall from school for an entire week.  By the time October comes we are definitely ready for it!  We weren't sure how staying at  grandma's for a full week would be with Miss Everleigh, so we went for the last half and stayed over the weekend.  It was so good to be home and it gave Ryleigh the opportunity to go to Homecoming with her friends in Michigan.  Homecoming was also at my high school, so it is a little extra special!

 

We were also able to enjoy a fall festival with Grandma in Gibraltar. It was small, but the kids enjoyed the few activities that were available and it was nice to be outside!

Everleigh couldn't eat the cookie fast enough.

Love these pictures of Everleigh and Mom. Miss E has quite the stranger anxiety, so it was a relief to all of us when she finally decided that Grandma was ok.

Had to have a picture by this cool Coke truck!

Finn asked for a piggie!

Hunter and his cat!

Before we headed home Maddi and I took Hunter, Finn, and Everleigh to Lake Erie Metropark to play and take some photos. I definitely took living across the street from this park for granted. I never thought I would miss the smell of the lake air and the sound of the seagulls. Horses are beautiful too, but I miss the water.

  

 

 

Then there are the moments that weren't photographed...the hours mom and I spent talking and catching up, all the movies we watched, and yummy meals we had. The time I was able to spend with one of my very best friends, scrapbooking at our friend's crop (just like old times.)  These are the moments I miss the most and the ones that make me the most home sick. That being said, we are so lucky to still be close enough to drive back and stay a few days.

Inspired

Today I am submitting some of my Project Life layouts to Becky Higgins! She is once again choosing members for her Creative Team.  I wanted to share my layouts here also and I am hoping that I can be more proactive with my blog.  I really try, but life just seems to get in my way.  

Project Life! 

The basic layout of week 18 using the 5th and Frolic Edition!

The following two photos are in the "insert" I used between the 2 pages of week 18's layout

Week 19! This layout was made with the new Sunshine Edition!

I will admit, that as of today, I am only done up to week 20 in my album.  I would love to stay caught up, but sometimes with 6 children, it just isn't possible.  I do however, have my photos sorted and mostly edited, up to the current week, on my computer.  I also use a Filofax planner, to journal and keep notes of what happened each day and what photos I have taken.  The app Momento, on my iPhone, which I just recently discovered, has been very helpful! It actually keeps track of what I post on Facebook and Instagram daily!  I don't know how I didn't know about this app before!  I hope to be sharing more in the near future! 

New Year!

New Year's Eve seems like a good place to start! But first a very brief recap 2012...
We spent our first complete year in Kentucky!  It was a very rough transition, but I think it is safe to say we have all found our footing and are happy with the decision we made to stay.  We welcomed baby #6 to our family. Sweet Everleigh has made our family complete and we are so blessed.

Everleigh's First New Year Required a Photo Shoot

Finn also Required a Photo Shoot, same pose and everything!

For New Year's Eve this year we decided to just all stay home and hang out as a family (we are so super fun!) We played games (Just Dance 4, then later some Uno and Phase 10,) ate some yummy snacks, took some photos (it was Everleigh's first New Year's Eve,) and attempted to stay up late enough to watch "the ball" drop.  Everyone made it through except for Finn and Eve. We tend to keep their sleep schedules no matter what is going on.  We definitely missed spending the holiday with our family in Michigan, but I think the 8 of us are doing a great job creating some new traditions.

Just Dance 4

I so love these photos and these memories! John is not a fan of having his picture taken (not a great thing when you are married to someone who always has a camera either in hand or very nearby,) so I love that Madasyn "photobombed" his picture! 

Ryleigh laughing, probably out of embarrassment, as John & I also played Just Dance. 

Hunter & his one tooth grin. Jackson enjoying some snacks! He may be small, but boy does he LOVE junk food :)

      

Is it just me or is it a bit strange to watch the ball drop without Dick Clark? 

So now on to 2013 and all that may be in store for us! I am looking forward to sharing more on this blog, starting more family traditions, project life!, maybe finding a part time job or going back to school,   a friend's wedding in May, visiting family & friends, serving in my church calling, and just enjoying life! I think maybe my One Little Word for this year should be relax :)