October

 Judah's arrival on November 2nd has delayed several blog updates, but I'm not complaining about the new distraction :) OCTOBER and all of it's happenings seems forever ago now but better late than never, here you have it! Such a wonderful season with great friends here in beautiful California!

 ^^ Wednesday post bible study playdates with our best friends! ^^

 ^^ Wrapping up our Obedience character trait in school with a Kings and Queens unit and ^ a castle study! Uriah has been accurately drawing and building castles ever since - he loved it! ^^

 ^^ Celebrated Nate's 5th birthday with all his best buds at a private pottery class to make ceramic snakes and a cave! So blessed by this group of boys and their mommas! ^^

 ^^ October means pumpkins! Annual trip to Webb Ranch! Walked away with FIVE pumpkins this year! (thinking our Judah would be an October baby...!) ^^

 ^^ There are (were!) SIX of us from our bible study pregnant at one time - two due in October, two in November and two in December. Must be something in the water...! ;) The rest of our friends showered us with a group baby shower where we got to enjoy each other's company, play silly games (in which I dominated... Just sayin' ;)) fill up on yummy foods and be spoiled with gifts of service. I truly feel so blessed to be apart of this incredible community and am so thankful to be doing life (and motherhood!) alongside these beautiful mommas and the ones behind the camera! ^^

 ^^ They alternate between mortal enemies and best friends but when they choose the latter... Oh how it melts my heart! ^^ 

 ^^ Accidental matching on a Sunday - all the heart eyes for my two sweet bigs! ^^

 ^^ Just call me Non...! This kid is always writing and drawing, taping, cutting and coloring... I love seeing what he comes up with - our doors are covered in his creations! I feel extra special when they are made with extra thought and love and gifted to me! ^^

 ^^ 37 weeks! And fully thought I'd be having an October baby! ^^

 ^^ Once Nana and Papa got to town when I hit 37 weeks pregnant, I got to steal away for a date with this handsome boy, the Flash! We grabbed some smoothies at Jamba Juice and spent a good hour reading books in Barnes and Noble together. He held my hand and gave me several smooches and reassured me of my safety (he was there to protect me!) and I felt like the luckiest girl in the world ^^

 ^^ Library date with this goon and her big brother! "Watch, I do a silly thing!" She is always cracking me up! ^^

 ^^ My handsome, handsome boys! Uriah was so excited to have a shirt like dads and match for church. I just can't get over how big he is...! ^^

 ^^ Stephen was able to spend a significant amount of time away from work in the last few weeks of pregnancy and I was super grateful for that. On this particular day, he was able to join me for a few hours in labor and delivery while I was being monitored for an odd and unpleasant pain, before we were able to sneak away for a last minute date night (thanks, mom and dad!) ^^

 ^^ More of Uriah's creations - this is him and Ezra in their house! Look at that 'z'...! I love him and his tender heart ^^

 ^^ Giving baby some love pats ^^

 ^^ Watching the magician at the Stanford house staff Halloween party. The kids love it every year and think "Mr. Horsefeathers" is a hoot! ^^

 ^^ Working on numbers, trying to get him to not get frustrated at counting by enticing him with Legos ;) ^^

 ^^ No one was sweeter to me in those final weeks of pregnancy than this guy. He would bring me my water bottle when he saw me sitting without it, rub my belly and tell me how much he loved the baby, help my push the stroller, carry my bag to and from the car, hold open doors for me, ask me how I was feeling... His thoughtfulness was not lost on someone whose love language is thoughtfulness...! He's so tender hearted and I was so honored to be the recipient of his love. Such a good boy taking care of his momma. And gosh he's just so cute! ^^

 ^^ Family park date! I'm so grateful my parents were around for the better half of October. They did our grocery shopping, cooked for us, watched our kids, kept me company, cleaned my house... I'm so happy their new life on the road allowed them to come stay for so long - I'm so appreciative of all their help! Plus, they're lots of fun! ^^

^^ Last but not least, Halloween! With our handsome Luke Skywalker and his faithful Ewok! It was such a fun night with friends walking the streets of one of Stanford's neighborhoods - the kids are still working their way through their candy haul! ^^