I'm in LOVE

I am in LOVE with Fall! I love the colors, the smells, warm sweaters, comfy hoody sweatshirts, hot chocolate, soups, pumpkins, Howell's Pumpkin patch, apple orchards, crisp morning air, warm bread, sleeping under extra blankets, the warm smell of cinnamon and pumpkin baking, watching movies, and especially college football. I love opening up all the windows in the house and letting the fresh cool air in. I feel like it cleans and purifies all the trapped up air inside my home. I LOVE fall decorations! I love wearing slippers inside, and still being able to pull of flip flops outside. I love fall Holidays. It just makes me feel happy and giddy! I love driving and talking to the kids about the changing colors, and going on nature walks to see what leaves we can find. It is so beautiful and charming. It's my one last hurrah before winter shows it's ugly face! Thank you fall...I love you!

Because

Today was one of the those days, it was just good...no it was GREAT!  I don't know why.  I still had kids cry, I still had random tantrums, it wasn't even a preschool day.  It was just a good day.  I felt on top of things and I just enjoyed my kids.

I swear I didn't mean to match them...I just realized it while postingthis pcicture.

I still am so amazed that they are siblings but look SO different!

 Sweet kisses

Made me Laugh

(photo is random and has nothing to do with this post)

Today Natali was on a big "shapes" kick.  While using the restroom in church she pointed out all the circles, squares, and rectangles.  So tonight we are wrapping up our family time and getting kids ready for bed.  Natali is sitting on my lap and I am telling her:

Me: You know I love you forever and always right?

Natali:  Yes mommy I know.

Me:  (giving her a big hug) I love my girl!

Natali:  (holding my face in her hands) Mom, your face is an oval.

***thank heavens she said oval and not fat, chubby, etc...kids can be BRUTAL***

Me: What shape is Daddy's face?

Natali:  A  circle.

I know that doesn't sound that funny written down.  But I LOST it.  I couldn't breathe!  It was one of those laughs were you  just CAN'T laugh becuase you are laughing so hard.  I have laughed like that continually throughout the night as I have merely thought about that moment.  Why was it so funny?  Honestly I don't know.  But I haven't laughed that hard in a long time, and it felt really good!  

Preschool Girl

Natali had her first day of Preschool on Tuesday.  We have been counting down to this all summer.  It was our many motivation for potty training.  We drive past her school everyday and everyday she says, "Mommy, is that my school?  I will go to school someday like daddy."  So Tuesday was the big day!  Ben wished her luck, gave kisses, and looked at me and said, "You are going to be a basket case!"  Well...not exactly.  Natali proceeded to dump her bowl of milk and rice kripies on her head. Which meant a quick morning bath (which is NEVER quick), followed by a battle over what clothes to wear (which mentally I had picked out months in advance), and capped of with her refusing to hold still for a "first day of preschool" picture.  NO KODAK MOMENT HERE!  By the time it came to dropping her off I was grining ear to ear and waving goodbye with out a tear shed!  Sorry Ben, no uncontrolable sobbing.  I went home, put Isaac down for a nap...and enjoyed 1 and 1/2 hours of pure QUIET!  I felt very productive in that short time.  When I picked her up she was beaming.  She loved every moment, and I was a proud mom and ready to have my little preschooler back.  What a big kid!  I love my Nattles!

St. Louis

For Labor Day weekend we decided to get out of town for a couple days. It was exactly what I needed. A break from doing the basic's (laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc). We drove down Thursday and stayed with some friends, the Wilsons. It's a 5 hour drive from Des Moines and the kids did excellent. We waited till about 1/2 down until we showed Natali that we could watch movies in our CAR! She LOVED it, and lets be honest...so did Mom and Dad. We could actually talk to eachother without someone yelling at us. Isaac was just his precious little self, and as long as he had is binky he was a happy camper. We drove downtown and walked around the arch. It was AWESOME. Our family picture above is taken at the base of one of the sides of the arch. I thought about taking the ride up to the top, but decided that "tossing my cookies" in a small crowded little capsule was not and ideal experience. We saw Bush stadium from the freeway, a really highlight for Ben. We even went to the famous Ted Drew's for frozen custard. Ben thought it was every bit as good as Neilsons in Bountiful (another famous custard spot). We mainly just relaxed and ate a lot of Lion's Choice (a roastbeef sandwich place that makes Arby's look like dog food). It was a great weekend adventure.

This the focal point of this pictures is suppose to be Bush Stadium in the background

The American Gothic House...imagine two old farmers with pitch forks in the front!
If you look in the right corner you might see some spilled yogurt. Ben was helping Natali get the last little bit out of her go-gurt. He apparently squeezed too hard and it spilled all over the ground. (side note...they were sitting away from me at the time so I didn't hear this) But Natali looks at Ben and and then at me and says, "Moommmmmyyy....Ben spilled my YOGURT!" and then turns to Ben and says, "That is very naughyt Ben!"

We loved every moment! Thanks!