37 Weeks on the Outside

On November 1st Ruth was 37 weeks. Since that's the last time I took a picture while pregnant with her, I thought it'd be fun to see what 37 weeks on the outside looked like compared to 37 weeks on the inside. I sure love my happy little baby girl!

Ruth when I was 37 weeks pregnant (January 29th, 2013).

Ruth at 37-weeks-old (November 1st, 2013).

Halloween 2013

On Halloween, the kids woke up with some cereal, a book and a note from our resident friendly house-ghost, Posty the Ghosty. Turns out the kids didn't really like the cereal Posty had brought and it took about a month to get them to eat all of the cereal.

In the afternoon, the girls and I went to help with Wes' classroom party. It basically consisted of a couple of games and tons of sugar. :/

Later, we met my sister and her family at their ward's trunk-or-treat so the kids could see each other in their costumes. Then, we went back to our neighborhood to do some real trick-or-treating! The kids got good use out of their costumes this year for sure!

Gifts from Posty.

The note from Posty. He even included a few fun jokes.

Wrapping the kids like mummies.

I think Wes got enough sprinkles on his cookie...

Sydney had the hardest time not licking the popsicle stick as she decorated.

One healthy treat. I thought this was cute and clever.

Me and my Baby Ruth at my sister's trunk-or-treat.

Lydia and Sydney.

Wes, Ryan, Lydia, Ruby, Sydney, and Ruth.

The three kiddos after trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. We still have about 75% of the candy that they got during the month of October. We're pretty slow going through candy around here.

Sydney posing with her candy.

Ruth wanted to get in on the candy action, too! :)

Random Pics from October 2013

Here are all of the random pictures I took during October.

I can't remember why I took this picture, but here's Ruth in the Exersaucer! :)

She's got a little wave in that post-bath hair.

Sydney won a free trial of a cheer and tumbling class.

She had fun, but ultimately I don't think cheer classes are worth the money.

Sydney wanted to help do the dishes. She's a great helper.

I made some juice and it ended up looking like candy corn, which was appropriate for October.

Brian and Wes went camping, so the girls played.

Sydney wanted to watch Princess and the Popstar and Ruth was enthralled.

First time pulling herself up! Two days shy of 8 months old.

Wes on the Scout camping trip with Brian.

The kids thought it was so funny to scooter ahead of me to this corner and then fall in the grass and pretend like they fell asleep while they waited for me to catch up to them. They did this daily until it snowed.

Sydney finished this chapter book all by herself!

Date night with Sydney to get fro-yo.

Ruth and me going down the slide at the school. Someday she'll think it's exciting, I'm sure. :)

A non-selfie of me and Ruth at the pumpkin patch that didn't get included in that post.

One day Sydney let me know that she could do a really great impression of Princess Aurora. Indeed!

During our girls' outing to Disney on Ice, the boys played in the sand and water. It was the middle of October and about 50 degrees outside, I think.

Brian teaching Sydney how to play Othello.

Brian and I on a date to the Ropes Course. I was way more nervous than I thought I'd be! Ultimately, it was fine but I was sore afterward!

Grandma Hanks with Ruth. I think this picture is so cute!

Sydney climbed to the highest rock at the park.

Ruth's first time in  a swing. She was a fan.

Sydney had fun swinging with Ruth, too.

Ruth really would have preferred walking, I think.

Sydney got these pearly whites from preschool.

Four of my most favorite people in the world.

We had a quick visit from Grandpa Hanks, Uncle Craig, Aunt Sara, and Soren.

Sydney cuddling with Grandpa Hanks.

Soren trying to eat Wes' fingers.

Grandpa Hanks trying to help Ruth learn to walk.

For some reason when Ruth was grabbing this little toy it reminded me of a giant baby monster.

Ruth's first time sitting up in the cart (with me). Very exciting!

Ruth started pulling herself up in her crib when I'd lay her down for a nap. The only problem was that she didn't know how to get herself back down so she'd just cry and cry and cry. She'd smile when I'd come to rescue her though!

As a solution, we put boxes around her crib so she would have anything to grab onto to pull herself up. It worked great. It took a couple of weeks and then we were able to take the boxes away and she'd go to sleep just fine.

I came across this charm bracelet my mom gave me years ago (late high school or early college) and Sydney wanted to wear it. I thought these charms were pretty old-school!

Sydney's Preschool Halloween Party

On October 30th, Sydney had her preschool Halloween party. I was able to go and help with the party.

Sydney as Aurora. The little girl eating string cheese is another one of Sydney's preschool BBFs, Bianca.

Playing Don't Eat Pete!

Costume parade.

Lining up to show off their costumes.