Remember November

Josie got three birthday parties this month: one with Nanna, at home, and at Katie Walker's.

Josie and Simon both dress themselves now. Simon usually wants to wear pajamas or Kyle's 12 month size sweat pants.

Kyle loves to crawl around in the yard enjoying the fresh air. He interacts a lot more now with the older ones. He loves especially to watch Josie dancing or otherwise entertaining him. He says, "Mama," "get it," "yeah," and most recently wants to say "duck" but manages kind of a guttural one syllable.

Simon did the photography at Josie's final birthday party.

By the way, now that she's four she likes the scary or sad parts in movies. Lying sick on the couch she sat bolt upright to tell me not to skip the first few scenes in Anne of Green Gables because, "I'm four years old now!"

At night after she's said a prayer and I say, "I love you," she smiles and not willing to stand this outward display of affection, she often tells me, "Go do the dishes." But I know what she means is I love you too, Mom.

Simon is getting into comedic entertainment. The other night while having some personal time with Mom and Dad, he told us, "Josie is in charge of me." Too true?

He still has boy aggression. Anything pointy becomes a sword or gun and is used to kill. He recently said in play, "My life is to kill people." Wow.

Into asserting himself, he often tells us he doesn't want something we suggest, then he quickly reminds us, "Actually I do."

Josie and I had a tea party while the boys were napping.

This picture of Jan playing play dough with the kids is the only one I got on Thanksgiving. We ate at both of our parents' houses. We made apple and pumpkin pies and corn.

The appeal of stainless steel bowls is timeless.

It was Simon's turn this year to put the star on top of the tree.

Patrick did a great job on the lights. I don't even know how he gets on the roof. (Well, he is a ninja.)