What's been going on...

So much has been going on (the reason I haven't blogged in so long). We have settled into our new home nicely. The kids love our new house, as do Dan and I. Maggie stuck around me for the first week or so, unsure of her new space to roam, but now they all scatter all over the house to play. Keeping this house clean certainly takes a lot more time than did our other house, but as long as I get some time at home, I can keep a good groove as far as house work goes.

We have been very fortunate to fit right in and make lots of new friends here quickly. I realized from living in Austin that it was important for my own sanity and happiness to have friends and also for my kids to have friends and do things with them often. We've been lucky to do that and have so many already! There are so many great people here and we have probably got a busier life now than ever!!

I took the kids out of preschool a month or so ago. There were several reasons... it cost a lot of money, Owen still had two more years after this year of preschool to do, it was quite a distance from our house and I didn't care for the school they were in. I was concerned that them not going would be hard for all of us, but it has actually been great. We are involved in a babysitting co-op so I get out whenever I need to, we are always playing with friends, we go to the gym each day so they get to play in the play center there and we go places each day. It is actually working out great and I've enjoyed them all being home together every day. We are considering doing a preschool co-op with some people in the ward in January, but I am hoping it will be low stress.

In other news, I ran another race on Halloween. It was a 5K- 24:45 was my time. I ran with my friend Tiffany who I have been running with a lot on the weekends. We, along with lots of others and members of my family, will be running a 5K on Thanksgiving as well! Also, in January I am running in a marathon relay with 3 other friends--- I am so excited about it that I can hardly stand it!-- and I am ultimately training for a half marathon that I'll be running in March. I figure that I will never be this into running so I might as well do all that I can. I am amazed that I've been able to do it, that is for sure!!!

The weather here has been so gorgeous this past month. We have practically been living outside!!! The kids enjoy riding bikes and playing out there and I am able to weed and work on the flower beds (which I finally finished... it was quite the effort) while they play. It must be said that culdesac life is definitely the life for us! Here are lots of pictures of the kids playing outside:

Owen has been a busy boy these days. He is still his independent, happy self, but continues to be a pretty lovable guy as well. He is at a great age to have little conversations with and has realized that he can keep up with Ellie in the talking department. He is so smart and knows all of his letter sounds and is constantly telling us what words start with what letters and visa versa. His feet are bigger than Ellie's and he keeps catching up to her in size until she has another growth spurt of her own. Potty training hasn't happened yet. We tried before we moved here and he was good for a few weeks but then decided he wasn't going to do it. After talking with many moms I realized he is not unusual, but I do hope to get it done after the new year.... just in time to do Maggie.

Elise has been so great to have around these past couple months. I've enjoyed our time together and will miss her next year when she ventures off to kindergarten. She definitely rules our roost and has convinced herself that she is a mom as well. She is actually a wonderful big sister and always takes such great care of her brother and sister. Ellie does love to do lots of crafts and activities which gets hard when mom has to do other things around the house and can't always pay full attention to her. She is so beautiful and smart, we love her so much! Something about Ellie that always boggles our minds is how she has such a great memory. I mean, this girl can remember things and places and people from years ago and she is only 4! Certainly it is apparent that some gifts are innate and she definitely was born with a wonderful memory-- she is going to do awesome in school.

Our Magdalyn Beth... is growing!! She is 18 months now and cuter than ever. She has lots of curls so we are convinced she will have curly hair but you never know. She is such a sweet girl, loving to give everyone big hugs and kisses almost whenever requested!!! She thinks she is as big as her brother and sister and is always trying to keep up with them. Maggie is as goofy as she is cute and she is already our silly child. Just the past few weeks she has started trying to say more things. She doesn't have a real extensive vocabulary... why does she need it when she has a big brother and sister around to do all her talking for her and when she has got her parents jumping whenever she grunts and points?!? Maggie loves to sing and dance and run and play... she is so sweet!

Our goofy girl.

Daniel is busy with work and enjoying his new job. I think he wishes he didn't have to rely on others so much to accomplish what he needs to, but I am sure that will resolve itself over time. As you can tell, we are doing well and loving our new place. We miss Austin and our friends there but know this is where we were meant to be. We love it and are certainly staying entertained and busy.