Second Half of November

November was another big month for basement improvements where we saw a lot of progress. Scott cut and put in baseboards and he even did the stair baseboards with a cool detail on the top that matched the ones upstairs.

He put up most of the doors and trim as well and the floorboard radiant heaters and then we cleaned it all out, swept and vacuumed, so that we'd be all ready for the carpet guys to install after Thanksgiving.

Elisabeth and Cami (our neighbor) started practicing together for a piano and cello duet they're doing for Christmas. They'll be playing the piano guys version of O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

Nora had a pilgrims presentation at school just before Thanksgiving. All the kids had a memorized line, plus they sang a bunch of songs. I love the song about the 7 continents and all the actions that went with.

We had leftover ship lap board in our garage from when the previous owners did a project and I decided to put it to use in our basement. So I measured and had Scott cut and then I stained them several different wood colors which we put up in our landing when you're coming down into the basement.

And since Dad's so busy in the basement all the time, we've been trying to help out more where we can so Elisabeth, Charles and I put up some Christmas lights,

and Charles put several doorknobs on doors.

The Haggins (Mark and Stacey), invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner. We sure love the Haggin family and are always happy when we get to spend some time with them. And my girls are obsessed with their little dogs and are always begging to go over :). We had a ton of food! They did all the meat, a turkey and a ham, plus we both made mashed potatoes, they made sweet potatoes, we both made green beans, they made stuffing, we both made way too many desserts (we made an eclair cake, frosted gingerbread cookies and a chocolate pie) and I made a holiday quinoa salad. Everything was delicious. Oh, and that morning we played a little football at the retention pond area with the Matson's and the Blacks which was fun for the whole family.

Friday morning we all went to the movies (at AMC if you go to a morning showing it's $4.50 a piece! And all the seats are recliners!) and saw Wonder, which just so happens to be one of Elisabeth's favorite books. Charles and Annabelle have also read it (or had it read to them...Elisabeth read it to Annabelle and Charles' teacher read it to them).

Later that day Stacey came out with us to the irrigation canal, which is a spot I often run on and thought it looked picturesque, and she snapped some pictures for us which I LOVE! Thanks Stacey, you're amazing! Here are some of our favorites:

Scott and I went on a date that night (probably to Home Depot and Walmart which has been happening a lot more lately as we're feverishly trying to finish the basement before Christmas!) and when we came home all the kids were sitting around playing a game...everyone was so happy and laughing and having a good time that I had to take a picture. Usually when we come home they're either watching a movie or half of them are in bed already (which is exactly what we want most of the time) so it was nice to see them all together enjoying one another.

Elisabeth wanted a Casear salad but we didn't have any Casear dressing so she looked one up on pinterest and made it! That's my girl!

We set up the Christmas tree that weekend as well...we actually have two, but we just set up the one that goes in our front room for now. We had to wait for the carpet to be installed in the basement before we set up the other tree down there.

Stockings are hung by the chimney,

I love Christmas lights and Christmas trees!

See the wall I stained on the landing? Well, I didn't stain the wall, I stained the boards and put them up on the wall. 

Monday after Thanksgiving, the carpet guys showed up and said it was too cold in the basement to lay carpet, but that they could start cutting and putting in the padding. So they did and then left around 1-2pm. That night Scott got three of the floorboard heaters working and then we borrowed space heaters from Haggins and Olsens and had them running all night to get the basement nice and toasty warm. 

Oh and see what I learned to do! Scott taught me how to put in an outlet! I did two...only one worked though. Sorry Scott :). Good thing he's a good fixer :).

I am amazed at this boy and the amount he eats (a lot!) and what a wonderful young man he is becoming. We sure are proud of all his hard work at home and school!

Charles won this award at the 6th grade ambassador program that they hold a few times a year and we couldn't be prouder. It says something like, "You have been selected as the most positive and powerful 'wave'...you are a student that exemplifies respect, kindness and hard work. Thank you for your dedicated participation and positive influence." (or something like that). 

Carpet!!!! It totally changes the look of things when carpet is in!  And it sorta makes you think you're about done, which is a big trick! We still have a lot of late nights ahead of us finishing off outlets, trim, some baseboard, caulking, the bathroom is totally unfinished, putting in some more light fixtures and more.

Oh but it's looking so good! We're so excited to see the end product and it's been so fun to do the work and see things coming together. 

Annabelle and Jane played in the lobby at the Festival of Trees in Sandy. They both played very well. We wished we could've stayed to go in and look at all the trees but Nora was at home with a fever and we wanted to get back fast and relieve Elisabeth of babysitting duty.

Oh and then two days later Elisabeth got the fever as well. It was a fever and respiratory thing, could have been the flu. Scott got it Sunday, two days after Elisabeth. I just got a cough and the whole respiratory part without the fever and Annabelle and Charles stayed healthy throughout which is good, but Jane got the fever and cough too. 

Luckily we are all over our fevers and just have a little bit of the lingering coughs. I did lose my voice and don't completely have it back yet but it's getting better.

First half of November

Poor Nora stayed home sick from school; low fever, stuffy head and a sore throat. She slept while I cleaned. We read books together. She slept while I cooked. We rubber essential oils on her feet and back. I'm sure she'll be on the mend soon, but it was nice to have her around for the day. It was a pajama kind of day. 

We made a quick stop at Bath adn Body Works as they were having a $3 soap sale (normally $6). And they even wrapped them in cellophane, free of charge. Just getting prepared for Christmas, teacher gifts etc.

Once the drywall was all done we had a lot to do before we got the carpet in: wiping down the walls,

we primed the walls and ceiling,

Scott spray painted the doors, ceiling and baseboards/trim. We did forget about a couple of closet doors that I painted with a brush later...it just doesn't look as good with a brush. 

I painted the gym, then we put the gym floor down during FHE, 

I spent the weekday mornings (mostly) painting the rest of the walls, 

and I picked out and ordered the carpet. 

We made a pumpkin roll one Sunday afternoon...we often make baked goods on Sunday, it's a fun family activity. 

And Nora kept sneaking the powdered sugar.

Jane was recognized at school for being 'perfectly honest' in their builder of the month assembly. We're so proud of her.

And we had another student of the month! Elisabeth was recognized by her health teacher. So proud of all the kids! 

Jane is playing indoor soccer this season and Scott is coaching! She's having fun playing with a few of her good friends on the team.

Date night with Nora at Kneaders!

Elisabeth had a busy Saturday, she ran a 5k (fundraiser/eagle scout project) in the morning with Charles and Scott, then she came home feeling sick and feverish, and while she rested on the couch I jolted her out of her peace after I got a text from her piano teacher reminding us she had a piano compeition in ten minutes! We made it, a little late, but she did it and she made it to the finalists recital for that evening! We came home, she got back into her comfy clothes to rest for a bit until the recital. 

She ended up winning 2nd place for her division.

We took this after our wards primary program. This was my first time writing and conducting a primary program (I've written one before) and it went well. The kids did beautifully and all the small musical numbers were perfect as was the ASL to gethsemane. I know the Lord was with me, helping me to keep a clear and focused mind, and with the children as they sang.

Another Sunday baked treat, pumpkin cookies with butter cream frosting!

 The girls have been into creating movies lately using an app called imovie. It all started when Elisabeth made a movie trailer for a book report at school. It's a really cool trailer. And now the kids have made several short movies combining short clips and pictures.

End of October

October was when the drywallers came in and hung drywall, did the mud, tape and texture. It took about 7ish working days which seemed so fast since we can only work at things in the evenings or on weekends when we get an hour or two! 

Jane, Annabelle and Elisabeth all had Fall/Halloween piano recitals and all played beautifully. Charles doesn't have recitals with guitar but he's learning so much and really likes it. He will have his first band concert in December where he'll be on the percussion!

Elisabeth finished reading the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price so we celebrated with a dinner date and she chose Chuck-a-Rama.

The weather has been cooling down so Scott and I have been doing more indoor exercise. Sometimes the kids will join in on Saturdays. 

 The Wilcox family had a few extra tickets to the BYU football game so Scott, Charles and his friend Michael were able to go.

 They got to high-five some of the players after the game which was a highlight! And BYU won which was a pleasant surprise.

 The tickets come with a tent buffet plus they give you vouchers for other treats so Scott and Charles each got their own Cougar Tail, which is basically 3 maple bars combined into one!

 Ben and Brigham Wilcox, Michael and Charles.

 Scott, Brian and Maren Wilcox, and Brian's sister.

 We had a ward Trunk or Treat and soup dinner. Jane and her good friend Sammi both dressed up as Mal from Decendants. Jane didn't want to wear her wig because it was scratchy, and it was pretty out of control with hairs that were impossible to tame. Thanks Becca and Bella for letting us have the costume, it was a dream come true for Jane!

 As per usual, we set aside a bunch of candy which we will use when we make gingerbread houses.

 Annabelle was kind enough to help Nora with her halloween makeup.

 I surprised the kids on Halloween by making chocolate chip pumpkin muffins and bringing it to them at school with a little note to have a "bootiful" day.

 Charles was kind enough to help Jane with her piano on Halloween while I was helping others get ready. He took a little siesta while he helped...he's that good!

 We didn't get a picture with Elisabeth because she ran out early with her friend Emma, but we did get her in her minion costume for her piano recital. Charles was an army guy (in grampa Smith's old jacket), Jane was Mal, Annabelle was Jasmine and Nora was a pirate (which costume we got from a costume swap the library put on. Brilliant!)

 I wore dad's sarape.