365.3: WEEK 43

It's full on craziness over here. Halloween is two short days away and I still have to finish sewing costumes and hanging cobwebs. There are only nine weeks left this year and I feel like we already have significant plans for each of those remaining weeks. Last week was no exception. Listening to a silly podcast. Coloring with chalk. Picking out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch. Attending a ballet at Symphony Hall. Going to the school carnival with Mimi and Papa. Playing at one of two family reunions. Feeling under the weather.

October 22nd - October 28th

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365.3: WEEK 42

We have reached the point of the year where time is going to just fly past because of the upcoming holidays and birthday celebrations. There are Halloween costumes to make and holiday card photos to take and Christmas gifts to buy. So far, I have handled the stress well and haven't had any anxiety attacks surrounding these things. We'll see if I make it out of the holiday season unscathed... Last week was mostly great. Going on a family walk in the cooler weather. Seeing my oldest two in action at parent-teacher conferences. Putting out pumpkins. Feeling sick to my stomach. Visiting a nearby fire station for a tour. Washing the car. Having a bad day.

October 15th - October 21

BREAKING OUR FALL

I am three weeks away from my next epic adventure. But memories from my last trip are still fresh in my mind. Last week, during fall break, I decided to make use of my oldest being in fourth grade and obtained a National Park pass from everykidinthepark.gov for our family. If you have a fourth grader, GO CHECK IT OUT. It is a free pass that will get your family into all national parks across the country (and many state parks) at. NO. COST. And since I will basically have a fourth grader each year for the next seven years, you better believe we will be making the most of that pass with every chance that we get.  This last week, we decided to check out Wupatki National Monument up in northern Arizona. It was PHENOMENAL. We visited Montezuma Castle during spring break, but it doesn't even come close to the Wupatki pueblos. At Wupatki, you are able to get up close to (and inside of some of) the pueblos. There are five or six incredible structures in the area that are easily accessible and well maintained. Wupatki is on the same loop as Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, so both areas can be visited in one day. While we drove past Sunset Crater and the [amazing] surrounding lava fields, we didn't take advantage of the proximity. Instead, we drove about an hour southeast to Meteor Crater. Now... I have to be honest. I didn't love Meteor Crater. Part of that comes from the fact that I am the idiot that didn't realize that it is NOT a national park. Oops. After a 50+ mile drive just to get there, I couldn't say no. So I sucked it up and paid the $45 entrance fee for our family. Fine. It was fun, but I found Wupatki to be worlds better. In the end, we all had a wonderful time exploring some of the stunning sights that Arizona has to offer.
BTW, the second to last picture is proof that my kids are not always picture perfect for a photo. I was about 1000% percent done at this point and just ready to go home.

365.3: WEEK 41

I did it. I survived October Break. You know, I'll be honest. Having six kids is difficult. But six kids during October Break is harder than hell. I love my six and our crazy adventures, but I often question myself for having so many kids. Back-to-back, no less. I wouldn't change a thing, though. We play and we learn and we grow (and we crash) together. We create so many memories along the way. So, October Break. Birthday boy. Playing at Anthem Park. Performing chemistry experiments. Finding money from the tooth fairy. Visiting Wupatki Pueblos up north. Enjoying donuts from Papa. Doing puzzles together.

October 8th - October 14th

365.3: WEEK 40

Without even realizing it, I am more than three-quarters of the way finished with my 365 project. I have nine months worth of laughter and tears and accomplishments and love. While a number of the images are posed, a large majority are taken on the spot with little to no staging. AND I LOVE EVERY IMAGE. Doing this project can often feel exhausting for all involved (especially the mr. ...), but the reward is worth it. Here is our week in pictures. Enjoying the rain. Starting ballet with madame mom (finally, those years of dance are paying off). Goofing around at Target. Playing at the library. Attending a birthday party at Fat Cats. Attending a birthday party at Gravity Extreme Zone. Watching tv together in jammies.

October 1st - October 7th

365.4: WEEK 39

Last week sure had its fair share of ups and downs. The week started out emotional, with the death of a friend and old Young Women's leader. This amazing woman (who was only a few years older than I) lost her battle with cancer and left behind five little ones. Things started looking up as the week progressed, when we went on a weekend camp out and began birthday celebrations for our two oldest. Coloring on sister's bed. Drinking "wolf's blood". Passing of a friend. Playing with our frog box. Camping as a ward family. Celebrating birthdays. Birthday boy.

September 24th - September 30th