Life is good....

Dan just took the kids out for the day leaving Elijah and I to have a little R and R and a chance to clean up the house. What a week it has been!!! Dan's dad came out last Thursday and we had a chance to play over the weekend- allowing the kids to get out some of their wiggles and to spend some quality time as a family. On Friday we took the kids to the zoo and were able to see the new babies: the elephant and the giraffe. It was a gorgeous, chilly day and we took our time walking the park and stopped to eat lunch. It was great spending time with Nana and Papa and to finally spend time outside! On Saturday we attended a Halloween event at a local shopping area. The kids rode ponies and went on a tractor ride. We were glad to squeeze in the event as the dark clouds were rolling in. That night the rain came. After a fun weekend, Deb and Richard boarded the plane to go home. We had had Nana for almost a month and were so sad to see her off. We had such a nice visit and she truly was a life saver allowing me the much-needed assistance for postpardom recovery and the transition to being a mother of three. She worked so hard the whole time she was here, feeding kids, bathing kids, playing with kids and cleaning! It was also nice for the kids to be able to spend all of the time with their Nana. Thank you Deb for everything!!!

On Sunday, we enjoyed a rainy day at home in our sweats watching General Conference. The kids did really well, considering the long length of the broadcast. It is always so uplifting hearing the messages from our church leaders. Among the talks were topics such as personal virtue and strengthening the family. I look forward to having the printed copies soon to read without children's interuptions. This week has been a busy one as we have tried to adjust to the one to three ratio during the day. We have had a few successful outings with the kids and I by ourselves-a grocery trip to Target (an interesting one- the kids found those annoying echo toy microphones and were singing abnoxiously throughout the store. I didn't mind because they were happy! I couldn't help but laugh as other adults looked on at us like we were crazy!) and a day of gymnastics and shopping. I am learning that you can't be in a hurry. It takes 2x as long to get up and down the 3 flights of stairs and its a juggle getting 3 kids back and forth to the car and in their car seats. Corom still needs to be carried or heavily assisted up and down the stairs and to the car. I am going to get strong quickly! I am finding that we are all happier when we do a short morning outing and are home in time for lunch and naps. I am normally so all-over with my schedule. I think this will be the hardest challenge. Children need structure! (I suppose I do too) Corom has been napping really well, which gives me a chance to rest a little and enjoy time with Noelle, doing art projects and such.

As for life as a family, we are loving out little addition! I cannot believe the joy that comes with the birth of a new baby. Elijah has a really sweet disposition and a presence in our home already. Dan has been really busy, but our evenings are full of life when he gets home. I was down in the courtyard last night and could hear Dan and the kids laughing and squealing. They were playing hide and go seek with Dan as the hider and the kids as the seekers. The kids would find him and then would chase him around the house. Such is the life of the Aldamas. We are really loud and play really hard. (Our poor neighbors) I hope someday that my children will remember how much fun we have as a family. Next week is fall break for Dan and we are looking forward to catching up on appointments and getting out a little. I haven't been getting sleep at night, so I can't wait to have a chance to rest a little and to have Dan home to help! Enjoy the pictures! I am taking more than I know what to do with. I just want to capture our lives right now. The kids are all at such fun ages. (Corom especially- he's so silly!!!) 

Hope all is well! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Uncle Julio and congratulations to you and Nikki for signing the papers to your new house! First time home owners- we are so excited for you!!!

This one of Elijah was taken today- out of his newborn clothes. This is his first day in big-boy clothes. (0-3 months) Why doesn't he sleep like this at night???

His facial expressions are starting to resemble smiles- I love it!

He's not a big fan of his swing, but what's a mom to do? I would love to hold him all of the time, but have to put him down at times! I think his siblings like the swing more than he does!

Corom and Papa- he loved it! We are really introducing animals to Corom. So fun to see real ones and to actually get to ride on one!

That face says it all!

I thought I'd put this one in, even though Noelle is frowning. It is so rare to get a picture of myself. I am usually behind the camera!

Doesn't he just melt your heart? I am in love!

The event was a witch festival!

Deb and Richard took the kids to the hotel for the weekend!

A fun day at the zoo. Child number 3 was sleeping in the stroller!