Missed photos

So I have not been very good at blogging lately. Here are photos of the things I missed in the past few months :) The above and below picture are from Thanksgiving. The kids made potato turkeys.
A classic fall picture. Gordon loved playing in the leaves at Grandma and Grandpa Nielsen's house.
My amazing mother made these adorable chefs outfits for the kids for Christmas. She also got them tons of play food. And soon we will be inheariting a play kitchen that my Grandpa Thompson made back when I was a little girl. I am so excited to see my kids play with something that I played with for hours :)
Every year the kids get Christmas P.J.'s. The bumbo even coordinates :)
I had to throw this picture in of Ella because it is the only time I have gotten her to pose for a picture with the adorable hat on. What a cutie! Thanks Grandma for the cute outfit.

I must be crazy!!!

I have made it a goal for myself to do some type of physical event in-between each pregnancy to make myself get back into shape before the next little bundle of joy comes along. I have done 1/2 marathons in the past but this time I think I might be crazy.

My sister started it....but I am going to run a MARATHON. (Nevada Red Rock Marathon in March). I am going to run with my sister. And Taylor is going to run with her husband and a friend.

I went for my "long run" this morning and surprisingly felt much better than past "long runs". But still I get home after being gone for a LONG time and ask myself, "Am I Crazy!"

Maybe I am, but even with all the pain I have I love it. It is a goal I have had for a long time and it is a great feeling to know come March I will have completed it!

Anyone else want to join us for the fun???

Christmas Service

We really wanted to start a tradition that would help our kids keep Christ at the center of Christmas so this year we started a new family tradition. We decided to do the 12 Days of Christmas Service. Some service projects were smaller than others but all in all it was a season of service for our family and we loved it. Such a wonderful feeling anytime of year but it is magnified at the Christmas season!
1) In the above picture Gordon helped bring in neighbors garbage cans after then had been picked up.
2)We were very blessed to have the opportunity to make and serve dinner to people in the Phoenix Ronald McDonald House. This was by far the highlight of our Christmas season. It was wonderful to talk with this people and to help make their holiday season a little more merry. Their stories were so touching!
3)This sweet woman, Delma, is alone and we decided to brighten her holiday season by getting her lights and putting them up for her. After Christmas we took them down to store them until next year when we plan to go back and hang them again for her.
4)Taylor and I took a little stop by the Red Cross trailer to donate a little blood.
5) Taylor and Gordon surprised Uncle Dan and washed his car.

--these next several we don't have pictures for at the moment...I will try to post them later--

6) Gordon choose out a gift for Ella all by himself.

7) We chose a child from the "Sub for Santa" tree and got them a gift from their wish list.

8) We delivered homemade granola to our friends and neighbors.

9) We went caroling. (With Uncle Cameron dressed up at a Christmas tree--in his jungle sniper suit)

10) We helped Grandma Earl with lots of things while she was very sick during Christmas.

11) We went to visit Aunt Mildred to take her a gift.

12) and while we were there Gordon helped her put the stamps and labels on her Christmas cards.

We feel so blessed! The Christmas season is the best!

Janie and Jack

My in-laws got these adorable outfits for the kids from Janie and Jack and I just adore them! The kids looked so cute I just had to snap a picture. Ella looks like such a big girl in her poodle outfit and Gordon is such a loving big brother. THANKS G&G Earl!

Go Geochaching

It has been awhile but we went Geocaching on Halloween and I think it might be our new family tradition we will do every Halloween. The Hulbert's were kind enough to let us tag along and we had a blast! We did three different ones up on the UCLA campus. We found two of the three and the kids had so much fun on their "treasure hunt". If you have never gone gecaching, google it and do it you will love it!

Here are the boys with the tube we found on our second hunt. Don't let this picture fool you....they were so excited about it. Just not as excited to stop and take a picture :)

Ella LOVES Lori

My dearest friend Lori has really won a special place in Ella's heart! When Lori is around it is common that Ella will go to her and give her a hug or want to be picked up. Lori just recently was called to serve in the nursery. Now Ella get to hang out with her pal every Sunday.

Lori watched Ella this morning while I was helping at Gordon's preschool and when she came home her hair was done. Lori is gifted! It looked adorable!!! I hope that I will be able to make her hair look half that cute and that she will let me :) THANKS LORI!!!

Every other Friday....

Every other Friday we swing downtown get Taylor from work and go to Disneyland. It is so much fun! The kids love the Disney night life :) The above picture, Gordon ran over to this spot and said "Mom take my picture!" I went to grab Ella to be in it and Gordon said "No all by myself Mom." I am glad he is coming around to getting his picture taken.

The kids and Daddy waiting for the Tiki Room show to start (a favorite, we do it almost every time we go!) It was one of my favs growing up as well.

This is the shot I got to take with Ella in it :) Thanks Gordon.
Making their silly faces

Can't resist climbing in a car. Notice Ella's little sweatsuit outfit. She got it from a friend and was so excited about it. Total girl!

What a cutie! I can't wait till the next every other Friday!

Feeling Crafty

My sister-in-law asked for some ideas to make a home-made Christmas ornament. I hoped on-line and found this one by Martha Stewart. So simple and so cheap! And it is so fun to make. All you need is scrapbook paper, scissors, and glue. There are a few more I want to try. When I do I will post 'em up so you can see. :)
p.s. and yes, my Christmas tree is up already!!!

They are growing like weeds!

I love this picture. Gordon has been practicing writing his letters. He is getting better at his name. It is so fun to see him get so excited about it.

Ella has really zoned into being a big sister. She loves having someone else to get all dressed up with. She only has love for her "baby Eden".

A typical morning. Just Gordon and I hanging out waiting for the girls to wake up.

I was doing something and came in the room to find this. Making herself comfortable.

The other night Taylor taught Gordon how to shine his shoes. They had a great time together making their Sunday shoes spiffy for church.


I really can't believe how quickly the kids are growing. It makes me want to savor all of these moments because before I know it these moments will be gone. :)

Underwood Family Farm

We had a great time at the farm, although hectic at moments. The hayride was the highlight :)

Gordon being a good sport and smiling for me right into the sun.

Wow these boys have grown so much since last year when we went. They are so handsome.

Our own version of a Phil and Ted stroller. The kids love it. And maybe someday we will get a real one. For now this one is great! (you can't see but the girls match, adorable!)

Eden's Blessing

October 10th was the day of Eden's blessing. It was a wonderful day. We had family and friends there for this special occasion. The above picture has all the men that participated (minus the bishop he had to head out for a meeting). Thanks to all who came and helped we are so blessed to have wonderful family and friends! The dress Eden is wearing was worn by my Mom and also by me. Giving a child a name and a blessing is one of best things to listen to as a mother. I know how much I love this little girl and our Father in Heaven loves her even more and it is great to hear the blessings that are in store for her. We love you Eden JaNae!

The Dad's with Eden

The Mom's with Eden

Our newest family picture.

The whole gang.

Daddy and Eden just after the blessing

Eden giving Grandpa Earl a silly face. She is a doll!