IT'S A ...

Final count...1 boy, 3 girls. We are very excited. I was worried about Tyler not getting a brother, but he's been giddy excited. Grace couldn't be happier, and Elsie is even warming up to the idea of a new baby. Generally she just yells, "No Way" when someone talks to her about a new baby. (She is very comfortable in her role as her mommy's baby) When she gets to say family prayers and we are whispering the words to her, she repeats everything perfectly until we say to bless the baby in mommy's tummy. Then she pauses for a minute, and then says "yep." Now she is talking about a baby sister, so I guess she's good with it. We are anxious to meet her and are happy we can put a pronoun with her and can stop calling her "it".

Tyler Turns 7

After the kid's parties last year I made a deal with them for this year. We would switch from friend parties and family parties every other year. On family party years they would get a bigger present, since I'm not spending money on a party. Best. Deal. Ever. It was so nice not planning a huge party for 20+ kids this year. Tyler was thrilled with his new DS, and we had a fun night as a family at Incredible Pizza (Tyler got to pick where to go for dinner). The night before Tyler's birthday my friend, Jacqueline who is an expert cake decorator, let me come sit in on her cake decorating class and then let me borrow some of her things. Tyler loved his Toy Story cake. (Thanks Jack).

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. A few days before Christmas I started to finally feel better, thankfully, and was well enough to enjoy Christmas. Despite my being sick we managed to do some of our favorite holiday traditions. We went to a live nativity, took a ride on a the Polar Express and got to see Santa, saw the lights at temple square, made gingerbread houses (I made enough for both Tyler and Grace's school classes and got to go help at their class parties. The kids loved decorating their houses). I even managed to get most of our holiday baking done days before Christmas.

The kids also were able to see Santa at our ward party. We were surprised by Elsie jumping right into Santa's arms when he came in, and then threw her arms around him and gave him a big hug. She climbed right up on his lap and told him "pillow pet." All three kids really wanted pillow pets this year. Santa came through. At the ward party Santa had fun going around telling fun stories about ward members. He came over to me and then turned to Mrs. Claus and announced, "Next year they'll need four presents, not three." We had not previously told our ward we were expecting. It was fun to see every one's faces when they figured out what Santa was talking about. I was proud of myself and did not go over board this year. Santa brought them each a pillow pet, and I got them one big present each and a couple of small gifts. Their big gifts were too big to wrap, (bike, trike, art easel), so we had them in the garage Christmas morning. After unwrapping all the very small gifts under the tree we said,"Well, looks like that's it." The kids quickly declared, "This is the best Christmas ever!!!" Huh, really? We hadn't even brought in the big presents yet. Note to self...next year, very small, inexpensive presents thrills the kids. I think that the Wii their Aunt Mandy and family generously gave us this year may have had something to do with it. Overall, it was a wonderful Christmas.

Although I tried to get in all of our regular Christmas festivities despite being sick, I've now realized what I missed. PICTURES! I didn't photograph most of the activities, somehow including Christmas morning. Thankfully Brian had the video camera rolling. Here's what I got.


All the kids in their new Christmas Pajamas. Our tradition is they get to open one present on Christmas Eve. It is always new PJs.

Our Christmas Eve Nativity.

Elsie Turns Two

(I'm a little late on this post, since her birthday was in November.)Elsie has two great loves in her life. 1. Minnie Mouse (and Mickey by association).
2. Her Mommy. Since I wasn't about to attempt a self-portrait cake, I opted for a Minnie Mouse Party. Elsie was in heaven.



Elsie in her new birthday dress from Grandma and Grandpa Anderson, all ready for church. Why, yes! Those are her new Minnie Mouse jammies under the pretty new dress. Yes, she did go to church that way. All I can say is, hey, she had on a dress. I had to fight her to get her out of the jammies for a shower. Then she was quite insistent she put them back on. This was the only way she'd wear a dress to church.


Her cousin Seth gave her a sing-a-ma-jig. This is Brian's favorite new toy (touch of sarcasm). Elsie in her new Minnie Mouse pajamas from her cousin Ally. She loved them.