Our little Family

So, as you can tell we got our family pictures taken a few weeks ago. Our first ones as a family of 4. It was the first time in a long time that Caleb was involved in our photo studio experience, and he now can understand why it is so stressful for me. Luckily, we are all just naturally cute, ;-) so we were able to get a good picture, despite the poor efforts of the photographer. In 15 minutes, she took 7 photos, that's right- 7. And it is not like they don't want to waste film or something from a different decade. So out of those 7, half had someone, usually a kid, tipping over or making a weird face. So really we got 2, where you could see us... The one next to our profile, and this one...

And then 2 where you can't really see our faces, but you can assume that it is us...

Of course, this really just makes me anxious for the boys birthday pictures next year and how well those always go. Oh well, I guess I would have to actually pay someone decent money if I wanted and easy and flawless photo experience, or I would just have to not have kids, and neither of those are going to happen. So for now, we just have to love what we can get.

Merry Christmas

We actually decorated our tree and put up decoration right after Thanksgiving, but life tends to be out of order, so why should the blog be any different.

Here is Gavin getting ready to hang his ornament on the tree. He was Mom's big helper with decorating.

This is how Dad and Henry chose to help from one side of the couch, and Rachel on the other... though Rachel was far more supportive about decorating that the two guys on the couch with her.

Since the holiday seems to bring with it a lot of treats.... this picture had to be shared for all the kids who eat too much candy. This box was a gift from our friend Nicole. I opened and gave a piece to Gavin and put it away to go and read some mail. When I was done I realized that it had been really quite so I called Gavin who just made a grunting sound to let me know he was in the kitchen. Turns out that his mouth was so full of chocolate that he couldn't open it to speak. This is what I found and all I could do was laugh.

Put 'em to work

So we went to Lowes the other day in preparation for the coming snow store. We needed a new snow shovel because I broke the other one during the last storm. (Not, of course, that I am saying that I have super human strength or anything- but it was our neighbors, who are famous for collecting junk and anything that they can salvage off the side of the street, or actually in the street sometimes, so I don't think it had much life left in it.) Anyway, while we were there, Gavin spotted this....

Since you can see that my couch is behind him, I obviously bought it. But who wouldn't? What a great idea. I mean, why should Caleb and I have to take care of clearing all the snow when there is someone living here who truely enjoys cold and nasty weather, and add to that a tiny sized and ergonimically correct snow shovel.... I say "Put 'em to work!"

So when we woke up on Saturday with once again, about 5 more inches of very wet and heavy snow, you can guess who was ready to get "dressed on" (as we say at our house) and head straight out to shovel the sidewalk and the driveway. Look at him go-

What a worker. I wanted to take some video, but of course I got the response, "I can't right now Mom, I'm too busy. I have to go to work." Luckily, since he still seems to be figuring out the effeciency of the tool, Dad also came out to help and throw some snowballs. We are certainly in for some trouble if we keeping getting this kind of snow all winter, but my sidewalk and driveway will be clear.

Temple Square Lights

On Saturday night, we went to see the lights at Temple Square with Nathan and Stacy and the girls. It was a cold night, but the lights were beautiful with all of the new snow. The kids really loved the lights and riding the trax a few blocks to get to the temple.

Here they are all bundled up and ready to go.

This is how Henry saw the lights, all snuggled up and cozy. He actually went to sleep even before we got on the warm train to head back to the car.
Just a few really nice shots of the snowy lights and trees.

Lots of Snow

Last Wednesday, we had a solid cover of snow when we woke up in the morning. From the first moment after breakfast, Gavin kept begging me to go outside and play. So after Henry went down for his morning nap, we headed out. Gavin kept saying, "Wow, it sure is fun to play in the snow." When I got the camera to try and get him to say it, he wasn't interested, but I did get a cute video of him playing.

Then on Saturday morning, we woke up to more snow, and it just kept snowing until the mid afternoon. This was the view out our door, and I had already shoveled the sidewalk once.

Gavin and Caleb went out and built several snowmen that afternoon. And had a great time throwing snow and building. I finally got Gavin some snowboots, since he insists on walking in the snow everywhere we go.
Henry got to go out for a few minutes, here is his super close up. (Yep, I know his face is dirty.)