Fort Vancouver

Today our family went to Fort Vancouver and it was really awesome. Talmage has really wanted to go since we moved but it just hasn't happened for one reason or another. So, when I woke up today and it was sunny outside I said to Gordon, "Let's go to the Fort Vancouver today." He said sure but to make it really happen I told the kids, so their was no backing out. It was a little on the cold side and it rained on us a little but overall it was nice weather; we have learned that you can't let the weather stop you here.

I was surprised when we got there at how many buildings were inside the Fort. We drive past it often and you can't see what's inside the walls but we toured ten different buildings. So the Fort was headquarters for the Hudson Bay Company in the 1800's. Beaver skins were the hot trade because beaver hats were popular in England at the time. The Fort was built to keep out thieves not for war/protection purposes; two thousand plus trees make up the Fort. We toured the Chief Residence, the kitchen (they were making a period meal that day for the volunteers), the Bake house, Indian Trade Shop, Blacksmith Shop, Carpenter Shop, Counting House, Jail, Bastion (look out tower), and Infirmary. They had people in period costumes running the different buildings and it was really fun. It was a lot like This is the Place Monument in Salt Lake, for those who have been there.

Anyway we had a wonderful time and learned a lot; it was a wonderful family outing.

These cannons were never fired. They were placed in front of the house to signify that an important person lived in the house. Talmage loved the cannons.

Mommy and Audrey on the cannon.

The Blacksmith Shop.

This was Gordon's highlight of our visit; we learned a lot.

Talmage watching the Blacksmith make fire.

Adalyn feeling a Bobcat fur; she liked how soft it felt. She woke up when we got to the building and she was all smiles.

Adalyn walking across the lawn.

Another Cannon

Adalyn loved looking out the window of the Bastion because she could see the trains going by and the cars going across the I - 5 bridge. She kept saying "tain, tain!" It was so cute.

Up in the Bastion (look out tower). The cannons were only used to salute ships that passed by on the Columbia River.

Talmage in front of the Bastion. This was the highlight of the trip for Talmage because we got to climb to the top.

Talmage and Adalyn walking hand in hand back to the car. He is so cute with her and she just adores him. Adalyn loves to take and get Talmage at the bus. She waves and blows kisses when he leaves and gives him big smiles and hugs when he comes off the bus.

New Years Eve

We had a fabulous New Years Eve in California. We ate amazing food, played games, the kids watched shows, and we all ate some more. One the menu that night was Monte Christo sandwiches and they were beyond delicious. So here are the ingredients to a beyond delicious sandwich: first you start off with some sour dough bread, add ham, turkey and swiss cheese. Then you dip the sandwich in pancake batter and deep fry. The finishing touch is spreading jam on top and sprinkle with powder sugar. I know that it sounds weird and like it should be gross, but it is delectable. My Brother-in-law Jared and his wife Michal made them and they delivered big time. We also had some wonderful homemade mushroom soup that was a big hit as well; thanks Mom.

We did midnight early for the kids and we all had such a fun time blowing our noise makers, yell "Happy New Year," and making all sorts of noise. The kids had fun getting cup fulls of "belly flops" (a non store worthy Jelly Belly) and eating to their hearts desire. However, we found all the not so good kinds chewed up and spit out random places.

Gordon early that day went a road dirt bikes with his brother Jared and his Dad. He had a really fun time and has the battle wounds to prove it.

Thanks to Grammy and Papa, and Jared, Michal and family for a wonderful New Years and visit to California.

The Adults

My New Years KISS!

Adalyn trying to say "cheese" while eating her ice cream.

Cute Meg celebrating.

Talmage and Ian celebrating.

Audrey and her party favors.

Cute girls in pink pj's eating chips.

Fun in California

After Christmas we headed to California for some fun with Grammy and Papa and cousins. We had fun hanging out, and playing games; Gordon and Talmage loved playing on the Wii. We went to Tangled which we all loved; Talmage has written Audrey a book about the movie and it is super cute. Then we went to the Jelly Belly factory for a tour which was really fun.

At the factory we had fun tasting delicious jelly beans and some not so delicious. We tried dog food, baby wipe, pencil shaving, barf, and boogger - I think my Uncle Robert would have liked all of these flavors. My favorite is pear and we got to sample that one as well - yum! It's amazing to think of all of the jelly beans and other candy that are made there. What makes a Jelly Belly jelly bean so special is that the inside and outside shell are flavored. Also we learned the the inside of a jelly bean origins dates back to Turkish Delight. Anyway, we had a wonderful time at the factory and learned a lot about jelly beans. Oh, a couple more facts. The jelly beans that aren't good enough to sell are called "belly flops." We bought a couple of bags, so come and visit and we will share. Also the Jelly Bellys that fall on the floor are sold to local farmers as pig feed. The sugar is said to make their meat more tender - who knew.

Audrey and Grammy in front of a picture made out of Jelly Bellies - AMAZING! They have a whole gallery of art pieces made out of Jelly Bellies in the factory. Some of the pictures are of Elvis, The Statue of Liberty, Spiderman, etc. This one is of Ronald Reagan because he made Jelly Belly's famous by having them first at the Governors office in California and then as a President.

We had some chocolate treats before we started our tour. Talmage got a chocolate cell phone. The adults shared a "mudslide" which had rice krispies, peanut butter, chocolate, and marshmallow; is was sooooo good.

Audrey and her flower chocolate lolly pop.

Adalyn couldn't wait to taste hers.

The Boys

Grammy and Audrey

Mommy and Adalyn. Adalyn loved her hat and did a good job of keeping it on the whole tour.

Our gift for touring the factory; not too shabby.

Meg and Adalyn

Audrey and Browen having a sleepover.

Talmage and Ian having a sleepover; they stayed up till midnight playing legos. They are cute boys.

Christmas Day

We had a wonderful Christmas Day. The kids had fun opening their gifts and seeing what Santa brought for them. The best part of the day is that we didn't have to rush anywhere. Our kids actually got to play with their gifts on Christmas. Between skyping and talking on the phone we played legos, kitchen and princess Barbies. The kids loved seeing their grandparents and cousins on skype.One of the highlights of the day was Thomas breakfast. Gordon cooked up potatoes, omelets, sausage and biscuits it was delicious. We had a wonderful relaxing day!

Thomas breakfast

Aunt Myrissa made Audrey and Adalyn beautiful Ragady Ann dolls; it even has a little heart embroidered on it that says "I love you, Audrey." They are so beautiful and Audrey has named her Nina. Thanks Aunt Myrissa!

Talmage's lego creations. He had fun building with Mom and Dad.

Talmage modeling his new ninja costume.

This is what most of day looked like talking to people on skype.

Christmas Eve

As we have had many first this year as a family, Christmas Eve was no different. This was the first year that we have spent Christmas Eve as our little family. I decided to make it a really nice dinner like my family does and so we got out the china and a beautiful tablecloth to make the dinner extra special. Audrey put a dress on for the occasion so that she could look nice. Talmage and Audrey were excited to eat on our nice China. Well, we had a delicious dinner complete with Christmas jell-o; Christmas Eve just dosen't feel complete without jell-o.

After dinner we reenacted the Nativity story. Audrey played Mary(she was so cute as Mary) and a Wise Man, Adalyn was the Angel and a Wise Man, Talmage was Joseph and a Wise Man, I was a Shepard and Gordon was the Donkey. We had fun being many different parts but it also made the flow a little tricky. We felt blessed to be together as a family and share in the wonder of Christ's birth.

I made way too much food.

It was delicious!

Christmas Eve Lunch

For Christmas Eve lunch we were invited to the home of Carol and Randy Rash. Carol is the daughter of Lorace who is married to Gordon's Grandpa. We were grateful to be invited and feel the love of family that actually lives close to us. Audrey loved cuddling with her Great-Grandpa Thomas during the party. We enjoyed getting to know Loraces family especially her granddaughter Kristi. Kristi has three boys the same age as our kids and they had fun together. Talmage especially had fun with Evin they hit it off right away. We had a wonderful lunch and it was a great way to start our Christmas festivities.

Our family with Great Grandpa and Grandma Thomas

Audrey and Grandma Lorace

Talmage and Evin playing on Gordon's phone.

We all fell asleep on the way home.