Nutcracker

I had the opportunity to take Audrey to the Nutcracker for the first time and it was really fun. I love the Nutcracker because I performed from age 8 to 16 in a community ballet. I have shared the music with my children each Christmas and we have a great book that tells the story. Well, Audrey and I had a wonderful night together. We got all dress up and enjoyed the show. I loved seeing Audrey's face light up as the characters danced before her and brought the story to life. She loved the Snow Queen, Dew Drop Fairy and of course the Sugar Plum Fairy. Since going to the show she has been drawing pictures all about it. I look forward to taking Audrey again next year and hopefully someday watching her perform in it.

Cute Audrey

Mommy and Audrey waiting for the show to start.

Bunk Beds

We are getting ready for our new baby to come so it was time to move Adalyn to a big girl bed. We decided to do bunk beds for the girls and they were super excited and Talmage was sweet and excited for them too. They have built many forts already and enjoy many hours playing. I think bunk beds are the ultimate beds for kids.

Adalyn has also recently potty trained which is so great! She is doing awesome and wants nothing to do with diaper or pull-ups; luckily she stays dry at night. We are so proud of her and can't believe the big girl she is becoming.

Jensen Time/Day of Service

The last day in Utah we spent it with the Jensens and boy was it a busy day. At my parents house we were making the annual apple pies. I had fun with many of my nieces and nephews making pies. Then at my sister Lisa's home their was a group putting together a tree for the Festival of Trees. My parents chose decorating a tree as part of our service project we do each year. We weren't heavily involved because we live out of state, but I enjoy sewing some last minute stars and Gordon helped secure the tree with my brother-in-law Jeff. Gordon also enjoy a Uncles against the nephews basketball game. The kids had a wonderful time playing the day away with their cousins. Then that night we had some extended Jensen family come for dinner and games; it was a fun busy day.

One of the groups that made pies.

Audrey had fun putting the water around the edge of the pies.

More reinforcements

Ashley, Audrey, and Anna

These girls had so much fun coloring all afternoon.

Samuel, Jacob, Jeffrey, Josh, Spencer and Talmage

They were playing Star Wars Risk and making up their own rules they had a great time.

Me and my new nephew Micheal; he's very cute and I was excited to finally meet him.

Adalyn getting some stars to put on the tree.

Daddy helping Adalyn hang her star up high.

All the grandkids after hanging the ornaments

Roughly what the tree looked liked. My sister Melanie and sister-in-law Sarah did an awesome job decorating the tree and putting everything together.

The Nativity that sat next to the tree; it was very beautiful.

Bowling

I'm a little out of order but Thanksgiving night we went bowling. Gordon and his brother Grant set up for a large group to go bowling. We had Jensens, Thomas' and Shephards all together bowling. The kids had a great time bowling; Adalyn even enjoyed getting in on the action. We had a fun night and it was fun sharing it with both sides of our family.

Talmage, Anna, Audrey, Lauren, and Adalyn.

Adalyn bowling.

Audrey bowling.

Lauren bowling

Anna bowling

Talmage bowling

Grandpa Jensen, Lauren, Audrey, and Papa

Me and my sister-in-law Diane

Talmage got his first strike and won a frisbee; he was really excited!

T is Talmage and you can see his strike on the eighth frame.

Mommy and Adalyn.

The Elves at Gardner Village

The day after Thanksgiving we went for a fun Thomas outing to see the Elves at Gardner Village. The elves on display are very cute and the shops are really fun to visit. One of the highlights of the trip was riding the TRAX (commuter train) from Daybreak where Grammy and Papa live to Gardner Village. The weather was quite nice and we enjoyed eating candy at the candy store and just taking our time walking around. Grammy spoiled all of the grandchildren by buying the girls rings and the boys motorcycles. We had a great time!

Talmage and Dylan

Audrey enjoying the train ride.

Papa and Grammy with the grand kids.

Audrey playing peek-a-boo with Eli on the train.

Papa with Dylan and Talmage

Grammy with Emma and Audrey

Audrey

Cute Eli

Mommy and Adalyn

The girls modeling their new rings.

The family on the bridge.

Adalyn and Daddy

The treelot

The gingerbread house.

Everyone cute and holding hands on the walk back to the train.

Adalyn on the train; she was so excited and had a huge smile on her face the whole time.

Adalyn and Emma on the ride back.

Thomas Thankgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Utah; it was so great to be with family. Thanksgiving morning Gordon played football and had a great time and I went and hung out with the kids at Grant and Lindsee's. Then we went back to Grammy and Papa's and made turkeys; the kids had a great time eating and making their turkeys. After turkey's we had a lovely dinner it was so delicious. We were very thankful to be our Thomas family for Thanksgiving.

The whole crew.

The turkey close up; this one had antennas.

Adurey and her turkey.

Cute Adalyn and her turkey.

Dylan and Talmage.

These boys had so much fun all weekend playing legos, wii and wrestling; they were really cute together.

The girls and their turkeys.

The turkeys on display; or what was left of them.

The beautiful table.

Silly Picture.