New Years Eve

New Years Eve this year was fun and low key.  We did a little celebration with the kids about 8 o'clock and then Gordon and I went to a party with our friends after the kids were asleep.  Our party consisted of eating Cafe Rio (YUMMY), dancing to Firework and other songs, wearing party hats, popping party favors and blowing streamers.  We were lucky to have Papa Thomas with us; I unfortunately have no pictures with him.  He was up saying goodbye to his Dad who passed away after the beginning of the year.  We loved Great-Grandpa Thomas so much; he will be missed. 

Joseph not liking the party hat.

Now he's happy.

Audrey getting ready to burst like a firework off the chair.

Talmage blowing his streamer.

Joseph wondering what all the confetti is about.

Audrey

Adalyn

World Forestry Center

In between Christmas and New Years we headed to the World Forestry Center for some family fun; thanks to a Living Social deal.  The World Forestry Center teaches all about what happens in different forests all over the world and how trees are harvested.  They also teach about forest conservation and the process of replanting trees after an area has been harvested.  The WFC was really fun and the kids had a great time with all of the hands on stuff.  

River rafting with Daddy; he made it a FUN ride.

Mommy and Joseph

The girls in the courtyard.

Adalyn exploring different forest animals.

Talmage learning about forest fires.

Safari ride in Africa forest.

Joseph by the HUGE wheel of the tree harvester machine.

Replanting trees.

Daddy's mask

Audrey's mask.

Lumberjack Audrey

Lumberjack Adalyn

Lumberjack Joseph....well trying.

Playing in the Lumberjack cloths.

The train in front of the center; it really use to pull logs.

The tree harvester machine.

Christmas 2012

We had a wonderful Christmas day!  We have so much fun seeing the excitement and joy in our children's eyes. We started the morning off by remembering Christ by reading Luke 2 as a family and and having family prayer on our bed. I have to say this is one of my favorite traditions we have.  We then moved out to the family room and the fun began.  

We had a wonderful time opening gifts, talking to loved ones, watching and participating in the Jensen lip sync (thanks Facetime), and hanging out with the Wises and playing Wii that night.  What a wonderful day we had; we feel truly blessed.  

  

Lining up to see what Santa brought them.

The girls loved their doll house.  

Joseph excited for his Elephant.

Talmage loving his new nerf gun and ammo vest.

He had to taste the Elephant to make sure it tasted good and was worthy to play with.

Talmage all decked out and ready for a nerf battle. 

I love this picture of Adalyn.

The kids got Daddy his own remote control car.  

We headed to our church later in the afternoon and the boys had fun racing their car and truck.

Every girl needs a Prince to go with their Princess.

No Christmas is complete without Lego/Hero Factory.

The girls playing with their doll house.  

This was a gift for the girls but Talmage and Joseph love it too.

Joseph loves playing the piano over and over and turning on the lamp. Talmage has made his lego/Hero Factory guys part of the game too.  My mommy heart is warm to see them all playing together.  

Thomas breakfast.

This breakfast is so amazing and I love that Gordon makes it.  

Christmas Eve

We were lucky this year to spend Christmas Eve with our close friends the Wises.  We had a lovely dinner together and then the kids acted out the Nativity for us.  I love Christmas Eve and the feeling of reverence it creates in this busy time of year.  We are so grateful for the gift of Jesus Christ in our lives and this time of year to remember Him.  

  

Dinner 

Acting out the Nativity

Tommy, Adalyn, and Audrey.

Cute Joseph

Santa calling our kids before they went to bed.

Treats left for the Reindeer by Talmage. 

Cookies, milk, and note left by Audrey.

Dear Santa, I hope you have a Merry Christmas.  Love Audrey

Peacock Lane

A Portland Christmas favorite is seeing the lights on Peacock Lane.  Most of the houses are decorated with Christmas light and carolers are singing which is really fun.  We had a good time but we were unimpressed after growing up with Temple Square lights and lights in general in Utah.  I guess we'll chalk this up to a WEIRD Portland thing.  Some houses were good but their wasn't anything that was amazing and really worth all the hype this short street gets.  We did get to walk under a lot of mistletoe; which is always enjoyable and grossed Talmage out. We did have fun though as a family and had hot chocolate after which completed our fun evening.  

Talmage and Audrey

Adalyn having a great time in the stroller.

One of the more impressive houses.

Mommy and Talmage