Mini Trek

 Saturday, Jan. 19th from 2-10 pm there was a stake pioneer mini trek.  It was really fun.  Nancy and I made bonnets and skirts for our girls.  Look at how adorable little Kelsey is in a bonnet!  Kate kept hers on all day.  They were soooo cute!

 A few family photos before we load into the carts.

(I just love that pioneer clothing adds 50 pounds to your waistline.  I do have jeans on under that.  I haven't let myself go that much!)
These are the same handcarts we used on the trek and the kids were very excited to get to do this activity.  They got to ride in the cart and they sang all the while.

 When we got there they had a parade of handcarts and Nancy went up front with the girls while Nathaniel made sure no one stuck their arms into the spokes of the wheel (just a little fear of mine).

 I love this picture of the girls helping from behind...and doesn't Tanner just look adorable in that hat Nana had made?!

 Next was games.  Nathaniel ran the stick pull for me and that was a huge help.  Here he is with our kids.  He was letting them feel like they had a chance...even Nana couldn't save them.

 Daddy didn't have quite the same luck with Dallin.

 Grandma Sorenson vs. Nana

Grandma Sorenson vs. Tanner...I think he had a chance!

There were other games, ice cream (gotta love the Lundreen's), dinner, a hoedown (which the girls LOVED!), and a video from the trek.  It was so fun to go, not just because I went on the trek, but because I am my mother's daughter and have a great love of all things pioneer.  I am glad I could share it with my kids.

Tanner turns 3

 I can't believe this little guy is 3.  He is still my little guy and he has me wrapped around his finger (I hate to admit that).  I love how snuggly he is and how he loves to help me cook and clean.  I love this shy little dude!

 He had spiderman cupcakes and he got a spiderman toy that he LOVES.  I am glad I took the other kids with me to pick it out.

 When we finished singing to him he was scared to blow out the candles.  Daddy had to give him a pep talk.  He still didn't do it (he looks like he is blowing, but he really isn't), he had help (from behind as you can see).

Just a funny side note.  The other day Becca was here hanging out with us.  We had a few treats out that we (Nathaniel, Becca, and I) were snacking on.  One of the kids asked if they could have one.  I had one in my hand that I was handing to Tanner as I am telling her "no, they are just for the adults".  The funny thing is I didn't even realize I was giving him one of those very treats.  I didn't see the irony in it until Becca and Nathaniel started to laugh and pointed out how much I favor him.  I need to pay more attention to that or the kids will think I love him more.  I tell ya, that kid gets away with way more than my other kids ever did.  I don't even really know what it is about him that does it, but I am trying to crack down or I'm hosed!

January randomness

 Aunt E and Kelsey (Kelsey is wearing her "Aunt Elizabeth loves me" shirt)

 I love this picture because I have a million pictures of me as a kid and I always have something in my mouth...always (hmmm...that may be why I need to lose weight)

 Kelsey started scooting around in mid Dec.  She barely got up on her hands and knees this week to graduate to an official crawl.  Either way, she has been moving around and getting herself stuck in places.

 Poor cousin Austen, he is a sitting duck strapped in there.  Don't worry, I rescued him.

 Trampoline hair!

 Yesterday was soooo nice (82* I think) we had to go have a picnic at the park.  Kelsey had to squint to look at me since it was so sunny.  It felt delightful!  The sun on my back and the slightest breeze.  I love Arizona...have I mentioned that?!

 Barefoot, shorts, and T-shirts in January!  Love it!

Kelsey is into making an absolute mess of everything she eats.  Not my favorite stage of eating, but at least she can feed herself!

Lunch at School

 The stay at home kids and I like to go to the school and eat with the girls every once in a while.  The girls get so excited and I love the memories we make.  I remember my Dad coming in to eat lunch with me in Elementary school.  I cherish those memories.  He would always bring in those pink snoballs.  I brought those in once for my girls to carry on the tradition and they didn't go over very well.  What?!

Anyway, Kate taught Nathan that you can drink your applesauce through a straw.  (Does that remind anyone else of Better Off Dead?)

 Kelsey is just waiting for someone to share their food with her.  She is willing to eat anything!

 Not the best picture of either of them, but that was all I could get.  The girls love showing off their little siblings to their friends.  I think this was the first time I ate lunch with just my kids.  They usually invite several other girls to join us (Abby is a regular visitor, we really like her).  I don't mind that, but it was nice this time with just us. 

Christmas

 We always put up the gate in the hallway so I don't miss a thing.

 Nana, Papa, Dane, and Neve stopped by just as the kids were waking up.  I had to get Kate to go wake everyone else up.  It was after 7!  I was wondering why they chose that day to sleep in...that's the day I can't sleep!

 I'm pretty sure this was his favorite present.

 Kelsey's first Christmas!

 Santa brought us geo trax and a wii.  Yay!  Thanks Santa.  Now I can do zumba here at home and the kids love netflix and the games.  I love that Santa always knows exactly what I want.

 The girls checking out their new bracelets.

 He is trying really hard to get that box open.

These are for my girls for their room.  Nancy cut out the headboard and the "buttons" and she helped me cover it and put it all together.  I love that she is so handy.