Gwen Turns 3!

Oh my goodness! Three years old?! When did that happen? Gwen has been anxiously counting down the days for her birthday. She has been so excited to turn 3. Mommy and Caleb spent her birthday driving home from California, so Daddy and the other kids met up with some of our Nielson family at Discovery Gateway for a little birthday fun. Our kids had a blast and loved being with their cousins.

 Mamma, Daddy, Aunt Lisa and Aunt Angel sent Mommy pictures throughout the day of what they kids were up to. Gwen built this tower all by herself. 

 Daddy went and got a little birthday cake and as soon as Mommy was home, Gwen opened a couple of presents and blew out her birthday candles. She was so excited to have a birthday party!

(A couple of weeks ago, Ma taught Gwen how to hold up 3 fingers.)

 She got a Frozen snow wand and some Sophia the First toys. There are more presents to come for her big party.

 She loved having everyone sing to her.

 We've come a long way since her first birthday!

 She loved her cake and ice cream and couldn't wait to start playing with her new toys. 

Happy Birthday, Gwennie!! We love you so, so much!

New Years Adventures

This week ended up being a very eventful and emotional week. Nothing went like it was supposed to. Thankfully, we learned that we can pull together as a family and take care of each other when craziness happens. We were supposed to leave for California the day before New Years Eve for Uncle David's wedding. Unfortunately, a huge storm blew through and we were not able to get there as a family. Mommy and Caleb ended up flying to California with Ma and Pa for the wedding, and then we drove home on Saturday with Dee and Eddie, who were nice enough to change their travel plans and bring us home. Since our whole week changed, we tried to make the most of it. It was sad to not be together as a family, but Daddy took good care of the 3 older kids while Mommy and Caleb were gone.

On New Years Eve, we had some fun munchies and treats and Ma and Pa came down and played games with us. 

 Ma has had diverticulitis for a month and has not been feeling well. Dr. Gwen made sure she got a check up. 

 Gwennie taught Pa how to make carpet snow angels and then told him,

 "You look so embarrassing, Pa."

 No one made it to midnight. We were wiped out this year. 

 New Years Day, we drove up to Ma and Pa's house to drop Mommy and Caleb off. 

 Caleb was so good the entire time we were gone. He was so happy at the airport, then he slept almost the whole fight and was so good and mellow with all the wedding craziness.

 After the flight....he wasn't overly impressed. 

 Uncle David and Aunt Alex got married in the Redlands Temple.

 We were missing Ben, Danny, Shannee and Eric. 

These were all the siblings that made it to the wedding. 

 It was so fun to see old friends and our California family. I was so happy to see Char!!

 Vincent and Mattman kept themselves well entertained. Although we managed to drag them on the dance floor a couple of times. 

 Caleb was a trooper, but was worn out by 11pm. He fell dead asleep with one finger in his mouth. 

Daddy and the kids had some fun while Mommy was gone.

 They had a pizza and movie night!

 They went to Mamma and Bampa's to play in the snow. So fun! They also went to a movie and met up with some of their cousins on Saturday in Salt Lake at the Children's museum to celebrate Gwennie's birthday (more to come on that later). We were happy to all be together again on Saturday. Now we have to get ready to go back to normal life. It has been a fun Christams Break!