Thanksgiving Countdown

 It's that time again! We love our holiday countdowns. They are getting harder to do as the older kids are growing up because they are so busy with school and other things, but I am determined to keep the tradition alive as long as I can!

Our Thanksgiving Countdown started last Thursday. So far, the  kids have made turkey masks, paper bag tepee's turkey handprints, they wrote notes to their teachers and gave their teachers some cookies, we had a special FHE on The Turkey with the Terrible Temper, and they colored turkey's by number. Their little projects have all turned out really cute and we are having fun getting ready for Thanksgiving. Adam and Tessa have been so good about writing in our family Thankful Journal. I love opening it to see what they have written. And our Tom the Turkey is getting more and more feathers each week. We'll do his big reveal for the year next week. 

 Showing off their tepee's and handprints

Adam made a little Native American man at school

The notes they wrote to their teachers

Caleb's Blessing Day

On Sunday we were able to bless Caleb. We were so thankful to have shared this special day with our wonderful family. Eric gave Caleb a beautiful blessing and other than being really tired after being passed around all afternoon and peeing on mommy 5 minutes before we had to leave for church, Caleb was perfect. 

It was a wonderful day and we are so thankful we were able to celebrate our sweet Caleb. I know he is destined for some amazing things. I feel such a responsibility to teach my kids the gospel and instill in them a desire to do what is right and develop a special bond with their Heavenly Father. I feel such power in each of my kids. I know the Lord has special things for them to do and Caleb is no exception. As I hold him and rock him, I can't help but feel that he was sent to earth at this time for something very important. I hope that as his parents, we are able to prepare him for whatever that may be. I am so grateful to have been blessed with these amazing kids. Our family would not be the same without them and Caleb, although he is only 14 weeks old, has had such an impact our lives. We love him so much and are so thankful to have him!

Caleb and his Great Grandma Nielson

 Caleb with Mamma and Bampa

 Caleb with Ma and Pa

Adam's Recital

Friday night, Adam had his very first piano recital. He started lessons in March and has just done amazing at learning an instrument. He has been working on his recital pieces for a few weeks and he did an excellent job performing them!

 His piano teacher is Becky Hansen and she is wonderful! I hope we get to keep her for a long, long time!!

Way to go, Big Guy!!

First Snow

Yesterday we had our first snow of the season! The kids were SO excited to see it falling from the sky and even more excited to go play in it. As soon as Adam and Tessa were home from school, everyone got suited up and headed out back for some snow fun. 

We bundled Caleb up for some pictures and then took him back inside to stay warm. He does not like to be cold!

 The first thing they did was make their tracks for Otters and Geese. 

 Snow Angels were a must!

 And they had to have a snowball fight!

 After about an hour they were ready to warm up with some hot chocolate and Mommy had the fun job of putting all that snow gear away. I love this picture though. To me, it means there are happy kids in this house.

Perfect Attendace

Last week, Adam and Tessa both brought home perfect attendance awards for last term. I can tell you now, we are going to have 2 devastated children if they ever have to take a sick day from school. Not only do they love their new school, but they love being rewarded for doing good things!

3 Months Old!

I can't believe he is already 3 months old. Time just flies by. He is the perfect baby. Always so, so happy and easy going. He is a wonderful sleeper (for the most part) and is growing like a weed. He has started to giggle and that just thrills the other kids to pieces!

This photo shoot was a bit more challenging than others have been because I had some competition. Gwen insisted on getting her own shots of him with her princess camera and Caleb was way more interested in his fun big sister than boring old mom.

Life with Gwen

Life with Gwen around is never dull. She keeps us on our toes!

 Last week she dumped my foundation all over the bathroom. 

 Then over the weekend, she decided to glue some paper to the wall. It happened to be Tessa's part for the Primary Program. Gwen has been obsessed with gluing things lately. I'm still not sure why she felt the need to glue something to the wall, but when you're two, most things you do don't make a whole lot of sense.