Snow Much Fun!

Thursday morning we woke up to this

SNOW! This was our backyard.

Other half of our backyard.

Kenzie in the front yard.

Snow angel time.

The girls made that ice castle on top of the hot tub, as they called it, with the sand toys.

David and Eliana made this cute little snowman. Love the shovel arms and bucket hat. The kids had a lot of fun playing in the snow that day. Eliana didn't have school so she was outside all morning. Then it melted away but then by 2 it started snowing again and stayed. We still have a tiny bit where the sun didn't shine yesterday. Porter didn't' really like the snow though because he wouldn't wear gloves and his hands would freeze and then he would cry. I couldn't get him to understand though that gloves would help so he would play for about 10 minutes then come back in and then try again later. That is why there isn't any pictures of him. We enjoyed our little snow time, but it makes me grateful we don't have it all the time.

IT'S A GIRL!

So I was pretty sure it was a boy because with Eliana and Kenzie I was more sick and throw up and with Porter and this one I was just nauseous all the time. David also really thought it was a boy so when I went in yesterday for my ultrasound and they told me it was a girl I was in shock. With each pregnancy I have pretty much guessed right except for this one. But they were positive it was a girl. I am excited!! Another little girl! I think maybe I am having a girl so I will have more kids, but I could be wrong. I might have been more likely been done if this was a boy. But who knows I still only take it one at a time because you never know how much you can handle. Plus I would like another boy. It is all up to Heavenly Father really though. Anyways, my due date is back to July 11 and we can't wait to meet our precious little girl. Sorry Porter and David you are just going to stay out numbered for now. ;-)

Hand

Thumbs up but it is hard to tell in this picture of the picture.

Valentine's Day and some cuteness

We had a good Valentine's Day. The girls had parties at school and then we just hung out and cleaned the house. David came home and made us yummy pasta for dinner and then we headed to Heather's for fondue. I love chocolate fondue especially with strawberries. One of my favorites. Then after we came home and put the kids to bed David and I had some of our delicious cake we ordered from a girl in our ward. Nutella mouse on top, can we say YUMMY! We actually traded half of our cake for another kind that our friend's ordered from the girl in our ward to test that one out too. It was also super yummy, a white raspberry mouse! So as you can see I have put on the weight this week since Valentine's Day, but oh well I will worry later about that as I have enjoyed such delicious treats this whole week.

Yes, I am trying hard to hide my belly.

So cute and delicious!

Speaking of cute, this is just a cute picture of Porter and his new obsessions, his Elmo sunglasses and his Toy Story shirt. Toy Story 3 is his favorite and his favorite color (obsession) is orange so this shirt is double plus for him.

Kenzie decorated our dresser with her Polly Pockets and was very proud. She loves to do little surprises for us. Silly girl.

Eliana got all ready for church and got her doll all done up too. And of course wanted her picture taken. What a cutie.

January

January went so fast and now it is February. We were busy but with nothing too exciting. We are looking forward to warmer days and spring though. Some of the highlights for January are we got rid of Porter's binky! Now we need to work on potty training the boy, fun times. Eliana has really taken off with her learning and is now reading very easy books on her own. Way to go Eliana. She is doing so well. We started teaching Kenzie to read with the book, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons and she is enjoying that and wants to read. That is what I used with Eliana periodically. We are almost 3/4 of the way done with Eliana. We haven't done too much this month as I have just been exhausted. For those who don't know we are expecting number 4 in July. I am no longer really sick but am just tired tired tired. And lack motivation. I get the big ultrasound on the 18th so I will post more then. As for now enjoy the pictures we took this month and the posts below which were long overdue.

Kenzie posing for the camera, such a funny girl

Eliana posing for the camera.

And yes this is one I will save for blackmail. Porter makes a beautiful princess. I didn't help do this, the girls did though. I think #4 should be a boy so this doesn't continue too long.

The kids snuggling on the couch. Love them all.

Eliana's 6th Birthday

I can't believe Eliana is now 6. January 1st was her birthday but on that day we were driving from Disneyland to Chico, California where David's grandparents live. On our trip we were lucky to spend some time with them as we stopped at their house on the way to Vegas and spent a day with them and on the way home for a few hours and overnight. But the day before her birthday we were at Disneyland so she is one lucky girl. On that Monday after her birthday we had some David's family over for a little party. Mainly just cake and ice cream. Eliana wanted Minnie cake pops but I didn't feel up to making them as we had just got back in town and all so I found this Gingerbread Man Cake pan on clearance and convinced her that was a cool cake. She got to decorate it herself and made it a girl, see the hair bow.

Porter pushed that spice drop into much in the middle there so that looks a little funny.

Birthday girl and her cake while we were singing.

Blowing out the candles.

Oh, a Tinkerbell wand that lights up. Thanks cousins Siosi, Kalo, and Alisi.

Zhu Zhu pet and boat and card from Grandma and Grandpa Strasser.

Princess guitar from Mom and Dad.

She also loved her Polly pockets from Grandma and Grandpa Smith and her makeup phone from cousin Alyssa.

The Happiest Place on Earth

Yes it is Disneyland. We had told the girls the next time we drove to Las Vegas we would go to Disneyland. Eliana earned the trip a long time ago when she stopped coming into our bed for 3 whole months. Anyways so we decided we were going to Vegas for Christmas and told my parents we were going to also go to Disneyland. My parents thought that was too fun to pass that up so they decided they wanted to come and have the rest of the family come, if they wanted as everyones Christmas presents. We were grateful to have them all there with us as it was helpful to have people to save spots and to be there with in the happiest place on earth and to show us around. I haven't been to Disneyland since I was 16 (which was my first time) and David since he was like 2 so we are inexperienced. My sister-in-laws and brothers seemed to really know the in and outs though so that was very very helpful. We were only there one day but it was so much fun. We went down to San Diego the day before and hung out with my brother and his wife who live there as they were only able to come for a couple days at Christmas and then on New Years Eve we headed to Disneyland. It was extremely crowded but oh so much fun. We even got to see the Holiday stuff and the holiday parade (which I think was my kids favorite thing).

Waiting in line for a ride with my mom and David.

Excited for a ride in line.

The girl teacup. Thanks Mom and Steph for taking them as I got sick just watching (yes I was about 12 weeks pregnant so that didn't help).

The boys in their orange (Porter is obsessed with that color) teacup. Porter loved this ride and wanted to make it go crazy by turning the wheel thing whereas the girls didn't want to spin it any more than it did on it's own.

Meeting Pluto

Porter driving a car in ToonTown.

The highlight of the day for Porter. He loves Mickey Mouse and was so so so excited after he waited in line at Mickey's House for over an hour (the sign was misleading and said it was a 5 min wait). It was so worth it as you saw his excitement and joy.

At the beginning of the parade there were marching bands but Porter didn't like them so much and said they were too loud.

The girls in front of the dancing snowmen in the parade.

Cinderella's evil stepsisters fought over Porter. They said he was handsome and argued who saw him first. Porter didn't really care though. It was funny.

They were excited about something coming in the parade.

Eliana wanted a picture with her favorite character sleeping beauty, she's back there in the pink dress. Sleeping Beauty said "Happy Birthday Princess" to Eliana and that made her day. (yes, Eliana's birthday wasn't really til the next day but we were driving all day so we got her that pin anyway.) She actually didn't want to wear it after that because I think she was embarrassed from everyone saying happy birthday. Mrs. Clause even said happy birthday in the parade.

Porter by his favorite part in the parade, Buzz Lightyear. He was saying something.

The whole gang on the boat for Storybook Land. Such a cute little ride.

Kiffyn, Kenzie and Kimber (the K girls) on Dumbo.

Parker and Steph on Dumbo.

Mitch and Angela and Porter on Dumbo

Grandma and Grandpa Smith and Eliana on the Circus train.

Angela, Mitch, Kenzie and I on the circus train.

Porter wanted to ride in the orange cage on the circus train of course. With him are Kiffyn, Stephanie, David, Noel and Parker.

We stayed too long for Kenzie and Porter. When we watched the fireworks (they were awesome) Kenzie was out and Porter was grumpy and said they were too loud. I understood though it was a long and eventful day.

Thanks Mom and Dad for the best Christmas present! We had a memorable time and we hope we can do it again, maybe next time Kalli can come too as she was the only one missing from my family.

Christmas Morning

Finally some pictures of Christmas Morning. We got to spend Christmas morning in Las Vegas with my family. We had a great time and loved our trip.

Porter in his new clothes and with his new fire truck.

Kenzie showing me a page in her new book, Pinkalicious.

My brother Mitch and his wife, sorry Angela you kinda got cut off with his game and movie tickets.

Porter and his favorite gift, a Buzz Lightyear that talks.

Oh Porter was excited about these Toy Story 3 blocks.

Eliana showing off a new skirt.

My dad looking at his new books.

Stephanie, my sister-in-law, modeling her new headband.

Parker, my brother, with his new pants.

Mitch with his new jacket

My sister Kiffyn with her movie. And Porter with Ants in the Pants.

Eliana with her paints.

Bubbles are always a fun present.

Eliana so excited about her new book Fancy Nancy.

The girls and their new dolls.

For Christmas Eve we went to the Petersons with the Nelsons and another family. We had a delicious dinner and a great time. We also got to Skype with my sister Kalli who is in Vanuatu (in the Fiji Mission) and that was another highlight of our trip. The kids had a great time. See post about Disneyland to read more about our trip.