Lauren's Birthday & Random Fun

Lauren's 5th Birthday Party on the ice. It was FREEZING! I think her birthday fell on the coldest day of the year, seriously. In fact, the cupcakes I brought to the rink, we ate at our house instead. Little video of her birthday at the end of this post.
Some randomness. There was a jackhammer across the street that the girls wanted to see so Daddy put them on the counter...or window seal. Anna thought it was a funny sound at first, then her laughter slowly turned into cries. There is a pretty cute video of it but I need to edit it first. Rissie's jammies are stuffed with a couple of her baby dolls. Our friends cleaned out their attic and brought over this darling little rocking horse for the girls. It's been a hit! And as you see Anna nearly naked...that has been happening far too often lately. I think she is understanding the concept of "clean and dry", so has taken to removing her diaper as well. A couple of nights ago we heard some yelling from Anna after we'd put them all to bed and were shocked to find her completely naked standing up in her crib. Haha.
My friend introduced me to this darling zoo/discovery zone. We took the girls there last week and they had a GREAT time to say the least. I am definitely considering getting a family pass. This is their son Austin whom Lauren volunteered last night that she wants to marry.

This is one of their favorite passtimes, and Anna tried out her new sticker book.

I went to a baby shower on Saturday and came home to the girls playing with Daddy. We've had a lot of COLD and rain but not a lot of snow worthy of playing. So I am thrilled that Jon took them out after this last snowfall. It's more work to get them all dressed...and undressed than is worth it to me with my last month of carrying Kade.

Our Christmas Season

Christmas has come and gone, but once you see all of these pictures you'll understand why this task has been a little daunting - and what a FUN season this was. It's definitely been one of my favorites!

First, let's not forget the ward Christmas party. The girls sang and rang their bells in the four child primary performance. As the party drew to a close we were about to gather our stuff when the activities director stopped me and asked if we could wait just a few more minutes. Santa was coming and our family made up half the kids at the party! Anna thought it was great - especially the candy. Rissie was happy about it and apparently liked the candy too, and Lauren admitted that she was a little nervous. How cute.

I let the girls wrap Daddy's present to help them feel involved in the giving of gifts, but I could only take it so far. Notice Lauren's work with the scissors? After that, they helped with the taping, ribbon holding, and choosing of the tag. Lauren even wrote the names. Anna enjoyed the festivities with the chocolates of the season, and the tinsel, which I have no idea why I bought and will never buy again - although, they DID make for some pretty cute pictures.

We built a snowman and played in the snow together. What a great night! Anna learned the word cold and used it appropriately. To finish it off we came in for steamers and pirouettes. Mmmm.

Christmas Sunday
I stayed home sick and they were late so I had to get them with the coats on.

I still can't get over what a fun Christmas this was. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. You'll have to click on these to get some of the expressions. :)

Lauren Louski

Rissie Roo

Anna Banana

We have FOUR sets of missionaries in our ward. Three of the four came over Christmas night for some food and games. It was a nice finish to a great day.
Still to come...Lauren's Birthday! Another reason this post is so tardy. I think life will slow down a little now - just in time for me to relax and enjoy my last 8 weeks of being pregnant before we add number four to the mix. :)

A little bit of December

The girls were VERY excited to witness the snowfalling. So much so, that Lauren pushed the chairs in front of the door so that even Anna and Rissie could observe the wonderland.

This display is actually cuter than it appears, and will be especially fun for Gma Lee. This is Anna "Baby Proofing" the China cabinet just as Grandma would do with a wooden spoon in her kitchen. I'm sure she doesn't realize WHY she is doing it - just that it's what you do with a spoon and two cabinet doors! ...Then when she saw the camera, she decided to pose.

Anna and Rissie enjoying the dough of FHE cookies.

My handsome husband and a happy Anna welcoming him home!

Anna, you say? No no. This was Marissa Jane - who seriously should have known better!

I think it's pretty obvious what's going on here. Notice the satisfaction on Rissie's face as she reveals the finished work of art - then check out Lauren's tongue of concentration.

Thanksgiving

We are so grateful for this time of year to reflect on the many blessings we have. I am particularly grateful for my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope of Eternal Families that comes from that knowledge. I am grateful for many, many things, but during this phase of my life, I am especially grateful for the privilege and opportunity I have of being a mother who can be home with her kids - I can't think of anything that would make me happier! (My heartfelt prayers go out to those of you still waiting your turn for this blessing.)

Here is a little recap of how we celebrated our Thanksgiving:

We made these cute Pilgrim Hat Cookies for FHE and used them as place setting decorators. Lauren set them out. She also passed out the little turkeys we made from cut out hands and rice crispy treat balls - Thanks Mrs. Shaw (aka Aunt DeAnna) the art teacher for that idea. There is a cute little song that I learned in third grade that goes with the little turkeys. I am sure the girls would love to sing it for you if you have a chance to ask.

"Five Fat Turkey's are We"

Anna happily helps stir and sample the Graham Crunch

Rissie and Lauren check on the rolls. As you can see Lauren took special care that her hair was extra pretty for the big day and they both picked out skirts and tights to wear.

Sweet and Simple - We are ready for a little simplicity, at least I am. Although, I wouldn't have minded the extra effort to add a real table clothe or some matching place mats for our newly inherited Dining Room set. (Add that to the list. check....hope that doesn't sound ungrateful :)

I hate to brag, but for those who don't know, I have the best husband in the whole wide world!

We introduced the game Jenga to the girls. They loved it! You'll have to watch these quick clips of each of them trying.

Lauren's turn...she says she's gonna pick an easy one this time! Rissie is SO excited!

Jonathan Kade - A BOY - Representing Anna

I'm sure the word is out well enough, especially if you read my mom's comment. IT'S A BOY. :)
And as you know we have been moving into our new apartment. Well, I wanted to put up the kid pictures and found that I only had two framed kids and we are almost to baby number FOUR. How sad is that? In all of Anna's eighteen months we have not lived anywhere long enough to require the framed pictures. So, I decided it was time. I found four matching frames and Anna is officially represented as part of the Jenkins' kids. :) Here is a little bit of representation that she hasn't had.

Her blessing pictures (unfortunately a few months after the actual event) and her first year picture.

Then this is what I put together to represent Kade's place on the wall. I gathered these pictures of Jon from our wedding video. Back when I was making that video, I thought of how fun it would be to have a little Jonny. And who can blame me?
He may not look like this at all, but any time I mention movement or kicking Jon smiles and announces,

"That's my boy!"

Needless to say, his daddy is very excited for him to come. :)

Blue Island Apt Tour

Going to the hospital

We just told the kids that we are going to the hospital tomorrow to find out if they are getting a new baby brother or baby sister. Then, Lauren (4) explains to me what we should be looking for...long hair if it's a girl and short hair if it's like Daddy.

Halloween Party

Saturday night was our ward's Trunk or Treat. The girls, as you probably would guess, were thrilled with anticipation and excitement. Here is the group of them, Christopher Robin is holding our little Pooh Bear. He was one of two adults who dressed up. He looked the part a little better when he stood up; you could see his knee highs. (Some of these pictures you can't see well so you'll want to click on them for a bigger picture -- especially the collages.)

Pooh Bear without the painted face.

Kitty without the ears. When you asked her what she was she would give you a sweet little "Meeow" --BTW, had no idea her eyelashes were so LONG. Lucky.

The next day our Fairy tried her own hand at the eyeliner. Haha.

It was too cold to go out so the kids went from room to room in the church. Anna was so funny; she would not let go of her apple. She preferred it to the candy bag. Meanwhile, Lauren and Rissie were literally squealing with delight!