Happy New Year!

We set the clocks forward and let the kids count down to midnight (9pm). We played games and then had ice cream at "midnight". The kids were so excited to stay up and they gladly went to bed saying, "I can't believe we stayed up until midnight! I am so tired!"

Trip to Colorado

Here are some pictures from our first train experience... Our first conductor was awesome. He got the kids coloring books and conductor hats.

Dad and Allana coloring and enjoying the breakfast we packed since we left at 3:00a.m.
The kids sat more on the foot rests then they did on the seats.
We got to play in the Hot Springs for about 3 hours! The kids loved it.

This tandem bike is on my wish list now. It was so fun having Allana in the front so she could see everything, but Andy got to steer.

We paid for the girls to take their first dance lesson from Maurine at Glenwood Center for the arts. We bought tights and they wore their swimsuits as leotards and borrowed dance shoes.
Hanging out in Denver... Most of the time we just waited around while Andy did all his business contacts, but there were a few cool sculptures we got to see.
It looks like Gideon wants to walk?

Allana was "Mom" for the Day

After lunch today Allana and Corinne started to play together in the living room. As they played I started preparing some of the food for dinner. I could hear them pretending to be camping... as I listened I could tell that Allana was taking on the role of "mom"... "Corinne, do you want to lose your phone? Then you have to find a safe spot for it..... Okay Corinne, you can only text for a few minutes and then you need to go to bed."

When it was time to lay then down for nap I told them to go get books and I would read to them. "I am reading to Corinne." Allana announced. Allana had Corinne follow her to their bedroom, they picked out some books, and crawled into bed together and Allana told Corinne the stories. I sat down and nursed Gideon while Allana changed Corinne's diaper, helped her brush her teeth and then they laid back down in bed to read again.

The result...

I should let Allana play "mom" more often!

Gideon finally arrives...

9 lbs 15 ounces

22 inches long

Head circumference 37 cm

"Corinne, you're my best friend."

Many times I have loved to watch Allana and Corinne play happily together. Of course they have their battles, but more often they are looking out for each other and taking care of each other.

When I do their hair they watch a DVD and this morning they were sitting down together waiting for the chosen show to start. As I walked out of the room to gather hair supplies, Allana put her arm around Corinne and told her, "Corinne, you're my best friend." I am sure that statement will hold true as they go through life together and become closer as sisters and friends.

Together Forever

Giulia and David stopped by Sunday before David headed south to Vegas to pick up Potatoes for Connie and Grant. We talked them in to staying for a few minutes and eating lunch with us before leaving. After saying goodbye to them, Corinne and Allana continued peeking out the window to watch Giulia and David say their goodbyes. As they watched Allana was explaining to Corinne that Giulia was feeling sad that David had to leave, "Giulia lives in Provo and David lives far away in Las Vegas."

Then after Giulia and David drove off in their separate vehicles Allana asked me, "Why do they want to be together forever?"

"How do you know they will be together forever?" I asked back.

"Because they are going to get married and then they are going to have children..." was her reply. I wish I could describe the all-knowing intonation she used as she made the statement. Use your imagination...

Bonnie's Baby Shower

4 out of nine of us are pregnant... No not Aunt Pearl!

Today we hosted a baby shower for Bonnie. The guests included Aunt Elaine, Jana, Aunt Joy, LorAnn, Kimberlee, Aunt Pearl, Holly, and Bonnie. Though not in attendance at the shower gifts were sent from Julia and Barclay, David & Kirsten, Carla, and Linda & Rex.

We started a "Time Capsule" for Zoe with letters from everyone in attendance. Bonnie and Sam will compile items (newspaper from the day Zoe is born, photos, etc.) for the time capsule and Zoe will open it when she is 8 or 10 years old (Bonnie is still deciding).

We each took a turn asking Bonnie questions about her experience being pregnant and other questions about motherhood. That was fun and we had some good laughs and good conversation. We had soup, salad, and dessert for lunch. After opening gifts we said our goodbyes and headed home.

Bonnie received some beautiful gifts and practical gifts too. We added up the approximate cost of the diapers she was given and it was over $100 worth of diapers.

Thanks so much to everyone who came!

Anderton Family Reunion

Here are a few pictures from the Rex Anderton family reunion. I should have taken pictures of the backyard with all our tents, and the new fire pit and patio too. It looks great!

Friday night we roasted hot dogs and played dot dot until late in the evening. Saturday morning we cleaned off the patio and got one of the porch swings assembled. Then all of us went to the slip n' slide to enjoy the sun. When we came back we made our best attempt at tin foil dinners and braved the winds and storm of the evening. Board games were the entertainment for the evening. Sunday morning dad made a big breakfast (eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes, and watermelon) and everyone packed up and headed home. Below are some of the pictures we have from the weekend...

When do we want to plan our party for next year???

Mountain View HS Ballroom Company's 1st Concert

Andy is an amazing director of the MVHS Ballroom Company. This is their first concert put on by their company with a few guest performances from the Orchesis Dance Company. Garrett was in 7 of the numbers. Andy did a great job teaching and choreographing the ballroom numbers. It has been fun to see him work with the dance company throughout the year. I can tell that he loves it because he will work on things he needs to get done for ballroom at home (Usually he doesn't work on anything else at home because it is "work"). It will be fun to see the program grow. When we first moved to Orem we thought we would only be hear for 5 years. Now it has been almost 2 years and I think we may end up being here longer since Andy has put a lot into getting this Ballroom program running. 

Garrett is in the middle of the group dancing the Mambo.

Allana really was excited to see the concert, but tired too...

Grandma and Grandpa Anderton and T.J. came to see Garrett dance in the concert.