Big News! (for us)

We just got two big pieces of news.....

#1

Our new baby is a.....

GIRL!! 

#2

Todd got a job! We're moving to....

(SLC for those who don't recognize it).

The crazy part is that both of these things are supposed to happen right around the same time....pray for us.

The Supportive Sister

We are venturing into potty training with Drew. When he goes potty on the toilet he gets a treat and since he has an older sister who's around when he gets his treat, she gets a treat too. Suddenly she's turned into a very supportive big sister...."Drewby, do you need to go potty?" "Drew, let's go sit on the potty for a minute". I love it. This is the scene I just caught in the bathroom (with a little editing with my awesome editing skills).....

Nothing like a good cheerleader, right? 

New York Christmas 2011

This year was the last one we'll spend in New York because Todd's parents finish their mission this summer. It has been so great to be able to be there with them for Christmas. Christmas Eve is always the all-mission conference. The missionaries are so cute and SO excited to all be together.

Todd and his sister-in-law wife Rachel...

Our Kyrgystani friends, Kuba and Lunara, who we met in DC have a cute nephew/adopted son who joined the church last year and is now serving in Rick and Chris's mission. We love the Takyrbashevs which means we love Elder Yusinov too!

The kids were champs for the entire 4 hour conference....nothing cuter than a sleeping baby.

Classic Drew picture: under the church bench, using the wipes for a pillow, my lip gloss in hand.

Waiting to go downstairs....I love sleepy faces. "Poo face" according to the Nelsons.

Super hero cape and koala hat

I was the turkey cook this year. The back end of the turkey was cracking me up. 

Our last day on Long Island we went to the Children's museum. The bubble room was the hit of the day. Having Jeff and Rachel there made it so much more fun....aunts and uncles without kids are always the most willing to entertain your kids! 

Please don't turn us in for inappropriate vehicle child restraint after watching this video, but the kids fell asleep on the way home from the museum, and this is what Jeff and Rach caught on film... I love that she's chewing her gum while she's sleeping. It gets funnier as it goes. I've watched this video 37 times and it makes me laugh every time.

 That was kind of a weak showing for Christmas pictures, but it was a GREAT Christmas....we are going to miss the mission home!

Once Upon a Time in Hawaii

Early in December we took an oh-so-relaxing trip to Hawaii. I have to give credit to the people who made it possible: My brother Micah who educated the entire family on how to get one ton of frequent flier miles and planned the house, cars etc.; my parents, of course; and our dear, charitable friends here in Michigan who watched Audrey and Drew for the 9 days we were gone. We, of course, love our babies, but it was so awesome to just hang out with the grown-ups (and 2 sweet baby girls). Three of my five brothers and their wives were able to come....we missed the absentees!! 

I was pregnancy-sick, and a little grumpy (sorry family) but being sick in paradise (and w/o parental responsibility) is way better than being sick in my house! 

We started the trip watching the Cougars play against (and beat) University of Hawaii. It was our first game in 5 years....so fun. 

Here's the whole crew: (top row) Seth&Amy, Mom, me, Micah&Rachel and baby Kaylyn, (bottom row)  Clay&Steph and Taylee, Dad, Todd.

We went to Duke's after the game and had some Hula pie.

The first beach day was the only one with calm enough water for leisurely swimming. We spent the day at Waimea basking in the sun and frolicking in the water.

When I went to school in Hawaii (I can't believe it was 10 yrs ago...I'm so old), I don't remember noticing how often you see rainbows. We really saw at least one every day. This is the view from the back porch of our rental house. Not too bad, right?

     Waimea

Seth and Todd having alone time on the back porch.

Mom and Dad walking down the backyard beach.

We drove into Haleiwa every day to have Shave Ice at Matsumoto's....the one thing that sounded good to me! Yum. 

We spent one day at the Pipeline Pipe Masters surf competition. The waves ended up being "historic" and we saw some really cool surfing. 

We spent another day at the Polynesian Cultural Center...we all did some hula, but since I'm the blogger I get to post the awkward pictures of other people.

Todd, Micah and Dad.

All of us at the Laie temple....

Isn't it so beautiful?

And the best picture of the trip.... Tourists? What tourists? We're not tourists!!

The last day while we were waiting for our flight, we walked out onto Waikiki...and were so glad we stayed on the North Shore. 

Oh, Hawaii, thanks for the love. We'll be back.