Erk, Mrk, Grk & Rrk

Saturday I ran into the store to grab some paper plates because we were having people over for dinner on Sunday. Eric was in the car with the kids... So I thought... until I called him and out he pops from the store with both kids, with huge smiles in the cart.  He took them for a few more rides in the store and neither was ready for their shopping experience to end. Eric you are a great man and an awesome dad!  I'm so happy we are in this journey together!

One of my buddies taught me how to make these cute little wipes holders. I've already made a few and have more in the works.

We went shoe shopping for Gordon the other day. We were on the look out for a new pair of running shoes. He finally found a pair he liked however he liked the pink flats best and wanted to know why he couldn't get those ones. We opted for these orange and black ones that make him super fast, as he likes to say.

Rubys first word.... (Minus the mama mama and dada...dada) Drum roll.... Yes it's Gordon!!! Oh it's so precious to hear her little voice as she scoots around and tries to keep up with him. Saturday morning she woke up before him and I brought her downstairs. She was looking all over for him and scooting around saying, "Gordon... Gordon... Gordon." She is also saying thank you too. This morning when I got her up the first thing she said was Gordon. She loves her big brother.

It is hilarious to watch these two roll around on the floor laughing and giggling together, it absolutely makes my heart melt!

It's obvious that Gordon is definitely a Southern California boy. The other day we got into the car and he said, "Mommy I so cold, it's freezing outside, I need a Blankey." When we got in the car the thermometer said it was 70 degrees. I have to admit it did feel cold, maybe we are all morphing into Southern Californians. I'm loving this 70 degree January weather though. 

So for the last month or so Gordon no longer wants to be called Gordon. Instead he wants to be called Kitty. At times it is comical (well I guess it's mostly all the time) but when we are trying to get him to go to sleep and he will only respond to Kitty I feel my blood pressure rising. This boy I tell you is a one of a kind!

I love that Ruby crosses her legs sometimes when she sitting, it's so cute.

Little did I know that this little, red, plastic cup would save the day today on the ride to school. Gordon woke up a few minutes later than normal this morning and therefore it was a little trickier getting him moving and out the door. As I was getting Gordon's clothes on and ready for school, I asked him if he needed to use the bathroom. He said no so I proceeded to clothe him. We all piled in the car and off to school we go... Until 20 minutes into the ride Gordon starts crying and screams, "Mommy, mommy stop the car I need to go pee! We need to go back home nowwwww" Well of course I knew that I couldn't turn back to the house but I also knew we weren't close to anywhere to pull over to either. My motherly instincts kicked in gear as I frantically looked around the car this red cup was the first thing I spotted. Well needless to say he took care of his business and away we went to school. The only problem now is that he thought this was amazingly fun and now he wants to reenact that morning every morning. Oh boy!

I love my new church assignment.  I'm teaching the 16-year-old Sunday school class. This upcoming week our lesson is on tender mercies, seeing the Lord's hand in our life daily. David Bednar describes these as, 

Today cordon ran in his first race at Legoland. It was a really fun event where he ran 1 mile around the park. He was pretty funny too he would start off sprinting and then two minutes later wanted to be held because he was so tired. So we did a little bit or running and a little bit or walking, and a little bit of resting but made it to the finish where he got his first medal, which he loved. Looking forward to next years race already.

We celebrated Eric's birthday at home yesterday with a few gifts (wrapped in blankets - a new family favorite), pizza, and some ice cream cake. Gordon loves birthdays and was especially excited about this one because he helped pick out the cake and blow out the candles.

Gordon declared tonight, "Mommy why am I so much more awesome than you?" (super straight faced of course). I just about burst out laughing but replied, "I'm not sure but you are pretty awesome Gordon."

Gordon was asked to give the opening prayer in Primary today. It is his second week as a Sunbeam. He was a little scared to sit in front of everybody, but with a little help from Daddy and Ruby he sat in front of the entire Primary. When they asked him to come up and give the prayer he marched to the front and stood at the podium and his prayer was something like this, " Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessings, thank you for the water, thank you for the sacrament, thank you for the water, thank you for the blessings, thank you for the water, and thank you for the water. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen!" It was a proud moment and we are so happy that he is willing to pray in front of a group. He doesn't often prayer with just us, but for some reason the bigger the crowd the more willing he is to do it. He is growing up too fast!

After Christmas/any major holidays clearance sales is my favorite. Shopping for things when they are 90% off is so much fun! This week I went to Hobby Lobby and got us a new tree for next year. My $400 tree cost me $40. We threw it up quickly to see what it would look like. Can't wait for next year to put this beauty back up. Here's to Christmas clearance!!

Footie pajamas are the best for kids they're so cute and cuddly! I wish this little cutie would sleep though through the night. She is still waking up at least once if not twice, ugh!

One of my best friends growing up has always joked with me that I wore 10 shades of purple in the same outfit as a little girl. She wanted the tradition to continue so she bought Ruby this adorable dress that has at least five shades of purple.

Gordon had his first day as a sunbeam at church, it was quite an exciting day! 

How our front yard plants needed a little trimming so I took matters into my own hands. Little did I know that Society garlic has a potent smell and lingers for days. I was pulling out the dead Society garlic with my bare hands and I'm now paying the price because I reek of garlic and it's been four days since I last touched that stuff. Mental note don't touch the Society garlic with bare hands ever again!!!

While we were visiting my parents for Christmas, grandma Bobby brought Gordon breakfast in bed almost daily. He was one happy camper, I mean who wouldn't be! Thanks Bobbi, you are the best!