Gavin decided not to wait until May

Marylyn had an emergency C-section on Friday and everything went perfectly. We were still at Dave & Matt's,so very grateful that Andy's parents were in the area to help Andy and Marylyn. His parents had taken Annika to the hospital, waiting in the next room so Annika could see the baby soon after being born. She was so excited to hold her new little brother and rather disappointed that she could not take him home that night.

Andy and Marylyn gave Annika a new little boy doll to care for and it is amazing to watch her copy her mommie in caring for little Gavin. She loves her little brother and happy when he wakes up so she can kiss and hold him. Marylyn says that, so far, Gavin is a perfect little angel...just eats and sleeps.
What a sweet family! Andy's mom will be there until Saturday and I fly in Friday...changing of the guards. Marv will fly in the following week. When we got back to the temple Monday he told his fellow workers "I am excited to get back to sealings....and in two weeks I will be doing floors [Andy wants him to help tile a Laundry floor]. He has some live sealings this these next two Saturdays. We can't wait to hold this newest grandchild and get a hug from Annika. She is just too cute!

Splish Splash Alyssa & Uncle Dave

One day 80's - next day snow

Happy Birthday and Family Fun

The family planned my favorite meal to celebrate my birthday....Mexican dishes to die for! The three Heather's will have to share the recipes...ymmmmm The grandchildren were as excited as I was to see the fun gifts, pictures opened. Thank you all for the phone calls, gifts, and cards!
Heath made my favorite upside down cake which my grandmother use to make for our birthdays when I was a child. Grateful Mikal and Dave did not put on the correct number of candles or we would have started a forest fire.

Joe's family gave the twins these adorable quilts made by Heather with their names on each quilt. Megan was the first to hold the twins...then the rest of the family had a fun time passing them around.

"We miss Madison, Brooke, and Mel" says Alyssa, Christa, Jenna, Becki, & Miranda
Nate, Sam and Daniel were busy building lego's...hey were's Spencer?
The Heather's put all 25 grandchildren names in a hat so cousins could pick names for Christmas. Each would pick one name for themselves and then which ever name they chose, they would chose another name for that person. Matt's Heather will be sending out the list. The children really had a fun time and excited about the names they picked out of the hat. Even the twins put their hands in the hat and grabbed a name.
Just kickin' back enjoying the day and each other.Three of our boys.....now dad's themselves

While the children played upstairs, the adults sat around in a circle and played this new church game....and laughed....and laughed!

Isn't he a cutie? our little Ben. To listen to him....he is a little man in a child's body. Has lots of questions and very curious about everything. He sure misses Christian!

And this is how Joe works from home...what a life! He came over Monday morning and spent the day working.

Estes Park

Friday the two of us sent for a drive and ended up in Estes Park.

Along the way we saw some Elk roaming the area
And crossing the street with not a care in the world.
We saw many beautiful sights along the way and ended up eating lunch at the Grumpie Gringo which was delicious!

On the way back we stopped by to visit Sister Daniels and see her new home. It is beautiful and she is so happy and enjoying life in her new area. We then headed back to Dave & Heather's place for pizza and movie night.

Second Week in Colorado

Jenna all set to watch their new 'kite' fly. Jenna loves to ride her scooter up and down the neighborhood.

And they call this "spring showers" and it is beautiful to watch. Thursday morning as we opened the curtains our eyes fell on the beautiful sight of fresh fallen snow. This is the second time it has snowed since we have been here and amazingly it is all melted by the afternoon.
We had a special NP visitor and enjoyed the morning talking about the past friendships and experiences, and later enjoyed a delicious lunch at "Perkins". Chris is enjoying her new home and being near her son, David's family. Linda and her family have also moved here. We hope to see them and Chris' new home this next week.
Christa took the picture of us with Chris and Jenna took the picture of grandpa and Christa.One month old and cute as ever!
David and dad were busy Thursday doing some electical work and painting in the basement.There is a lot to remodeling a basement, so for now they got out the paint rollers and painted squares all over the walls...using all the left over paint they had in the garage. It really looks neat and a fun area for the kids to shoot pool, play games, and weight lift.

Steven and Jenna having fun with the farm and circus animals.
Jenna had made the cookie dough earlier in the morning. We brought some over for Dave's family to roll and cut out. Mikal enjoyed eating the dough...sound familiar?
Then back to Matt's house to roll and cut out some more dough before dinner...great dessert!

Park, Movies, Swimming, Rock Climbing

Wednesday we had a relaxing morning, played games and went to the park. Nate, Christa, and Jenna road all the way to the park on their scooters where they had fun twirling, swinging, sliding, and running around. Thursday we met Heather, Becki, Sam and Steven at the movies to see "Horton Hear's a Who"...great movie and children especially enjoyed it.

Friday we all cleaned ["Friday is a special day to get ready for Conference"], picked out a movie for family Friday Movie Night, had barbeque sandwiches for lunch which were made by Nate, and went to the Rec Center where they enjoyed water sports and rock climbing. After returning home and playing outside a while we went to the "green area" to fly a kite, then had pizza for dinner, and watched out movie...with popcorn and smoothies! These guys sure know how to spoil grandparent

Nate and Christa both made it all the way to the top, but the most fun is flying downward.
We look forward to watching General Conference on Saturday and Sunday. We have been invited to spend this special time with Dave's family.

Twins special guest

John had a business trip and was able to spend a couple hours visiting his newest nieces...then was able to head over to Dave's family to say hello.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAVE

As the airplane landed, we looked out the window to see SNOW. Marv leaned over to me and said, "Since our plane is going on to Florida, I'm staying on...you can tell the kids HI for me". Funny man!
After getting our luggage, Dave, Heather, Becki, and Sam picked us up at the airport and dropped us off at Matt and Heather's place. Later that evening we all got together for Family Night with Nate conducting, Sam leading the music, and Christa giving the lesson. Christa's lesson was about Joseph Smith First Vision which included the movie put out by the church. Then we were asked how we felt during the movie and what was special to each of us. The children did a wonderful job which their parents and primary teachers would be very proud.No, we did not play our usual family night game of "Dogie Dogie Who's got the Bone", but instead the "Spanking Machine" to start the celebration for Dave's birthday.

After gifts, we then enjoyed cake and ice cream....ymmmmm!HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAVE....and many, many more to come!

TWINS

Are they adorable or what? When they are together, you can definitely tell them apart. But when they are not together it is a little harder to see. Jordyn is on the left and has lighter hair, Rachel is on the right. Two precious angels sent straight from Heavenly Father!

And yes, they are both smiling already and looking around at their new world.
Rachel is still the calmer of the two and does like to sleep.
Their daddy is quit busy these days....and Heather is amazing!
Nate is not only the 'big' brother, but a great cook and help to his mom.

These little babies really do know their brothers voice and will look up at him and often give him a smile.

The two girls are wonderful babysitters and constantly coming over to give their little sisters kisses. It was so cute tonight after scriptures and prayers...to watch these two big sisters cuddling with their baby sisters in their bed during story time.