Merry Christmas!

But first, Gavin decided to make a woodpecker costume one day this past week:

 

 Christmas:

 

 

 

 

 Tyler thinks the slot cars are some sort of animal:

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the last week...

 

Sorted Carleigh's old baby clothes loaned by Aleita:

 Set this up:

 washed and put away Brayden's old baby clothes donated by Angela:

 bought this:

 

 will need this:

 ...because we are expecting a baby girl, due January 14, in Atlanta, to join our family through the miracle of adoption. I was honored to attend the expectant mother's ultrasound this past Thursday, and saw the baby's little hand and arm, her femur, and her heart beating with all four chambers healthy. And learned for sure that it is a girl. I feel: excitement, shock, emotional and physical fatigue, humility, fear, and most of all love. For my family, for this little baby girl, for her amazing mother whom I am glad will be a part of our family, and for my Heavenly Father who would bestow such a remarkable blessing on me. All of the newborn and 0-3 month sized baby clothes are washed and put away now, and I can't help but stop and peek in when I walk by the drawers. It's been a long 4 years waiting for this child.

 

 

Week in review

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. I cooked our big turkey dinner on Wednesday and on Thursday we went out to eat with our good friends Dale, Angela, and Brayden. I loved this, and hope to make it a tradition. It allowed me to have the whole day Thursday to rest (I always work the Friday after Thanksgiving, up at 5:30am), and also get in a little online shopping (many of the black Friday deals were available online on Thursday). Among other things I ordered several pairs of $5 pajamas for Gavin and a new 6 ft Christmas tree (pre-lit) for only $30. And we had turkey leftovers all weekend. Good deal.

 

Saturday we went to check out the model train exhibit at the Museum of Aviation, there for only a week per year. Not sure if I've posted about this before, Gavin calls the Museum "my work." Every time we drive by he says, "that's my work!" Sometimes he says he fixes airplanes there, sometimes he flies the planes there, sometimes he flies the planes and shoots bad guys. On Sundays when we drive by on the way to church he sometimes "calls" his co-workers, and tells them he can't come to work today because its Sunday, and invites them to come to church. This has been going on for 2-3 years now, and he's quite firm in his assertion that he works there. He will not admit that he's just pretending.

 Gavin's favorite part of the museum - the big planes outside:

 Saturday Gavin bought a $4 scooter at Goodwill, hasn't yet quite mastered it:

 random picture of Tyler:

 Our $30 pre-lit Christmas tree arrived Tuesday evening, and Gavin and I decorated it yesterday. The best part is it comes apart in only 3 pieces versus a million branches to insert like our old big tree (the one we lost the top to in the move).

Winter Summerland and Volcano pool

Friday we played miniature golf at Winter Summerland and swam in the condo pool. It was a good thing it was a slow day because by now Jake had come down with the bad cold Gavin and I had the previous week and was feeling pretty sick.

 

 After lunch I took Gavin to swim in the pool at the condo. Jake was feeling rotten so he took a nap. The pool water was too cool for my taste but it didn't seem to phase Gavin:

 hot tub:

 splash pad:

 After his nap Jake joined Gavin in the pool:

What a great week! Saturday Jake's parents flew out early in the morning and we drove home. On our way we drove by the Orlando Temple and I was amazed by how beautiful it is. Love the palm trees around it. Jake was really sick so I didn't take the time to stop and take a picture. I figured there were plenty online but when I looked, they really don't do the temple justice. Way better in person.