Big News... We are expecting TWINS!!!

I'll go into more details in another post but yes we are expecting twins in the beginning of May, a boy and a girl. We are all very excited and shocked. 

Today, Eric, the kids, and I were in the store shopping when sweet Gordon came up to me, gave me a hug, and then patted and kissed my tummy.  He looked at me with his big 4 year old eyes and said, 

"Mommy, I can't wait to meet the babies! How did Heavenly Father know I wanted a big family?"

To this I said, "I don't know sweetheart."

"I'm so excited to have a boy and a girl baby," Gordon said.

"Yes, me too, we are very blessed!"

Conversations like this just melt my heart. I'm so glad Gordon is my son, I learn many valuable lessons of love and compassion from him daily.

A white Christmas

A few months ago we were talking with Gordon and asked him if he wanted to stay in San Diego for 2 weeks over Christmas or go to Utah for a week and stay in San Diego the 2nd week. Well, he choose the second so here we are enjoying this winter wonderland. It's a fun change of pace from sunny San Diego.

Beanie Babies

I made these hats for the kids years ago but they have never wore them before.  We were pulling all of the warm clothes we could find out of our drawers the other day in anticipation for our trip to Utah.  They sure looked cute in them.

Armstrong Grove

Over Thanksgiving we went to Armstrong Grove with the Koehle family.  Gordon had fun exploring the paths and looking at all of the leaves.  Ruby took along some plastic baby dishes she found and wouldn't let them out of her sight.  Gordon thought it would be funny to stick the dish in his mouth and of course Ruby followed suit and did what her big brother/hero Gordon did.

Cutest Rue

We just can't get enough of this precious little peanut.  She is just the cutest, sweetest little girl.  She loves to be held and snuggled.  She is still in love with her little yellow blanket.  Little Ruby makes life so sweet!

Cousin Lincoln

We all got to meet Justin's baby Lincoln while we were home for Thanksgiving.  He is a cute little guy and Gordon and Ruby liked seeing their little cousin around.  Gordon continued to remind us all that Lincoln is is 1st cousin, not his 2nd (funny guy!)

Snuggles with Grandma Bobbi

We had such a fut time with my mom while we were home for Thanksgiving.  Ruby and Bobbi had a great time snuggling and giggling.  Gordon and Bobbi also had the best time acting goofy and playing constantly.  Life is so much better when Grandma Bobbi is around!!!

Peek a boo!

Ruby loves hiding behind things and surprising us with her adorable little giggle and smile. 

Thanksgiving Program

We feel so lucky to have found Ms. Anne's school for both Gordon and Ruby.  Gordon and Ruby had their first little Thanksgiving performance and Eric was able to attend.  He took lots of video and captured many pictures.  Gordon sang his little heart out while dressed in his Native American attire.  Meanwhile, Ruby sat quietly on one of the teachers laps because she was a bit frightened by all of the action.  Overall, it was a big success and the kids were darling!

Fall Family Pictures

These were some of our favorite family pictures we had taken at the very end of October.  It's fun to see our little family grow and change.  The last time we had our pictures taken as a family Ruby was just 8 months old, I can't believe she's already 20 months now.  Where does the time go.  We had a great time getting our pictures taken down in Old Town San Diego.  It was hilarious too because there were some tourists vising from Japan and they were snapping pictures of our family left and right, it was pretty funny!

Best Buddies

It doesn't get any cuter!  Gordon LOVES Ruby and Ruby LOVES Gordon.  It's the cutest thing in the morning to watch them greet each other after they get up.  Generally, Ruby wakes up between 6-6:30 and Gordon is up between 6:30-7:00.  Ruby and I are usually downstairs reading stories or watching a show.  As soon as Ruby and I hear Gordon we yell, "Gordon!!!" and Ruby throws her arms around him and gives him a hug, sometimes even a kiss.  I will cherish these tender little mercies forever!

Gordon 4 1/2

Gordon is 4 1/2 and is just fun as can be.  He loves going to school, in fact the other day he asked me if he could go to Ms. Anne's school forever.  He loves his little sister Ruby.  He loves his curly hair (I do too!).  He loves playing outside, running, playing sports on the XBox, making art projects, playing with friends & family, going places, and anything else he creates or comes up with.  We just love this little boy and are so thankful he is a big part of our family.  Love you Goosie!  Oh and one more thing, when you ask him his name he says it's, "Gordon Goose Koehle!"  Classic! Maybe we should consider changing it from Reed to Goose, it does kind of have a nice ring!

Our little beauty

Oh my precious little baby girl, how has she gotten so big so fast?!?  She brings us so much joy and happiness each and every day.  I love hearing Gordon say, "Mommy I love my baby sister Ruby soooo much!"  We too feel the same way about this precious little angel.

Happy Boy

Such a fun loving and happy boy especially when he is outside running around.  His little smile, those curls, and that larger than life personality is such a darling combination.

I'll Love You Forever!

I could stare at these little people forever.  Eric captured these pictures the other day.  The kids were sitting on the garage floor looking out at the street holding hands.  My heart melted then seeing them together and it melts every time I look at these.  What a tender mercy of motherhood.

Gordon (4) Ruby (1 1/2)

Frozen yogurt treat

Eric had mutual the other night so the kids and I decided to treat ourselves to a little frozen yogurt, "ice cream!" as Gordon likes to say. Ruby was just tickled that she could sit at a perfect size table and just feed herself. She was so darling. Gordon was thrilled because I let him pick out 1 gummy frog to put on his. Easy thrills, it was a magical night!

Siblings

These two together are just the perfect combination.  They love each other so much, despite the occasional hair pull from Ruby or trip from Gordon.  They love to snuggle and be next to each other whenever possible.

Silly Boy!

Gordon is just having the BEST time at his new preschool.  He is working so hard, does about a million art projects a day, plays, runs, swings... his little heart out, is learning to write his name and the list goes on and on.  It is the perfect fit for him.  He comes home and wants to do more art and homework.  Cute guy!

A Flock flew in!

This past weekend we went back to our old house in Oceanside to check out our old renters and check in our new ones.  We has some of the most amazing neighbors there and we miss them.  It just so happens that when we were in town a whole flock of flamingos flew onto Mr. Tim's truck, so strange!  We miss them!

Back to School helpers

I love my new classroom, this was a couple of weeks before school started and I had my helpers coming to school (Gordon 4) (Ruby 18 months).  I'll have to take some new pictures of what my classroom looks like now.  However, working here is a dream.  It is an incredible place to be, I feel very blessed.

Superhero birthday parties are the best

Gordon got to go to his buddies super hero birthday this past weekend and had a blast.  Dressing up is so fun and watching these little boys run around was hilarious!

Superheros Rock!

Gordon picked out his very own superhero costume at Costco this past week.  He was very, very excited, especially because this special costume even came with a shield.  Ruby just stared at him as he modeled his super hero abilities and strength.

18 month old Ruby

 Ruby is as cute as can be mixed with a little spunk.  She is doing some more teething and is getting her top and bottom molars right now along with her 4th tooth on the bottom as well.  She is in a little phase right now where she pinches and pulls hair when she is frustrated.  When we tell her that is not okay she immediately comes over to give hugs instead and says in her adorable voice, "sorry." Love her!   In the first picture she is modeling a pair of Gordon's underwear, she really wants to wear them now but we aren't anywhere close to potty training yet.