Pictures from our weekend in LA Verkin

Another Boy!

Yesterday, Olivia went in for her ultrasound. I finally convinced her to find out what the sex of the baby is rather than waiting, as we did with the first two. I really should have thought it through a little more. Knowing our chances of having a boy, it was inevitable that Olivia would be upset when we found out (this was even the bulk of my argument for actually finding out - to be upset now rather than at the birth when things should be happy).

What escaped me was the amount of time Olivia would be upset (bad move). Olivia now has five more months of being upset until she can be reminded, with a baby in her arms, how special it is no mater the sex. So for any future babies (if there are any) I'm sure we'll be back to not finding out until the birth. When she came back from her walk this morning she informed me she was crying the entire time thinking about what she will be missing by not having a girl (not buying prom dresses, not planning a wedding - sounds like plusses to me).

In any event, I am excited for another boy; the perfect golfing foursome, another great fishing buddy, another missionary, and close cousins with Jack and "the boy named Sue." Not that a girl couldn't be close with Jack and Sue, but having two close boy cousins myself, I know how fun it will be for Eli.

Christmas 2007

Christmas Eve

The beautiful table and tree at set for Christmas dinner.

For our family's number Luke played jingle bells while Rick and I sang and Noah jingled his bell.

The children's musical number was well rehearsed. They started practicing about 6:30 am and didn't stop all day. Tess was the conductor, Ellie the vocal soloist, and Luke provided the music with his saxophone. There were darling and had worked so hard on their two numbers.

Noah with his own little nativity that Grandma had given him.

All the grandchildren dressed in their new Christmas pajamas.

I know that it is now 2008, but you all know that I am always behind on my blogging. Because I have so much to say and show about Christmas I thought that I would take it in stages. Since my last post "Gunnerson Christmas as the Cabin" we have moved on to Christmas Eve. Long ago, when I was in high school, my mom started our McNeil Christmas eve dinner and show. (Anyone who know my mom know that a "show" must be included with everything!) Back then it was just our little family of parents and kids. Now it has grown to Grandparents, kids and their spouses, and grandchildren! We still have our wonderful candlelight dinner and program and I love that this tradition survived our teenage years and the many other family traditions that have married into our family. This year we had shrimp, prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and fresh baked rolls. Okay, that is what everyone else had. I had potatoes, corn, and rolls. Every few years I have to skip the main part of the meal because I am the only crazy person in the world who REALLY dislikes shrimp and red meat. I love my mom for rotating our menu so that most of the time I can stuff myself along with everyone else. Noah particularly loved the prime rib and ate a very large amount for a two year old. In fact he really did make himself sick with prime rib. About an hour after I put him in bed I heard him fussing and found him in his crib lying in a pool of throw-up! Too much of a good thing. With the kids in bed the adults were able to finish wrapping last minute presents and get everything set out. In the process we watched a little of Midnight Mass on T.V., which led to a two hour discussion (sometimes heated) about just how evil the Catholic church is or isn't. Anyway, about 2:30 we I finally made it to bed (while Rick and my dad were still in "discussion") so Santa could come! Next year I will remember not to turn on Mass so we can get to bed a little earlier.

Gunnerson Christmas at the Cabin

Our Postcard Cabin Christmas.

Noah loves the snow.

Luke takes a rest from all that playing.

Rick and the boys going down the sledding hill.
(Noah is in front, then Luke)

Noah and Luke "loved" the ride.

Wow, what a way to start our Christmas vacation. We drove all Friday morning and afternoon to get up the canyon before dark. We hiked in that afternoon and stayed that night and most of the next day. We had a great time eating good food (thanks Joan), playing in the snow, using the out-house (not really), opening presents, and just being together. On Saturday we spent the afternoon playing in the snow. The boys really loved it until Rick took them down the sledding hill. I took them down first, and I sat in the front so I would be the one getting the fresh powder in the face. When Rick took the down, poor Noah was in the front followed by Luke. With such deep powder, the boys were literally buried in the snow by the end of the run. I heard Luke screaming "Get us out of here", and Noah was just plain screaming. That was the end of the snow play for us. I took them both in and warmed them with hot cider and a warm fire. We had a great weekend and really enjoyed being with family. Thanks Lee and Joan for putting it all together for us. We appreciated all the hard work!

And baby makes five!

I am sure that 9 out of 10 people reading this blog are already aware of it, but yes, we are having another baby! My offical due date is June 15th. Oh, that seems so far away! I am just 15 weeks along, and can't believe that each time you are pregnant you look pregnant even sooner. I am not happy about that. I am hoping for a girl this time, but I think I am the only one. We told the boys a few weeks ago that we were having a baby in the summer, and Luke had a really funny response. At first he looked at my stomach and said, "I don't even see any fat." I told him that was so nice and thank-you very much. Just a couple of minutes later he patted my stomach and said, "Actually, I do see a little fat." From the mouths of babes. Noah is so happy about the baby and kisses my tummy about 100 times a day. He has finally started calling my tummy "baby", instead of "baby Jesus". I guess because we had just put up our Christmas decorations and nativity, he had "baby Jesus" on the brain because for over a week if you asked him what was in mommy's tummy he would say, "baby Jesus". I don't know how I am going to do three, I feel overwhelmed with two, but many people have don't it in the past and I guess I will just do the best I can!

Piano Recital

This last weekend Luke had his first piano recital. He did an awesome job, and we were so proud of him. He opened and closed the recital, being the first and last to play. His first few numbers were his "classical" numbers and then ended with his Christmas number. He played great and did not even balk at the idea of playing for a group of people. (that McNeil performing gene is coming through). Although afterward he did say he was a little nervous, but as soon as he started playing he was confident and able to finish. We took video of the event and were going to post it, but were unable to locate the cable to transfer the video to the computer, so you may see it later. This is Luke waiting to play.
Playing his first "classical" piece.
Playing his memorized Christmas song.
After each of the kids were done playing they were instructed to either bow or curtsy, unfortunately, Luke was unaware of which direction he should bow. So at the conclusion of his playing he took a bow backwards.
This is what Noah and I did during most of the recital. surprise, surprise.