What does it take to get a picture of 4 generations?

Twins and a preschooler complicate any photo. Here's what it takes:

Help Great-grandma get settled in the center and help Evie up (making sure she doesn't step on Zevon)

Get the twins settled and Evie calmed down

Make sure sweaters are buttoned and shirts out of mouths

Smile!

Evie's 4th birthday!

Our little princess

Evie got to celebrate her 4th birthday at the farm. It turned out to be an intimate affair, since a blizzard was due that evening. But for those of us that were there, it was a birthday fit for a princess! Pink cupcakes, tutus, sparkly jewelry, and princesses ruled the night. (I'm enjoying the frills and sparkles, because something tells me I won't get that with the twins.) I can't believe how fast Evie has grown up! It seems like not too long ago she was wiggling on the floor like her brothers. Recently, I was looking at old video clips from when she was almost 2. I thought she was such a big girl then! Now, she is running and jumping, full of imagination, and generally giving us a run for our money. Some days she is 4 going on 14, and other days she is as goofy as a clown. But one thing hasn't changed: she is our beautiful little girl.

Mmm...cupcakes!

Opening her gifts so ladylike

Evie modeling her latest fashion

When the weather outside is frightful

Evie and Guthrie all curled up with Grandma Bev

What do you do when it is freezing outside (and by freezing, I mean Minnesota freezing, not Pacific NW "freezing")? You hang out with family! Here's what we were up to while staying warm and cozy during the sub-zero temps and while the blizzard was raging outdoors.

Zevon snuggling with Aunt Megan

Zevon and Guthrie wiggling on the floor with Grandpa Wayne

Grandma Bev and Kaitlin doing an impossible puzzle

Guthrie chatting with his daddy and Grandma Rhonda

Zevon picking out wedding dresses with Kaitlin and Grandma Bev

Zevon playing peek-a-boo with Grandma Bev

Evie coloring with Grandma Rhonda

Evie playing Princess Yatzee with Daddy, Aunt Megan and Uncle Chris. It was pretty funny hearing Chris say, "I only need two more Jasmines to win!"

Guthrie checking email with Grandpa Wayne

Bathtime with Grandma Bev (I don't know what was so funny...and I'm pretty sure Mom doesn't know either.)

Bedtime story with Great-grandma. We were so lucky to have Great-grandma stay with us at the farm for most of the week!

Grandpa Wayne rocking Zevon to sleep. As wonderful as the week at home was, the boys' sleeping was terrible. They woke up for midnight feedings and refused to go to sleep easily at night or for naps. Thankfully we had lots of helpful hands to hold babies!

Minnesota snow

All bundled up and excited for snow

The first thing Evie asked Grandma Bev when we got off the plane was, "Do you have a box full of snow for me to play in at your house?" Evidently Evie was thinking of her sandbox, and knowing that there was snow in Minnesota, got the two mixed up. Evie was super excited for snow, but this kid has had limited experience with it. Luckily, she got her fill. The weather did not disappoint with below zero temperatures and a blizzard around new years. Evie was not swayed by the cold weather. She bundled up and played in the snow with whoever would brave the cold with her. She went sledding with Aunt Megan and Uncle Chris, built a fort with her dad, and went skiing with Aunt Kaitlin.

Evie and Will showing off their snow fort

Mush, Daddy, Mush!

Aunt Kaitlin and Evie

Wearing the cross-country skis her mommy and aunts learned to ski on

Look at her go!

Evie got a little help from Aunt Kaitlin and Grandpa Wayne coming back from the yard

Of course, the boys didn't take a run in the snow. But, they had their snowsuits waiting for them in Minnesota to brave the cold runs from house to car.

Zevon and Guthrie all cozy

More twins holding twins

Sondra (left) holding Zevon and Shirley (right) holding Guthrie

In case you are wondering, there are twins in my family. Actually, the only set of twins I know of are my dad's twin sisters. Sondra and Shirley are identical (as far as I can tell) and we all have heard stories of their amazing twin-ness (unknowingly buying the same outfits for their sons, giving each other the same Christmas gift, etc). So, of course when you have twins together in the same room, you need to take a picture. Zevon wasn't in such a great mood, and Shirley kept on blaming Sondra. They both got the giggles watching the flurry of picture taking from the rest of the family (see the picture below to know what I mean). I guess everyone gets excited about twins!

The family paparazzi

Guthrie and Zevon, Children of God

Zevon and Guthrie, partners in crime

On December 26, Zevon and Guthrie were baptized at the church where I was baptized and confirmed and where Will and I were married. It was a little overwhelming to walk into the church and be greeted by so many people, but it was very special, too. We were surrounded by love from the whole church! Aunt Megan and Uncle Chris were sponsors and Megan also did the 'dunking'. They boys were so calm during the service...up until the baptism. Either they wanted all to know that they were filled with the Spirit or the water was a little cold. After the service, we enjoyed ham and potatoes in the church basement with the whole family (thanks to Mom and Dad and everyone else who got the meal ready and cleaned up!).

Zevon

Guthrie

Godparents Chris and Megan holding Zevon and Guthrie

We were so lucky to have lots of family around us. Many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins were in town for Christmas, and Grandma Rhonda was able to make the trip from Montana.

Christmas!

Members of Santa's good list

We have a huge number of posts to share! Let's start at Christmas...
Actually, let's start at December 23. The Norwegians call it "Lille Julaften" or "Little Christmas" and Kaitlin and I decided to start our Christmas a little early, too. We had Kaitlin and Johny over for Swedish meatballs and sugar cookies and to open presents. Then, we wouldn't have to cart presents to Minnesota just to cart them back. We also worked out a deal with Santa to come on Christmas eve morning since we were leaving for Minnesota early on Christmas Day. Something tells me that pastor's kids have to get used to a flexible Christmas celebration. Evie set out the cookies we made for Santa and a few carrots for the reindeer. She was super excited for the ladybug pillow pet Santa brought here the next morning.

The kids and I went to the early family service on Christmas eve. The Christmas story is read and kids are asked to come up and play a part. Evie, like every little girl in the congregation, wanted to be an angel. She was happy to find a preschool classmate in the angel throng and they had a little angel chat up there. Unlike last year's excitement, there were no cows fighting behind the pulpit but the shepherds looked like they could cause some trouble with their staffs. This year was more mellow.

After getting the children all snug in their beds on Christmas eve, it was my job to finish the packing and take down the tree before we left the next morning. I think I'm starting to understand why my mom always looked so tired on Christmas eve. There is a lot of doing and undoing that happens around that time of year. It is a lot of work to get 3 kids all dressed up! But they looked super cute...just look!

Evie in her Christmas best

Zevon with visions of sugar plums

Guthrie listening for reindeer hooves

Baby entertainment

The boys wiggling around on the floor. Their blanket is almost not enough to contain them!

Zevon and Guthrie are practicing their new tricks! They are inching closer to rolling onto their tummies. Evie and I were cheering Guthrie on this afternoon because he was so close! Zevon is a little more content to lay around, but his kicking power almost launched him out of his baby bath one night a few weeks ago. Both are getting really good at grabbing toys and bringing them to their mouths. Guthrie almost transferred a rattle from one hand to the other tonight. Zevon loves bringing his burp cloth up to his face, punching it in his mouth and then wiggling around. This was a trick Evie did as a baby, and it cracks me up. Zevon reminds me a lot of Evie! Tonight, Zevon would laugh at everything Evie did for him. She would dance around him, he would laugh. She would laugh back at him and he would shriek with joy! Gus just watched with a grin. I really want to know what these little guys are going to be like as siblings. With as fast as everyone is growing, it will happen quicker than I can imagine.

Guthrie and his 3/4 roll

Zevon is contemplating his next move

5 months old!

Zevon, Will, and Guthrie, my three rock stars!

The boys turned five months old this week. We can't believe how big they are getting! Guthrie is starting to scoot himself off the blanket while he is wiggling on the floor. Both Zevon and Guthrie have found their hands very entertaining. They are now grabbing at things and cuddling with stuffed animals and blankets. They are able to bat at toys on the activity bar in their swing and chair. As Will says, they are no longer lumps of mashed potatoes. They are real, animated, little people! I've also noticed that they will smile at each other, as if to say, "hi there, bro!". Every time Evie is close, they will smile and 'talk' to her. She can get them to laugh every time.

Evie, Zevon and Guthrie, staying toasty by the fire.

Rock star babies

Guthrie and Zevon rocking out

I think it is Will's goal to make all of his children rock stars and he takes any opportunity he can get (we named the twins Zevon and Guthrie for starters). Kaitlin and Johny helped him out by giving the boys these adorable outfits. The boys have been channeling the rock star angst lately with midnight parties, exercising their vocal cords, and generally being moody. In their defense, they both battled colds last week and I believe teething is on its way. In fact, I can feel a little spot in Guthrie's gums that seems like a little tooth poking through. Also, they are learning to stay awake for longer stretches, which is more fun but leads to fussier babies. Needless to say, it has been a rough time in the Sappington house. But things are looking up. They have finally put themselves to sleep the past 2 nights, and right now they are taking a nap that has lasted longer than 20 minutes. Let's hope this continues, and then they'll be rock stars in my book.

Zevon flashing a grin to all his fans

Gus contemplating his next rock anthem

Gospel according to Evie

Ever since we set up the nativity scene, Evie has been relocating and rearranging it. It seems that Santa Claus and Snowman were there to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Thanksgiving

Good food, good people! What more could you ask for?

Snow storms couldn't keep Uncle Jody and Aunt Leanne from visiting their new nephews and wild niece. We were very happy to have them visit us over Thanksgiving this year. They got plenty of cuddles from Zevon and Guthrie, and lots of fun and laughs with Evie Lu.

Jody, holding Zevon, and Leanne, holding Gus

For the big meal, we also had Kaitlin and Johny over. Together, we cooked a turkey and all the sides (all homemade, I should add!). I was pretty impressed with our meal, but it wasn't without event. I exploded some melted butter in the microwave, and needed to call the Butterball hotline after some debate as to if the turkey was actually done (very helpful, and I am totally buying a butterball next year just to thank the company!).

We are in the full swing of the holiday season and that means lots of Christmas music and toy advertisements. Evie loves looking at the "kids newspaper" (Toys R Us circular) and points out all the things she wants. Nothing gets by this kid! She has her clock radio set to the station playing 24-7 Christmas music. A few days ago she told me we needed to go to Fred Meyer Jewelers today, and that we needed to buy gift cards for everyone. Anyone have a good way at limiting media influence on a preschooler?

The boys are busy now, staying awake for long periods and starting to grab at things with their hands. In fact, their hands are their favorite play things and they can stare at them for a long time. They are constantly chewing on their fingers, so we wonder if teeth are coming soon. They both have colds right now and that is making sleeping very difficult. But they are sweet most of the time. Guthrie still gets the giggles when you tickle his neck and chin, and Zevon is all smiles when you sing and talk to him. My favorite is seeing Evie talk to Zevon and Zevon "talks" back to her. So cute!

All ready for bed (Guthrie left, Zevon right). Just a few short months back, they shared this crib. Hard to believe now!