Okay, so we are not keeping up to date very well, but every picture I download takes forever!  I will try to get a couple new ones up today.

Our latest news is a Gordon family vacation last weekend.  We haven't had a vacation "just us" for some time, and it was a lot of fun (not that we don't enjoy other people...).

We decided to see what scenic Springfield, Illinois had to offer.  Upon asking where we were going on our family vacation most people said, "Springfield?  What's there?"  5 extra credit points if you know what's in Springfield....

Well, we went to the Lincoln Museum, Lincoln Home and Lincoln's Tomb.  The boys enjoyed this, and we were pretty impressed by the things we saw.  I think the boys would say their favorite part was staying in a hotel, and swimming in the pool.

The next day we drove to Nauvoo and took the boys to a few of the sites there.  We did the carriage ride (all bundled up in blankets) and saw a couple of the houses.  Again, I think the boys would say swimming in the hotel was most exciting... but hey, we made some fun memories!

We also got to go to Rock's baby blessing and see RaeAnne, Dale and Whitni.  That was a highlight for me!  

All in all, our family vacation was a success, if for no other reason than stealing Dad away from work and other responsibilities and having some time to talk!

So, what's the latest with the Gordons?  Not a lot changes around here, though we are always going.  But, here are some updates...

Last week, Spencer had his first art show.  He is taking art lessons once a week with a group of about 8 students and a wonderful teacher.  He loves it!  He comes home each time happy, and proud of the work he has done.  This has been a wonderful thing for him.  So last week his teacher had an  art show at the local library.  She gave the kids ribbons and talked about how wonderful they all are... did I mention what a great teacher she is?  This has been great for Spencer!

Tyler had a music performance at school... he has been singing the songs around the house for months now.  It was pretty cute!  I tried to get some good video, but Tyler is very short, and was not on the front row, therefore, all you see is his little blond head bobbing around, and every so often, his cute little face!

On Monday the kids didn't have school, so they decided to make me a surprise breakfast.  They locked me in my room (of course the lock is on the inside) and called through the door, "Mom, how do you make French Toast, I just want to know."  Well, when I was finally allowed to come downstairs I found the table set (with a fancy plate for me) and a menu (see picture).  They were very sweet.  Tyler said, "Do you know why we did this for you mom?  Because you are the best mom ever"  he thinks for a minute, "well, the best mom we ever had."  Nice disclaimer there!

She's my baby, of course she gets more face time!

Sydney is growing fast!  At this age, they learn and mimic so much, they just keep you laughing.  Sam was taking pictures today, and became bored with my smiling, happy face, so he suggested that I pull funny faces instead.  I made my famous pig face for him (this is a hit with Tyler especially) so he could take a picture.  Sydney did not think it very funny, I think she was rather disturbed by this change in her mother's appearance!  Disturbed as she was, she still tried to make a funny face of her own!

I must say that having a girl after three boys is so much fun!  There are those inherit differences between boys and girls that everyone talks about, but it ten times cuter in your own children.  Sydney loves to hug and pat everything, from the obvious baby dolls and stuffed animals, to a shirt she finds on the floor.  She found a picture of Tyler when he was a baby and had to hold and love that as well.  But, while she has all of that natural feminine nurturing,  we hear plenty of comments like, "Boy, she sure makes her mind known," or "That Sydney, she's a force to be reckoned with!"  Watch our for red heads!

Steve says I need to post something on the blog.  I have never done such a thing, and I am not sure what would be interesting to read.  

Right now, I am thinking I would like to move to Arizona, Florida, Hawaii... notice those are all warm places... Chicago is not a warm place!  While we don't have 2 feet of snow outside like the Fords do, I still feel justified in complaining about cold, ice, snow and wind!  I've had enough and have declared winter to be over several times... no one is listening however and it is still cold outside!  The kids don't seem to feel it like we old people do, however, Spencer did ask me today why the sun doesn't shine in Chicago anymore.  Good question!