Gordhamer Family News

Monday, September 12, 2011

Mid Autumn Festival

We had the chance t o go to the Chinese Gardens for the Mid-Autumn Festival of lights this year. It was kind of memorable because it was one of our first experiences 4 years ago when we first arrived in Singapore. I was hugely pregnant with Ella and pushing Xander in the stroller. My how things have changed. The theme this year was Myths and Legends. Below Xander and Ella are standing in front of the rabbit--it is the year of the rabbit. Joseph and Abigail are actually the rabbits in our family though.

We met up with Cami and Craig for a hawker style dinner on the lake before seeing the lights. We don't often tour Singapore together so I thought this was a good opportunity for a group picture.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

First Day of School

The kids all started school in mid August. They were all really excited and eager to get going again. Abigail started middle school and was a little nervous the first day; but she came home super happy and said, "Mom, I LOVE middle school!" Maggie is going by Magdalene this year in her 4th grade class. And Xander started 1st grade. Vinka and Conrad were there to see them off.

There they go. Picked up at our driveway at dawn.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Dogs

I'm not quite sure how it happened, but we have added two American Cocker Spaniels to our family: a brother and sister named Conrad (with the brown ears) and Vinka respectively. They are a bundle of fun and energy. The girls all adore the dogs but Xander doesn not so much. He is a little jumpy around them and tries to avoid them altogether.

Ella is constantly with the dogs and has no fear. She is a natural around animals. We think she will be a vet when she grows up.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Photo Shoot

I have been wanting to get photos taken of the kids for quite some time. I decided that since Joseph has such a good camera I might as well try myself. It is just getting everyone picture ready that seemed so daunting. Well, I just did a kid a day and that made it more reasonable. All I did was some cropping--no editing at all. I printed 8 X 10 and they are all up on my wall now. I am so proud of myself for getting it done. Here are some of our favorites (it was so hard to pick just one to print and frame.)

Juliet--19 mo--the sweetest thing to ever come to us. Her first words out of her mouth were "tank ew" (thank you.)

Xander--6 yrs--my favorite little guy in the whole world. His photo shoot took about 5 minutes. Very cooperative and positive kid. He is in first grade this year. He loves dinosaurs and sharks (anything dangerous with big teeth).

Ella Marie--3 yrs--so full of life and energy and quite loud. She is always getting into some kind of trouble, but she is so affectionate and sincere, and quick to say "sorry." She LOVES to draw and is always drawing somewhere.

Abigail--11 yrs--definitely the hardest to photograph because she hates posing for pictures. I had a hard time getting her to look natural. As our oldest, she is getting more independent and has always been responsible. She just started middle school this year and is loving it.

Magdalene--9 yrs--Maggie decided to go by Magdalene this year in 4th grade. She will still be Maggie Jean, Maggie, or Mags to me (even though I love her name.) She has always been photogenic and natural in front of cameras. She is the petite one in our family and very compassionate.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Family Reunion: Carthage

The final day of our family reunion was in Carthage, Missouri where Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, were shot and killed. Juliet is looking out the window where Joseph fell. It was another sacred to place to gather as a family in the room where the first prophet of our dispensation spent his final moments in mortality.

Abigail in the courtyard where Joseph fell to his martyrdom.

After one final family picture, we said goodbye to everyone and went our separate ways. What a great experience and good memories we will have to cherish. My parents did a wonderful job planning this experience for all of their children and grandchildren.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Family Reunion: Nauvoo

Shortly after we arrived in the US, we had the opportunity to travel to Nauvoo, Illinois and meet up with the entire Larsen family for a fantastic reunion. We learned about our pioneer heritage and ancestors while talking about the foundation they laid for us in this beautiful city. The kids had so much fun with their cousins, visiting the historic sites and running around at the condos we all stayed in next to each other. Joseph and Maggie are pictured below in what would have been their attire a couple hundred years ago. I am convinced Joseph would have been a blacksmith.

Ella and her cousin Audrie spent a good amount of time in the pioneer playhouse.

Pioneer toys and games were a big hit with all the children.

The main focal point and purpose of the city was at this temple, rebuilt recently to the exact specifications of the original temple. It was breathtaking and my favorite part of the family reunion was spending time on the temple grounds with all my family. While we were gathering there to take some photos, the kids got to be up close to the temple and enjoy each others company. That is how I hope heaven is someday: a sacred place where we can all gather, laugh, have fun and share the bonds that unite us together as a family unit.

You don't have to push a handcart, or leave your family dear; or walk a thousand miles or more to be a pioneer . . . you do need to have great courage . . .

Such cute boys.

Ella in the Joseph Smith store.

Dinner at the old hotel in Nauvoo. These 4 cousins sure had a lot of fun together.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

May

The girls were in a play in May about dragons and pirates. It was Maggie's second play and she did a fantastic job with all her lines, even prompting other characters on stage. She had a main part as Captain of a pirate ship.

Abigail landed the part of dragon on the island. She was a little bit more shy on the stage as it was her first time and she was nervous. Getting all that make-up off was probably the biggest challenge.