Here is what we have been up to so far
1. Doorbell ditching goodies- We chose three people in our ward that seemed like they could use a little Christmas cheer and left them a goodies. Gordon was the drop and run man and he did a great job, very sneaky.
2. Giving Blood- I was unable to give blood this year, but Taylor went. It was sponsored by parents of a little girl named Heather who died last year. Taylor was able to talk with them for awhile and help brighten their spirits while he served.
3. Sub for Santa- For the Earl family Christmas gift exchange this year instead of giving drawing names and giving gifts to each other everyone went out and got gifts for a family that wasn't going to be able to have a Christmas this year. It was so fun to hear the kids say, "This is for the girls" (they are a family with 4 little girls). --Did this one with the whole Earl family, with lots of help from member of our ward--
4. Lights for Delma- We meet Delma last year through Taylor's dad and put up some Christmas lights for her because she is unable to and lives alone. So this year we went back and did it for her again :) While we were out working she came out and sat on the porch bench bundled in her coat and chatted with us. It was one of my favorite things of the season to see her smile and truly enjoy our company and conversation. And what a treat to go back in a week to see her again while we take them down. --this could not have been done without Taylor's parents. Connecting us with Delma and watching our girls while Gordon, Taylor and I put up the lights--
5. Dinner at Ronald McDonald House- Another item that I think will become tradition. For the second year in a row we were able to cook dinner for the people in the Ronald McDonald House. To be able to stay there you must have a child who is being seen in the Phoenix Childrens Hospital. They charge virtually nothing for family to stay while their children are being treated so they can stay close by. We make the food but we also get to chat and mingle with the families while they eat and hear their stories. And bring the children little gifts to help brighten their day. --We cooked with Cameron, Kimball, and Emily. And we had our friends the Willis' watch our kiddies(you have to be 16 years old to go..they have a few years)--
6. Volunteered at Feed My Starving Children- Cameron introduced us to this charity and we loved it and had to go back. We invited others to come and accept 'the purple shirt challenge'. One purple shirt represents the amount it takes to buy one box of food that will feed X amount of meals/kids. We gave each family a purple shirt with the challenge to also get a purple shirt and extend the same challenge to someone else. The Kellers (Tim, Lisa, Daniel, Benjamin, Ethan), the Youngs (Todd, Jessi, Lilli, Heidi), and Cameron came to pack with us. What a great experience for everyone. --again Thanks to Taylor's parents for watching the girls..still a little too young--
7. Caroling- We went caroling with the Carratinis for Family Night on Monday. We went to widow, singles and the elderly. We sang and brought a little treat. It was fun to just drop in and surprise them. We caught most of them in their jammies :)
8. Temple Service- We had the opportunity to get all the Earl children and spouses together to do sealings at the Mesa Temple as a surprise to Mom and Dad Earl. It was fun to be doing temple service and so cool that we got to do it all as one big family. We feel so blessed to have all of our family strong in the gospel.
9. Cleaning up the park- Taylor and Gordon were out playing at the park a few days ago and noticed there was trash around and decided to do a spur of the moment service and clean up the trash.
10. Country Place Elementary-One of the counselors in our bishopbric is the principle at the Elementary school right by our house. We asked if there was a service we could do and he said yes. We went over and helped organize the books in the childrens section of their library. They have a new librarian coming in at the turn of the year and he wanted it to be organized and nice for her. It was great to help. (And thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Nielsen, Alison and Jorgan for also helping out!)
11. Taylor Singing- We have a friend whos brother was in charge of a fireside and was needing a few extra musical numbers last min so Taylor and Todd agreed to step in last min and perform another song. It turned out great. Those two guys blend so well together!
12. Gordon earning money for charity- All month Gordon has been doing a few chores around the house to earn money. And every time he does we talk to him about donating some of it to charity. We have a little bear 'piggy bank' that he is filling up for the Earl Family 'bears of love' fund. And he is also working on collecting quarters to fill his M&M jar for 'Feed my Starving Children'.
(WE HAVE PICTURES OF EACH OF THESE WHICH I WILL BE PUTTING ON THE BLOG SOON. www.earlfamilyblog.blogspot.
And a few funny stories as well :)
When I heat up Eden's bottle in the microwave she also wants to hold the bottle top and every time she will put it on like a hat and laugh.
Gordon went to the eye doctor this week and he was doing a great job sitting still and listening to what the doctor was asking. At one point the doctor was holding up a sheet of paper with letters on it for him to read. He was going through them all and getting them. On the last line he read about three of the five letters and then paused for a min and said, "I can't see". The doctor replied with, "That is fine you did great." Then Gordon quickly said, "No I can't see....your finger is in the way" And sure enough the doctors finger was over the next letter that Gordon was needing to read. I could not hold in my laughter!
We went to see Tangled this week and it was the first time to the movie theater for Eden. I thought she would fall asleep but she watch/was awake until the very end. :)
Whenever Eden wants a bite of your food you will know. She will come over to you with her mouth WIDE open. Ella caught on quickly that that technique works so she has started to do it too. It makes me laugh every time! :)
We love you all and had so much fun over the Christmas season and it was so fun to share so many of these memories with you.
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