Halloween

This year our neighborhood did trunk or treating at our park, in the rain (though I must have snapped these pics in the few minutes it wasn't raining)!! We didn't last very long, but Spencer enjoyed himself.

After Spencer got a handful of suckers, he was more interested in taking off to the slides instead of getting more loot, he didn't quite catch on to the concept.

Our cute little dinosaur/dragon?!?!

Nothing is complete without his sippy cup and blankie....

Happy Halloween!

Working on being nice

So we are working really hard to teach Spencer to not be so forceful with other kids, i.e. pushing, hitting, knocking over, tackling, etc. (though we should probably work on not laughing when he says that he did....I promise, we usually don't do that. It just caught us off guard in this video when we had just had a heart to heart with him!)

I ask him this question daily after picking him up from daycare. Don't worry I also ask the teachers and get the accurate stories. Gratefully, he is getting much better at not doing these things.

I love my guys!

Okay, so I like this one of Spencer sleeping because you can kind of see how he sleeps with one eye a little open (like his daddy). Cute, but mostly weird. And it is beyond me how he is comfortable lying all funky on wadded up blankets...

We have a lot of studying going on around here and Spencer doesn't want to miss an opportunity to be with Daddy.

Until Jean gets distracted and smothers the little guy with love. Spencer is not so much a fan of that...I think he knew what was coming in the previous picture. Keep an eye out for Daddy!!!

Peace is once again obtained! Truce for now.

Too short!!!

This week Leticia came to visit us. Spencer had so much fun playing with her!

We also went to a wedding for some friends from Brasil and got to catch up with some friends we haven't seen in awhile.

Too bad she had to leave so soon!! We miss you already!

Cute exchanges...

So yesterday while driving home I asked Spencer, "Do you love mommy?" and he enthusiastically responded with, "YEAH! and daddy!" I didn't know he knew how to use the word "and" yet.

On Sunday we had our Primary Program (the little kiddos in our congregation present a program of talks and music). Well Spencer watched attentively as all the kiddos got up front and started singing and presenting talks. He grabbed my hand to walk up and said, "MY turn!!!"

Daddy's hat

Oh how I love those two bottom teeth! I want them to stay that way forever, but lucky for Spencer, he has some next to them that are threatening breaking on through...

Brazilian Festival

Spencer was watching the capoeira (Brazilian martial arts) very intently. It is amazing what they can do!!

We had a lot of fun today at the Gateway. Spencer was unsure of the water squirting out of the ground though. But he sure loves to dance, as the following videos show!

Birthday guy

The other day was my Dad's birthday. Glad that he had a great day! Here is a recent pic of him braving the crazy geese after the rest of us were scared off after running out of food for them. He is such a great dad and grandpa!

Yellowstone!

These were huge elk, both 6 point! We got a great view as they were just across the river from us.

At one point, I could have reached out my car window and touched this bison...They were huge and Jean was afraid it was going to ram the car!

This is looking down over a waterfall, it was pretty impressive to see the water gushing down.

Boy, was it stinky here!!!

Spencer fought every photo opportunity....

But we triumphed and got a somewhat decent one of him!

Mom and Cherilyn all happy before a hike straight down and then straight back up...

This black bear was literally right on the side of the road and we got to get so close to it. It didn't even care that we were driving by, just enjoying berries on a bush.

This is the bison family again that we were driving alongside.

Here is another great photo opportunity of Spencer....Well, we enjoyed Yellowstone and can't wait to go again!!

little buddies

Spencer and Dallin had so much fun playing at Seven Peaks last night.

Spencer usually holds his own with Dallin, but here he decided it was better to abandon ship!

Thanks XanGo for a great work party!! We had a blast with Ben and Amy's family! Possible group photo op to come...

Pay raise, here I come!!

YEA!! My licensing exam was my last hurdle to get my LCSW (highest social work license)...and I PASSED!!! I have been so nervous about it and finally took it today. I didn't tell anyone except for Jean that I was taking it b/c I didn't want anyone to know if I failed, but gratefully I didn't! I have finished all my clinical hours so now I just have to submit my paperwork and of course, pay fees and this long process will be OVER! I feel so relieved!!!

power of a good read...

Warning: Bathroom conversation ahead...Okay, so Spencer is very aware of when he goes #2 in his diaper and is prompt to let us know that he needs a diaper change. Well, I thought this might be a good opportunity to capitalize on his awareness/discomfort, so I bought a little potty this last weekend. I rushed home from Walmart and was quick to introduce him to his new best friend. Little did I know how much he would actually love it. I think those first two hours (one of which he slept) I sat him on the potty a good seven times. Yes, lots of work to take off/put on a diaper, but if it gets him trained, I can do it. He loves to ask to "potty" and I encourage but we haven't had anything to celebrate...until today. (I am pleased our first real celebration was only about four days later.)

So cute, we are all hanging out on our bed tonight smothering Spencer with tickles and loves when he asks for "potty" and wants to take his book. (I really don't know where he got that idea...) So we oblige and book comes along. He sits there for a bit longer than usual entertained by his book and when we get him off finally, discover he has actually gone #2!!! So of course the celebrations overwhelm and we point and clap and high five and teach how to flush. Hopefully this is a milestone that will stick (though I am being cautiously hopeful)...I am prepared for a long haul training, but nonetheless, excitement today!!!

happy late fourth!

So before you think I am a creative/crafty mom, this hat was all daycare. Good things somebody will fill those creative shoes...

Who knew...

that our dryer would be such a favorite?

Again I ask, why do we buy toys?

Cruisin'

Meet Spencer chillin' in his carseat enjoying a good binkie

He is also enjoying shushing (sp?) us

And don't mind the camera moving all over, Spencer was trying to knock it with his foot while I was recording...rude!