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!

Words

Okay, this is for my benefit. Spencer is now 18 months and I need to document his vocabulary (words that he says, but he obviously understands a lot more). I am home sick and avoiding studying for my licensing exam and now the Spain/Portugal game is over...so what better to fill my time with? here goes--let's see how much my foggy mind can remember right now...

more, please, thank you, hi, chair, bye-bye, nigh' nigh', trucks, yes, no, yeah, ball, book, all done, no more, toys, diaper, juice, water, down, shoe, sock, meow, ruff-ruff, dog, bike, outside, mommy, mama, mamae (Portuguese), papa, dada, daddy, papai (Portuguese), banana, tree, uh-oh, all gone, binky, baby, BB (blanket), mine, tickle, toe, shorts, shirt, choc (chocolate), yogurt, bath, what's that, clean up, towel, lotion, amen, cheese, trash, here go (here you go), doggie, puppy, yum, hair, belly, spoon, vovo (Portuguese), teeth, brush, sit, snack, hot, sure

Soccer photo shoot and a couple extras...

So, you can probably guess who our family is rooting for in the world cup...

This photo shoot debuts his recent hair cut, he was one shaggy kiddo before!!

Thanks to Jean's parents for bringing Spencer his soccer gear from Brasil! I think he is adorable in it!

This is how sad Spencer looks when he is sick...

Oh and Mom, you can see that my brilliant idea was not a hit. He is about to rip the bib off his head in this pic. Guess I have to use the bib how it is supposed to be worn and try a shower cap if I want to keep his hair food free. It was worth a try...

A few recent pics...

Spencer has a love/hate relationship with his bike....He is obsessed with it and always wants to play with it, but gets frustrated that he can't get it to move...soon, my friends, hopefully soon!!

Oh yeah, he loves to eat his bubbles and shampoo. When he starts saying bad things, we won't be able to threaten him with soap in his mouth...

MUAH! He just blew you a kiss!!

Are you as dense as Jean and I?

So for months now, Jean and I have laughed at how cute Spencer is when he asks for "more". He even has done this cute little thing with his hands while asking "more" that we figured was random and unique to him. Then "please" enters his vocabulary, and again, so cute with another random gesture. Well...come to find out months and months later that his daycare has been teaching him sign language. So these cute and "random" gestures actually have meaning and I can be quite oblivious!

Which is more effective for eating yogurt...

Spoon or hand?

Well, the hand has more surface area...
And it is cuter to suck on a hand than a spoon....

But maybe the spoon wouldn't get yogurt in your hair when you have an itch to scratch...

Guess there are pros and cons to everything...

"Talking"

and he expects us to understand what he is saying!

Las Vegas

Jean and I took his family to Las Vegas and were grateful to stay in Hotel Davidson (thanks to Spencer (brother), Mom and Dad for your generosity)!! We had a great time exploring some parts of Vegas and little Spencer was exhausted from having so much fun!

We forgot a stroller, so lucky us got to carry Spencer the whole time. He kept trying to escape so he could run around, but didn't get to very much.

Nobody loves Spencer like his Grandpa's! They are so patient and let Spencer explore everything and will do anything Spencer wants. He sure warmed up to Sergio quickly!

Spencer really likes aquariums and even flirts with mermaids (too bad we didn't get that one documented with pictures)!

It was hard to say goodbye to Jean's family. It makes it hard when you don't know how soon we will get to see each other again. Jean and I are lucky to both have such great families that love Spencer so much!!!!

Hogle Zoo and Salt Lake City

We all went to Hogle Zoo and enjoyed perfect Spring weather (along with everybody else in Utah during Spring Break)!!! Spencer enjoyed some animals and was weary of others, especially the fake ones. My Mom took a whirlwind trip to Utah and was able to come with us. Ben and Amy and the crew came along too, but I didn't get any pics with them...

We also went to This is the Place Monument, Rodizio's and Jean's parents went to temple square with Leticia and Martin.