PERFECTION!!!

Saturday December 13th was Spencer's big day. He did it... he got baptized. We had such a great day and there were so many people that came to support him. We really were touched by all the support. But uncle Joe wins the prize. He drove up (from St. George) on Friday night with 3 of the kids (Kerry and Kelsey had to stay behind due to Kelsey being in the Nutcracker) then had to turn around Saturday after the baptism to get back for church duties (since he's the bishop). THANK YOU Langstons!! It was just such a nice day and Spencer was beaming. He was so excited the whole day, he could barely stand it. But Spencer's friend (our neighbor), Ky, summed it up.... as soon as Spencer came up out of the water he yelled "Alright Spenc"! All of his friends treated him like a ROCK STAR all day.
Here are a few of the pictures. One with his primary teacher from 2 years ago, Sis. Palmer (the GREATEST primary teacher in the history of primary teachers) and one with our brand new bishop, Bishop Olsen, who we absolutely love.
Thanks again to everyone for all your love and support. You helped make this an extra special day!

these are a few of my favorite things....

My girlfriend Lisa took pictures of the kids a few weeks ago. She is a great photographer and with a little help from Photoshop, my kids look like models (ok, I am a bit bias). Thanks Lisa!!

Guess what showed up in Rockefeller Center yesterday...

That's right.... the Christmas tree. Some of you may think it's too early for things like Christmas trees, Christmas music, Christmas shopping. BUT NOT ME!! I absolutely love Christmas. I come from a long line of Christmas lovers. You should have seen my grandparents house at Christmas time. As a little girl, I thought they lived in "winter wonderland". Then there's my mom and dad. It's "winter wonderland 2" over at their house. I love everything about Christmas. Even the snow and cold. It's magical. So, to those of you who are not Christmas lovers, sorry for the Christmas music in November. I waited as long as I could. When Gregg tells me that I seem to "skip over Thanksgiving" I just tell him, "no I dont. I'm just really THANKFUL for Christmas". MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!

That's right folks, he's 8!

Ok, I don't know how this happened, but Spencer is turning 8. I know. I'm shocked!! This is my baby. I used to make him promise me that he wouldn't get older than 4. Then 5. Then 6. It's not working and I don't know how to make this whole growing up thing stop.

Spencer had his birthday party yesterday. We always do it a few weeks early because of the holidays. It just gets too crazy.

We went to Boondocks and had a great time! He had 12 of his friends come and it was as crazy as you might imagine with 13 eight year old boys running around an arcade on a sugar high from birthday cake. But I must say, Spencer has THE COOLEST group of friends. They are the cutest boys. They are all so sweet and good and friendly. He is one lucky little boy.

I can not say enough about Spencer. He is an amazing boy. I am beyond lucky to be his mother. He is joy everyday. He is smart, kind, thoughtful, sensative, funny, loyal and so sweet. He is the greatest big brother. Josh and Allie adore him. Not to mention Gregg and I.

Happy birthday my beautiful boy!!!! Now, stop growing up!!

One spooky night

Halloween once again! The weather has been beautiful here and we were able to enjoy a REAL, fall, Halloween. Spenc, Indiana Jones. Josh, Iron Man. And Allie, a "blinged out" Dorthy. Anything with sequins and she is thrilled. We had our good friends, the Lintons, over for a spooky dinner of brains (spaghetti) with rat meat balls, pumpkin salad (pumpkin shaped croutons) and cheesy ghost bread. Not to mention the cups dripping in blood and eyeball cupcakes. Too fun. We love Halloween over here!

The trip of a lifetime!!!

Disney just knows how to do it right. We have heard for years ~ from soooo many people ~ that a Disney cruise was the greatest vacation to take with your family. IT'S TRUE! We spent 3 days at Disney World and then went for a 4 day cruise. Gregg and I agree... if we did it again, we'd skip the whole Disney World part and just head straight for the cruise. We had such a wonderful time..... rides! rides! rides! and more rides! and then cruising and making a stop in the Bahamas to swim with dolphins and then a stop at Disney's island, Castaway Cay, for some snorkeling, swimming and relaxing on a beautiful beach (also seeing the REAL 'Black Pearl' from the Pirates of the Carribean movies). We were running the entire time and we didn't even begin to do everything that they offer. High School Musical Dance off, Oceaneer club where our kids got to make flubber and have treasure hunts, swimming, playing soccer and basketball on the sports court, movies in their theatre and outside on the big screen, live shows, bingo, charecters, pirate party, and dont forget... EATING!! I believe I can see all of us gaining weight in each picture. OH MY!! Our kids keep asking when we can go back. UM?? Have any money saved up kids??? Anyway, AWESOME vacation and we really do hope to do it again. And just so you know....I took over 200 pictures so I really did pair these photos down.

Fall is in the Air and we are LOVING it!

Last night we took the kids out to Cornbelly's (out at Thanksgiving Point) and had a blast! We went with our wonderful friends, the Freedmans. It's such a fun place to go and enjoy family and Halloween and FALL (my favorite time of year). A little something for everyone.... go cart racing, a jumping pillow, the "princess corner", where Allie got to dress up in princess dresses and sit in Cinderella's pumpkin carriage, pig races, hot chocolate, roping, slides, the corn maze (made into David Archuletta's likeness), the "haunted monster and so much more! Fall is FABULOUS!!!!