Spencer got baptized

Spencer got baptized two days ago on Dec. 19th. It was a great day. I am kind of bummed that the pictures turned out blurry. I am hoping Santa Clause brings us a new camera.

After the baptism we invited everyone over to our house for a brunch. We had a waffle bar, eggs, sausage and fruit. It was yummy. Thank you to all who helped us celebrate.

Fun

A few weeks ago I went to check on Marlee and she was hanging out in the toy room playing with the toys.

Spencer had a combined birthday party on Dec. 12th with Tyson Moore since their birthdays are on the same day. We had an ice skating party.

Bryant was so brave and got out there and tried skating, the dollar bribe I offered him helped. He had quite a few falls, but he said he was glad he did it.

The boys got finished ice skating a lot faster than we had planned. We were lucky there was a park next to the ice skating rink and we were able to keep having fun.

Marlee's first pony tail.

Karalee fell asleep with her babies while she was watching a movie.

Marlee had lots of fun scattering the newspaper all over.

Thanksgiving Stick Horse Rodeo

This year after our family had Thanksgiving dinner I planned a stick horse rodeo. It was a lot of fun. Here are a few pictures.

Telling kids the rules

Abe giving a great performance during the Bull Riding. The contestants were judged on their best make believe performance of riding a bull. It was funny.

Bryant doing the Bull Riding

He got bucked off

The Rescue Race

Weston and Kaitlyn having fun.

The tennis shoe race. All the kids put their shoes in a wheel barrow and then they were taken to the middle of the field and dumped in a big pile. The kids had to run down, find their shoes, put them on, and then race back to see if they could get some of the prize money.

Hunter and Josh in the wheelbarrow barrel race

Hunter and Addie in the wheelbarrow barrel race

Crystal and Darrell entered the race. Brady moved the chairs closer for them.

For the grand finale the stick horse keg race. I even participated for the first couple of rounds, but I stopped when my leg started hurting just a bit and Chad took my place.

I am a big loser!

It's official, I have now lost 30 pounds. I started my journey on June 15th. I went to Jeff and Celeste's weight loss clinic and met with their nutritionist, got a body scan, and got a diet plan worked out just for me. (I wasn't able to do the HCG because I am nursing my baby, so the nutritionist really had to personalize things for me. Thanks Denise.) I lost 15 pounds the first month, then I had my accident. I was able to maintain my weight while I was pretty much immobile, then I have chipped away at the other 15 pounds since then. I still have some more to loose because last week I found out I still have high cholesterol. I really don't want to have to take medication to lower it, I am too young for that.

I has been a long time since I have felt good about my body. I am so thankful I found something that works for me. Thank you SO much Jeff and Celeste for helping me and encouraging me.

Now for a funny story. Two nights ago I had a dream that Robert Downey Jr. tried to ask me out and he gave me his phone number. I told him no but he just wouldn't give up. During my dream I thought, wow, losing weight and looking better is going to cause me some problems. Why Robert Downey Jr. you ask? I have no idea. I don't even think he is really cute or that great of an actor, but Chad and I did see the trailer for the Sherlock Holmes movie that he plays in the night I had my dream so I guess that's why he showed up.

Now for the pictures.


I took this picture today

This picture was taken back in June. I have really debated showing it because I don't like the way I look in it. When I saw it, I became really motivated to lose weight.

Pictures with Santa!!

Marlee smiled away. I think this is the first time any of my babies liked Santa.

Before we went to see Santa Karalee wasn't sure she wanted to sit on his lap, but when she saw the candy canes she jumped right up there.

She told Santa she wants a dolly and a trampoline.

Bryant told Santa he wants a Nintendo DS and a remote control helicopter.

Spencer didn't get to see Santa because he was at Disneyland with his Grammy Sanders. I don't feel sorry for him. He said he will write a letter.

Spencer is EIGHT!!!

Spencer turned eight years old today. We are so excited for his baptism later this month. We had a good time celebrating his birthday today. Here are some fun pictures from his special day.

Sleeping peacefully until...

We wake him up by singing happy birthday so he can open his presents.

He got a real set of golf clubs like his dad.

Checking out his gift from Grandma Flake

Trying out the new clubs before going to church.

Exactly eight years ago tonight this is what we were doing!

Spencer about 6 weeks old

around 6 months old

about 2 1/2 years old

4 years old

5 years old

6 years old

7 years old

Trying out his new clubs

Eight things we love about Spencer:

1. He has a kind heart.
2. He is so patient with his brothers and sisters.
3. He is selfless - He shares or takes the last turns if it will make his brother and sisters happy.
4. He is a peacemaker - I was reviewing the notes that my mother-in-law took of Spencer's baby blessing today and he was blessed to be a peacemaker. He is fulling that blessing.
5. He has cute red hair.
6. He likes to tell jokes. - Some of them are funny.
   
7. He is a good athlete.
8. He loves to help.
   

Concert

I am going to be playing in this concert Thursday night. I hope you will consider going. It will be well worth the money spent and will make a great gift. Tickets are selling fast. It is going to be so great, you won't be disappointed.

Keepin' Busy

Bryant got his first soccer trophyMarlee and Mary

Karalee and Molly both fell asleep while I was grocery shopping today.

Spencer got to have a special Friday night soccer game and his coach announced all of their names and their nicknames and let them run onto the field. Spencer's nickname was target.

Marlee havin' fun watching the game.

Karalee was happy her friend Emma was at the game too.

Karalee can wear Marlee's pants

I love taking pictures of my kids while they are sleeping.

Amy and I learned how to make applesauce. Sorry I didn't turn the pictures the right way.

A few days ago I found Karalee like this when I notice things got really quiet. I am trying to faze out nap time for Karalee so she will go to bed earlier, but she falls asleep on her own quite often.

I am glad she didn't fall off the bench.