Merry Christmas

Christmas, like every year, was great! The Spicer side of the family came down to San Antonio for the holiday and we enjoyed some great family fun. Jared's parents rented a house so we could all stay together.
We went to a Spurs game, the kids LOVED IT!! Bentli watched the whole thing and talked about the blimp and coyote for a week. In the middle of the game I took her to the bathroom, when we (Jared and I) didn't rush back to our seats, she said, "Umm.. I can't see the game!!" Tate would start clapping whenever people cheered, he knew his cue. I think we have some fans.
Of course we went to the Alamo and Riverwalk with the family, what's a trip to San Antonio without that?! We all packed up and made it over to Sea World one day. The kids loved it, they always do, it was a great day to go and it wasn't too busy. That is the short version of our holidays. We had a lot of fun with everyone, it was a great way to end 2008.

All of us at the Alamo

Watching the shows at Sea World, even Tate really got into the shows

Tatum Christmas morning

Uncle Luke helping Bentli open a present

Bentli and Kallon in front of the Christmas tree

Uncle Daniel showing off his muscles! Bentli loves to get thrown around

Bentli decorating the tree with Courtney

Bentli in her new Christmas dress

Trip Home

I was able to find some cheap airline tickets home, so I packed up the kids and took off for ten days. It was a whirlwind visit, we were able to see a lot of family and friends, including my brother Jacob that home from London and Britteny, one of my best friends visiting from Germany. It was great. Here are some pics highlighting the trip.






Bentli and Tate with cousins Kayda and Kenzie and Uncle Jake



Bentli making her gingerbread house with Grandma Robbie



Tate cuddling up with Grandpa John

Grandpa Chris gave the kids whatever they wanted! It was hard for them to come home.

Tate with Grandma Robbie

Tate with Grandma Connie, opening Christmas presents

Bekah painting Bentli's fingernails.

I had to include one of me with the kids in the snow!!

Uncle Jake playing Guitar Hero with Tate.

Me and the girls, it was so much fun getting together with all my buds: Tenielle, Desirae, Britteny (and Lexi), Julie, Rachel, and Carrie (and Parker)!!

Bentli loves the dress ups Grandma Connie made for her!!

A Black, Black Friday! (and a tag)

I had a fabulous Thanksgiving, filled with food, family, and friends. The three great Fs right?! It was a lot of fun and we were able to gather together to celebrate and give thanks. I can never say enough how grateful I am for my family, both near and far.

It was a busy day, and I have no to blame but myself for agreeing to go to Midnight Madness at the San Marcos outlets. It was fun, but my body is making me pay for it! I am just too old to be pulling these all nighters. We got up to the outlets at about 11:00 and we literally shopped 'til we dropped. Luckily I was with some really peppy ladies that kept me moving. I was able to finally get to my bed at the same time Jared was getting up to leave for work, about 7:00. It was a lot of fun and it made me grateful that 1) I don't work in retail 2) I have a nice comfy bed and 3) Bentli is easily babysat by cartoons.

Here's a pic of some of the crazy ladies that braved San Marcos with me.

Okay, Michelle tagged me, so here goes. This one was kind of fun, I got to see some old pics when Bentli was just a babe. You post the 4th folder and the 10th picture. This is obviously a picture of our graduation and Bentli was just two months old. We found out later that Jared didn't really graduate, he was one credit short. He took a P.E. class the next semester so he could get a legit. degree!
I tag Amy, Laura, Britteny, Carrie, and anyone else who wants to do it (come on, it's easy and fun!)

Elmo Live

Bentli and Tate received a package this week, from our loving family in Utah. As I opened the package and pulled out the contents, Bentli let out an excited giggle. She started jumping up and down as the red Elmo doll was revealed. Our home was full of smiles and laughter as they enjoyed this new toy together. I posted a little video to share. Tate is fasinated by the doll and knocks it over, frustrating Bentli. Tate didn't even mind Bentli's protective hoover around the doll, he took it in stride and looked for various ways of getting around her.

A Pirate and her Parrot

Halloween is always so much fun! This year was no different. We started out the week with a fun FHE of pumpkin carving and pizza at the park with lots of friends. Jared carved us a skull in his pumpkin and Dana carved a ghost in the other pumpkin for Bentli. I held Tate and took pictures.

On Wednesday we had our preschool, and boy what a party! Tiff and Abigail sure know how to have fun! Bentli was on such a sugar high and judging from all the candy in our house right now, it will probably take a couple weeks to wear off. We decorated pumpkins, covered cookies in candy and enjoyed a delicious lunch. Tate was a ducky for this party, he was one cute duck!

On Halloween I decided to brave Sea World, and expecting more crowds, instead found a very empty park! It was the perfect day for the trip. The dolphins in the cove were very active and even let us pet them without any food (a $5 value)! The kids were beat, so we got home just in time for a little rest before the ward Truck or Treat. Jared won funniest costume in his 70's suit (thanks to the Platts). Tate was a parrot (you have to use your imagination) he had fun chewing on his beak. Bentli loved trick or treating and was very enthusiastic about the candy she got. We had a great time.

Comrades

On Sunday Bentli and Tate were quite the little pair. Bentli has discovered how much fun she can have with her little bro. She has little tea parties with him, of course it can be complicated when he doesn't do it right. Anyways, Sunday night Jared made some Orange Julius for our evening treat and Tate was crawling from person to person trying to get his hands on some too. Bentli noticed her little brother's quest and while we weren't looking she helped him out. I think he probably got more down his shirt than in his mouth.

We cleaned them up and got them into bed. Bentli was usually quiet, normally there is pleading and crying for anything that will delay bedtime a few more minutes, and then I heard some giggling so I went in to check on her. She had crawled into Tate's crib (blanket, pillow, and all) and was set on sleeping next to her little pal. As cute as it was, I decided to protect the safety of my youngest and put her back into her own bed with threats of the harshest discipline if she climbed in again.

You can't really see all the O.J. that was all over his clothes. Tate was pretty proud of himself.

The kiddos giggling in bed, caught red-handed.

Just another pic of them together that I really like.

This was a sweet photo of one tuckered out Tate. He never ever lets me hold him like this, so I had Jared take a pic so I could always remember the moment.

Mom, Jesus Loves Me

Bentli has been talking about Jesus a lot lately and it brings tears to my eyes with all the simple truths that she already knows. The other day, upon seeing a picture of Jesus she looked at me an said, "Mom, that is Jesus Christ. Jesus loves me."

I replied, "Yes, he does"

"Mom, does Jesus love you?"

"Yes, he loves me too. Jesus loves everyone"

"Yeah, I love Jesus too."

I know that I have not taught her these important principles on my own. The primary program and patient, loving nursery leaders have contributed so much to her life. They have helped to teach her that she is a Child of God and that our Heavenly Father loves her, this is such a simple truth, yet so important for everyone to have a knowledge of. Not everyone has been taught this and my heart is filled with gratitude for all the help and love of friends to help instill this knowledge in my daughter's life. I could go on and on with thanks to everyone we know and the positive impact that they each have had in our lives. After that simple, yet profound conversation with my little girl I knew that I had to thank all our family and friends for the many ways in which they bless our lives. Thank you!!

Standing Up, ABCs, and More

This week has gone by fast! Tate suprised us this week by pulling himself up and stood by the couch. He was so proud of himself that he forgot to hang on and fell right over. He is mastering his new skill and really likes to pull himself up by using Jared's leg hairs. I think it is hilarious, Jared... not so much! Here is a pic of our little guy showing off. Bentli successfully sang her ABC song all by herself and didn't miss any letters! We have been working on this for awhile, it was tricky because she doesn't like me to sing with her (she considers that help and heaven forbid that I help her). We are so proud of her for learning it!

I went through all the kids' clothes this week, putting away old clothes, and pulling out hand me downs that now fit. In those hand me downs were a pair of glittery, pink, princess shoes... every girl's dream. Bentli had to wear them right away. We went to Costco and as we were walking in, she told me, "Mom, my shoes aren't nice," sure enough little blisters were forming. It doesn't keep her from wearing the fasionable shoes, a true girl!

Wake up Bentli!

Bentli has been really good about being quiet while Tate is sleeping. I didn't think I would have to worry about Tate waking up Bentli. Tate goes to sleep before Bentli and wakes up before her. It is great for him to have some one on one mommy time and can play with toys without big sister interference. However, because Bentli likes take her nap in random places around the house (under the piano is a popular one) he can see her sleeping while he is playing. You would think that he would like a break from his older, rougher sister. But, when he sees her, he makes a straight bee-line crawl for his favorite play pal.
I successfully grab Tate before he reaches his goal, but after fifteen attempts he finally sneeks in there and gives Bentli a playful slap to the face. Bentli is so excited to see her brother that all she does is roll over and give him a huge smile before she informs me that she is done with her nap. Today they were being so sweet, I had to get a picture, lucky for me Bentli has no problem posing for a photo!

New Tooth

Little Tate cut his first tooth! It finally broke through yesterday and I will be so relieved when this second one finally makes it through too. Like any other mom out there, I hate teething. Tate has been doing pretty good, the worst is of course at night and even then he doesn't cry too long. He is just a smiley baby, and now he's getting a toothy smile!

"funny" story

Well, I was informed by my sister that it has been awhile since I blogged; I haven't really had any blog worthy news really. Melody thinks the kids are full of funny stories everyday, however her idea of a funny story is one where my sassy two-year-old has me pulling out my hair. If you go by her definition of "funny" then I guess we are full of "funny" stories. So here is one for you Melody.

The other day Bentli was watching cartoons on my bed while I was making dinner. When I informed her that dinner was ready and she needed to come and eat with us she gave me the usual protests. I let her know that she should come or have to sit in time out for not obeying me. I got the following response:

"MOM, I am going to SHUT the door. I will LOCK the door and you will NEVER, NEVER come in!"

How do you respond to that? I just had to hold back the laughter and tell Jared to go get her. Well, I hope you enjoyed that Melody, just you wait until you have kids!

Target

Bentli and I needed to get out of the house today, so we decided to go look around at Target. We picked her out a cute little outfit (we love Target's kid clothes). Then we went to go check out the baby boys clearance rack. As I was shuffling through the clothes, trying to find the right sizes for Tate, I noticed Bentli taking off her skirt.

"What are you doing Bentli?" I exclaimed as she was standing there in her underwear.

"Mom, I need to put on my new outfit!"

She began to scream hysterically while I tried to explain that we need to buy the clothes first and she can wear them when we get home. The cries continued and she refused to let me put her old, and apparently out-dated skirt back on. It wasn't until I threatened to put the new clothes back and leave them at the store that she finally stopped crying, fought back the tears and put her old skirt back on.

Oh, the trauma that we horrible mothers put our two year old drama queens through.

Green beans

Our little Tatum has been enjoying the infant cereal for awhile now, so I decided it was time to get some veggies in his diet. Of course I had the camera ready; he always makes the funniest faces when he eats something new. He wasn't sure what he thought of this new food and even though he gagged the whole time, he ate all of his beans.

The most amazing thing about this photo is that it was taken by a two year old. Bentli saw me with the camera and begged to let her have a turn taking pics of her brother. I decided to let her give it a shot and expected about 32 pics of the wall and floor. To my amazement, she had some great shots of her brother and was able get better pics than I was. I guess we have a photographer-in-training on our hands.

Labor Day

What an enjoyable four-day weekend! It was a blast to have a fun with our Daddy on his day off. We went to the lake with some friends of ours and played until we were exhausted. Tate is quite the water baby and loved his time in the water. He would have splashed in the water all day long. I took him out and set him down by me and he proceeded to army crawl right back to the water. He didn't like me trying to take him out of the water.

Bentli loves the water, as long as she is clinging to your neck. As the day went on she warmed up to it and became more and more brave. She wasn't very happy with me when I made her ride on the tube with me, but by the end of the ride she was loving it! She decided that this was indeed fun like I had been promising her and was confident enough to wave to Daddy as we drove by. After her turn was over she ran up to her dad and exclaimed, "Dad! I went on the tube, it was fun! I'm brave!"

Dry Panties!!

Bentli has been day-potty trained since May and I was starting to wonder if she would ever wake up with a dry diaper. Since she does very well during nap time I decided to let her wear panties last night, just to try it out. To be completely honest I thought that I would be doing a load of laundry in the morning. Still I decided to let her give it a shot. We talked about waking up in the night and getting mommy if she needed to go potty. Then I let Bentli pick out a treat; she decided on a ring pop. And off to bed she went.

This morning she was yelling for me to come and get her, and since she is usually climbing on me to get out of bed, I figured she had indeed wet the bed. I went in to get her and much to my suprise I found DRY PANTIES!! We did the usually yelling and jumping praises and then Bentli went straight for her ring pop and the phone to call Daddy! I really expected to do laundry the first time I tried this, so it was a wonderful suprise for me. I just hope this isn't a fluke!

I am so proud of my big girl!

Six months!!

Wow, my little boy is six months old now. I can't believe how fast the time has gone! The time seems to really fly the second time around. Tatum is growing so fast and developing such a sweet and fun personality. He is such a smiley baby and it doesn't take much to make him give ya a toothless grin. Tate has a fascination/fear of his sister, just kidding...kind of. He absolutely loves his big sister and they will sit and laugh with each other over the silliest things, but sometimes he gets nervous when she gets to energetic and Mom has to step in. Bentli is very good at sharing her toys with her brother and will even let Tate play with her Dora bike, she likes to take care of him. I am enjoying these times, cause I know that the fighting will come all too soon.

Tate can now sit all by himself for a little bit before he falls over. His prefers to just roll around now, he explores our living room and loves to play in the blinds by our sliding door. He is now learning the army crawl and getting better at it by the hour! It has allowed him to entertain himself a lot better, which is nice for me. I'm an emotional mother too and just can't believe how fast my baby is growing up; Dad will have him golfing soon!

Summer Vacation

I finally downloaded our pictures from our vacation up to Idaho/Utah. It was a whirlwind of a vacation and we are still trying to catch our breath from it. It started at 4:30 in the morning (Jul. 23) when Jodi, obviously an amazing friend, picked us up and took us to the airport to catch our early morning flight. My Dad picked us up at the SLC Airport and off we went to Lagoon!

Bentli had a blast running from ride to ride with her two cousins, Kayda and Kenzie. She was glued to Kayda's side and was so happy to have the undivided attention of her super-cool 6 year old cousin! (I didn't have my camera on me, but we did get some great pics on my dad's camera, which I will have to get later) Bentli was the little energizer bunny, she kept going, and going, and going... until 10:00 pm without a single nap and no major meltdowns! Tate the usual little trooper and was happy as long as he had a waterbottle to chew on.

These are pics of our Pioneer Day fireworks. Bentli and Tate loved them.

Bentli found these Barbie dress up shoes at my dad's house, needless to say, she loved them and wore them until she had blisters on her little feet.

We were able to spend a very special day with my sister Melody. I was able to be her escort as she went through the temple for the first time. We are so proud of her! It was great to see Grandma Connie and Cliff who came up for the event. We spent a week in Idaho with Jared's family. Bentli and her cousin Kallon would duke it out over all the toys, but were still inseperatable. Tate was a happy, smiley baby as he got to know all the family. We won't see Daniel again before he leaves on his mission so that time with him was priceless. We had a great time jumping from activity to activity in Idaho, here are some highlights:I guess this picture proves Jared right, I am a nerd, but oh-well. It will be fun embarrassing our kids when they are teenagers right?!It took a lot of coaxing to get Bentli to sit on the surfboard.Bentli and Kallon cuddling up with Uncle Daniel.Jared went home cause he had to work, but the kids and I were able to spend a few more days with my family. Aunt CC taught Tate how to play guitar hero.Our last day in Utah, we went up American Fork Canyon to have a picnic and catch butterflies. It was fun spending the day in those gorgeous mountains.

Unfortunately, all fun must end. It is nice to be home again and see our friends here. We had a blast and loved seeing all the people we miss so much. It was a wonderful vacation. We can't wait until we can visit again!!