Drunk Midget

Tatum started walking when we were up in Idaho/Utah for a visit the beginning of December, a week before he turned 10 months. He has fully master the art of walking now and has loved the freedom he has found. He is constantly trying to keep up with his big sister. This video isn't very good and being the computer genius that I am (haha) I couldn't figure out how to rotate it, but it was the best one that I was able to get. I love this stage of their development, it keeps you laughing, they look like little drunk midgets crashing into everything.

Dr. Luke

One dark afternoon, a couple weeks ago, our computer suddenly crashed and wouldn't turn back on. Frantic, we called the knowledgeable Lucas Chambers. We packaged up the computer and sent it up to Idaho, where Luke being the amazing person that he is, fixed it right up and sent it home! I finally have my link to the world back, and hopefully I can get caught up on my blogging. Thank you so much Luke for the pro bono work!!

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.