Aunt Michele!!

We have been so lucky, my sister Michele decided to come and visit us after spending a month in Europe. I am so glad she made time for us in her vacation plans, otherwise I would have had to hunt her down! We were so glad that she came, we had so much fun. We began her visit by going to Sea World. Which is always fun, but it was a blast with Aunt Michele. We got to see all the shows, see all the exhibits, feed and pet the dolphins, play on toys, and Bentli was just tall enough to go on the Shamu Express (thank you for big shoes). To top off a perfect day, we ate dinner at Rudys!!

And of course we couldn't let the trip pass without taking Michele to the Alamo and Riverwalk. We enjoyed a beautiful day downtown, getting ice cream and hanging out. After Jared got off work we grabbed some burgers at Chris Madrid's, it was delicious!!

The next day we just hung out around the house. Michele dyed my hair (woo-hoo), its nice to have some change. We went to Toys R Us to pick out the kids' birthday toys from Grandpa Chris, a dump truck and My Little Pet Shop set. Michele made a birthday cake for Bentli so she could have a little early celebration with her. Bentli opened some presents from Grandma Connie, a wedding dress dress-up that was mine when I was a little girl, memories... Bentli liked it, but wouldn't wear it because it was too big, I tried to explain that it was okay, but she is as stubborn as her mom. We had a fun celebration day.

We were sad the day Michele had to leave, we got in a little bit more fun though and took the kids to Dynamoze in the morning. Tate had a blast playing basketball with his aunt. We were so glad that we got to spend some time with Michele, she is so much fun to be around. The kids followed her everywhere, they sure do adore her. I loved having my sister around and loved all the late night talks and all the great girl time!! We love you Michele and can't wait to see you again! Now if my other sisters love me as much as Michele does... they will come visit too! hahaha

One Year Old

I can't believe that it has already been a year! Tatum is such a joy in our lives and we are truely blessed to have him in our family. He is a happy and cheerful little boy. He is growing up so fast that we can hardly believe our eyes. Poor Tate had to start his birthday at the doctors office for his check up (his mean mom wasn't really thinking when she scheduled the appt.) He took his shots like a champ though, he was more upset about having to hold still than the shots. We had cake and ice cream at the park when Dad got home. We made it home just in time for presents before Tate crashed. Here are a few pics of Tate's big day.

Tate's Golf Ball Cake. Modeled after Dad's golf balls with two blue dots, just how Jared marks his golf balls.


We love our Tate!

Tate liked the icing, but didn't bother to dig into the cake.

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!)