Christmas eve skating

The skating rink had free skating today. The boys had fun once we got the right skates and they got the hang of it. This is the same rink I went to pretty regularly about 20 years ago, and nothing has changed.   They even have all the same skating games. So many fun memories. I didn't skate though. Miss Ashlyn didn't want to, and you can't carry kids while skating, so she hung out on the side and played with Nate's phone. Matt, Nate's brother came with his son Ty. And Paul and Paula came with their boys.

Matt and Ty. Ty did so well being only 3. He never got discouraged, just kept on going.

Tanner's skates started out to roll-y; he could not stay on his feet. So we got some that had tighter wheels so he had more control, then he had a great time. 

Dallin only lasted about 45 minutes, then he decided he was not good at skating. He isn't very patient with himself. He wants to be good at it from the get go or his isn't interested.

Joel

Nate dancing to Gangnum Style, along with all the teeny boppers. So funny how all the kids know all the words and dance moves to all the songs.

Ashlyn's idea of fun.

Loose Tooth

 Tanner has his first loose tooth. It has been loose for weeks now. He is nervous to pull it out, so he has been eating a lot of soft food and his fingers are constantly in his mouth. 

Ashlyn LOVES Nate's phone with games on it. She watches videos (well, one video: "The Wheels on the Bus") and plays games. I am amazed how hooked kids get to all things with a screen: TV, computer, phones, tablets. I am noticing Dallin doesn't know what to do with himself when he can't play a computer game or watch TV. We are going to limit screen time, starting now. It bugs me how kids don't know how to play or be creative because the sit on their butts all day being entertained by media.  

Shaun and Young Sook's sealing

My Uncle Shaun and his wife Young Sook were sealed at the Medford Temple today. What a fun anniversary huh? 12-12-12, not only that, their sealing was at 12 noon. :) I snapped a couple pictures after. My uncle is quite talented; he made Young Sook's dress. It was kind of patterned after her Korean style wedding dress she was married in about 18 years ago, when they were married civilly. But in Korea white isn't the traditional color. Her dress was red and black there. 

I was happy to be able to go, they are 2 of my favorite relatives.

Grandma. It was a happy day for her. All her children are sealed to their spouses now. 

It has been a long time since I have blogged, since last time, my baby sister Kris left on her mission to North Carolina. I think she will be great. She was so wonderful in the months before she left. She babysat for me TONS, and I think my kids love her more than me. :)

Dance party

We went back and watched old videos of the kids on the blog the other day and realized that we don't take nearly as many videos now as we used to, and it was sad because I treasure those videos. So we had the kids dance around a little for the camera. 

More Ashlyn

I realize I am slacking on the blog these days. Seems like things have slowed down for us, and there hasn't been much going on. I am pretty low on energy these days, and feel like I do a lot of sitting around not feeling like myself. I can't wait to get my energy back with the 2nd trimester. I had my first ultrasound this week. Things are much less exciting the 4th time around. When the tech found the heart beat she looked over at me to see my excitement and aw, but I was kind of like, cool, can I wipe this goo off and get out of here? :) Not really, but that is what I was thinking. Pregnancy was sort of fun the first time, even the second time, but it got old with number 3, and number 4 is not off to a good start. Only 30 weeks to go. {sigh} 

Anyway...

Ashlyn loves bubble baths, and she discovered bubbles are tasty.

Ashlyn's 2 year pictures and some Dallin

Ashlyn turned 2 in October and I almost forgot to take her 2 year old pictures. That would have been a shame since she is such a fun, cute 2 year old, and so quick to smile. She has so much personality and is coming out of her shell a lot these days. 

 This beautiful dress was given to her by her aunt Mickie. We LOVE it! So cute. I want to put her in it all the time to get plenty of use out of it. Ashlyn is just "a little peanut", like her pediatrician said, so she should fit it for a while.

You know how they say you are half your adult height when you are 2? Well, she is 33 inches now, so that would make her 66 inches when she is an adult, or 5'6". That is a great height for a girl. 

Dallin wanted his picture taken too, and is such a goof ball. He was making all kinds of silly faces. This one on the right was my favorite. I don't think I took 4 year old pictures for him, so guess these are them.

Halloween

We had a couple of clowns for Halloween. I didn't think Ashlyn would want make up but she started putting her own on when I was working on Dallin, so we did make up. Dallin woke up around 6 and came into our room and asked if it was Halloween yet. He's been so excited. Got dressed up first thing in the morning.

 I found Dallin like this the other night. Wore his wig to bed. :)

 We went trick or treating in our neighborhood, and apparently it is a popular neighborhood to trick or treat in. There were cars parked all up and down our streets and kids and parents EVERYWHERE.  Glad our lights were out and we didn't have to buy candy, we would have had to spend a fortune with the number of kids out. Joel and Drew came with us. I was amazed at the energy they all had. Ashlyn walked/ran the whole night. Dallin was the one that pooped out and went in the stroller half the night. 

Now I need to figure out how to get rid of all the candy before I eat it all. 

Ashlyn is going to be a . . .

June 2013!

Matt and Mickie visit

It was a quick visit, but a good one. I got to take pictures of their newest child, Emma. She was about 2 weeks old, and so mellow.  

We had dinner and the kids were just happy to see each other again. Cousins are so fun. 

 There is something really similar about Ashlyn and Maylee, I am thinking it is the big blue eyes???

 Making funny faces.

It is now a tradition to take a picture of all the Spence grand daughters in this blue sweater and hat that their great grandma, Bobbie, wore. Maylee's eyes match perfectly. 

Soccer

Fall soccer has begun, and I love the way they do it here. It is teams of 5 kids (not co-ed), and 3 play at a time, so they get plenty of playing time. Tanner is lucky to be on a team with his cousin Joel. They LOVE playing together.

Here is Joel scoring a goal!

 And Tanner scoring a goal in the first 2 minutes of the game. He was pretty proud of himself.

Joel guarding his guy, and throwing the ball in.

 They both like this stance as they are waiting for the ball to go into play.

 Tanner, kicking the ball back in. They are going to be pros at throw ins and corner kicks, they have a hard time keeping the ball in bounds. :)

 Celebrating another goal.

 

Lucky find

There was a pile of junk on the side of the road, and this little treasure was on top. I had Nate grab it for me. It was in sad shape, obviously having been outside for a while. Check out the spider webs. I think I would have preferred to stain it, but I had to fill in some cracks, so seemed like paint was the way to go. Now I have my own chair to taking pictures of kids in. I am so excited. 

Independence

Ashlyn likes to get dressed on her own, which I love, however, this is how she often ends up. Both legs in one leg of her shorts, shirt on around her waist (pretty impressive that her waist can fit through the head hole), and onsie unbuttoned. She has been wearing panties lately. I am trying to get her ready for potty training. She never wants to go near the toilet, but maybe if she gets wet a few times she will. She will be 2 in October, so it is about time.  

Tanner go his face painted at a little fair at a park. Dallin didn't go, but when Tanner got home he wanted a bat on his face too. We even went out to dinner looking like that. Funny how kids could care less that everyone is looking at them. Maybe they like that.

By the way, I love having a mantle that I can decorate for the holidays. I am brainstorming for Christmas already, and I barely got my fall one up. 

Running for her life

We were playing in front of our house last night and a couple of neighborhood dogs came to play. My kids don't love dogs, in fact, they are scared of them most of the time. Why is it that dogs love little people? They loved to chase Ashlyn, and she was terrified. Here she is running from one.

Safe in Dad's arms.

I know I look like a horrible mom, taking a picture of my daughter being harassed by a dog, but they weren't going to hurt her. :)

She was paranoid the whole time we were outside. Always aware of where the dogs were. 

Ashlyn always bites her blanket. Has since she was a baby. I don't know why. She clamps her teeth down so hard she shakes. I need a video, it is so funny.

Another thing she has always done, is let her tongue hang out. Pay attention to it in the next few pictures.

Chasing Drew like a dog chases a car.

Dallin in another goofy outfit. He wore this hat and gloves to bed last night. He was learning to throw Frisbee last night. 

His Aunt Paula was teaching him proper technique.