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. 

Isn't he lovely

Dallin was dressing up in my clothes this morning. Potential black male?

I love it when he dresses himself, even if he doesn't get it quite right. I taught him to start with the top or bottom button to get them lined up, some how he managed to to start at the top and bottom and still get some of them in the wrong holes. Look how proud of himself he looks though.

Wrapping up summer

Feels like summer is coming to an end. It is still uncomfortably warm these days, but I know there are only a few more before it gets cool. We headed to Bear Creek park this evening with my brother's family for a picnic. Spent a lot of time on the swings, as usual.

 Dallin made a new friend; usually does when we go places. He is a friendly guy. He liked rolling down the hill.

 Drew swinging.

 The big boys are too cool to smile. I have to be sneaky to get one from them.

Life lately

We have been keeping busy with all kinds of things lately. My brother Kevin and his wife, Kassie had a baby about 2 weeks ago and I took pictures of their cutie, Rylan. See more here.

 Dallin is doing more swim lessons. He loves them now, and it is something for him to do. He loves his new teach, David. He has an Australian accent. Ashlyn was signed up for lessons too with me joining her, but we dropped out. She wasn't cooperating with  me. She would work with the teacher and do what she wanted, but not me. Great! Are we going to have one of those relationships?!?

 

 Nate's dad got married a couple weeks ago and he was able to go to the wedding in Iowa.

Other things we are up to, but not photographed yet are

• I have joined a group of ladies that do hula dancing. The group does performances throughout the year. 
• My sister-in-law Paula and I are doing home school preschool with Dallin, and his cousin Joel. They are enjoying it. I am feeling like it is a good thing to do for Dallin because he gets upset to tears sometimes when he colors outside the lines or cuts off the line. Let's get that out of his system at home so he isn't an annoying, whiny Kindergartner. Perfection is great to strive for, but my goodness!
• I have started P90X, which I have been wanting to try for the longest time. I love it. 
• My baby sister, Kris, is waiting for her mission call! Can't wait to hear where she is going. 

Oh, yeah, did I mention we got a car?

 A couple weeks ago we found my dream car, a Toyota Sienna, on craigslist. I know, who's dream car is a mini van? But mine really is. They are so practical for families. It was time to get a new one. We had been borrowing my brothers car who is on his mission until March. His girlfriend will be coming back from her mission in January and will be needing the car to drive, so of course she is more important that us, so she gets my brother's car. It is ok, we love our van.

Have you ever had pear butter? A friend of mine gave me a bottle a few months ago and I fell in love. It is so good! Our church owns a pear farm in my town and the members pick pears every August and preserve them to give to those in need. After the pears have been picked off the trees members can go pick up the pears that have fallen to the ground for free. It is win win really. I get lots of free pear butter and they don't have to do all the clean up. If you want to make your own here is one way to do it. 

And just a couple cute pictures of Ashlyn.

Tanner's in 1st grade

He has been anxiously awaiting this day. He loves school. He was super excited, then you can see he looked a little more nervous once we got there. He is already talking about his friends, so I think he loosened up.

 His teacher seems super nice. I plan to volunteer in his class, mostly to see how he behaves. :) I liked being able to spy on him a little when I did it in Idaho. 

Dallin and Ashlyn

Dallin and Ashlyn get to spend a lot of time together these days,  now that Tanner is back to school. The lighting in my bedroom was so pretty this morning, I had to take some pictures. 

Eskimo kisses with dad before work. Precious.