Spencer's Happy Day

I think it's safe to say Spencer had a fabulous fourth birthday. He chose pancakes for breakfast, then we opened his presents from the family. I loved that he spontaneously gave hugs to Kylene and Skyler after opening the presents from them. We went to the library that morning, then he helped me make his birthday cake (licking the bowl below!) and get ready for the party.

He chose to have a Superhero/Superman party. A few weeks ago, he wore the Superman cape I made him for Christmas to music class. One of his friends there wanted to wear it the entire time, and was so excited when Spencer shared it. Spencer told me afterward he wanted all his friends who came to his party to have a Superman cape, too. At first I thought, No, but then I figured it wouldn't cost much more than all the party favors and junk I would otherwise be buying. And Superman capes are way better than candy. So, I decided to go for it. He invited five little friends so I had five capes to make.

When the boys arrived, we had a Superman obstacle course/relay to show their super human strength and earn their capes. They had to fly around the world three times (running around the globe), pick up two trucks (two Tonka trucks), crawl under a kitchen chair, jump through a hula hoop and grab a piece of Kryptonite to carry back to the start (a Lincoln log). The boys loved it, and were even more excited when I put their capes on afterward. Our house was full of super heros! (And with only one collision the entire time, I think we did pretty well:).)

Then we played "Cape, cape, superman" (Duck, duck, goose). I was laughing at the varied levels of understanding of how to play. It was a tricky concept for many of the boys who apparently hadn't played it much before. One boy said, "Cape, cape, goose!" And several wanted to run around every time. It was so cute. Then we played "Pin the badge on Superman", had cake, and opened presents. The last thing they did was "Resuce the princess," who was Kylene, of course! They wanted me to be the dragon, but four year old boys are suprisingly rough (they were all grabbing at me and jumping on me), so I let Kyle be the dragon from there on out. It was a really fun party with lots of really cute boys in our house. I was glad I kept it short and sweet at only an hour long:).

We love our sweet, Spencer. He he has such a tender heart, and has always loved cuddling and giving me hugs. He went through a phase this last year of not wanting any kisses. I finally discovered it was because he didn't like getting wet from them:). He still sticks his tongue out a little when he kisses, which cracks me up. His favorite playmate is Kylene; they play together for hours each day. He is starting to play with Skyler more and more, which is also fun to see. He loves to ride bikes, go for walks, play outside, blow bubbles, go to the park, and read. He will "read" books to himself, but mostly likes me to read to him, of which he can't seem to get enough.

Happy birthday, Spencer!

Spencer is FOUR!

Today our big boy, Spencer Weston, is even bigger. Happy FOURTH birthday! We're so thankful you are a part of our family. I'll post later about his special day and Superman party, but here are a few cute pics of him over the last month.

A little pre-boarding fun before our flight to Utah for Grandma Ruby's funeral.

Helping mommy make waffles.

Driving the fire engine at a field trip to the fire station in February.

Fun with Tutu & Grandpa

Kyle's parents came to visit the week before Kylene's birthday. The kids always have a ball when they come. Kylene was especially thrilled to open her new princess snugglie from them for her birthday. Thanks, Tutu and Grandpa!

Birthday Joys

Last Thursday, November 18th, my sweet Kylene turned SIX YEARS OLD! She enjoyed a fun party with several friends, about which I hope to post later.

Today, November 26th, is my wonderful hubby, Kyle's, birthday! Happy birthday, love of my life!! We celebrated yesterday with most of his family after our Thanksgiving festivities. Today his birthday wish was to relax and watch football--thankfully, I was able to grant him this wish! I love you, babe!

Shhh, Mommy's Old

I enjoyed a wonderful birthday last week thanks to many wonderful friends and family! Thank you to everyone for all the love you shared with me! This year I won't admit to my age; yep, I'm getting THAT old! I even forgot how old I was turning until my friend HAD to remind me. (You know who you are, Alee!) And we won't mention the giant candy bar card Alee & Sara gave me that had OLD written all over it. I hope I can see well enough to finish this post.

Seriously, though, I received so many calls, emails, and wonderful gifts, it made for a great day. Kyle took me out the night before and then we had a fabulous family party on my birthday (including going out to eat again!), so it was a great day. If anyone is craving an Oreo shake, Kyle is the expert mixer, so you're invited over!

Happy Birthday, Kyle!

Our wonderful daddy and husband turned 35 on Thursday, November 26! Yes, he is a Thanksgiving Turkey this year! Yippee. We love you so much, daddy. We are so grateful for all you do for us. We love to play with you, go to the park with you, jump on you, tackle you, and play the ukulele with you. Here are some of our favorite pictures of you taken in the last few months. You are looking GOOD! Has it really been 35 years?!

"I love to pull on your ears, daddy!"

Six years and more in love than ever. I don't know what I'd do without you, babe! Thank you for your unending support and confidence in me. I could not have asked for a better companion to spend eternity with! YEA!

Chillin' with Skyler.

I am definitely my daddy's son!

Kylene is Five!

Happy Birthday to Kylene Noelani today! We are so thankful she has been on this earth for five years. She is truly a light and joy to have in our home and is a wonderful big sister to her two little brothers. Her smile and eyes sparkling together light up a room and she is helpful, thoughtful, and kind. I don't know what I'd do without her "mothering", always watching over Skyler and teaching Spencer. This week she taught Spencer that when he coughs or sneezes, he should do it into his elbow rather than his hand; he is now doing it like a pro. I love listening to them laying in bed at night talking to one another in their bunk beds. It's amazing what she will explain to him.

When she found out her and Mickey Mouse share the same birthday, she decided she wanted a Mickey Mouse party; then it changed to a Minnie Mouse party, of course! I did my best to make her a Minnie Mouse cake and face, so we could play "pin the bow on Minnie Mouse." She was happy with it and had a wonderful little family party on Monday night (thanks for coming, Logan & Shayla!) and a very happy birthday today.

Opening presents.

Pin the bow on Minnie.

Dressed up to match her doll she received from Grandma & Grandpa Barney.

Happy Birthday, our beautiful girl from heaven!

Spencer's Arm and Birthday

Last Saturday morning, Kyle was playing with the kids, swinging them around. Suddenly Spencer grabbed his arm and started screaming. Nothing we did could get him to stop crying, so after about 1/2 hour, we called our doctor and they told us to bring him in. After checking his arm out, the doctor sent us to Salem Hospital to get an x-ray of his wrist, arm, and elbow to make sure there wasn't a hairline fracture. Thankfully, it looks like it was just a sprain, but Spencer continued crying anytime we moved him or his arm the rest of the day. They gave us a little splint to stabilize his arm and we wrapped it with an Ace bandage and headed home (after three hours!). When we drove into our garage, we immediately smelled rotten eggs--Natural Gas! Ugh. So we called NW Natural Gas and they came and found a small leak by our water heater. Luckily, it was only in the garage and a quick repair.

Thankfully, the day got better. Later that evening, the Alva Barney clan came to meet Skyler for the first time. We had a great dinner and great time playing/chatting with them. Alva and Wendy were super cute with Spencer and even got him to get up off the couch and walk around a little for the first time since he hurt his arm. Then Kyle's parents stopped by on their way home from serving in the Temple. We celebrated Kyle's mom's, Spencer's, and Skyler's birthdays with some cake and ice cream and opened presents. These pictures show Spencer's cute little splint while he enjoyed his cake. Notice the pajamas he ended up being in all day since I didn't want to have to get them off over his arm.

He has slowly started using his arm more each day since then. He really favored it for a few days and didn't use it at all. He became pretty good at doing everything with his left hand. (Maybe now he'll be ambidextrous!) Today was the first day he really didn't favor it and acted like everything was back to normal. Thank goodness we survived that one. Although, three trips to the Salem Hospital Radiology Department in a year and a half for the same kid is a bit much for me. Hopefully this was the last time. Boys sure are different than girls!