What do they have in common?

What do:
Peanut M&M's
Symphony Chocolate
Candles
Water Fountain
Skirt
Movie
have in common?

They are the great birthday presents that my sweet kids got for me. Trent took them to the store, gave each of them money, and let them pick the presents. They did a great job. I was a bit surprised but pleased to see how well they know me. I guess sometimes my kids do pay attention! They may be simple gifts but they are some of the best gifts I have ever received!

Eating Out

Eating lunch is so much more fun when you can do it outside! I love the beginning of summer when there's no wind, not too many flies, and it's not too hot to eat outside!

Slipping & Sliding

Summer weather if finally here and the kids are wasting no time. The slip and slide has been well used the last few days!

Binge Blogging

It seems that I have become a binge blogger. I can't seem to keep up on a daily or even weekly basis! By the time I catch with everything else I don't have time to blog. Oh well, I guess binge blogging is better than no blogging at all!

Making Us Proud

This year Memorial Day has even more meaning for our family. It hits a little closer to home when one of your family memebers is serving our country. My brother-in-law Adam has just begun a tour in Kuwait. He left behind his wife and three little kids (including a brand new baby).
I know it is rough for all of them having him gone, but we are all so proud and grateful for the sacrifice his family and all other military families make so that we can have the freedoms we do. This post is a tribute to all those who serve our country, and especially the Spencers. We are proud of you Adam and look forward to your safe return.

2 Big

I don't know how it happened but Brayden is 2. His first two years seem to have gone by faster than the other kids. I love to see him growing and changing but it also breaks my heart to see my baby turning into a little boy. He has brought so much joy to our family and the excitement of having him in our family is still as strong as the day he was born. His brothers and sister adore him. We are so lucky to have him.

-Loves to water with the hose
-Is obsessed with fire and things that are hot. He will beg to have a candle lit so he can blow it out
-Loves gum and calls it hot hot
-Has become very fond of horses (she shes) and every time he sees on, even if it's a picture says, "ont ride"
-Is crazy on his 4 wheeler and like to do tricks
-Starts punching and yelling "ah yah" when he hears the word karate
-Wakes up every morning around 6 yelling mom, wants a cup of milk and then tosses and turns in bed with me for about and hour
-Wakes the kids up with kisses every morning
-Eats like a bird, I don't know how he survives
-Wakes up grumpy from his nap no matter how long he sleeps
-Loves to ride the ca ca (lawnmower)
-Loves to talk on the phone, even knows how to call daddy on my cell phone
-Two of his favorite words - no and mine


I love how he holds up on finger on each hand when he says "2"!

It's Official

We have officially entered the terrible two's. However I haven't decided if they are terrible because of the two year old tantrums or the fact that he will never be two again (I think it's the latter). For Brayden's Birthday went spent the morning at and indoor inflatable playground. I think he was a little overwhelmed by the size but he and Preston had fun.

Madyson wanted to make Brayden a Birthday cake and she did it all by herself. She did a great job. Brayden loves fire I think he was even more excited about the candles than the cake!

So, now that he is two, he thinks he's pretty hot stuff cruising around on his new set of wheels (thanks in part to Papa Jolley & Grandma & Grandpa Smith):

Thanks to everyone for the birthday gifts and wishes!

Lights, Camera, Action

Austin finished up his elementary years with his 5th grade program. I was called lights, camera, action and was about different performers. Austin's class sang and danced to candy man. He is the blondie on the front row in the blue shirt and, as you can tell by the picture, he was over joyed by the opportunity to dance (not).

He was however excited to get to play the recorder. They have been learning how to play for the last few months and he is pretty good. They played Frodo's BAG from Lord of the Rings, and I have to say I was pretty impressed. I can hardly believe that he is moving on to middle school. It seems like yesterday I was sending him off to kindergarten in his cute little uniform. I am not looking forward to middle school but he can hardly wait.

Wedding Bells

Preston's class has been learning about Q and U. They had a QU wedding where all the Q's got to marry all the U's. Preston claimed it was all very embarrassing and he didn't want to do it. However when I mentioned that he might be late on the day of the wedding rehearsal he let me know that was not an option, he had to be there so he would know what to do. He got his suit all ready the night before so he would look nice for the big day! How cute are they!

Bubble Mania

Brayden has gotten over his fear of the jets and now loves the amazing amount of bubbles they create! There's never enough bubbles for this kid!