Utah: Spencer's Birthday

On July 10th, Spencer reached the age of 3! This is quite an achievement given his propensity to jump, fall, bump, and bleed.

He requested an R2-D2 cake, which only required two emergency trips to the local bakery for cake salvaging supplies. It was, however, decorated solely by his doting mother, Audrey-the-Great-cake-over-do'er.

Utah: Miscellaneous Adventures

While in Utah, I ran my extended family ragged with excursions. Above are photos from:

• My Grandma's house, where the kids played outside all morning while my sisters and I had fun selecting items from my Grandma's vast collection of fabric, notions, and whatnots. She was emptying the house in preparation for her move to Washington with her new husband.
• The Clearfield Aquatic Center
• A slumber party of just the "older" cousins (Ages 6, 5, and 4--I know, so old!)
• The Kangaroo Zoo Bounce House
• The Union Station Train Museum

Utah: Camping

I left for Utah on the morning of June 29th with our three boys and my 17-yr-old cousin, Jackie. Somehow, my parents talked me into going straight to camping after a two-day drive, so we arrived at "Grandpa's Cabin" on June 30th. Unfortunately, I didn't take many photos, but here are the better ones that I did take.

David did not enjoy camping, but Spencer thought it was great and even went with me on quite an ATV adventure ride--which included crossing a river that got me wet up to mid-thigh. Because Jason had just learned to crawl, he spent most of the time inside the cabin. Unfair, I know.

These photos are from the kids playing in the hammock, and a little ATV ride/nature hike that we (Audrey, Stacey, and Dad) took the older grandkids on. There are also some "morning forest" shots that I took--morning is my favorite time of day in the mountains.

June 2009

June began with a visit from Audrey's Grandma (aka "Grammie" which is easier to say than "Great Grandma Jackson") and Audrey's Aunt, Nancy ("Grammie's" daughter). During their stay was when Spencer dumped an entire new container of liquid blue Tide concentrated laundry detergent on the carpet. We had a wonderful visit with them, and were not left alone for long since on the day that they departed, Aunt Angela (Jonathan's sister) arrived to stay with us for a week. On David's last day of school we went with her to an indoor play place called "Bonkers".

During June I (Audrey) made a banner for girls' camp, and we finally bought a new kitchen table! We had a great Father's Day and celebrated Jonathan's birthday, however, due in large part to our upstairs A/C going out, we didn't take any photos of Jonathan's birthday celebration.

Finally, the last part of June was spent madly packing for our road trip to Utah for three weeks.

A lot of catching up!

So, it has been several months since I updated our Picasa Web Album. Here is a link if you want to see some of our daily life: http://picasaweb.google.com/jrstonehenge

No pressure.

My little Jason J

For those of you who haven't seen my sweet little giant lately...

Did I mention that I love baby feet?

We've got...

Roughly 14 sq ft of carpet to replace (thanks to Spencer and the blue Tide),

a cracking garage door panel ($175),

a blockage in the sewage pipe leading out of the guest bathroom,

the boys' toilet just broke,

"and Guilder to blame for it.

We're swamped!"

My Aunt Nancy with Spencer, spooning up the concentrated liquid Tide that has ruined our floor. These are just the larger patches, Spencer tried to clean it up himself; soaked a towel in it, gave up, dragged it across the playroom and left it on the love sac. This also doesn't show the blue footprints EVERYWHERE!

David's understanding of concepts

This was found today while I was flipping through his science journal which he brought home for the first time (since it was the last day of school). For those who are unfamiliar, the figures are holding Wii remotes. I love the angry face.

Being crafty

I know that I should be posting a photo of my cute boys, but instead, here is my cute craft project! My sisters and I spent two days sanding, painting, modge-podging, and spraying to create a set of "O's" for the word home. Each block represents a month of the year, except for the cupcake--which is for birthdays. This set was a birthday gift given to me by my Mom and sisters in April. Thankfully, when my sisters came to visit this weekend they decided to help me create it, because I probably would never have finished it on my own.

Funny quotes from The Boys - 2

DAVID: David approached me (Audrey, aka "Mommy") with his new Christmas DVD in hand, a movie he had just seen the day before with his little brother, Spencer.

"Mommy, do you want to watch this funny movie with me?"

"What if I don't want to watch that movie, David?"

"Well, it has a really funny movie part that you will like. It's so funny!"

"OK, David. Why don't you watch the movie and when the funny part comes on you can call me in to watch it with you?"

"Well, there is just so many funny parts that I think I will have to call you when I press play."

SPENCER: For those of you who may not know, Spencer is very attached to a blanket that his great-grandmother, aka "Grammie" made for him. This afternoon Spencer was missing his blanket, so he stood at the top of the stairs and called down, "Blaaaaanket!" He then put his hands on either side of his mouth to call out louder, "Blaaaaanket! Come here!"

The Presidential Inauguration of Barrack Obama

I have a new president. I was touched and thrilled by the massive crowd brought together to support our new president. I was also proud of former President George W. Bush and his wife for the gracious, generous, and peaceful transition of power.

I hope that President Obama will make the right choices for our nation.

The George W. Bushes will be welcomed back here in Texas. I know that they are taking a residence here in Dallas. Perhaps we will see them in person one day.

Blue Monday

It may be hormonal, it may be circumstance, it may be lack of sleep from a busy/trying weekend. Whatever the cause, today was a blue day for me. I fed my children, took a shower, bathed Jason, and trimmed Spencer's toenails. That is it. I decided to blog myself out of it. I posted a few new photos, which is good, and I'm going to get on the treadmill after this and listen to some rockin' music. Hopefully, that will get me back on track to blaze through tomorrow. I need some power, some righteous fire.

Our most precious gifts

Photos taken by my artistic mother, Lynne A. Venable

Our Very Merry Christmas

The holiday frenzy begins!

I am taking a break from trying to figure out why this week has become so crazy busy and how I will accomplish everything on my list. One of many lists. This after just cleaning up a granola bar that seemed to have exploded in the living room. Wise woman say, "Never leave your toddler alone with oatmeal raisin granola bar!"

So, I feel like I've finally got the 3-kids thing down. I'm not looking forward to potty-training Spencer or starting Jason on solid foods, but that's life! I'm trying to enjoy the ride.

Not much news. Thanksgiving was great! Jonathan is taking off from December 12th through January 5th for a nice long holiday vacation and I can HARDLY WAIT!

Trunk-or-Treat, Robot and Lion Costumes

Here are photos from last night at our The Colony 2nd Ward Trunk-or-Treat and Chili Cook-off, I took 2nd place with my White Chicken Chili. David's robot costume was a huge hit, and Spencer had a lot of fun in the bounce house--he is a very brave lion! I, um, sortof didn't take any photos of Jason last night. He wasn't in his Tigger costume, but I will do so today (Halloween)!

Spencer's Wake - Part 1

So, here I would like to show a photo of Spencer's typical daily mayhem. I walked into the kitchen and found THIS! I decided to grab the camera, which was near me, and show you all what happens when I walk out of the room for 2 minutes. He is fearless and bold and EXHAUSTING!



We have had to put up all of the stools in the house so that Spencer can't reach even more things, but we have found him standing on his box of blocks, box of Legos, his toy tank, and even in Jason's bouncy-seat.

Funny quotes from The Boys

Last week, David came out of the bathroom before school and said, "Mommy, my hair looks like sad plants. It looks like plants when they don't get enough water drooping down." (I had spritzed his now curl-less hair down toward his face like George Clooney on ER.)

Tonight at bedtime David said, "Mommy, tomorrow I want to take Spencer to school with me." (They miss playing with each other on Mondays when David goes back to school.)

Spencer is in love with his Cowboys hat, and his new (David's castoffs) Cars pajamas. Yesterday, he spent all day wearing both. Spencer is speaking in short sentences now, and has recently become enamored with the terms, "Go Cowboys" and "Yee-haw!"

When Jason is fussing Spencer will come and alert me, and/or insert a pacifier into Jason's mouth--not necessarily right side up, but it does calm Jason down.

Jason has been smiling now for the last couple of weeks, and Angela has heard him laugh.

Good times.

(Note: the woman in these photos is my sister-in-law, Angela or "Amazing Aunt Angela")

My sweet baby, Jason

Photos taken by Audrey

David's First Day of Kindergarten!

The lunch was packed, the backpack on, and the humidity ever present.  (Hence the foggy lens)  

David was so excited for his first day of school.  We were worried about whether or not he would get on the bus, but he was excited for the adventure and had no problem climbing aboard.

Immediately after the bus left, Jonathan and I drove to the elementary school and waited to meet him there and take him to class.

He was so excited when he came home and told us about his wonderful day.  He was especially excited about the computers and the play kitchen in his classroom.  Eating his own special lunch was also a highlight.