The Spendlove Family...

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Van's B'day Party

This post is long over due. Sorry Amber, because there are some cute pictures of Van.....

We were able to celebrate Van's 2nd birthday almost a month ago. (July 10) And it started with a little too much to drink. Amber and Mike brought over about 20 different flavors to add to a cup of club soda, ice and whipping cream if you would like. It was delicious and the kids were all hooked. It was also just a lot of fun mixing trying something new.

They also brought along with them my cousin Janie and her husband Bob, who are Amber's parents and visiting from California. We love visitors and enjoyed our short time together with them.

Amber and Mike also exposed our tastebuds to Teriyaki Grilled Hamburgers and yet again we were pleased. You should check out Amber's Recipe Blog.

But onto the most important part of the evening and that is the celebration of Van's 2nd Birthday with lots of Chocolate Cake, Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream and Presents.

I loved these cute pictures of Van and had to post them all, actually not all of them. Ethan and Matthew had fun taking the pictures and I think Van definitely warmed up to the camera.

The Texas heat was beginning to be a little much so the party was moved inside. The banner was made by Ethan, Matthew, Rachel and Lauren.

Rachel made these cute bows by coloring paper strips with markers and taping the loops together. That is a lot of work for a bow.

It was a great party spent with some great people and one last picture before we said goodnight & goodbye.

All the girls-Lauren, Janie, Amber, Melissa & Rachel

You can see more fun party pictures here.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Sister Elaine Dalton

This picture deserved it's own post. It's of me and my girls with Sister Elaine Dalton, the General Young Women's President. We were able to meet her at the Denton Jubilee, a 50 year celebration of my home stake. She was just as sweet as can be. I told her that I worked with the young women in my own stake and she said, "Thanks for doing such a great job!" And it felt so sincere.

I was so glad that I was able to get a picture of her with the two most important young women in life.

You can find out more about Sister Dalton here.

Look Who's Cooking Again!

That's right! If you want something really really good at our house for dinner, Mr. Mom has to cook it. Here is another delicious meal that Steve created on the grill.

We all love it when he cooks.

Before

After

Falcon Ranch Triathlon

Our neighborhood put together a Triathlon for all kids 18 and younger. These ladies took on a big project and it turned out pretty good. Our kids had fun and it was a great way for Rachel to get a taste for what the Kiwanis Triathlons are like that the boys have been doing. The boys each came in First place in their age group and Rachel came in Second place. We are so proud of them for wanting to do it and for finishing these triathlons by giving it all that they have.

Ethan's Race

Matthew's Race

Rachel's Race

Our three WINNERS...

...and their #1 fans.

Our Pirates!

Ethan's Birthday Fun

I decided for Ethan this year that we weren't going to have a friend birthday. He only asked for one for about a day and a half and then was over it. I think we had a great day together as a family and it ended with a nice surprise.

We started out at Denny's, he wanted IHOP but I had a 20% off the entire bill for Denny's, so he was encouraged to choose Denny's over IHOP. I know, who would choose Denny's over IHOP.... After our tummy's were full, we went to see Star Trek. We actually had to drive a little ways as Star Trek wasn't playing anymore in the theaters close to home and we caught the before noon deals. I would give the movie a thumbs up.

Opening up his birthday cards

Matthew drinking without a straw from the hole in the middle of the lid on his cup. He doesn't like to use forks or spoons either.

Lauren enjoying the whipped cream for her hot chocolate

Rachel enjoying all her whipped cream in her hot chocolate. She is following in her Grandma Cannon's footsteps.

At the movies...

When got home we went ahead opened presents instead of making Ethan wait till after cookies and ice cream after dinner. We also didn't want to hear him asking about them all day. We've only heard about them for the past 2 weeks all day everyday already. Since he now is 11 and is an 11 year old scout who will be going on real campouts, it was time to get him all geared up. So some camping gear was Ethan's theme this year.

Next on the agenda for the day was Ethan's Dinner request, the famous BBQ Pizza. And with every pizza you need Rootbeer. So we also had a Rootbeer Tasting. We were able to find 6 different kinds of Rootbeer to try. Sorry, but we don't have a consensus yet. We will do some more tasting tomorrow.

And to spice the day up and to add a little surprise to Ethan's birthday we did have a few families come over. He had asked in the weeks before if Amber and Mike could come over and at another time, if the Turners could come over. But we had decided it was jut going to be a family day.

However, we invited them both over after dinner for ice cream and cookies (Ethan didn't want cake). We asked them to show up at 7:30 and when they knocked on the door Ethan answered it to a big Surprise. The rest of the evening was full of fun and laughter. Thanks to everyone who thought of Ethan on his special day.

(He is now sleeping in the backyard with his new sleeping bag in his new tent.)

Happy 11th Birthday Ethan

I was able to find a picture of him on each 11 birthdays except for his 5th birthday but it was right before he started Kindergarten so I have a picture of him on his first day of school.

This cute little guy is now entering Junior High. What is a Mom and Dad supposed to do? We are excited for his new adventure and can't believe we have one that old. We also hope he successfully navigates these next few years.

Ethan is a great boy. He is smart, has many talents and some strong morals. We hope this helps him through these wonderful Junior High Years. We love you Ethan and are so proud of you and all you have accomplished and all that you stand for. We hope you will continue to be a great example of righteousness and a leader of integrity.

Birth Day