Monarch Palm Adult Christmas Party

Merry Christmas from MONARCH PALM!

 

Our 3rd Annual MP Adult Only Christmas Party was a Party. (Althougth we sure did miss a few people) This year we started with appetizers at the Rodriquez home then our delicious prime rib dinner was hosted by the Dolans. The setting was beautiful and the company, as always, was fantastic. We finished the night back the Rodriquez home with a photo shoot, dessert and white elephant gifts. Steve and I came home with a Justin Bieber music playing toothbrush, an aluminum wallet and $20 bill. 

 

 

We always have to have a GIRLS pic!

 

Amber & Ricardo Rodriquez, Steve & Melissa Spendlove, Tim & Allison Dolan,

Bryan & Allison Battan, Eddie & Dina Bustos

The most interesting animal...

My fricishly werd dog.

(What is your favorite kind of animal?)
A hoarse, a dolfine and cats.
(What does the animal look like?)
He has brown fur and blue or brown eyes.
(Is it friendly toward people?)
It is friendly to everyone but me.
(Can it be a pet?)
Yess it can, it is a dog.
(What does it eat?)
He stells all our food, so thats wate he eats.
(What kind of sound does it make?)
It macks a rrufe, rrufe.
(What does it do that is interesting?)
It doesn't do eneything that is interesting.

written by Lauren

Matthew's SPCA Service Project

Matthew had an assignment in 6th grade to do a service project for the community.  He chose to gather blankets and towels for the SPCA.  We made flyers that he passed out to the neighborhood asking them to set out anything they may have on their porch in a bag with his name on it and he would pick them up on a certain date.  We got a truck full.  Well, at least a minivan full, tons and tons.  I had pictures of him with his loot but they've been deleted.  We were able to deliver so much "stuff".   Here is a letter he recieved from the SPCA thanking Matthew. 

 

Christmas Card 2012

 

 

We/I had attempted three times to get our family pictures.  And trying to get our clothes to just blend a little is extremely difficult.  I really wanted a picture on the beach, but our time in Ventura went fast.  So another weekend in Long Beach for a soccer tournament seemed like a good idea, except it was raining. So now that Christmas was only a couple of weeks away, my good friend Kirsten came to my rescue and took these pictures in our neighbors front yard across the street.  No big deal because they were over seas for a few weeks, so we thought.  They came home while we were using their yard for our backdrop.  But we got a picture and I was able to send out Christmas cards in time.  I love sending cards because I really enjoy receiving them and staying connected with friends and family. 

 

Spendlove Family 2012

(IN A NUTSHELL)

JACOB (2) – Mommy's little buddy, sings and dances, loves Thomas the Train, gives the best hugs and kisses, loves his naps, everyone's favorite little brother.

LAUREN (8) - 3^rd grade, Baptized, Jungle Book theater, Sleeping Beauty ballet, piano, volleyball, our carefree hippie fashionista, loves to laugh.

RACHEL (11) - 6^th grade, volleyball, piano, clarinet, Student Council Treasurer, last year in Achievement Days, Principal's List every time, Oral Language Festival, best little mother's helper around.

MATTHEW (11) - 6^th grade, CCB soccer, piano, percussion, Student Council Activities and Grounds Commissioner, Scout Camp, Honor Roll, gets his jobs done the fastest so he can hang out with his friends.

ETHAN (14) - 9^th grade, EFY, BYU basketball camp, Young Men's camp (Triathlon, & Volkslauf) dog trainer, Cross Fit, basketball, soccer, piano, Honor Roll, High School, Teenager (enough said)...

MELISSA – Girls trip to Las Vegas to see Donny & Marie Osmond, Long Beach Time Out For Women, Young Women's Camp, Young Women's President, started running, loves trying to balance life.

STEVE – Promoted to HR Manager of Vintage Production, out of town business trips, mountain bike rides, Matthew's primary teacher, took up baking bread, bought the family a puppy (Viszla).

FAMILY – Camping at Leo Carrillo Beach State Park for Spring Break, Six Flags Magic Mountain Season Passes, Utah Trip for Uncle Ryan's Wedding and have enjoyed all our visitors and friends and family we have been able to see this year.

But most importantly we do recognize Jesus Christ, Our Savior's hand in all that we have and do. We cherish our testimonies of the true gospel of Jesus Christ and appreciate this time of year when we get to focus on Him just a little bit more. We are so grateful for a blessed family and great friends and neighbors who love us for who we are. We wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Very Healthy and Successful 2013!

The SPENDLOVE'S

Steve, Melissa, Ethan, Matthew, Rachel, Lauren & Jacob

Monarch Palm Kids Christmas Party

Another successful MP Kids Christmas Party. As tradition goes, we decorated Christmas sugar cookies, had hot chocolate, played minute to win Christmas games, this year we had a pot luck and then Santa Claus came to visit. We had about 15 kiddos and their parents.
This is what I remember most: That Jacob loved Santa and that Matthew asked Santa for a Red Farari, a 100,000 square foot house and Selina Gomez tickets.

Lauren's Christmas List 2012

OXY Christmas Dinner

I actually enjoy going to Steve's Work Christmas Parties.  It is fun to get all dressed up and we always get our token PROM picture.  This year it was held at the Doubletree Hotel. We had dinner with the Luthi's and the Smith's from our ward.   And with Steve's new job as HR Manager, we made sure to say hello to lots of people. ( It has also been nice to go out and not have to find a babysitter.)

Live Nativity in Burbank

For my birthday weekend we started out at the Temple.  The kids were "willing" to hang out in the visiter center and walk the temple grounds to see all the sparkling Christmas lights while Steve and I were able to do a session.   It worked out great. 

We took them to them to Diddy Riese Cookies.  They are famous for their cheap cookies that they stuff with your choice of ice cream.  There is always a line out the door when we go.  It is just down the street from the UCLA hospital where Aunt Sarah works.  But we weren't able to see her this time.  

The night was still young and so off to Long Beach we went intending to go to one of Matthew's CCB soccer games.  However, when we were almost there we found out it was cancelled due to the weather.  So what do we do? We stilled stayed the night and thought we would be able to enjoy some part of Southern California and the beach, but the weather was a little yucky!  After a few attempts or stops along the beach we ended up in downtown LA at one of the Triple D's - Nikel Diner.  Of course there was a line, but we had some fun people watching time.  I don't know how we could be so picky, but the food really wasn't that good or maybe it was just that it was expensive. 

Anyway, our tummies were full and we were now headed to Burbank to visit Great Grandma and to see the Burbank Nativity Festival at The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints.  This is the building that my dad grew up in.  It used to be an old country club with a big wine cellar in the basement.  I remember as a child, before they remodeled the building, going down in the cellar and playing hide-n-go-seek.   The live nativity was very well done.  Jacob zoomed right in on the live goats.  And baby Jesus was great.  Then the whole cultural hall was filled with 1000's of nativities.  We were given a sheet of paper with a list of several different nativities we were to seek out as we circled the room admiring all the unique and special nativities that were on display.  It was a great way to make this a little more entertaining for the kids.  My Uncle Dave and Aunt Emily came too.  We always enjoy visiting with them. 

On our way to the church, we stopped and visited Great Grandma in her nursing home.  We brought her a chocolate shake, chatted for a little bit, took some pictures and then left. 

We love Great Grandma!

 

ps-just have to add here that while in downtown la, steve got a ticket from a motorcycle cop for using his map on his phone.  gosh darn it!  just one of those moments that makes us all happy.

and then to top it all off, my birthday weekend of pictures were all lost, due to a computer malfunction.....

Jacob got a REAL haircut!

So this is MY hairdresser and my super awesome next door neighbor.  She was so kind to bring her salon home to our garage so all the boys could get a real haircut.  The best part about it was how still Jacob sat and there was no bribing involved.  Last time I tried to give this boy a haircut we started out in the bathtub, then moved the highchair and then to his bed while he was sleeping and it still was a really bad haircut.  Thank you so much Amber. 

 

Volleyball with Lauren

This is Lauren's first try at Volleyball and she likes it.  WooHoo!  It was great seeing the progress she made the beginning of the season to the end.  I hired one of my young women, Julia M., to come and give a few lessons to Lauren and to Rachel and I think that totally helped both of them and their confidence.  I even learned a few things.   Which is a good thing, because I don't think I can stand to sit through another season of NOR coaching. (college students who have never played volleyball before) It is so bad that well, I think I might have to volunteer next year.  That's all I'm going to say.   Here is Lauren throughout her season.  She had one game she served 5 points in a row, that's all she needed.

 

Priesthood Preview

 

There were a few boys not here tonight, but these are the boys from both Stockdale and Brimhall Ward who will be turning 12 in 2013.  Which means they will be recieving the Aaronic Priesthood. You can find out more about the priesthood here.   Each of the boys were introduced by a parent and Steve focused a lot on what Matthew focuses a lot on and that is soccer.  Matthew is a great leader everywhere he goes.

Bishop Hawley from Stockdale ward conducted the meeting.

Brother Morris, Brimhall YM President shared his testimony of the priesthood and his excitement to share some special experiences with these young men. 

Bishop Henderson gave a nice message encouraging these young men to be there best.  The bar has just been raised again as missionaries can now serve when they are 18.  A lot is expected of these young men.  And the part that brought me to tears is when he talked about making your mom's proud and happy.  In less than 2 months we will have 3 mutual age children.  Time is flying by too fast and I feel like I am not able to do and teach all that I want to teach my children. 

It was a special evening and Matthew did great as he participated and shared his thoughts.

Disney On Ice

Steve was able to get Disney On Ice tickets at the Rabobank Arena from OXY in their suite.  We decided to take the two younger kids.  I honestly didn't think that Jacob would sit through it but he loved it and so did Lauren.  Us girls loved watching all the Disney princesses skate with their princes.  However, Lauren said her favorite part was getting a snow cone in a Mickey Mouse cup.  Thanks Dad for the great date night.

 

Check out Jacob's video at the bottom.

 

IMG 0184 from Melissa on Vimeo.