Lauren's 2nd Grade Turkeys

Thankful Turkey: 

Decorating with my family, Sharing with my family, Eating with my family and Swimming with my family.

 

And she won most original with her Sassy, Pretty, Sparkly and Soft Turkey.

Susie's 50th Surprise Party

We were invited to Susie St'John's Suprise 50th Birthday Party.
It's a Lipstick and Mustache Bash.
It was the Friday after Thanksgiving which we spent with Grandma & Grandpa S in Santa Paula, and made it perfect for us to be able to head to Simi Valley for the party. We brought a Tollhouse Pie and they had all kinds of black, white and red desserts.

Happy Happy Birthday Susie Dear......

Here we are in our black & whites. Such a cute idea!


The whole crazy clan!
My Aunt Virginia and all four of her daughters, Susie, Jani, Diane & Linda. Never a dull moment with all those crazy beauties!

Susie's doesn't really turn 50 until December 25, so this was a great surprise. And probably a much needed bash, since her dad, my Uncle Bob passed away almost 2 weeks prior to this. He was suffering from a few different illnesses but it was his heart that finally took him.

Ryan drove down from Utah and picked Ethan, Jacob and I up and we all headed to the funeral in Thousand Oaks. Funerals are always those unplanned family reunions. I was able to see Aunts and Uncles I haven't seen in a looooonnggg time and of course my parents were there too. My Uncle Bob was the kind of guy you picture greeting you at Walmart. Always had a smile on his face. He is one of those that would do things for lots of people but you would never hear about it. His daughters spoke at his funeral service and had lots of stories about how much of a boy he always was. He played an active part in their lives growing up by taking them camping, fishing, motorcycle riding, etc. I think it is great he had all girls and then had about 13 grandsons and 3 granddaughters. My heart goes out to my Aunt Virginia for I know he will be truly missed. But I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for the Plan of Salvation. What great peace and comfort it brings to us all!

ABBAMANIA

Our girls trip to St. George to see ABBA. Well, okay maybe it was just to see an ABBA wanna be. We went to the TUACAHN Amphitheatre to see ABBAMANIA. Anything is fun when you are singing ABBA songs with a bunch of crazy ladies.  {Renee, Vaun, Liesl, Vicki, Michelle, Cherylynn and I} And can I just say that we had more fun than anyone else who attended, although we were probably the youngest one's there too.

A little up close and personal.  Too bad this wasn't U2 or Coldplay or ........

Ok, so maybe this group might have had a little more fun than us. 

A trip to St. George wouldn't be complete without a stop in Las Vegas to do a LITTLE shopping at the outlet malls, which we did.  We were able to stay in a friend of a friend's home for two nights just outside of St. George.  My sleeping buddy was Renee and late night laughing sessions and discussions are priceless.  Since room and board was free, we found that there was some good shopping in St. George too.  This is where I discovered Tai Pan Trading.  It fulfilled my void of Hobby Lobby, which I LOVE.  It was on this trip that I also discovered these Pink Frosted Granny B's cookies.  I discovered that I never want to have another one again.  Nutrition Facts per cookie:  500 calories and 22.5 grams of fat.  Oh, YUM!!!!

Something that always adds a nice touch to a Girls Trip is going to the temple.  We were able to attend the St. George Temple.  Loved it ladies.  Thank You!!!!

Not sure how I got away without taking a picture of my van packed with 7 ladies, all their luggage for 2 nights and all their shopping. All I have to say is, good thing we decided to bring along the carrier for the top of the car. And Thank You Steve for letting me take the car!!!

Jacob 1 Year Pictures

 

You can just look forever into those deep blue gorgeous eyes! 

This was a quick photo shoot by my friend, Emily.  You should check her stuff out.

 

 I am absolutely in love with this baby boy and these pictures show just a little bit of why. 

Halloween 2011

Halloween with the Spendloves: Ethan-Box of Wheaties, Matthew-Punk Rocker, Rachel-Katy Gaga or Lady Perry, Lauren-Rainbow Ballerina Princess and Jacob-the Cutest Teddy Bear Ever.

We had Chili and Cornbread with the neighbors before we went trick or treating.  This year the kids didn't have Halloween bags they used pillow cases.  And pillow cases hold A LOT of candy!!!!!

I love baby bum bums...

Jacob's CuTe LiTtLe BuM BuM at about 1 year old.

Jacob & Mommy

My Sunday Chefs

What can I say....these two know how to cook. Steve with his Heavenly Hash, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Cilantro Chicken and anything on the Grill. Ethan with his Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Blueberry Muffins and Breakfast Burritos. I am so lucky!!!

RISK

Nothing like a THREE day tournament of RISK with my amazing son Matthew. 

I learned a lot. {of patience}

Baby's First Bump

The Joys of Learning How to Crawl. -  Total Face Plant! So Sad!

2011 School Carnival

Nothing like a great Fall School Carnival!  We had some delicious tacos for dinner, played some games, talked with lots of friends and came home with about 10 2 liter bottles of soda!  Yikes!!!!

 

Future Chef

My Future Chef - TOO CUTE!!

So You Think You Can Dance?

Steve got tickets to the "So You Think You Can Dance?" finalist show that came to Bakersfield. So we took the girls. My phone wasn't taking good pictures that night and didn't get one of Rachel.

But it was cool to watch!

 This was Lauren's favorite dance. The girl with the pretty white dress.

 

Sasha Mallory on the far left was a finalist from Bakersfield.  So there was lots of extra excitement from the audience.