Merry Christmas!!

We hope that everyone had a great Christmas Holiday. We had a great time. It is so fun to have family close to enjoy it with. It means so much more. We tried hard...again...this year to make Christmas about the Savior. It is so nice to have a time to reflect upon what his birth means and to TRY and teach the kids about it. We did various activities over the month and had fun. On Christmas Eve we tried to do the Christmas Story from the Scriptures...it is one of those times that you hope for a magical moment, but are sorely dissapointed when the kids are bouncing off the walls and you feel like you are talking to the floor...but we love them and still had a great time.

We started off by making Pizza. They were really yummy!

Then we let the boys open one present...

They were excited about the PJ's. Once Joshua figured out that each present had something fun inside we couldn't keep him away!

Grandma and Grandpa Spangler also visited on Christmas Eve due to the storm that was suppose to hit on Christmas. We were glad they came because it was horrible weather on Christmas Day.

The Fam...after waking up early. I woke up at 3:45AM very excited and unable to sleep. I wasn't sure if it was the excitement, heartburn from the pizza or the fact that I can't sleep on my back anymore! I let the boys wake up themselves and we started opening presents at 7:30.

Grandma Debbie, Grandpa Kelly and Uncle Casey braved the weather on Christmas.

Thanks guys!

Grandpa Mike spent Chrismas Eve and Christmas morning with us. We have spent every Christmas since 2002 with him. Unfortunately, this year he didn't get to go on vacation to see us, he only got to go to wonderful Traverse Mtn.

Caleb had a great time. He was so excited about every gift. His favorites ended up being a bounce back racer, tent/adventure set and an Xwing fighter.

Joshua was a crack up. It didn't matter if he opened socks or a toy, the response was the same, WOW!!!! He was very excited about everything. His favorites were his remote control train and his bulldozer.

Joshua testing out his new potty that Caleb got him.

The things he says...

Caleb has to be the most entertaining kid alive. While I am biased, he is pretty funny. He isn't funny in the sense that he makes jokes. He is more witty and very observant. Here are some things he has said lately:

Caleb got the spray butter out of the fridge. August said that he wanted the real butter. Caleb looked at him and said, "Dad, you get what you get and you don't throw a fit!" Ouch!

I opened the drawer to the dishwasher and complained that my cups looked spotty. Caleb said, "You need to get some Jet Dry. It rinses away spots."

August got something out of the fridge and told me that it was rotten. Caleb said, "you should have used Glad Vac and Seal, then it would have been fresh for weeks." What???!

I was yet again complaining of being sick. This time it wasn't just about the nausea and vomitting, it was also heartburn/indigestion. Caleb asked, "Mom, have you tried Pepcid Complete?" No I haven't I responded...maybe I should listen...

He doesn't watch much TV, but he obviously listens to what commercials he does see. He, like myself, must be a marketer's dream. We see it, and think we need to try it.

Fun Pictures

Caleb has grown up soooo much over the last few months. I am realizing how great it is to have a big boy. He unloads the dishwasher, carries ALL of the groceries in from the car, dusts, sweeps and can fold an entire load of towels and put them away himself. LOVE HIM!

The boys were able to go see Grandpa Mike at work.

Joshua is obsessed about "tractors". They both loved every minute of it.

Joshua did great. He got a little nervous with the loud buzzers at the beginning but had a great time. He had the choke hold on Grandpa the whole time.

The boys are very lucky to have such a great Grandpa!

Skinny...our little pup. She is only 7 years old, but not doing well. She has lost 3 lbs over 2 months. The vet is not sure what is going on. We hope that she holds on.

This was at our ward's Breakfast with Santa. Oh, the joys of happy little children sharing their wishes with Santa...NOT!

Caleb has been adamant this year that Santa is nothing but a man in a suit with tape on his chin to hold the beard on. We have seen some pretty authentic Santa's this year, but he hasn't been convinced that they have been real. The kid is only 4!!! Where is the magic?? However, the Church Santa was...how shall I say this...a good attempt and fabulous for the children, but not the most realistic guy I have seen. But to Caleb, he was the REAL DEAL! He said that he was the REAL Santa. Maybe because he was at the Church and no one would ever lie to children at the church! Gotta love him.

Mom and Caleb at party...he was super happy about having to sit in his seat while the rest of the kids got to run around.

Dad and Joshua. Joshua was a happy camper just eating a candy cane.

21 weeks...a long way to go.

This is during the storm today...Friday. The boys braved the snow.

Food Poisoning

This is quite the year. If the boys' illness, my 21+ week morning sickness and August's surgery wasn't enough., somehow...somewhere...I got food poisoning this week. I ended up in the ER because it was so severe. We are awaiting the cultures to find out exactly what the organism was. I have had food poisoning before, but this was totally different and involved stuff (I will spare you all the details) that is really scary during pregnancy. All I know is that I am looking forward to 2009 being a bright year...and not eating mexican food for a long time.

Blast from the Past

Here are some pics from the past. They are great for a good laugh! You might even find yourself in one of them! If you know more about a pic, let me know.

August and Dad Spangler

August

August

August with baby Logan, mom and I think Dustin.

What a cute face! August

Spangler Family

Spangler Kids

Danielle's Party with Cousins and family...Lindsay, Chad...Casey, Nicole

Danielle and Uncle Steve??

Danielle and Nicole washing dishes

Danielle

Danielle and Nicole

Mom, Danielle and Dad...blessing day?

Fannin gathering. I see Aunt Nannette, Kerry, Gma, Gpa, G-Gma Poulson, Mom, Dad, Danielle...who is everyone else?

Grandma Ann, Mom, Danielle and G-Gma Reynolds

Joshua...Nope...Danielle

Gpa Fannin and Danielle at first Bday. Dad in background...with the fabulous hair!!

Mom and Danielle

Danielle...Bald. I wonder if this is what Bella has to look forward too...no hair until she is 2.

Mom...what were you thinking? Was I potty training?

Danielle and Gma Fannin

Thanksgiving Week

Aside from Aug's surgery, we had a great Thanksgiving Holiday.

It started off with Dinner on Sunday at my Mom's. We had great food and lots of fun. My Mom and Kelly have a Wii, and everyone had tons of fun playing games.

Nicole, Danner, Mom (Debbie), Estelle and Joshua

Kelly, Big Caleb, Karly, Tyler, Kelsey, Casey, August, Gma and Gpa Christensen, Joshua, Estelle and Joshua. Gabe wasn't eating yet, Colton wasn't able to come and Eric, Nicole, Mom, Kael and myself are not in the picture.

Gma Christensen with Karly's little girl Avery.

Joshua and Estelle. Joshua loved the desserts. He had 4+ pieces of cake!

Joshua and Avery. They are about 6-8 weeks apart in age.

For Thanksgiving we went to Aug's parents house. We had dinner with his Mom, Dad and Adam's Family (Brother).

The kids played and played. We had yet again, another fantastic meal.

Thanks to everyone for a great Holiday!