4 months

My sweet princess! Growing so fast.

Weight: 14.6 lbs (70%)

Height: 26 inches(90%)

Everyone always asks about how she compares to the boys.

So, here are some pics and stats...

Caleb at 4 months:

Weight: 15 lbs 2 oz

Height: 26 inches

Joshua at 4 months: LOST!!!!!! I am digging through everything...will post when I find it. I remember he was almost exactly as big as Caleb.

Weight:

Height:

Danielle/Mom at 4 months:

Weight: None listed. But, 12 lbs at 3 months and 16 lbs at 7 months.

Height: 27 inches

August/Dad at 4 months:

Not sure...Mom Spangler...Do you remember?

Weight:

Height:

Kindergarten Baby!!!

KINDERGARTEN!!!! Yep, it happened. Caleb had his first day of school on Thursday. He is in the afternoons and couldn't have been more excited to start. He loves his teacher (so do I!!) and we hope he has a great year. We kicked the school year off with a special FHE focused on him and all of the changes. August gave him a great blessing to kick start the year.

He was so relaxed on his first day. I think that having Preschool last year at an actual elementary helped immensely.

I tried to take him on the first day, but he insisted on riding the bus even though his friends were not. I am beginning to think that he is an independent spirit...more then I thought!


There were no tears shed by myself of Caleb. Only Joshua. He wanted to go with Caleb...badly.
I wasn't sad because he was so happy.

On the bus ride home a girl kept calling him a "kindergarten baby" (WHY ARE KIDS SO MEAN!!). Over and over again he said. We had already prepped him for this during our FHE. So, when I asked what he did, he told me he said, "I am NOT a baby" and then sat in his seat and ignored her. I was so proud. Then he continued to explain that she was not a very nice girl anyway because she was throwing Cheetos out the window and in his words, "littering the earth". He couldn't understand why anyone would purposely make the earth dirty. It was pretty hilarious. I thought that he would be nervous about the next bus ride, but it didn't even phase him and he said the girl didn't say a thing to him. That's my boy!!

Here he is running off of the bus after school.

Stewart Falls

Stewart Falls is my new favorite hike. Amazing doesn't quite describe it. We had an incredible time. It is above Sundance, just past the pay station heading down Alpine Loop.

This hike is rated "family friendly" and moderate. I would say it is family friendly for older kids, but I doubt most 3/4/5/6 year olds would enjoy the 2 miles in and 2 miles back. It is pretty steep in parts but WELL worth it. August packed Josh, Caleb and Trevor hiked and I packed Bella.

Along the hike you walk through tree tunnels, over meadows and along mountain ridges. It is absolutely beautiful. I would imagine that you see plenty of wild flowers if you came in the spring.

We chose a HOT day to hike. It was 95 degrees. There was some shade under the trees, thankfully!

Caleb did awesome. He didn't complain once!! I wasn't surprised. He loves being outside and we have yet to find an activity where we can burn through his energy...oh wait...the dishes seem to tire him easily!!

Trevor was awesome. Big kids rock! His is a very responsible 11 and was tons of fun. When we arrived at the top of the waterfall we were all ready for a rest.
Joshua was timid around the falls and the water. He did love throwing rocks into the stream.

The waterfall cascades down into a pool and then again into another pool. We hiked down to the very bottom. It was heaven. The spray from the waterfall was actually chilly in the shade.

Bella woke up at the end just in time to enjoy the water.

She even got little pink cheeks from the heat/sun.

The water was freezing!!!!! Caleb and Trev loved it.

Bridal Veil Falls

Last Saturday we headed up Provo Canyon and stopped to visit Bridal Veil Falls. It is a beautiful water fall just minutes from Provo. I had not been there in a LONG time. I couldn't believe how unkempt it was. There was a boarded up building and overgrown vegetation everywhere. I don't think they have had the funds to fix it back up after an avalanche a few years ago. But, the waterfall itselft is still beautiful.

Caleb, Trevor (nephew), August, Bella and Josh.

Caleb had a great time playing in the water.

Silver Lake

Summer is leaving....in an effort to hold off the depression we hit up another summer destination: Silver Lake. It is at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon near Brighton Ski Resort. It is beautiful and such an easily accessible place for anyone that wants to get outdoors, but not pack all of the hiking stuff. You can even push strollers around the lake.

The lake is surrounded with a wood path that you can walk around and enjoy the sights. We went in the evening one night and it was chilly! A brisk 68 degrees. But we loved it.

You could feel Fall right around the corner.
While I love fall, it just means that winter is just that much closer.

Peek-a-boo!

ALL of the kids were giddy with excitement. Even Bella. She was laughing and giggling watching the boys run and jump around. Although I wouldn't say it was a hike...the boys think it was. Anything that involves the canyon and walking is a "hike".

5 YEARS!!

Caleb turned 5 Sunday!!! Hooray!!! 5 big years.

He didn't want a cake...just ice cream!

He had a sleepover party with his cousins.
(Brady, Joshua, Caleb, Gabe, Jordan)

August took ALL of the them (he is a saint...deserves the father of the year award) to see G-Force in 3D. They absolutely loved it.

Then they came home and played Caleb's new Wii game...Lego Indiana Jones.

They had tons of fun eating treats (donuts for breakfast...what bday is complete without them) and hanging out.

Caleb, Caleb...where do I begin. This kid is everything I could ask for in a child...with a few personality traits thrown in to keep me on my feet and fine tune my parenting skills.

He is the FUNNEST kid to take anywhere.
He enjoys and appreciates everything we do for him.
His laugh is VERY contagious.
He is a super-duper big bro.
He is a natural born leader.
He has energy oozing out of every pore.
Smart. Amazes me sometimes.
Very sensitive spirit. Cries after family prayers...
and sad movies...(yes, he sobbed during Pet Hotel)
Cute, cute kid.

We love him so much and can't believe that he is 5!
Happy Birthday!

Project Completed

When we bought our house it had previously been used as a model home. It had been professionally decorated and furnished. Our offer included ALL...yes all...of the furniture. Everything from couches to curtains and soap dispensers. They literally left everything and gave us the keys. When we moved in we sold most of the furniture (stuff that wasn't my style or didn't need) and kept a few pieces that fit with the furniture that we already had.

I love my kitchen, but it didn't have a pantry. So, we had one installed. We had Merilatt (Cabinet company that did the kitchen) put cabinetry in this cubby hole where this VERY large mirror had been.

And here is the finished product! I have SOOOO much space.

8 feet of it to be exact.

It now matches the kitchen...almost. The cabinets are cherry and darken with time. The new cabinets are a little lighter, but have already begun to darken.

I have already been to Costco. It wasn't pretty.

PS: The mirror is for sale if anyone has a perfect place for a 8 X 5 foot mirror with dark wood surround. Let me know. I don't want it in my living room any more...I am tired of cleaning hand prints off of it. It is beautiful and perfect for a large entry way or long hallway.

Liberty Land

Yes. Another family activity. I love doing things on Saturday's because I have an excuse not to clean. I also love having fun WITH the kids. I would hate for them to look back and remember only that I kept a clean house.

We went to Liberty Land at the beginning of August. Joshua called it Disneyland.

Nothing like sitting on a horse for 3 minutes going around in a circle.
Cost=$3. Time spent=Priceless!

Hold on tight...it might just buck you off. I remember growing up riding REAL horses.

Sorry kids. You get the plastic kind. No poop.

WEEEEE....I think this ride was a carnival cast-off.

Mini golf. Has to be my favorite past time (can you feel the sarcasm dripping).

They loved it and that is all that matters.

Little Tiger...Spangler that is...not Woods.

Hole in....10!

These cars were their favorite. Too bad the kid cart goes about 1/2 the speed as the adult car.

Caleb hates losing.

Bumper boats.

Bald baby must have a bald baby-doll.

Twins.

Yes, I was there.
I had the mommy pass.
Translation: Photo snapping-baby holding-diaper changing-hand wiping-stroller pushing-

water giving-all things mom-pass. Yeah! (...more sarcasm)

...oh and baby watching. (all of the time! She is so stinking cute I can't take my eyes off of her!!)