Happy Birthday Caleb!!

It was six years ago that Caleb entered the world on August 16, 2004.

He weighed 7lbs 5 oz and was 20 inches long. He was born in Mtn. View, CA.

He was the CUTEST newborn ever!

He had really long and skinny arms and legs with huge hands!

He had a very large group in the delivery room that included August, my mom, sister, grandma and friend Maria. It was seriously a party!

The whole group traveled from Utah to California to be with us during the birth. They made it just in time...my water broke 4 hours after they arrived!

I have been a little sentimental this week. I usually don't get this way around birthdays, but this year has been different. I have cried...more then once. Caleb just looks at me and smiles...with his toothless grin and says, "Ahhh, come here (and gives me a hug). I just love ya". I have seen him grow, change and mature more in the last 2 years then I ever expected.

1 year old!

2 year old!

3 Years old!

4 years old!

5 years old!

...and finally...6 big years!

We took some friends/cousins to play laser tag and they had some serious fun!

We also were able to have Grandma Debbie, Grandpa Kelly and Grandpa Mike visit; with Grandpa and Grandma Spangler calling from Jail (hee, hee) on his birthday.

Thanks to everyone for helping my little boy feel special!!

Cleaning Crew

If ever you come to my house and the bathroom is dirty, don't blame me. Blame the cleaning crew:

Wild Week

August was traveling again this week (NH) and we had some WILD weather while he was gone.

During one day we had more rain then I have EVER seen fall. I am talking "Tennessee" rain. I remember moving to TN and being amazed by the rain storms. This was even worse. My dad was working close to us and said that the storm flooded a few houses close to his construction site because it was so bad. The storm filled the retention pond up in a matter of moments and then poured into the houses. I was glad that our drainage was working. During this storm we had a few Lehi City workers doing concrete across the street. When the rain hit they ran for cover on the side of a big garbage can. I was watching from my garage and noticed that they didn't have a car to go to. I am guessing that they were dropped off to work and didn't have a ride. I ran and told them to come on my porch, but they didn't speak English. So, I said, "siéntese"...sit down...I think. But, I am sure it didn't sound right because they just smiled.  So, I motioned for them to follow and they did. I gave them stools to sit on to watch the rain under my porch and then gave them a Gatorade. I don't think they knew what to think...but they seemed very grateful.

When the rain let up, they went back to work. Meanwhile, a little while later Stephanie and I went on a walk with our 6 kids + 2 neighbors. The kids were all on bikes/scooters and we headed around the park. As we rounded the block, we tried to decide whether to go around the block or go back home. Suddenly, the heavens opened and we felt like we were being bombed. HUGE hail began to fall on all of us. I am talking crazy, painful hail. We had little bike riders (think 8 kids under 6!!!) screaming because they hail was hitting them sooo hard. We had babies in strollers screaming because it was hitting them in the face.  We had moms running as fast as possible to save our kids. Josh was having the hardest time. He had just learned to ride his bike (with training wheels) and he was scared to death. I was trying to keep him up because he wasn't able to keep his eyes open (the hail was hurting him so bad). I was pushing the jogging stroller with one hand (while Bella was freaking out) and trying to help Josh not tip over with the other. But, it wasn't working. The jogger started tipping (with only one had pushing) and Josh's bike was riding on one training wheel with me supporting it. As I got to our street one of the nice Hispanic workers came to my rescue. He saw that I was struggling and immediately ran, grabbed Josh and took him to the garage for safety. I grabbed Bella and we ditched the tumbled bike and stroller in the road and ran for safety. I am forever grateful for his help...whoever he may have been. I don't think that he would have felt comfortable enough to help if I had not reached out earlier in the day. Not because he wasn't caring (actions speak loud) but because he probably didn't know what I would do if I saw a  man grab my kid and run.  But, I learned that if you are kind and open the door you may find blessings on the other end. This man was my blessings.

Later on that night (I think...maybe another night that week...they all were horrible) we had an enormous thunderstorm. At 1:50 in the morning I thought my house was struck. I looked out the window seriously expecting to see flames coming from somewhere. Luckily, it wasn't. But the damage was done. I was rattled (scared out of my freaking mind is more like it) the rest of the night. I was close to waking the kids and sleeping at my friend's across the street (can you picture me showing up with screaming kids in the middle of the night...LOL). When August called the next morning I was still shaken up. He was upset that I was upset...no fun when hubby's are away and can't give you a hug.

This was the hail that gathered on the trampoline.

Bella taking a taste...yum.

Needless to say, it was a crazy weather week that I don't hope to soon repeat.

Mother of all tantrums...one for the record

I remember someone telling me to write down things so that future posterity can learn from what I went through. Well, here you go: (May have to turn your head...cant change the direction)

This "little" spell had been going on for a long time before I decided to capture it. Our yard is fenced on all sides except 21 feet connecting to the house. I REALLY want it done, but we just keeping waiting. Here is Bella giving her opinion about the matter. I wanted to get the kitchen cleaned, so I couldn't take her outside. The boys are fine to play without being watched...most of the time. Bella, likes to escape around the house and into the road. She wasn't happy about not being outside with her brothers.

Tracy Aviary

August 4, 2010

We headed up to Tracy Aviary this week. I remember going in the 5th grade...21 years ago (ugh!). It absolutely exceeded my expectations. The kids had a blast and we had perfect weather. Temps were in the 80's, slight breeze and we even had a sprinkle (I love summer rain).

They had a great bird show that captivated the kids. Even Bella was entertained the whole time. At the end they accept donations.  The kids were able to hand their dollar bill to a bird. The bird then put the money in the jar. Great way to get parents to cough up a donation! We were happy to oblige.

Bella just kept saying, "quack, quack" to all of the birds...ducks or not.

Safe and Sound

Grandma and Grandpa Spangler have been on their mission for 6 BIG months!!!!

Let the count down begin!!

12 more to go!

24th of July

Utah is lucky enough to two holidays in July. It is a great time to reflect upon many of our ancestors and their trials as they crossed the plains...apparently it is also a great day to do fireworks. We couldn't come up with quite a good enough explanation between the pioneers and fireworks for Caleb...he was unconvinced as to the correlation.  

We started the day up in Park City. We headed to Park City Mtn. Resort to ride the Alpine Slides. I had never been to the resort, but it is awesome and I can't wait to come back this winter (Caleb is going to do their youth snowboard program).

To get to the top of the slide, you take a 15 minute ride on the ski lift.

It takes about 10 minutes to ride from top to bottom!

Caleb was big enough to have his own sled and Josh was tall enough to ride with August. We can't wait to go back next year when Bella is 2 (the minimum age) and ride again. We also want to ride the alpine coaster and the zip line. But, I better find some coupons, because to ride more than one ride is as much as Disneyland!!!

After the Alpine Slide we headed to the outlets and shopped until we dropped...ok, I could have kept going but there is a limit when shopping with kids and a husband.

Then we went to Dustin and Suzanne's for FIREWORKS!!

They have a beautiful neighborhood overlooking the entire valley from Herriman. Dustin hooked us up with TONS of fireworks.

It was great to hang out and just relax.

I am not a firework lover, but it is sooo fun to see the kids and their reaction.

DRIVEWAY OF FIRE!!! Missed you Gma and Gpa Spangler!!!

Tball and Maple Lakes

July 17, 2010

Caleb just finished up t-ball. He is a very athletic little boy. After playing a year of sports (football, basketball, soccer and t-ball) he can't quite decide which is his favorite sport. It was amazing to watch him throughout the year become more coordinated and athletic. Big difference between football last fall and soccer/tball this summer.  He has always been a passionate person...but watch out when he is playing ball! He was an animal on the soccer field!!

After the t-ball game, we headed up Santaquin Canyon and did the loop. It was beautiful. I haven't done that drive in 15+ years. Probably closer to 20.

We tried to go to Payson Lakes but apparently everyone in Payson had the same idea. So, we stopped at Maple Lakes hoping to let the kids swim. But, the moss was so thick swimming was NOT in the cards.

Instead we enjoyed a walk around the lake and the kids took turns throwing rocks in the water...and driving the fisherman crazy I am sure!

It was a good 20 degrees cooler in the canyon and we were glad to get out of the 100 degree weekend weather.