Brtiney's Baptism Day!

April 30, 2011

Our niece, Britney, was baptised! She asked August to do it and he was more than happy to. It was awesome to see her make such a big commitment.Lots of family and friends came for the big day.

She has wonderful parents (Carson and Mandy) that love and support her.

1st Grade Field Trip: Hogle Zoo

April 29th, 2011

Caleb was able to go to Hogle Zoo for his 1st grade field trip this year and I was able to go with (it was fierce competition among the parents...seriously!). Even better, August took the day off and met us there with the other kids as well. Riding the bus with THAT many 1st graders made for an interesting experience. I didn't realize that the bus doesn't have a heater. I froze the entire time. I also don't know how the teachers do it everyday. Wow.

By the time that we got there and off the bus, August had seen the entire zoo in 45 minutes. Awesome. Most of the zoo was under construction and closed and it didn't take much time to see everything. On this day it was  good thing. It was 39 degrees when we arrived. So, we did the speed walk around the zoo and let the kids see the sights. We had a great group of kids and we managed to not lose a single one. Better than some other groups could say:)

We had a great group and all of the kids were super cute and fun. August and I loved seeing Caleb with his friends/clasmates and am glad that I was able to go with him. Even better, we were able to go with August home in car.  Much warmer:) It was a good thing too, Caleb ended up getting sick and it would have been a terrible ride home in the bus.

All in all, it was a good day. It is always extra special when August takes a day off and we get to spend it together.

Say Cheese...err Carrots!

This is another post to prove to my neighbors that I am not crazy when I put my stools up on the bar so Bella can't get into things. Bella helped herself to the fridge and got out the carrots and ranch. I was partly proud of her food selection:)

Yet again, this was only at 9 AM.  A woman's got to shower right?

All the while Josh is quietly sitting at the table practicing his letters. At least God knew what he was doing when he gave me Bella....he gave me Josh too. Balance in all things:)

Spring Day & Easter Morning

For many years now we have celebrated the Funny-Bunny stuff on the Saturday before Easter. This gives us a chance to have fun and celebrate all things spring. I admit it. I like candy, chocolate and the idea of a big bunny bouncing all over the world delivering eggs?? Whatever. I like holidays and love reasons to have fun and build memories. It also helps us to enjoy Easter Sunday without trying to combine the worldly version and the Christ-centered version. Lots of fun and no guilt.

Spring Day started off by a visit from the Easter Bunny. The night before Caleb asked me if there was a REAL bunny that delivered everything. I asked him what he thought. He said that there was NO way it could really happen. I told him he was right. He started laughing and said it was probably a good idea to pretend for the little kids. I agreed:) He then realized that it would be August and I providing the fun/eggs and he got all sweet and gave me tons of hugs professing that I was the best mom in the ENTIRE world. Sorry folks.  

I know that presents are not customary on "spring day", but it is a great opportunity to give them things that they need and I want them to have for summer. That way I am not just buying things here and there and they think they can have whatever they want. Keeps all of the new stuff to a fun holiday.

This picture leaves record of many things:

1. I found it appropriate to wear the Christmas nightgown at the end of April. 

2. It was COLD enough to wear the Christmas nightgown at the end of April. 

3. I am totally fine with feeding my children chocolate for breakfast. 

 4. Bella likes loves chocoleate.

The easter bunny hid eggs inside the house and Bella had tons of fun finding her pink and purple eggs. Good thing the bunny thought to color coordinate the eggs or we may have had to see Bella whip out her girl hormones on her brothers for inadvertantly touching the wrong color. 

After the inside festivities the HOA held an outdoor egg hunt at the park. They filled 4,000 eggs! Seriously, we have TONS of kids in our neighborhood.

Spring Day 2011

The next moring we were able to Celebrate Easter Sunday. I dream of someday being able to get a Family Easter Picture. But, August left for bishopric meetings really early and didn't return until well after we were home and out of our Sunday clothes. Oh well. Not in the cards.

Trying to get ONE good picture of the kids proved impossible. Josh is always very cooperative, Bella does crazy faces/looks away and Caleb squints and cries because the sun is in his face.

Church was fantastic. We were able to focus on the Savior's Sacrifice, Atonement and it's personal meaning our life.  I can't imagine going through life feeling like I had to carry the burden of every wrong choice, sinful action, or difficult situation alone. Sometimes knowing that Christ knows EXACTLY how I feel is what keeps me moving forward. I can't remember who said it in Church, but during a talk someone said, "It doesn't matter where you/your testimony/lifestyle choices were 5, 10, 15 years ago. It only matters where you and your heart is today." Love it!!! 

 We have always done the 7 day of Easter and had it culminate on Easter Sunday. This year schedules proved difficult (aka traveling husband), but we were able to do it all on Easter Sunday and talk about it the week following Easter. Worked out well.

Isabella 2years...and one day!

Joshua 3 years

Caleb 6 years

Look who's 2!

 Birthdays are always one of those times that seem to slow time. You want to take a million pictures to capture the moment. It makes you reflect on where you have been and how far you have come. This birthday has done that. My baby is 2!

Bella is unique. Everything about her makes you laugh, cry and scream...sometimes all at once. She is so quirky and funny and nothing that I expected when I pictured my little girl. She is about as girly as they come but as tough as nails.

We kicked off the big birthday celebration on Friday night with Grandpa Mike. He came for dinner and brought our little ballerina some VERY cute clothes. Who knew Grandpa could shop...ok, I did. But, he will never admit it:)

The next afternoon Grandma Debbie came for the BIG day. I have never heard of a 2 year old being soooo excited for a birthday. Bella had not stopped talking about her Birthday for a month. I think she watched a Dora episode about a birthday party and it gave her lots of crazy ideas. Every morning she would wake up and ask if it was her birthday. If you asked her what she wanted she would say she wanted a "pink" birthday and a "pink" cake.

Grandma gave her some fun dress up clothes...she was only really interested in the pink one.

Shocking. I know.

We gave her a bunch of clothes and a purse with some goodies. She was also able to Skype with Grandma and Grandpa Spangler while she opened some polly pockets from them.

Grandma Debbie and Isabella

I hope it was everything she hoped for!

Here is a little blast from the past and some information about our little princess!

Isabella Elyse Spangler was born on April 23, 2009 in American Fork, Utah

This face should have given me a warning. She liked to cry scream and hasn't stopped since.

Bella is all girl. I realize that I encourage her to do girly things, but she surprises us every day. It is so different than having boys. She LOVES jewelry, hair bows, shoes, clothes, shopping, nail polish, princess anything and purple and pink are her favorite color.

Bella loves her brothers. Caleb is her protector. He rocks her to sleep, sings her songs and helps cuddle her in sacrament meeting and is exactly what a big brother should be.  Josh is her playmate. She terrorizes him. Steals his toys to see him cry. Hides his things. But, the two of them play great most of the time. They are two peas in a pod during the day when they are home alone.

Bella LOVES baths. If I even act like I am going to get her out she holds up one finger and says, "play a minute". Then, she copies whatever reaction Josh has when I get them out. If he screams. She copies. If he jumps out happily. She copies.

She loves books. I frequently find her in her bedroom sitting in the rocker reading. If you ever sit down in her room you can guarantee a book will be plopped in your lap to be read. Her favorites right now are all the Dr. Seuss books. She can repeat Hop on Pop and The Foot Book right along with you.

The girl can talk. Not a few words. Lots. Just yesterday she opened her present from Grandma and said, "Awesome!" Everyday I am surprised at how long her sentences are getting and at what words she knows.

Miss Bella loves to reference herself as a princess. Princess is hungry she says. I a princess I always hear. Hope this doesn't go to her head.

Bella now knows her name. Not Bella, she says "EES-a-Beh-ya" We all call her Sissy more than anything. 

Food. Her obsession. She eats her favorite cereal with Dad in the early morning, Raisin Bran. Then with me she eats oatmeal. Usually the kitchen is not even clean and she puts on her big pouty lips and asks for a treat. That is on a day when the stools are put up high and she can't "help" herself.  Lunch and Dinner are completely different. She may refuse to eat or eat the strangest things. With her you never know.

Hair: What can you say. It is finally growing. We hope for Rapunzel locks someday. The movie is her favorite. She cries every morning until you put on the princess songs (soundtrack).

She is very smart and seems so much more aware than her brothers were. She loves to help in the kitchen, cleaning and cooking. It's fun to see the mom in her already!

If looks could kill, you would be dead. The girl can give nasty looks. Someday I will try and catalog them all. Blackmail.

Dress up: I try and pick out her clothes, but she has an opinion on everything. Then, she changes a million times a day between different dress up clothes. Usually when the door bell rings she is in between outfits only in her diaper. I swear I get her dressed. She just doesn't stay that way.

She is amazing and amazingly hard. I can't imagine life without her. We love her VERY much!

Happy Birthday Big Girl!!!

Spangler Disneyland 2011: Day 1+

We made our annual trek to Disneyland this year. Yet again, it was in February.

Nothing beats the dreary winter like Mickey mouse!

February 8, 2011

 We left late afternoon Tuesday and made it to St. George by early evening. This is Josh and Bella trying to figure out how to both fit inside the fridge at the same time. Ahhh. Good times.

We turned off our cable in October, so it has been a LONG winter without TV. We finally got an antennae and Netflix, but the kids thought having a "working" TV was awesome.

February 9, 2011

When we made it to Anaheim, we made like the Utahn's we are: headed straight for the pool in the low 70 degree weather and had a BLAST!

After dinner we walked through downtown Disney and checked out all of the stores.