The month of October

Summer dressed for the fall, even though it is still very warm outside.

Ward Halloween Party

Trick or Treat night. Nephi wasn't too excited about it at all until we went to the first house and he learned that you get candy at each house you go to. He was soon running to the next house, and the next, and the next. I feel bad for the neighbors that put the bowl in front of him because he would grab handfuls of their candy. It was a really fun night.

Each month Lemon Ave. School awards 2 kids in each class for a character trait. Oct. was Friendship. Summer won the Friendship award for her class. She really is a great friend.

Nephi loves to dress himself and so here is one of his creations.

Some how the first day of school pics were deleted so here is a recreation of that.

Spencer eating a lettuce wrap and liking it!!!

Crazy Hair Day (Spencer did not want to participate)

Update on Benson, Nephi, Spencer, and Summer

Months ago I mentioned in our blog that our due date is Dec. 31st, but that my Dr's office schedule c-sections one week in advance. (meaning Christmas Eve) I thought that they would never schedule a c-section on Christmas Eve, but I was wrong. We are going to have Benson Jon Spendlove on Dec. 24th....CHRISTMAS EVE!!! Kaiser (my HMO) will not do it before 39 weeks. I was kind of hoping that because I have massively large babies that they would make an exception. However, except for an emergency, they stick with 39 weeks. We have really explored so many options, but this one seems to work the best for our family. We are really excited for him to come on Christmas Eve.

The kids have had 2 weeks off for Fall Break. We went to Belmont Park, an amusement park by the beach. Nephi had several upsetting times as he was not able to ride the big kid rides that Summer was able to. But he certainly enjoyed all of the rides that he was able to ride. Summer went on all of the rides. I am amazed at how fearless she is. There were some rides that the younger 2 couldn't go on without a chaperone. Luckily Summer was able to serve as their chaperone since I couldn't ride anything. The kids had a blast. I am so glad we went.

Another day during the break we went on a 4 mile walk/hike around Lake Murray. It was beautiful and fun for all of us to be together. During the hike, Stuart spotted a snake and used a stick to gently get it off of our path as Summer and I are scared of snakes. The next morning we found Summer in bed with Nephi with her shoes at the bottom of the bed. She said that she had a reptile dream and so had to wear her shoes to his room. Wow is she my daughter or what. It sounds like something I would do even as a 30 year old.

Spencer had his first basketball game last night. I was terribly sad to miss it but I had Relief Society. I love being at Relief Society, but would have much rather seen my cute little boy at his first game. Stuart said that he was so cute. He had the job to pass the ball in from out of bounds. He kept on forgetting and so had to be reminded a lot. Stuart said that he'd put his arms up and constantly move his feet when he was on defense. I can't wait to see his next game. He constantly sticks his tongue out when he is concentrating on the game. He reminds me (in looks and actions) like his Uncle Sam and Grandpa Lentz.

Summer has loved starting Achievement Days. On her off weeks she goes to club volleyball. Summer just loves volleyball. She didn't like basketball because of the sweating. Luckily she hasn't worked up a sweat in volleyball. Hopefully she can learn to like it before she realizes that there may be times that you sweat in v-ball.

Spencer

Spencer officially had his first true love! A new family moved into our complex with children around Summer and Spencer’s age. One day, the 7-year-old girl named Leila was here watching a movie with Summer and Spencer and Kathy came out to find Leila and Spencer snuggling and kissing. Leila professed a deep love for Spencer and he reciprocated and POW!!! Love was in the air! After the movie, they took a “romantic walk” (as Leila called it) around the courtyard of the apartments and were in bliss. That night, we had a chat with Spencer about how kissing is for older people and he’s too little. Consequently, Spencer has been very shy around Leila even when she attempts to show her love by giving him gifts (e.g., a chocolate Jell-O pudding cup). Unfortunately, the saga ended just one week after it began when Leila broke Spencer’s new dollar store Star Wars light saber, complete with red lighting and sound. He came in upset and said she broke it and then declared he didn’t like her anymore.

Spencer also had a cute moment in Sacrament meeting last week when the primary was performing their program. He stood with other boys in his class at the microphone to sing the first lines of a song and when the time came, he began singing loud and proud as instructed while the others stayed silent. When he suddenly realized he was the only one singing, he got a look of terror on his face, stopped singing, covered his mouth, turned to his teacher, and buried his head in her dress as he began to cry. It was sooooo tender and sweet, Kathy and I both got teary eyed to watch him. We love our little Spencer!

The things that Nephi likes to wear.

Nephi loves to dress himself in swimming suits...especially Summer's. He got a little help from Grandma to put this one on. He usually doesn't put it on so neatly. He also loves to wear "neckies" (necklaces and bracelets). The other day it was all quiet and my bedroom door was shut, which only means he is up to something that he doesn't want me to see. He found my stash of "neckies" and promptly started dressing himself.

Conan O'Brien show

Stuart and I went to be in the audience of the Conan O'Brien Show. It was a very fun day. We got there early and walked around. The top picture is on Coronado Island on a different day, but we didn't get any pictures together that day so I put that on instead for our date. We couldn't even take a camera into the show (not surprising) so we only have these pictures that we took close to the parking lot and then returned our camera to the car.

We got there early and so were in the third row of the center. We were right in front of the band. In the beginning of the show the camera cut to a little bit of the audience and we were in the footage. It was pretty cool to be on TV for 1 second!

It was such a rush once we got into the studio and saw the spectacular stage. We sat there for awhile listening to music and watching the things they do on stage to get ready for a show. The band of the Conan Show played during commercial breaks and were AMAZING!!! We of course loved seeing and hearing Conan...especially since he was standing right in front of us and super close. It is so funny how different Stuart and I were. He was trying to be as loud as he could, and I was sitting there not trying to draw attention to myself. I know that Conan sometimes makes comments about annoying audience members so I was so nervous the entire time that he would pick us out of the crowd as the annoying audience members. Luckily that didn't happen.

Throughout the day, we learned that going to places like this in "my condition" (pregnant) is very beneficial. The middle picture is of me in front of some important building. I don't know what they do there, but no one is allowed in there. We walked to the entrance and asked the security guard if they had a bathroom. He said, "No, and then looked down at my gigantic stomach and said, "Well, I'm not supposed to do this, but in your condition I'll make an exception." He took us to the basement where the security station is for me to use the bathroom. I thought that it was so nice. Then later in the day when we were seated waiting for the show to begin and after everyone had been told over and over again that once we were in our seats we could not leave for anything, a kind page/security guard came up to me and told me that if I at any time needed to go to the bathroom to motion to him and he would let me use the bathroom (yes, probably not a grammatically correct sentence...sorry) It was kind of embarrassing because I hadn't said anything, but it was also very, very thoughtful. Maybe it is his job to clean up messes...I'm not sure.

Great day!

Summer's baptism

Summer had a wonderful baptism. Summer had been looking forward to her baptism for years so we are excited that she is finally an official Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We were so glad that Grandma/pa Spendlove could be with us. Grandma gave a wonderful talk and Summer sang a beautiful song about baptism written by Annie Bailey. It was a wonderful meeting. The confirmation prayer was beautiful.

Summer's 8th b-day party

Summer had a slumber party for her 8th b-day party. It was a lot of fun. We had home-made pizza and rootbeer. Then Summer opened all of her wonderful gifts. Nephi has crushes on all of the girls that came so he was in heaven. Stuart took the boys to a mission farewell party while I took the girls swimming.

Summer was a little disappointed with her birthday cake. She asked me to make a carrot cake. I started making it by grating the carrots. She said, "Mom, what are you doing?" She didn't realize that you actually put carrots in carrot cake. It was delicious to the adults, but not too many of the girls liked it. Oh well, more for me!

My P.H.T. Degree

Stuart and I went on a date to the temple today. After our session, Stuart presented me with my "P.H.T." (Putting Husband Through). He put a lot of work into my diploma, having it full of the correct diploma lingo. He is so sweet! He included the words of his mother's "P.H.T" from his father, "Be it known that Kathleen Spendlove has completed in a most satisfactory and effective manner the major project of admiring, badgering, coaxing, demanding, encouraging, financing, goading, harping, inspiring, jollying, kibitzing, loving, managing, nagging, overseeing, praising, quieting, reminding, suffering, threatening, understanding, vilifying, worrying, and otherwise aiding and assisting her husband in his efforts to complete the requirements for a Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Child Psychology from this university." What a wonderful husband I have!

San Diego Fun in the Sun!

Spencer's primary class had a beach party on Saturday. As we were there a photography student came up to me and asked if she could take some pictures of Nephi. Thefirst 2 are the pictures she sent me. Then the rest of the pictures are the fun day we had at the pool today. Sam and Brittany gave us their digital camera (THANKS SO MUCH) and so I plan on taking more pictures. We had taken pictures of the kids' 1st day of school with our 35 mm, but the kids were playing with the camera and they somehow erased. I am sad not to have their first days. ..especially since it was Spencer first day of Kinder. Summer was excited to start school and Spencer loves Kindergarten. Any ways, here are the pics of how we spend our hot summer days.

Pictures of Baby #4

Can you guess if it is "Airplane Flyer" or "Girl Lady?"

This baby is definitely enthusiastic with a thumbs up!

***********

Also, what do you get when you add this picture (below)...

... with this picture (below)?


ANSWER:



He'll start off on the right foot!

Stuart's Graduation

On Sat., August 8th, 2009, Stuart graduated with his PhD in Clinical Child Psychology from Texas Tech University. We are so proud of him!!! He has worked so hard and it is so good to see his hard work pay off. It was great to be there and share in the day with Stuart's parents and sister, Sarah. For some reason I had a really hard time downloading the pictures so they are all in separate posts. Thanks for sending us the pictures Sarah!

It was great seeing all of our friends in Lubbock. The Davis family was so kind to let us stay with them. They were perfect hosts! Sarah Thomas hosted such a wonderful ice cream open house so that we could see all of our friends. Thanks to all of you who came to share in the day with us!

And a special thanks to the Davis and Thomas families!

Graduation picture with Family

Stuart's Graduation pictures

Mom, Stuart, and Dad

Stuart and Kathy

Stuart and sister Sarah

I can't sleep...why not one more post

I think that I am setting an all-time record for myself of amount of posts in one week. It is 11:30 and our neighbors are partying and I just can't sleep. So I was lying in bed just thinking of the wonderful week we have had and thought I should write it down so that I remember it later.

The best part of today is that Stuart returned from Scout Camp. It was so good to see him. We had been swimming and came in for a snack and all of a sudden I heard his voice walking into the door. It was wonderful. He is extremely tired and so is not having such a hard time sleeping through the noise.

For playgroup this week we went to the beach. We had about 5 families there and what a blast it was. I always love going to the beach but it was 10 times more fun going with friends. There weren't any girls Summer's age, so she made friends with 2 vacationing girls and spent the majority of the time with them. I just love how easily she makes friends. I certainly did not have that talent at that age. The boys had a blast in the sand and a little in the water.

On Thursday evening Nephi kept getting the garlic jar out, which totally disgusts me right now. I kept telling him that he wouldn't like it, but he didn't believe me. I gave him a baby spoonful of it thinking he would taste it and realize that Mom was actually right. That didn't work. He loved it and wanted more. He loves to kiss me on the lips. I love his sweet little kisses, but they have been quite stinky with his garlic breath these last couple of days because he keeps eating more of it. Boy did that "genius idea" backfire on me. He is just so dang cute though that I can't stop kissing him even with his stinky breath.

I have to brag about Nephi...he now will sit in his carseat with his seatbelt on. I know what a thing to be so excited about. He is my first child to even try to get out of his carseat. He would always take his seatbelt off while I was driving. One day I was driving and felt a bump on my head rest. I looked back and it was Nephi partially in his carseat with the car seat tipping over. He had taken off the top part of his carseat seatbelt and leaned over and took the car's seatbelt off that holds the seatbelt in place. It was so scary and luckily we were on a very slow street. He is such a strong willed, temper tantrum little guy that it took awhile for him to be obedient. I am starting to learn how to deal with his particular temper tantrums. Each kid is definitely different. Part of it was that we would all praise him and throw a little cheering party for him for leaving his seatbelt on and he just smiled with the proudest smile he could muster. He just gets so excited with praise.

There are so many things that he just wants his way. One thing is that he used to not want to wear shoes anywhere (except for Summer's, Spencer's or my shoes). He showed up to Spencer preschool class to drop Spencer off many a days in Summer's mismatched shoes. But he refused to wear shoes that actually fit him. He would much rather be barefoot. There were many times that I would just give into him and let him run around barefoot. Even when it was at a park where it hurt him to walk without shoes, he refused to wear them. I finally decided to not let him get out of the car until he got his shoes. At first it took a few minutes of him screaming and kicking in his seat, but he soon learned really quick that I meant it and he was not getting out of the car until his shoes were on. So it is another proud moment for me that he will finally wear shoes when we go out in public. It is crazy the things we have to be proud of with a 2 year old.

A couple of months ago I stopped teaching Spencer how to read because he didn't seem interested and I didn't want to force it on him. These past few weeks he has said in every prayer asking Heavenly Father to help him and Nephi to learn and to help him to learn to read. I had gotten back on track with teaching him until this week. We were just having too much fun playing the summer away (which is easy to do in San Diego). He loves to write words so I have been trying to teach him to read more through writing words. Summer hated to write at this stage so I am doing things a little different with him and it is kind of fun to switch it up a bit.

Thanks and due date

Thanks so much to you many friends for your support. I feel really stupid because everything really is OK. I just felt like blogging about it because I was in awe of Heavenly Father's tender mercies.

My official due date is December 31st. Since it is a c-section the dr. said that they schedule those a week before my due date. When I got home I looked at the calendar and noticed that that puts me at Christmas Eve. I am pretty sure that they won't schedule it for that day. We would really like to have the baby before Christmas (especially Summer). Talk about the perfect Christmas gift! We look forward to a quiet (with some baby cries) Christmas with our little family just relaxing and enjoying the new baby. Summer and Spencer are so excited about the baby. Spencer always wants to see what the baby looks like on baby center. Nephi doesn't understand yet, but really likes babies. Despite his messes and temper tantrums, he is such a sweet little boy. He has slept with me a few nights this week. He always drifts to the bottom of the bed and lays like he is a dog at the foot of the bed. It is so cute.

The kids and I have really been enjoying our summer. They have really been into earning money and are constantly asking me what they can do to make money. We have tons of stones and rocks in our yard, so I give them a penny for a rock that they pick up. Spencer is constantly going out there saying that he is going to go do his "yard sale." He is so cute. They have had to exchange a lot of money too. I made a new rule that for every hit or kick they give to their sibling, then they have to give him/her a penny. They love the rule when they get a penny, but not so much when they have to pay up.

Read with Caution: disgusting content

We have had lots going on lately, but I haven't posted anything because we actually have pictures to go with them so I am waiting until they are developed.

The kids finally got out of school on Friday. I am loving having them home. Stuart left for scout camp on Saturday and will be back next Saturday. We miss him, but are so grateful that he was able to take off work to go with them. I know it will be a wonderful experience. The kids and I have been swimming and enjoying the laziness of summertime.

Caution: Do not allow Andy or Chris to read the following as we don't want them to have 2nd thoughts about coming to visit us for the 4th of July.

Many of you know that Spencer (14 months-3 years) had a bad gag reflex where he threw up all of the time. We had him tested and nothing was found wrong with him. I have found several moms whose little kids have had the same thing with their kids and really appreciated them sharing with me so that I knew that Spencer was healthy and just had a bad gag reflex. Luckily Spencer has grown out of that, but passed the torch onto Nephi. In the last week Nephi has thrown up about 6 times (thankgoodness we invested in a carpet shampooer) on different days. He is exactly like Spencer was. My doctor had told me that as long as they aren't losing weight to not worry about it. I definitely don't have to worry about that with my big boys. On top of that Nephi's favorite hobby (at least it would appear to me) is taking his stinky diaper off and finger painting with it...all over!!! He has done this AT LEAST 1/2 dozen times in the last 2 months. It seems like I am either cleaning up poop everywhere or throw up everywhere (yesterday was actually both!) I almost want to put a surveillance camera in his room during naptime and bedtime because that's his favorite time to fingerpaint.

It has been particularly hard lately since I have been so tired and feeling sick with my pregnancy. When Stuart went to scout camp I had prayed that Nephi would please hold off with this until Stuart got back so that I wouldn't be alone. Sunday one of Stuart's scouter parents invited us over for dinner. Nephi threw up there. I was mortified. As Shanna and David (scouter parents) totally took care of everything...cleaning up Nephi and the throw up....while I cleaned up myself and changed, I was reminded of my prayer to not wanting to be alone. As horrified and embarrassed as I was I was overwhelmed with gratitude for Shanna and David and a loving Heavenly Father. Shanna also took our clothes to wash. You don't get much more Christ-like than those 2. I am so grateful for their kindness. I always think that I can do it all myself, but it is much more do-able with help.

Yesterday Nephi threw up in the morning and then had his biggest fingerpainting spree of all time. I was the opposite of a calm and loving human being. After I got Nephi cleaned up, Summer watched him so that I could clean and disinfect his room. I think I probably bawled through the entire clean up. Right as I was about to be done, Stuart called from scout camp. Just hearing his sweet, kind voice helped ease my burdens. I am sad and embarrassed to admit this, but I told him over the phone that I just felt like Heavenly Father didn't love me because I have been so sick with this pregnancy and am constantly having to deal with really disgusting messes that make it all worse. Of course he was amazing and assured me that Heavenly Father did love me. That night we had FHE (a day late because with the summer break I have lost track of what day it is) and Summer said that she wanted to do the lesson. She got on the churches website and chose a conference talk by President Monson and a talk by the General Primary Presidency 1st counselor. She listened to them and took notes and then presented her lesson to us. She said, "Mom, I heard you tell Dad that you felt like Heavenly Father doesn't love you (oops on my part...she was so glued to the TV that I thought for sure that she wasn't listening), well He does. President Monson said that Heavenly Father loves us." She gave an amazing lesson and is such a sweet little girl. I need to be much more careful with what I say, but at the same time I am so grateful for Heavenly Father's tender mercies and of a child so receptive to Heavenly Father's promptings.

I really can't believe that I shared all of this because it only shows how aweful I am, but I really wanted to share it because I am so grateful that even though sometimes I feel alone Heavenly Father is always there for us, sending sweet little earthly angels to rescue us.

My Mom

I have recently been thinking a lot about the great family history work that my mother has done throughout her life. When I was a little girl I was often found complaining at a cemetary with cheese and crackers as my mom was busy collecting information for my Dad's relatives. She drug us along to so many family history conferences. I always hated it (except for the part that we were in a city and got to go out to eat!). I wish I had appreciated her efforts then as much as I do now. She has done thousands upon thousands of family branches for our relatives(along with doing their temple work).

A couple of years ago she kept having promptings to do the work for a particular woman, Mona, from Millersburg, my home town. My mother had taught this woman while serving her mission, but Mona had never joined the church. Then when my mom came back to Millersburg to marry and raise her family, she would take me to visit her. She was a darling elderly woman that passed away awhile ago. This woman never had children or any living relatives to do her work. My mom got special permission to do her work and that she did. She sent me about 125 names to do in the temple that were in Mona's family tree branches and lines. I have had some really amazing experiences with doing these names and am so grateful for my mother's sacrifice for them and for myself. Lately every time I am doing one of the names I am just

Today we had Stake Conference and it was AMAZING. Our mission president asked for older couples to serve missions and talked about how much it blesses the lives of their families back home when they serve a mission. He talked about how the temples are filled with old people that people may look at and think they should just stay home and die because they are so old (it was really funny). He talked about how much the Lord sustains them in order to accomplish what they need to. Of course this made me think of my Mom. She has had many health problems and is physically handicapped, but the Lord has made it possible for her to do her passion of family history work while living at home and while my Dad is still working. She serves in the SLC family history library a few times each week and just loves it. On her days off she is either babysitting for Derek and Tanya or doing more family history work at home. She just can't stop! I would love to see the reception she receives when she dies and is greeted by the thousands that she has helped receive the necessary ordinances that they could not have done for themselves.

Any ways, I realize this is a very sentimental post, but this has really been on my mind a lot lately because I am so grateful for my Mom!!! I love you Mom!!!!

Father Son Campout

Spencer and Stuart went on the annual Father Son Campout that our Stake has down at the bay/beach. Stuart called me at about 8:30 laughing because during the Stake President's talk, Spencer turned to him and said that he was ready for bed. That's our Spencer. Here is a picture of Spencer in his sleeping bag. Spencer LOVED everything about the campout.

Summer's highlights in April

Each month the school concentrates on a characteristic trait and then awards a child from each class with the award for that character trait. April was Kindness. Here is a picture of Summer receiving the "Kindness Award" for her class.

Summer and Daddy went on a Daddy daughter date to the "Daddy Daughter Ball" at her school. I had fun fixing her hair and putting a little bit of her kid/dress up make up. They had a blast. Stuart said that they'd be dancing and all of a sudden Summer would leave him to go hang out with her friends. He thought it was very cute.

Summer, Spencer, and Nephi update

Summer has been a character this past week. We told her some news to keep secret and thought that she'd be able to do it because she is so good about not telling Spencer things that she finds out (i.e. Santa). Each day she came home from school she would confess to me that she told someone else our news. Then at Enrichment one of the mother's of her friend congratulated me. On Sunday we had all of the sisters in Relief Society for Mother's Day. I was conducting and getting to the portion called "Good News Minute." Some sisters shared a couple of things and then I was about to move on. A primary teacher in the back pointed to me and said that you have good news. I replied that we did and that Stuart got a job here and so we are staying. She said, "No, you have other news." I said Summer told everyone in Primary didn't she. She shook her head yes so I spilled the beans that I am expecting our 4th! We are very excited.

Summer has by far been the most excited. She wants a sister desparately. She has been coming up with names (as has Spencer...you can vote on the names that he chose at the side poll). It is a long list so I won't type them all, but one made us crack up..."Pansy." Great intentions, but definitely has the potential for disaster!

Spencer came home from school on Monday very excited because the girls were chasing him at recess. I got to volunteer in Spencer's class on Tuesday/yesterday and watched him follow the pack of girls holding cute little Ashley's hand. He really likes girls. On Sunday Summer was talking to Grandma Spendlove on the phone and mentioned that Aunt Sarah was there too. All giggly, Spencer said, "I want to marry Aunt Sarah." What a wonderful Aunt Sarah my kids have!

Now for Nephi...we go to the park a lot. He plays on the equipment for maybe a minute and then wants to go explore the grass/mud/anywhere that is off limits. At home he has been having a great time climbing on top of the boxes (for our move). I had to put the fragile things in the closet so that he couldn't destroy anything. He definitely keeps me on my toes.

"A Girl's World" by Summer

Summer wrote a story entitled "A Girl's World." She did it on very large paper with each page having her illustrations. I couldn't add those because it was on such large paper. I thought I'd include this on our blog because I got a chuckle with how much she loves and misses Lubbock. I think it is more like missing Carter Peach than actual Lubbock, TX. Any ways, here is what she wrote.

"Hello! My name is Sarah. My name means princess. Yes! I'm a girl. I love cats. I also love to draw. When I grow up I am going to be a vet. My favorite food is ice cream. I live in a house in great Lubbock, Texas. I love it here. Its awesome and fun.

I love outdoors. I like drawing outdoors. I love it. It is so fun. I love drawing flowers. Flowers smell good and are pretty. I want a cat like I want my own pretty flower garden. I would have a tree also. I would have a bush too.

I have 10 minutes till I have to go to the store. I love today. Because I am getting cat. It will be a tabby cat. It will be a girl.

Well I got to go. Bye! It was nice meeting you. See you later."

She also wrote this on the back,

"About the Author: Summer loved cats and loved drawing and flowers. So she wrote this book. Her aunts name was Sarah. As you see Summer did a signature and a portrait of herself down at the bottom."

BYU's parenting website

Awhile ago, I received a DVD in the mail as an alumuni of BYU's David O. McKay School of Education. The DVD was about positive parenting. It is amazing and I know that they will send you one if you request it. Any ways, while we were in Utah, I stopped to talk to the makers of the DVD (those that did the research) and they told me that they have an interactive website to help parents. The website is http://education.byu.edu/youcandothis/ . It is fantastic! I am amazed at how well Stuart's training at Tech falls in line with this, but it is so nice having a gospel insight/perspective woven into it (surprise, surprise Tech didn't really do that, but luckily Stuart does that!). I hope this helps those who seem as desperate as I do at times.

Anniversary date

Tonight we went on our anniversary date. It was the perfect night for us. We dropped the kids off with a family that we swap babysitting. Then we picked up some In and Out Burgers and headed to the beach. We went to La Jolla Shores and Stuart showed me where he will be starting his new job in July. It happens to be about 3 blocks from our favorite beach, La Jolla Shores. How lucky is he. I think we will finally invest in a surfboard instead of always borrowing one.

Any ways, we ate, talked, and watched the sunset on the beach. It was perfect. Then we went on a walk on the sand and looked at the beautiful beach houses and sea scapes. On the way home we jammed to the radio with a little Red Hot Chili Peppers. Our wedding song, "I knew I loved you" by Savage Garden came on the radio. It was kind of ironic because I haven't heard it in several years and then on our actual anniversary I heard it on the radio while I was taking Summer to b-ball and then it played tonight while we were on our anniversary date. It was precious. We are so in love and look forward to spending eternity together!

GREAT NEWS!

Yesterday was our 9th Wedding Anniversary. It was a very happy day for us. Stuart had scouts so we are going out this weekend. But....we got some great news. Stuart got the job that he wanted. He will be the Spanish speaking Psychologist at the Autism Center of Excellence through UCSD!!! Up to this point the Center has not been able to facilitate Spanish speakers. His bosses are world renowned pyschologists in the field of autism. He starts the day after he finishes his internship. He will be working in La Jolla (San Diego) so we get to stay here in our wonderful ward (although at the end of May we are moving to another apartment). I am so proud of him and am so grateful for one choice he made many years ago to serve a mission (Spanish speaking). We have been talking about how many good things in his and in our families' lives stem from that one decision. We are so grateful!

Tara- he officially graduates from Texas Tech in August, which is why we will see you and all of our Lubbock friends again.

Butterfly exhibit at Wild Animal Park

The kids have had 2 weeks off so we went to the Wild Animal Park while Daddy was at a scout campout. They were having a new exhibit with beautiful butterflies. You could stand there and hope they land on you. They seem to love yellow. I don't think that Nephi realized that one was on him. I didn't point it out because I thought he'd probably try to pick it up and kill it by accident. It was a fun day.