You've Had a Birthday - Take 1

 While in Idaho, we took the opportunity to celebrate Spencer's 1st birthday with my family.  The Sunday after Christmas, Stephanie and Rhett came back to join the rest of us for a little celebration.  He opened a few gifts from my parents and we had Dairy Queen ice cream cake for dessert (hooray for being egg free!).

After Christmas just a few days earlier, Spencer kind of knew what to do with his presents. 

 

Tanner was more than happy to help blow out the candle

Digging in

Grandma and Grandkids - that pot on the table is "Potsy" from LeapFrog and has quickly become a favorite toy for both boys.

After the celebrations concluded, we put boys to bed - only to hear quite the noise upstairs.  A girl was speeding around the corner on an icy road near my parents house and hit Stephanie and Rhett's car parked outside.  It needed a lot of work and couldn't be driven.  Thank goodness for rentals!  You can read more about that here.

Christmas Morning

Christmas Eve we spent in Fruitland at my grandparent's house.  We read the Christmas story and were able to visit with my extended family.  And of course we opened Christmas pajamas from my mom - this year she made 13 matching pairs of pajama bottoms - AND found shirts for everyone.  The shirts were a first this year.

Christmas Morning came and went - and was lots of fun.  Of course my boys woke up early, so we had to stall them upstairs until Miss Emery decided to grace the world with her presence (she had an ear infection...Spencer was almost over his...and after the fever from the previous week Tanner's ear infection was in full force by the day after Christmas).  Tanner knew exactly what to do with the gifts, the only problem was he wanted to open and play with everything RIGHT that minute.  With 13 people opening gifts - that only leads to problems and lost toys.  Spencer was a little wary at first but soon got the hang of things.  He particularly enjoyed playing the boxes.  We were very spoiled this Christmas and were so grateful to spend the holidays with family. 

Love Spencer's smile

Of course, the toothbrush was a big hit

Cars!  In fact, a few weeks later "Car" was Spencer's first word. 

Prior to Christmas, all Tanner wanted were Christmas cookies.  Being a good helper to Santa, I stayed up to make snowflake sugar cookies with candy cane crumbs on top.  I think he ate one.  He was excited though!

Testing the bike.  Unfortunately the weather has been pretty cold and it took a while to find a helmet large enough for his head - so he hasn't been able to ride it as much as he would like.  We do move the kitchen table and let him ride in the kitchen.  Maybe he will be a pro by the time it warms up.

It is the little things - a cassette iPod adapter for his car.

A staple each holiday season

After the chaos of the morning, we settled down and played with gifts the rest of the day.  Dinner was delicious prime rib and all the sides. 

We were grateful for the opportunity to spend time with family and remember the birth of our Savior. 

Family Pictures

Over the holidays we were able to update our family photos.  First up was Lowell's family over Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving morning we assembled.  This was the first time all of Lowell's family was together since 2008. 

The Whole Crew with Grandpa C and Aunt Donette

Parents, Siblings, and Grandkids

The Grandkids were obviously thrilled to take this picture

Parents and Children

Finally a decent family picture

I like to fly oh so high.

I love the next pictures of the boys - their personalities really show.  

Spencer kept headbanging so she snapped shots as quickly as possible with his head up before the next headbanging spell.

Over Christmas is was my family's turn.  Our mission - a shot with the whole group.  Stephanie got married this summer and we needed a picture with her husband too.  Unfortunately, Tanner was running a fever that day of 103 and had a trip to urgent care.  Due to Christmas and our photographer traveling this was the only chance we had to get pictures, so we went with it. 

Too bad I look so funny, everyone else looks great.

Poor Tanner was done with picture by this point.  It was freezing, he was still running a fever and was bundled with a blanket in between shots.  After our family pictures he was quickly taken to the car and my parents' house where he found warmth and recovered for Christmas Day.

Spencer LOVED it.  :)