Random

A few random pics of the kids:

For my birthday I got a new camera, however it turned out to not take very great pictures (the color was off and it was terribly blurry). Luckily I could return it and I got a much better one. Here are two pictures taken from the first camera, not great pics but pretty cool looking. Can you tell that Aliyah doesn't like to hold still when I take a picture?

First Day of School

Aliyah started preschool in January. I am actually doing the Joy School program with her, which is a parent taught preschool group. We have a lesson manual that we purchased for the program and we rotate each week teaching two days a week. It has been a lot of fun and is a more economical way for preschool (especially with her September birthday, she still had 2.5 years until kindgergarten). We do it with two other families in our ward and hope to get a few more involved in the fall.

Spencer's First Food - Jan 14, 2010

I have really enjoyed having our little Spencer and have not wanted him to grow up, so I hadn't even thought about baby food until our doctor suggested starting at his 4 month appointment. I thought it was probably a good idea, becuase I had a hard time keeping up with his hunger, at 18 pounds I think he needed a lot of milk. The first feeding was really cute and messy. It was fun watching the looks on his little face of "What the heck is happening!?!?!" After about a week he got used to it and downs his whole meal in just a few minutes. The hard thing now is that he loves to spit, especially at mealtime. So I usually end up covered in babyfood. Unlike Aliyah, I have not noticed any pickiness. I have tried many different foods and he doesn't even show that he recognizes a difference. He just eats. :)

California Trip

After Christmas we took a trip to CA to visit family. We had a great time with Bill's parents and siblings and their kids. Again, we didn't take many pictures... We also got to see my grandma who lives close by. We had a great time, and the 12 hour drive wasn't too bad. Aliyah does GREAT in the car. We just keep her busy with movies, toys, and snacks, and she is happy the whole way. Spencer, on the other hand, had a few hard times, not eating when we stopped and then crying for an hour here and there. I ended up wedging myself in between the two carseats (incredibly uncomfortable!!!) in the back for a while to try to keep him happy.

Christmas Day

I am very sad to say that these are all the pictures we have of Christmas Day. :( We had our video camera out for while, too, at least. I think with two kids, both of our hands were full and we just forgot to make the extra effort to get some shots. The saddest part is that we only have one picture of Spencer's first Christmas and it is him sleeping on the couch. Let this be a lesson to me!

We had a great Christmas. Aliyah got a new play kitchen from Santa, as well as a lot of other fun toys and games that a three year old girl would love. We went over to Aftin's parents about 11am and spent the rest of the day their with family.

Christmas Morning - Aliyah waiting on the stairs to check out what Santa brought

Aftin got some new shoes (You can see Aliyah's new play kitchen in the background).

Aliyah opening presents

Bill and Spencer taking naps at Aftin's parents house Christmas afternoon.

Christmastime

We went to visit the Christmas lights on our way to the Ashcroft Family Christmas Party. Aliyah really loved it. We actually went at the perfect time. We arrived right at sundown so it was dark enough to see the lights, but the crowds hadn't come yet. Perfect for a family with a stroller and a wandering 3 year old. We'll remember this for next year! (Sorry about the underline...I don't know what's wrong.)

Aaron Christmas Party at Russell and Belindas house. We had dinner and then a little Nativity Program. Aliyah got to be the cow in the manger. :) It was fun and great to see the family.

Christmas Eve
We spent the past two Christmases in California which were really great. But it was fun to have Christmas at home and start some of our own family traditions. We watched the Luke II Nativity video, talked a bit about Christmas, and then opened a few presents. Then off to bed for the kids so Santa could come.

Just a few pics

Here are a few pictures of Spencer and the family from last week. I still need to update with our Christmas pictures as well as some cute ones of Spencer's first attempts at eating food. Very messy and cute.