A few cute pictures of the kids!

  (Spencer with cousin Canon)

 (Spencer sorted his "trunk-or-treat" candy by package color)

 (Russell at about 3 months)

Russell at 2 1/2 Months

Spencer's First ER Trip

While playing at the park, Spencer hit his head on one of the bars of the play structure. He grabbed his head, started crying and came over to me for comfort. Luckily, I decided to look under his hair to check it, just assuming to see a small bump. There was no bump, but a small gash that was starting to bleed. It actually didn't bleed that much, which is surprising for a head wound. After a minute or two he stopped crying. I showed my friend that was at the park with me, we thought that it might possibly need stitches. He had cut his head a few months earlier and I never took him in and the doctor said I probably should have. So I decided to take him to the ER. We walked back to my friends house which was next door to the park and got everything situated. My friend was great enough to keep Aliyah and Russell for me while I went (thanks Amanda!). Spencer was so upset that we had to leave our friends house. He wanted to stay and jump on the trampoline! I had to carry him out to the car because he was throwing such a big fit about leaving, ran home to grab him some clothes (his were soaking from running in the sprinklers) and Mickey and lovie, and headed to the ER. Once we were there he was completely happy and calm. He sat nicely as we got checked in. He just laid on his little bed and enjoyed watching PBS shows. He let the nurses/doctors look at him without even flinching. They said they were going to put some staples in, so they put some numbing ointment on it, let it set for about 30 minutes and then came and put three staples in. He barely flinched on the last staple--but no crying or fighting. I was shocked! I thought that I would have to battle him and pin him down to let them do anything to him. I had called Bill to have him come as backup for me. But the whole thing was a breeze. (Which is extra shocking since Spencer has been extra difficult lately with tantrums and wanting to say no to everything we want him to do!)

I took him to the doctor yesterday and got the staples pulled out (where again, hardly a flinch) and everything is looking great.

This definitely was a much better ER experience than Aliyah's broken arm. Low trauma, no crying, no surgery or even shots, no mommy panic, and in and out in 2 hours. And happily, we have no hospital bill. Since we had Russell, we have met our deductible for the year. Now we are two for two on playground-caused emergency room visits! This definitely doesn't help in my playground injury paranoia. It didn't affect Spencer, though--he was happy to go to the park the next day!

He's asleep here on Bill's lap after coming home.

Russell's Blessing Day

We had Russell's baby blessing scheduled for October 21st. A few weeks before, our stake scheduled a special stake conference, and so we ended up blessing Russell at home. It was great to have Bill's parents in from California, his family came over from Mesa, and my family came as well.

Aliyah's Spirit Week

 Aliyah (and Aftin) had fun participating in the school's spirit week a few weeks ago. We forgot the first day (Pirate Day--pirates are the school mascot), but then remembered the rest of the week. Sports day she wore her A's shirt, but we didn't get a good picture of her in it. Wednesday was pink day. Thursday was crazy hair day and Friday was mismatch day.

Aliyah's Birthday Party

We had a birthday party for Aliyah at the park last weekend. She had so much fun with all her friends together at one time. She enjoyed being the leader in follow the leader. She even turned into a little aerobics instructor--she had all the kids facing her doing jumping jacks! :) She got a lot of fun presents and what kid doesn't love cupcakes. We lucked out and the weather was especially cool last weekend (meaning in the 70s). Great little party!

Fall Pictures

We Love Our Little Family

Russell at 2 Months

Russell went to his 2 month doctor appointment and weighed 13 pounds 13 ounces and was 25 inches long. He was in the 90th percentile for weight, 97th for height, and 75th for head size. We have another BIG boy!

At about two months he started to smile and coo. We haven't caught a full smile on camera yet, but more will be coming soon. He is a very content baby and usually only cries if he is hungry, poopy, tired, or alone. He loves being held, and I think there has only been once or twice ever in his little life that he has been inconsolable--and it usually only last for 20 to 30 minutes. He has been a pretty difficult nurser since about a week old and I have always been very concerned that he is not getting enough to eat--so the doctor appointment was a big relief, he is obviously growing. He has been improving in nursing, though, since about that time. He is starting to sleep through the night, going for 8-10 hour stretches on most nights. And he likes going to be early, usually between 7 and 9pm. Napping hasn't been as easy, but I borrowed a swing from my sister and he will take a lot of his naps in that. However, even when he has a bad nap day, I know that I probably won't have to get up in the middle of the night, so it makes it ok. He is such a sweet little guy--we all love him so much!

Friends Visiting

 My friend, Aubrey, and her kids came to Phoenix for a visit. We were so happy to see them and play with them. Aliyah has been friends with Eve since before they turned one! We miss you guys!

I took 5 pics of the kids--none of them had all 6 looking at the camera! :)

Our "Cool Guy"

Spencer got new church shoes and was showing them off before church:

After church Spencer found Dad's sunglasses and called himself a "cool guy" and was posing in all sorts of "cool" ways. He is such a hilarious little guy.