Happy Birthday Brooklyn!

We had quite the birthday for Brooklyn. I woke Brooklyn up saying, "Surprise!" She says, "You ruined my birthday. you were all supposed to hide in the other room and hide while I come in and say, 'where is everyone' and then everyone was supposed to pop out and say, 'surprise.'" So apparently I didn't "surprise" Brooklyn good enough. We tried to make it up to her by making her a smiley face pancake. For lunch we went to the Old Spaghetti Factory where we ate in a train car. We came home and Riley took a nap. Meanwhile Brooklyn, Drew, and Grandma and Grandpa Spear took a walk around the block. Then we went to Madagascar 2. It was our first movie together as a family. We ended it with Brooklyn blowing out a candle on a rice krispie treat. What a day!

Typical day with Stephanie

Melanie is always wondering what I do all day, and this is it. Play dress-up with Teddy and Monkey, read plenty of books over and over again. I wouldn't change it for the world!

Trick-or-Treat

We had such a great Halloween. We went to our friend's neighborhood. Brooklyn was the cutest little pirate ever! Riley was tired but she didn't whine one bit. I took her in and out of the stroller many times, that's right folks, I make my 15 month old beg for my candy. Ha! They both zonked when they came home. Drew and I snuggled and watched a scary movie afterwards.

All right, Melanie, you're next!

5 years ago I...
1. Was pregnant with Brooklyn
2. Was living in Ephraim, Utah in the Castilleja dormitory
3. Was enjoying the fall weather on campus
4. Was hanging out with my cool Sister Melanie
5. Embroidering a baby blanket

5 things on today's "to do" list:
1. Go to a Halloween party
2. Scrapbook
3. Organize kitchen cupboards
4. Clean out my car
5. Read my scriptures

5 snacks i enjoy:
1. Double stuff mint oreos
2. Ruffles sour cream and cheddar chips
3. Banana splits
4. Cookie dough
5. Ranch cornuts or Doritos

5 places I have lived
1. Cheyenne, Wyoming
2. Holladay, Utah
3. Meridian, Idaho
4. Boston, Massachusetts
5. Chicago, Illinois
(I could go on forever)
5 jobs I have had
1. Deli girl at Smith’s
2. Baker at Maddox restaurant
3. Document scanner at the health department
4. Leasing agent at an apartment complex
5. Math paper corrector at college

Like I said, Melanie, you're next!

Fall Fun

Here's our carved pumpkins. I love Halloween time!

October's Activities

My girls are so silly. Riley's new trick is to bend over. We made Halloween cookies and they turned out delicious. We got a new stuffed animal, I couldn't resist. Riley took one look at Curious George the monkey and wouldn't let it go. She is our little monkey so it was quite appropriate. The girls love watching Scooby-doo every morning on the couch. They are such good friends. I love being their mom!

Continued update of last week

Last Thursday we went to the park and then had a bbq at Lisa's house. On Friday we had quite the day and night. Read Lisa's blog for the update. Allison's party was a blast. It was so fun to see Ryan too.

Wednesday Wishes

Today was yet again another fantastic day. We woke up at 6:15 in the morning, got ready and Gpa Ray used his wonderful taxi services and shuttled us to Melanie's house. We played outside until Lisa came. Of course chaos broke out with 5 crazy babies full of energy. We had a delicious lunch that Melanie made which consisted of a grilled chicken salad and for dessert, my favorite, old fashioned donuts. Yum! Then we found out that Meesh had her sweet baby Cooper so Lisa whisked the four children and drove to the hospital. Cooper is the cutest baby! He was making noises in his sleep as I held him. We even got to see Jeanne. Way to go Meesh! Then we drove to Target and had popcorn, pretzels, and slushees. Lisa's treat. What a great sister. Then we went to a children's gymnasium where Allison and Brooklyn played for an hour. They had such fun. Then we came home and had another delicious meal of chicken, guacamole and rice. Have you noticed that I like to eat? Then the kids went to bed. I am tired just writing about it!

Riley loves shoes!

This picture says it all!

Tuesday morning exercises with Grandpa Ray

The girls wake up around 6:30 in the morning. This is the time when Grandpa Ray exercises, and of course the girls want to join in the fun. What a great bonding moment.

Special Shirt

Stephanie wore this shirt when she was little, and now Brooklyn fits into it. She looks so adorable in it!

Tuesday with Mommy Dear

Today Brooklyn went swimming with Grandma Becky. We then got ready to go shopping. Brooklyn and Grandma curled their hair together. By the time we got to the store, Brooklyn had fallen asleep in the car. So we strolled her around in the stroller. She's quite the forty-pounder to push. Almost five years old now. We had a great time shopping. Mom just loves to spoil her daughter and granddaugters. We visited our favorite store, Seagull Book, and found some cute books. We got some new shoes for Brooklyn, and even some butterfly wings and dress up shoes for Riley.

Fun Family Pics

Also on Sunday the girls had fun playing with Josie and Grandpa Ray. Grandpa Jones even came to visit. Riley went right to him. So sweet!

Monday fun

This morning we went to Julie and Solomon's house. It was such a blast hanging out with those guys. Roman is growing up so quickly. Brooklyn and Solomon our such great cousins. They were so excited to see each other they fell to the ground hugging. We then went to Melanie's house. We shopped at Ikea, and of course Stephanie had to get one of those famous, delicious ice cream cones. Later that night Stephanie met up with her high school friends at Joe's Crab Shack. We have 7 kids total. It was such a blast catching up and doing the Macarena together. What a fantastic day!

Our Trip so Far

Our plane trip to Utah was quite hectic. It was a relief to get past the checking of the bags and security. We got to the airport so early that we had more than an hour to wait until the girls got on the plane. Riley and Brooklyn kept themselves busy walking on the moving sidewalk. Thank heavens it was only an hour flight. Riley was all sugared up on the airplane, and she kept herself busy putting the eating tray up and down, up and down, but it was all worth it to see Melanie's sweet face at the airport. We went to my parents house and mom had made me delicious steak and a wonderfully huge strawberry pie. It's nice to be home.

Hotel Fun

Tonight we are staying at the Crystal Inn in Denver, Colorado. We went swimming in the indoor pool. Stephanie didn't like the cold water but eventually got up to her waist. At first Riley didn't like the water, but Drew got her used to it. Brooklyn liked floating around on her innertube. Drew and her jumped into the pool together. More like Drew grabbed Brooklyn and took her down without a choice. Hilarious. We gotta help her face her fears somehow. The kids were in bed by nine. Not to bad for being in the same room at a different place.

Riley's appetite

Sorry, no picture of food. Riley ate it all. Tonight Stephanie fed her and fed her, and when Stephanie stood up Riley tried to eat the crumbs off of her pants. She is a bottomless pit.

First day of School

Brooklyn is in pre-school again. She is so excited. She is in a class with eight kids, 6 being boys. But no worries, Brooklyn can take it. She's a tomboy at heart. It's been an adjustment for Stephanie though because now she has to get Brooklyn to bed by 7 pm, which is quite the feat. She has heard every excuse in the book. Every night is a victory. Especially if she stays in her bed the whole night. Brooklyn has quite the imagination these days.