Visit to Temple Square

Temple Square with Dad

High-centered on the diaper bag, it was classic!

Saying goodbye to Uncle Garret

He loves his Aunt Carly

Playing with Uncle Garret

"Christmas morning" with Dad

Opening his first present

About the only present he cared to open

He loves his Great Grandma LaLa

Hello out there!

We kind of had a mixed up Christmas this year. We had Christmas with my family (the Spence's) on the 12th of December because my little brother was leaving on his mission to New Zealand later that week. Then we spent the actual Christmas with Caleb's family. It didn't really feel like Christmas this year because we celebrated early and our family members were all spread out. But I guess you can't have an amazing Christmas every year! I still loved being with family and with my two favorite people, Caleb and Finn. Here are some photos that I hope you enjoy.

McKensie

A New Friend

It is official, Finn has got his first tooth! I knew this cute little tooth couldn't be too far from showing it's little head because Finn has been grumpy and not sleeping well. I've heard scary stories from other parents about teething and I know why they dread it. But I'm so happy that the little tooth decided to come out and play especially at Grandma Spence's house. Finn has had more ooh's, aww's and excited shrills down in Oak City. The only sad thing is that my little boy is getting older. It seems like this whole growing up thing is speeding up. Stay little forever, my sweet Finn!

(I would of taken a picture of Finn's tooth, but he moves too much!)

6 months old

To our little Finn:
Today is your 6 month old birthday! I can't believe that you are this old because it seems like yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital. It's been a fun journey learning to be a new mom and facing parenthood. You are a happy baby and make every day a blessing. It's hard to imagine how your father and I ever lived without you in our life. I love being your mom and am looking forward to all the blessed moments we will have as your parents. Thank you for your smiles and giving us the opportunity to be your parents. We love you!!!
Mom and Dad

Some more little guy pics

We got these pictures when Finn was a little over 4 months old and it took the photographer 6 weeks to finally mail them to us(which made me mad). But we are pleased with the pictures and love our little guy! Photos by Nickell Photography.

Garden Gate Candy

My grandpa's sister, Hellen, was featured on Studio 5 yesterday for her delcious toffee! And trust me, it is so delicious! Every year we get a couple boxes and it is so hard to put down! You should stop by if you get a chance. She is the sweetest lady ever and I love my Gramps so much! She raised him, so I'm grateful to her for teaching him how to be such an amazing grandpa! Love you Hellen.

Choose This Day

Choose-This-Day
I love this video and I love President Eyring. I felt the spirit so strongly when I watched this. I hope it touches you too.
love,
McKensie

Happy Halloween

Finn was a cute little pea pod for his first Halloween. He instantly attacked the foam peas on his costume, so they lasted about two minutes. We took him over to our friends house and he fell asleep, so that's about as much "trick-or-treating" he did. I'm not sad that he can't eat candy yet, because that means he won't have a major sugar rush and bounce off the walls. As for us, we had our buddies come over and party. We had homemade root beer, pumpkin pie, little smokies wrapped in bacon (I know, so devilish, but so yummy!), white chicken chili in pumpkin bread bowls and of course, left over candy that was meant for the trick-or-treaters that didn't show up. I don't blame the trick-or-treaters for not coming to our apartment. Our apartments are old and kind of creepy. And it means more candy for me, so I was happy. The only part about halloween that I didn't like was watching a scary movie. I am so jumpy already and the movie we watched was based on a true story which made it even more scary. The guys were loving the scary movie and me and Deyette were basically covering our eyes for 90% of the movie. It's amazing the comfort putting my hand over my eyes gives me. If I can't see it, then it's not there. We didn't get to sleep until late (which is midnight for us, no laughing!) so once my head hit the pillow I was out! It was nice to be that tired because I didn't have any nightmares(another reason I dislike horror movies). And another bonus to this holiday weekend was daylight savings, so we got to sleep an extra hour last night. I never realized how much I appreciate even small amounts of extra sleep until we had Finn. Kids teach you so many things and also rob you of so much sleep. I know sleep is for the weak, but I'm admitting I'm weak. I need and love my precious sleep. Ok, sorry for the sleep tangent. I hope Halloween was fun for you all and please post pictures of your little ghoules and goblins.

National Doctor Groups weigh in on the proposed health care plan

The Allergists voted to scratch it, but the Dermatologists advised not
to make any rash moves.

The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the
Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve.

The Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception.

Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted.

Pathologists yelled, 'Over my dead body!' while the Pediatricians
said, 'Oh, Grow up!'

The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while the
Radiologists could see right through it.

Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing The Internists
thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons
said, 'This puts a whole new face on the matter.'

The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists were
pissed off at the whole idea.

The Anesthesiologists thought the idea was a gas, and the
Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.

In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up
to the assholes in Washington."

Healthcare Reform is Crap!

This is how I feel about Obama's approach to healthcare reform. Please watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=G44NCvNDLfc

Finn's First Hair Cut

Happy to have shorter hair!

Good lookin boy

Now you can see his ears better


What are you doing to me?!

Of course, he had to suck on the cape covered in hair

Getting ready to lose hair

We all knew it was going to happen sooner than later, Finn finally got his first hair cut tonight. He still has a lot of hair, it is just trimmed up. I'm not going to lie, when Nicki took the first cut I clinched a little and wondered if I was doing the right thing, but I'm good now and he looks great! Thanks, Nicki, for doing a great job!

Happy Four Month Birthday!

Watching football with Dad

Playing with his toy

He's a very happy baby (thank goodness!)

Another crazy hair photo

Dear Little Finn,

I can't believe that it has been 4 months since you came into our lives. We anticipated your coming and now enjoy every little moment we get to spend with you. Thank you for your smiles and very sweet temperment. It is such a joy to watch you grow and become a healthy, strong little boy! Thank you for choosing your Dad and I to have the opportunity to be your parents. We love you so much and look forward to all the wonderful experiences that lay ahead! Happy four month old birthday!!!

Love your parents

School is in the air

Yes, it's that time again, to go back to school. But thank goodness I graduated and I don't have to go back this semester! Celebrate good times!!! But I do have some good news. Just recently I have been looking to find a part time job to help out with the finances. And to my surprise, this morning Meagan Latimer called me and offered me a job! How often does that happen? NEVER! (Especially to me) My new job entails cooking, planning menus, and grocery shopping for a sorority house on campus. Some of you may think this a subpar job, but it works perfectly for my situation. I only work Monday through Thursday and in the evenings. Caleb comes home from work right when I will need to be leaving, so there will be no need for finding a sitter. This job also kills two birds with one stone: I will be getting paid while getting dietetics related experience. It's crazy how well this job fits into my life right now. I am amazed at how much the Lord knows us and our situations, so I'm humbled and grateful for this blessing. I hope all is well with whoever reads this and know that we pray for our friends and family.

The kid is growing!

Yes, I know I'm weird, but I guess I thought Finn would stay little for forever, but he's getting so big! I took him to his 2 month appointment on Thursday and he weighed 15 pounds and he is 25 inches long! That puts him in the 96th and 97th percentile. I knew he was growing, but not that much! At least I know he's getting enough food. You wouldn't know it because every three hours he screams like he is starving. He is sleeping through the night and was very brave for his first set of shots at the doctor. Babies are awesome and I love my Finn very much!

Surgery

So life has been a little crazy lately. The day Caleb and his buddies were supposed to go down to Green River for a river trip with my family, I was having a galbladder attack. Yes, a darn galbladder attack! The pain was in my upper stomach and radiating on both sides of my back, so we headed into the instacare. Thank goodness for pain and anti-nausea meds or I would have died, or so I thought. After visiting the instacare I had an ultrasound and found out I had a galstone lodged in the neck of my galbladder. Of course this happened on a Friday so I ate zero fat the whole weekend, which was not fun, to avoid having another attack. Monday, after being popsicled-out, I visited the surgeon and he told me to eat normal before I had my surgery on Thursday. My wonderful Mom drove up and stayed with me the whole week and watched Finn while Caleb and I were at the hospital yesterday. The operation went good and I guess my galbladder had signs of chronic and acute infection, which was scary, so the doc put me on an antibiotic. I think the only thing I liked about getting my galbladder out was the anesthetic. It felt amazing and I know how people get addicted. Today I am just taking it easy and letting Caleb take care of me. He's a wonderful husband and Dad. And not to mention, my little boy has been so good which has made this process so much less stressful. I love you, Caleb, and I love you Finn! Thank you family and friends for your thoughts and prayers.

Finn's Blessing

Yesterday we blessed Finn and it was an amazing experience. Thanks to all my family and friends who came and supported us. It was a wonderful day and we appreciate you celebrating with us.

6 week pictures

When we were down in Oak City for the 4th of July, a good friend of the family offered to take photos of Finn. I was excited to get photos for him, but I was not prepared with props and clothes, so this is what came out. I was very impressed and very grateful for her willingness to take pictures. I love them!!! Enjoy!

A little story to make you smile

Three Men on a Hike

Three men were hiking through a forest when they came upon a large raging, violent river. Needing to get to the other side, the first man prayed: 'God, please give me the strength to cross the river.' Poof! .. God gave him big arms and strong legs and he was able to swim across in about 2 hours, having almost drowned twice.

After witnessing that, the second man prayed: 'God, please give me strength and the tools to cross the river.' Poof! .. God gave him a rowboat and strong arms and strong legs and he was able to row across in about an hour after almost capsizing once.

Seeing what happened to the first two men, the third man prayed: 'God, please give me the strength, the tools and the intelligence to cross the river.' Poof! .. He was turned into a woman. She checked the map, hiked one hundred yards up stream and walked across the bridge.

'If at first you don't succeed, do it the way your wife told you.'

4th of July

Our buddies Duran and Deyette

He loves to smile!

In his cool baseball cap

Chilling in the stroller

Happy family at the parade

We had a wonderful 4th of July holiday this year. It was full of rest and relaxation which I really needed. We went down to Oak City to take care of my parents animals and garden while they were on a river trip and stayed there over the holiday. Our friends, Duran and Deyette, drove down from Richmond on Friday and stayed until Sunday. We loved having them and they made the holiday so much better! We were late for the parade in Delta, sorry, my bad. Then we went home and had a barbeque at the Hintze's house. It was so nice to catch up with them because I haven't seen them for a long time. After we ate we came home and ran through the sprinklers. It was an awesome sight to see full grown adults running through, sitting on and doing cartwheels through the sprinklers. Man it was a blast!!! Then later that night we went to Delta to watch the fireworks. The only downer was that while I was feeding Finn as the fireworks were booming overhead, he vomited all over me. Poor little guy. I love going home for holidays and being reminded of my youth. And I love the 4th of July! It's right up there with Christmas. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and that you didn't get too sunburnt!

Little things that matter

I just had to share this shining moment with someone, so here it is; Finn slept through the night last night!!! I woke up at 6:30 this morning and looked over at him and he was still dreaming. I had to shake Caleb and tell him the wonderful news! All the parents out there will rejoice with me because after long nights of waking up a million times, when the baby finally sleeps through the night it is a wonderful feeling. I hope you are all having a great day and thanks for letting me tell you about the small miracles in my life.

Little Man Update

Daddy and Finn

Snuggle Buddies

Caleb's new toy-Finn always has to move his head to see who is holding him

Uncle Nate

Great Grandpa Frank

Totally relaxing on Grandpa Spence

Uncle Garret

I know some of you may find these posts boring, but it seems like each week there is something fun to report about in our little man's new life. I'm a new mom, so I apologize because some of this stuff may seem silly to get excited about, but hey, everyday and all day I spend with Finn. Finn finally met the men folk on the Spence side this past weekend. The men folk were a little hesitant to hold him because Garret was the last baby in the Spence household, but they all were in love the second they held him. I think my youngest brother, Garret, was afraid he was going to poop on him. I kindly explained to Garret that's why we put a diaper on Finn. I have two siblings that Finn has not met yet, Bridger, who is on a mission in Birmingham England, and Carly, who lives in Los Cruces New Mexico. Finn weighed 8 lbs 2 oz at his first checkup and at his 2 week check up he weighed a whopping 9 lbs 14 oz! So he's becoming quite the little chunker and we are looking forward to all the fun moments that lay ahead.