Twelve

My first baby is twelve!!  That seems so crazy to me.  For Spencer's birthday, he chose to go out to "Cheesecake Factory".  They sang to him there and of course, he became the center of attention, which he LOVES, and then he got his own piece of "white chocolate raspberry" cheesecake that we told him he didn't have to share with anyone (but he did).  

But the most exciting part of this birthday, was that he received the priesthood.  On Sunday morning we went to the Bishop's office, and I was doing ok, until he asked Mike and I if we wanted to say anything to Spencer.  Then the tears came. And I don't cry in public, must be the Russian part of me that doesn't like to show emotion.  But I couldn't help it.   I was just so overwhelmed with pride that my sweet little boy was so big, and at what a good kid he is turning out to be.  I love him so much!  Here are some fun things about Spencer:

Full name: Spencer Michael Greding (funny, I've loved the name Spencer Michael since I was 16, and it just so happens I married a guy named Michael, so the name worked!)

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Superhero: Superman (ever since he was little, partly because of the "S")

Favorite Channel(s): Discovery, Military, Nickelodeon, Disney

Best Friends: Garrett Jeffs and Blake Barney

Favorite place to be: On his bed (or toilet) with a book (very true!!) 

Thing that annoys him most: Doing the dishes, and being attacked by Emily & Dylan (they like to jump on him and wrestle) 

What he wants to be when he grows up: Navy Seal or Fighter Pilot (This boy has ALWAYS been so patriotic and proud to be an American!)

Favorite book (he's a crazy reader, too!): Leven Thumps series

Favorite new hobby: Boxing and "ninja training" with Rob (learning to use different weapons)

Favorite Weapon: Karambit and other knives

One of Mom & Dad's favorite things: He babysits for us whenever we need it!

I can't believe how fast time has already flown by and he's just twelve.  He's starting Jr. High this year, and I'm sure before I know it, he'll be driving and dating then graduating from high school and going on a mission.....whew!  I hope I can enjoy him while he's still my baby living at home.  You are one special kid, Spencer, and we love you!!

Ten

Everyone deserves their own special birthday blog entry, so here's Hallie's.  Grandma and Grandpa Lovstedt, Aunt Julie, and her cousins Chloe and Tatiana were here to celebrate with us.  We went to dinner at Joe's Bar-B-Que (yuuummmmy!), then we came home for cake.  We made a pink grapefruit cake with cream cheese frosting.  Paula Deen's recipe.  I was hoping it would kind of be like lemon cake, but grapefruit-y, obviously, but it was different.  Good, but next year we'll try another new flavor.  Hallie likes to experiment. A few things you might not know about Hallie...

Favorite Color: Turquoise

Favorite Thing to Do: Read books

Favorite Book(s): Anne of Green Gables, Ginger Pye, Harry Potter series

What she wants to be when she grows up: An author

How many kids she wants: 3 or 4

Special Talents: Great artist, cook, writer, helper, and friend.

Favorite t.v show: Saved by the Bell, iCarly

Favorite place to visit: Cancun for Spring Break

Favorite game to play: "The Werewolves of Millers Hollow (with all her Greding cousins)

New Obsession: Everything "Wicked", especially the soundtrack

 

Happy Birthday, sweet Hallie Jane!! We sure love you!!

July in a Nutshell

We've been so busy, and I've been feeling so BLAH, that I've gotten a little behind in my blogging.  So here is a catch-up for the rest of July-

First, I should mention, that we are expecting kid #5 in February...that's kind of BIG news!!  That's why I have been feeling gross.  I haven't felt like this with anyone else.  Maybe because I'm getting too old to have babies and my body doesn't like it.  And, the worse part, the only thing that soothes my stomach is starchy carbs and sugars!  My butt is enlarging rapidly.  I can't wait to feel better so I can eat better.  Continuing with July.......

July 9th--Happy 10th Birthday, Hallie!!  No more single digits.  She even said, "For some reason, 10  just sounds so much older than 9."

July 11th- We took Spencer and Hallie to see "Wicked", and we all loved it! We took them out to eat at a Japanese-cook-at-your-table place (kind of like Benihana, but tastier) and then on to the show.  It was really nice to spend time with just them.  Those two are growing up to be great kids. 

Onion Volcano

Mike trying to catch a piece of chicken

Also during that same week, my Mom and Dad, Julie, and her kids came for a visit, (and babysat for "Wicked" thank you!) I wasn't too slick on the picture taking.  Still haven't gotten a new lense from the Cancun incident, so I only have the stinky snapshot camera.  It was so fun to see everyone.  Especially Julie, since she lives so far away.

Cute little Tati eating peanut butter & jelly

July 16-- Happy 12th Birthday, Spencer!!  Wow, a big one around here.  On Sunday he recieved the priesthood and passed the Sacrament at church.  Emily and Dylan were so cute.  They were watching him the whole time with giant smiles.  You could just tell they were so proud of their big brother.

July 17-25- Our annual summer trip to California, and Greding reunion waterski camping trip to Hell's Backyard, er, I mean, Lake San Antonio.  While we were NOT at the lake, we had a nice time.  Great weather, visited with both sides of the family, beach, movies, mall.  Fun.  The lake was a different experience. I won't complain for 10 pages, but I told Mike that this was my last year there.  I have been dreading this trip for like the last 3 years, and this year sealed the deal.  

First, the water was really low, so that means swampy areas and BUGS-- crazy bugs and biting flies.  I felt like I was in Africa.  You would be talking to someone and they could have 3 flies on their face and not realize it (like you see on t.v with African children).  We were in a good spot, flat, and no people, but it was crazy hot, like Arizona but I don't camp in my backyard in the summer- that would be idiotic, and it made my nausea worse.  I DID like the night time, though.  No bugs, the kids go to bed, it cools off, and the adults can just sit and talk or play games.  Again, no camera.  The battery died and I didn't bring the charger.  It was like the phantom trip that didn't really happen because I have no documentation.   And to top it off, Mike re-tore his calf muscle while trying to do a fancy dismount/ flip after waterskiing.  I knew it would happen.  Sometimes he is retarded.

This is the one picture I got at the lake before I noticed the battery was red.  Dylan using Matt & Callie's "port-o-potty"

Anyway, so now we're back home.  I totally appreciate my own bed and air-conditioning!  I can't believe school starts already in 2 weeks!!  So much to do.  Emily will be in all-day kindergarten, (I think, there are rumors, we'll find out soon) so it will only be me,   Dylan,  and the dog home all day.  That is going to be strange.  I'll miss them.  I want to get Dylan in gymnastics or something so he can feel like he has a special "big boy" thing while the other kids are gone.  My house will be so quiet, and probably stay clean for more than 20 minutes!!  That part will be nice!

On the drive home, I was able to take this picture before my battery died for good.  These two adore each other!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July!!

We didn't make any big plans for today.  We started off by hanging our flag outside and putting mini windmills and stars in the planters to make our house look more patriotic.  I was a little annoyed by the HOA because they usually have flags at all the entrances to our neighborhood on holidays, but NOT today.  The biggest patriotic holiday of the entire year!  It almost made me want to be the "Clark Griswold" of the 4th of July and make our house obnoxiously red, white, and blue.  But I refrained.  

We stayed home and went swimming (didn't take pictures, not exciting bcause we swim everyday, maybe another time), then had barbequed steak, ceasar salad, and 7 layer dip with chips for our dinner.  We topped it off with homemade apple pie by Hallie- because "what's more American than apple pie?" she said.

Then tonight we saw a small fireworks show at a place about 3 miles from our house.  It only lasted about 20 minutes , but it was good enough for the kids, and since it was around 90 degrees at 9pm, it was good enough for Mike and I, too.  We also brought Annie, and she was a really good dog.  We were kind of nervous she might be scared or bark at the noise, but she just sat there with us and watched them.  The kids REALLY wanted sparklers also, but after trying 4 or 5 different stores, a lady informed me that they are illegal in Arizona because it's so dry. I guess it makes sense.  Maybe if Grandma and Grandpa find sparklers in California they can bring us some next week...we'll only do it in our moist, green backyard.

What an enjoyable and relaxing day!  I'm so glad to live in the good 'ol USA.  (Even if Obama Bin Laden , I mean Barack Obama, is our President.)  I have a lot of gratitude and respect for the founding fathers and I'm grateful for all the freedoms we have. 

 GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Car Wash

Hallie has been begging to wash the car for a few days.  I decided today was a good day since we had nothing planned.  She recruited two little assistants (Emmy & Dylan- Spencer didn't want to help) and went to work.  The weather was perfect.  Overcast, but warm.  When I was walking outside, I heard Emily say, "Washing the car is the funnest thing ever!"  Man, I'll have to remember that when I start hearing complaints of boredom.  Cheap entertainment is the best!

At one point, Dylan was standing in front of the car,  holding the hose still onto the grill.  I asked him what he was doing and he said that the bugs were getting a drink of water.  I guess he didn't get that they're all dead.  He is such a sweet boy and look at those ribs- he's so skinny!

And,  despite that fact that I rammed into the garage door as I was pulling the car out (I was a little over zealous, and didn't realize the garage door hadn't opened all the way) the car looked pretty good!  The scratches almost all washed out, and the garage door was fixed (kind of).  At least I got it to open and close like it is supposed to. 

I admit, I was sweating at first, staring at the door and trying to figure out what I needed to do to fix it before Mike got home (and I don't really sweat that much, even in vigorous exercise, I just turn really red, I think I lack some sweat glands or something..really).

I don't think Mike would have even noticed if I didn't write this post.  (Now he'll probably look at it when he gets home, and be annoyed at me.) 

All's well that ends well, right?