Jared ~ Erin~ Ryan ~ Grady

Spencer Family Pix 2010

2010-12-30T08:17:00.001-08:00

A Walk Down Memory Lane

2010-05-14T14:29:00.000-07:00

Amazing Christmas lights in Downtown Fayetteville

It was a chilly night, but Grady was staying as "snug as a bug under a rug!"

Ryan was so proud of himself for being able to ride the pony "by himself"...dad was proud too!

Merry Christmas and go HOGS!

Me and the Hubby!

Ryan Jared Spencer, 19 months

Grady Michael Spencer, 2 weeks old

Grady, 2wks old

Grady in deep concentration...

Mommy and Grady cheering on the cousins at Jump Zone

2010-05-14T12:23:00.000-07:00

Gymboree time...every activity included carrying, rolling, or kicking a ball for Ryan

Ryan and cousin Davis trying to feed the horses their carrots through a hole in the fence. This picture makes me smile...a lot!

Ryan swinging at Wilson Park (21 months)

Bath time for our Grady-boo

Davis and Ryan...the two muskateers!

This is one of my VERY favorite pictures of all time! Ryan and Cousin Davis, partners in crime! This is them making their escape in Grandma and Grandpa Gluth's car!

This picture of Ryan was actually printed in the local newspaper...he's famous!

Can that smile get any bigger!?

Happy Birthday Mom!

Grandma Gluth's B-day dinner with a beautiful sunset! Mom was such a help in the kitchen, she ended up preparing most of the food for her own party!

Grandma and Grandpa Spencer visiting for Grady's blessing

Grandma Gluth always loves taking care of Grady...even if it's staying in the car on a rather windy day at the park. Love ya Mom!

"Something special is going on, they got me all dressed up!"

"Grady Bug"

Grady, 2 months old

Cousin Gloria playing with her new cousin on his special day

Grady's blessing Day, November 8, 2009 It was nice to have so many family and friends there to take part in Grady's special day at church. Grandma and Grandpa Gluth and my twin sister's family came in from Houston. Grandma and Grandpa Spencer came in from Idaho, and Jared's business associates Lance Manning and Murl Baker came with their wives. What a special day!

Our new happy family of 4 on Gray's Blessing day in Fayetteville, AR

I'll just call this "The Truck." Fun for the whole fam. Ryan asks truck home? That means when is daddy going to be here. In the evenings, sometimes we take drives around the neighborhood. Ryan usually navigates.

A sad farewell to my loyal and trusty "companion" of 14yrs...The "Black Beast." aka. my 1996 black Honda Accord LX. This was a Christmas present to me and my twin sister for Christmas. (just after turning 16 So many happy memories! I literally have had it with me all through High School, College, and beyond. It has traveled cross-country and has driven through at least 13 different states... always running perfect. Unfortunately mother-hood for me and "old car age" brought our companionship to a close. We ended up trading it in and getting a GMC Sierra Truck. At least it was a worthy trade in. I'll miss you Black Beast!

Fun times with Grandma and Grandpa Gluth

I love this picture of Ryan sitting on Jared's head!

A beautiful fall day!

2010-05-14T11:16:00.001-07:00

Ryan having fun with cousin Gloria (Ryan 19 months, Gloria 5yrs)

Fall leaves in Wilson Park

Throwing rocks in the water at Wilson Park...second favorite thing to do after playing cars!

yes, months later Ryan still likes to pretend it is Halloween at home!

Classic Ry with his "ba-ba and bee" These three are partners in crime. The amount of milk this child consumes would set a world record!

(Ryan 21 months) This is a picture of Ryan "in the zone." At 2yrs old... playing cars and trains is his favorite thing to do in the whole world!

Didn't plan on this being our "family Christmas Card" picture, but we just couldn't get enough of the fall leaves in Wilson Park. (Fayetteville, AR)

That is one tired dog!

Ryan 20 months, Grady 1 1/2 months

Jared is having just as much fun as Ryan!

Boo! Sorry Grady, you're not very scary...only cute!

"Puppy Love!" Don't let that sweet little face fool ya...it took some serious determination from mom (me) to get that puppy costume on him! I'm not sure, but I think he may have been a little freaked out by some of the other tick or treater's costumes that showed up on our door-step. He was loving the idea of being with all the other kids outside, but he had to warm-up to the actual trick or treating. That sucker convinced him that it wasn't so bad afterall.

Oldies but Goodies...

2010-04-18T00:12:00.000-07:00

These months are flying by faster than I can keep my blog updated! Baby Grady pix are finally up and looking cute!(posted below this much needed update) It might have something to do with the fact that I'm literally "on-call" 24/7 with a 2 yr. old and a 7 month old. Yep, 2 babies. Two of the cutest little boys in the whole world...I'm cherishing every mili-second!
My days consist of changing on average 8-10 diapers a day, playing cars, making eggo toaster waffles with syrup, saying prayers to Thank Heavenly Father for our many blessings, reading books, playing more cars, watching snippets of Piglets Big Movie (Ryan's fav.)Thinking about what to make for dinner, Making bottles, spoon feeding Grady his baby food mixed with oatmeal cereal (which he loves), dishes, lots of laundry, playing more cars, working out at the gym (hopefully), showering (hopefully...I know sad, I usually have to squeeze this in before bed), singing songs, kissing a bo bo, jumping on the trampoline holding Grady and bouncing Ryan extra high, again, thinking about what's for dinner, stopping in different stores with my huge cadilac of a double stroller (which I couldn't live without! Kolcraft Countour, I love you), Playing at the park and throwing rocks in the creek, Talking to my mom and twin sister on the cell, loading and unloading a very heavy baby carrier in and out of the car, play more cars, once again, thinking about what's cook'in for dinner, nap times, cooking the dinner (sometimes this doesn't actually happen due to tiredness), pay the bills, finish cooking dinner, check emails, counting the min. until Jared comes home from work, family play time, baths, hopefully an hour of me/hubby time before bed, and sleep. A full night's sleep too, I'm happy to say. As of a couple weeks ago, at 6 1/2 months, Grady is sleeping through the night, yee-haw! He was never much trouble, just wanted to eat 2 to 3 times a night. That baby cereal did the trick!
So, that's what we're up to these days. We've also managed to meet some wonderful friends and enjoy spending time with them from time to time. Jared is working hard at the Ear Nose and Throat Center of the Ozarks to make all of this playing, cooking, cleaning, and family fun time possible! He sure works a lot, but when he's home, he's home. I couldn't ask for a better husband, and I can't think of a better dad for Ryan and Grady! So for now, that's our lives in a Fayetteville, AR nut-shell.

Introducing Grady Michael Spencer, 8lbs 11oz, 22 5/8 in.

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Sept. 14, 2009 2:47pm Fayetteville, AR

This is what love at first sight looks like! One of the very happiest moments of my life.

Hello World... Grady has the sweetest dispostion, really. The nurse took him over to the scale to be weighed, etc, and he didn't make a peep. He just looked around and listened to Jared's voice welcome him to the world. We were pleasantly surprised to find out that Grady has red hair. Suits him perfectly, don't you think?!

Totally in Love

He's no shrimp...those puffy cheeks are perfect for kisses!

All tuckerd out!

Cozy with Mamma

I love those little toes...just want to kiss them all day long.

A proud Big Bro.! I was curious to see how Ryan would respond the new baby. I guess all the "prep. talk" worked because he seemed to know exactly who Grady was, "baby brother." Ryan liked touching his head and giving him kisses.

Our new family of 4!

Ryan and Grady, best buds... they will be

"Auntie Kristen"

Thank Heaven for twin sisters! Kristen was a total lifesaver... she helped with Ryan, put cool towels on my neck when I felt a little woozy, always made sure I had lip gloss and ice chips, took lots of pix, changed Grady's first poopie diaper, and stayed up with me Grady's first night while Jared was home with Ryan. The words "you just sleep" never sounded so good! That was the first night in months I actually slept 3 consecutive hrs. without back pain and without having to get out of bed to use the bathroom. Kristen, I owe you my life!!

Miracle from Heavenly Father

Precious first moments together. We love Grady SO much already!

I'll call us "Team Grady"

Tick-tock, tick-tock... Everything happens so fast once you get into that hospital room. Well, everything except the baby coming out. (atleast for me) Actually, everything went very well. We arrived at 6:30am to be induced, and Grady was born at 2:47pm. A total breeze compared to my 17hr. labor with Ryan! Jared was by my side the whole time! Except when he left to get a scruptious breakfast, which I couldn't eat. I'm not going to lie... I did have a piece of toast with jam. I was starving!

Love you Bubbies

My baby Ryan is getting SO big...and still cute as ever! He's still 1yr old here... that means I can still call him "baby Ryan"! The drool really captures the "true Ryan" in this picture.

Big brother Ryan at "19 months young." All ready for nursery time at church! Yes, that is Scope mouthwash in his hand. Guess he wants to impress the ladies!

The Night before "The Big Day" ... I'm feeling Ripe and Ready to Go! Only one more sleepless night! Take that back... only one more sleepless night due to back pain! Can't wait to meet you baby Grady!

Spencer Adventures!

2009-12-30T06:30:00.000-08:00

The phrase "never a dull moment" was certainly the case for our family this past summer! In addition to taking in all the joys of motherhood and pregnancy, I also became a "world traveler!" My adventures comprised of several road trips to Phoenix,a visit to Tombstone, AZ, a trip to Houston, Austin, New Braunfels, TX, San Antonio, Provo, UT, Salt Lake City, Logan, UT, Pocatello, ID, a "pre- new baby get away" Hawaiian expedition, and finally our move out to Fayetteville, Arkansas! Woosh! Yes, I said "move." Several months of "preparation packing" in Tucson made travling and taking care of a 1yr. old possible! In addition, I finally decided to be daring and cut my hair short! Overall, I'd say a positive change. Not my favorite "look" pregnant, but it was a fun change nonetheless! I also have to pat myself on the back for keeping up my work-out throughout my pregnancy... a goal I was hoping to reach! The trick will be getting back into my exercise routine "post-baby." Hello New Year's resolutions, right?! Enjoy some of our favorite pix from Summer 2009!

The highlight of the "Hawaiian Get-Away" was swimming near this water fall in Waimea Valley Park. Hawaii, August 2009

Yes, I waited in line 45min. with the other tourists to get the famous Hawaiian shaved ice...complete with pinto beans!

The Dole Plantation on O'ahu is GORGEOUS...Free yummy smells!

The Beautiful Laie Temple

Touring the Polynesian Cultural Center- 7 1/2 months pregnant with baby Grady.

"Experiencing" the Polynesian Cultrual Center...not as easy as it looks!

Exploring the shops along Waikiki Beach on O'ahu

Our first day...It was SO nice to relax and have dinner on the beach after traveling!

Paying our respects to "Duke"... the King of surfing! Not that I'm going to do any on this trip with my huge belly!

Our "Get Away" Destination... The Manoa Surf Rider Hotel

A catamaran adventure of the Na Pali Coast! Pretty ruggid ride..those waves are huge!

Na Pali Coast, Kauai

Lumaha'i Beach on Kauai's North Shore

Beautiful Tunnels Beach! It rained but of course Jared still enjoyed the snorkeling.

Cliff Jumping and a Rope Swinging in the "back woods" of Kauai

This is a fun spot to play in Kauai...This was a short hike off from a dirt road

Gluth Family Reunion, June 2009, Sea World in San Antonio, TX

Splashing Around!

Shamu Show... it was a full house!

The Sea Lions were the BEST... pretty funny!

All the "Gluth cousins" Lots of little princes...only one princess!

The Spencer Fam. in Bear Lake. It was GREAT having my twinster and her kiddos along!
July 2009

Partners in Crime, Ryan and cousin Davis. Jumping on the trampoline in Smithfield, UT

The water at Bear Lake was beautiful...a little chilly, but it felt great!

Proceed with caution... baby inside tummy! "Hold on Grady!"

Ryan was hoping to take a spin on the tube with cousins!

He's a natural! Fun times with Jared's fam. in Utah.

Jared's Dad, Randy, in his element for the Pioneer Day extraviganza!

Have to love the petting zoo! Believe it or not, this was the hottest day of the entire summer! Perfect for being 7 months pregnant!

Visiting Jared's Hometown of Pocatello, ID for some Pioneer Day Fun! 7/09

Adventures With Baby Brother... in 3D

2009-07-16T09:23:00.000-07:00

Ryan is SO into my belly lately! He's only one, but certainly no dummy...there is something definitely up with Mommy's huge tummy! Several times a day Ryan will pull my shirt up and give baby brother kisses on my belly. I'll have to take pictures of that- Cutest thing EVER! I have no doubt that these two boys will be two-peas-in-a-pod... only 19 months apart. We're so excited to meet baby Grady! We recently had an ultrasound in 3D. The images turned out awesome! I'll also post one of Ryan so you can compare the two...I'm thinking they definitely look like brothers....

So cute already!

Want to hold you

First smiles...

I just love his little lips

Crossing his fingers for good luck!

Ryan's 3D Ultrasound at 27wks - Oct. 2007

Summer Lov'in!

2009-07-09T13:47:00.000-07:00

This has been a busy, fun-filled summer so far! We've been able to visit both of Erin's brother's... one in Fayetteville, Arkansas and the other in El Paso, TX. Every summer "Grandma Gluth" traditionally holds a week-long summer Grandma Camp. It's literally a week of non-stop fun! Each year a different grand-child comes to Grandma and Grandpa's in Houston to get lots of special attention. This year it was my 12yr old nephew, Collin's turn. But of course all cousins are welcome. So Ryan and I have gone to Grandma Camp the last two summers. What a treat to get my "Texas fix" and spend all that quality time with the fam! Plus, Ryan is in heaven playing with lots of cousins! The little man is growing SO fast. Lately he has become quite a little fish in the water...and shows off some new Kung-foo skills he learned from his cousin Gloria.(my sister's kids are obsessed with the movie Kung-Foo Panda!)
Beside our out-of-town adventures...Jared is finishing up his final week at the VA Hospital here in Tucson. All the while, my belly is getting huge! This makes packing up the house especially fun. We're enjoying our last weeks in Tucson and have spotted a lot of "wild life" lately...like rattle snakes and turanchulas! Thankfully we'll have a couple weeks to visit Jared's family and have a little tropical get-away of our own before Jared starts work in Arkansas and our new little one arrives. Life is crazy busy but exciting at the same time!

My dad and his two girls... a fun day on Lake Conroe

Chuck-E-Chesse's...what a life!

Playing at Pump it up for Grandma Camp

Thanks Grandma for such a fun day at Moody Gardens! This is a "fresh water beach" right next to the Gulf in Galveston, TX. Very fun!

A visit to the aquarium at Moody Gardens in Galveston, TX

Making s'mores in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard in Houston...delish!

The boy can swim! Ryan loves the water... and he loves throwing things in the water, like shoes, shirts, and towels.

The first official swim day at Grandma Camp in Houston...fun summer days!

You can't look at this and not smile! This get-up either screams "over-protective" mom or pure silliness. I just think it's hilarious! Thanks to this little tube, Ryan can pretty much swim by himself.

First haircut! Bye, bye baby fuzzy hair... Kinda sad, but we were in the beginning stages of a mullet!

This is SO Jared! We loved that patio pool... fortunately it paid itself off after two uses before we got another one. Fun times...

Yes, that's chocolate... something daddy gave him, yumm!

Having fun in my twin sister's back yard in Houston... 3 peas in a pod!

Nobody can make Ryan laugh like cousin Gloria...he especially loves her kung-foo!

Ryan feels so cool when you put stuff on him... a hat, sunglasses, or a pair of new shoes. He loves to show you how fast he can run!

He can get 70 miles to the gallon on this hog! Makes me smile!

Playing with cousins, Cameron and Christian in Fayetteville, Arkansas...big mess equals lots of fun!

Playing at my brother's house in Arkansas...aka our new home for when we move to Fayetteville. Ryan has a new-found love for cars...compelete with sound-effects

Jared is training Ryan to be a soccer star!

It was great to be in El Paso with Erin's parents and brother's fam! We were there for my two nephews... Braden's baptism and Collin's Priesthood ordination

Braden's Baptism Day.... good look'in boys!

2009-05-13T14:25:00.000-07:00

We recently visited our favorite "swimming hole" with our friends Brandon and Liz. It's getting HOT here in Tucson and it was SO refreshing taking a dip in Sabino
Canyon! Liz is going to pop her baby out any week now. It's only a matter of months until our move to Arkansas. Liz and Brandon, as well as several of our other friends, will also be leaving Tucson. We're cherishing our time left in
AZ with such great friends before we find a new "swimming hole" in NW Arkansas..ie, Beaver Lake! We will really miss everyone we've met here, but look forward to staying in touch!!

An Oasis in the Desert!

2009-05-13T14:16:00.000-07:00

2009-05-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

2009-05-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

Penny for your thoughts....

2009-05-06T22:41:00.000-07:00

Howdy! Well, it's heating up here in the desert...that's for sure. I'm excited to take Ryan to the pool this summer. I'll be the mom with the white legs and maternity swim suit! Oh yes, I can see it now! I've been chatting with some of my BYU roomies lately about pregnancy. Amazingly, 4 out of 6 of us are currently pregnant! Leave it to the Mormons to "multiply and replinish" the earth hugh? Well, we were trying to come up with just a few things that make us feel "attractive" during pregnancy. As thrilled as I am to be expecting a new little one, I was racking my brain to come up with even one! So, I thought it would be a fun question to throw out there... All you moms...what do you think??
Here's what I came up with:

1. A pedicure helps
2. Chatting with other gals about being preggo helps make your "bodily mis-haps" seem a little more normal.
3. The increase in bra size might be a plus for some...ie, mostly husbands
4. Working out at the gym makes you feel a little more like "super-woman"... but no matter what, that bum keeps getting bigger!
5. Your husband being in awe of how huge your belly is looking is entertaining but not so flattering.

So in conclusion, despite the 9 months of my body not "functioning normally" (will spare the details) or feeling "not so sexy" I do get a little miracle in the end. So is it worth it...you betcha!

Some fun in the Sun

2009-04-24T23:01:00.000-07:00

Playing in Sabino Canyon

2009-04-24T22:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Ryan and Jared!

2009-04-24T22:36:00.000-07:00

In Phoenix with my Twinster

2009-04-24T22:32:00.000-07:00

I'm Getting A Baby Brother!

2009-04-24T15:43:00.000-07:00

Spencer News!

2009-04-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

Hello All! We recently found out we're having another baby boy! He's due on September 15th. "In so many words" Ryan has told me he's thrilled to have a new brother on the way! I'm sure they'll grow to be best buds. We couldn't be more excited and are counting down the months!

2009-04-24T13:30:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Hello...

2009-03-01T21:12:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know its been a VERY long time since there have been any updates on our blog! There are several reasons for this... I'm still new to the "blogging world" so I'm still figuring out how to arrange things in to that neat little column on the right hand side of the page, and I want to attach my own personal music play-list. Next, We've been in and out of town over a dozen times...not exaggerating! And lastly, which is really the main reason, is because I can't find the USB cable to transfer the hundreds of pictures that have collected on our digital camera, onto our computer. And, because I'm not apt to write long newsy articles about the happenings in our fun little family, which people probably won't read anyway, I'm waiting for the pictures!
I will say this much however... a lot has happened in these short last few months!! Ryan celebrated his first Christmas (owning most of the gifts under the tree, of course) Jared and I had a fun winter, snowboarding retreat in Telluride, CO...I'm not good but had fun anyway. One major change is that Jared and I are moving to Northwest Arkansas this July (: Jared is joining up with a great ENT group and we're excited for our new adventures! And the BIGGEST news is that early in Jan. we found out, Surprise!, we're having another baby due in Sept! Ryan just turned one, had a Big Curious George B-day bash at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Houston...and he is now walking all over the place! Cutest thing I've ever seen!

A "Sweet" Halloween 2008

2008-11-12T22:01:00.000-08:00

Celebrating Halloween was SO "Sweet" this year! I have to admit...it's going to be pretty tough to top this year's "costume ensemble." We all dressed up as our favorite characters from the movie Napoleon Dynamite! Talk about hilarious! Amazingly enough, I found some "moon boots" just like the ones Napoleon wore in the movie. Jared pulled it off like a champ! Of course, I was "Deb"...complete with a pink fanny pack! It took a little searching, but I managed to come up with those stirrup stretch pants she wears! Ryan was the biggest hit of all as Pedro. We put together a Vote for Pedro shirt and drew a mustache on him with my eye liner...worked like a charm. We had a total blast! Ryan even went "trick or treating" for the first time. Of course, he had a little orange pumpkin bucket exactly like the one I had when I was a kid (:

2008-10-30T23:57:00.001-07:00

Fun Times

2008-07-30T00:15:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Ryan Jared Spencer, 8lbs 4oz, 22 1/2 inches

2008-06-07T22:25:00.000-07:00

We welcomed Ryan into our family Feb. 5, 08. As you can tell, he's been a happy baby from the very beginning.

2008-06-07T20:53:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

It all started....

2008-06-07T13:18:00.000-07:00

It all started when Jared and I met in Rochester, NY during the late summer of 2001. He was beginning a 5-year Ear, Nose, and Throat Residency, and I was serving as a full-time missionary for our church. Jared met my identical twin sister while living in Seattle. It was quite a surprise for both of us when our paths crossed in Rochester. Some things are just meant to be!

It wasn't until 4 1/2 years later that I randomly sent Jared an email, we instantly "hit it off", started dating (long distance nonetheless), got engaged, and were married on Oct. 21, 2006. All within 9 months! Yeah, it all happened pretty fast, but we both knew this was a true miracle straight from heaven.

Our first year of marriage was spent in Northern California as Jared completed a one year fellowship in Facial Plastic Surgery. Meanwhile, I worked as a Recreation Therapist at Stanford Children's Hospital.

Seven months into our marriage, we found out some rather exciting news....yep, I was pregnant! We couldn't have been more excited! Although we loved our time in the Bay Area, Jared accepted a job with a private Ear, Nose, and Throat group in Tucson, AZ. For now we're having great experiences and enjoying desert living!

Our new little bundle, Ryan Jared Spencer, arrived Feb. 5, 2008. He has brought nothing by joy to our family, and we just love having him with us!!