A Walk Down Memory Lane

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

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!

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...

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.

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!