Snow Days

Even though it's freezing out, sometimes we just have to get out of the house! I bundle up the baby and keep him covered in a blanket. Here are the big snow boys! Garrett could hardly move!

I realized I had some pictures of Richard with Spencer, but not of Garrett. Garrett loves to hold the baby!

Spencer Evan Thornton

Just some recent pictures of Spencer Evan!

I'm back...sort of...

I guess I was never very 'incapacitated' as Ben put it, but he was definitely more excited to post pictures...Ben is very happy today because he successfully fed Spencer with a bottle of formula. Unfortunately Spencer is not eating enough to let us bring him home before Sunday. So now I am pumping, nursing and giving a bottle of formula at each feeding. When the milk comes in it will be better, but until then we need to give formula. Of course our priority is getting him 'fat enough' for the Doctor's approval to bring him home. This has happened with each of our babies...they sure come fast and easily enough, but then they have a hard time when they get here! My recovery has been so easy...I have to remember to lay down and take it easy. I have no stitches, tearing or recovery from an epidural. He was only 5 pounds 10 ounces, and third baby, so it was a quick labor. It only got hard and intense when the Dr. broke my water when I was at an 8 and then we were done in about 30 minutes. I don't like being 'stuck' out here in Payson far from home, and I am so grateful Ben's mom decided to stay and help out at home so I can have Ben here with me. I hope we answered the questions...we welcome more and any healthy visitors after Sunday. We'll keep you posted on when we get to bring him home. I am being discharged today, but will stay as a guest in the hospital until Spencer is strong enough to come home. Richard and Garrett came to visit and we set them up with a movie and snacks to keep them happy. We'd walk around and go see the baby through the window.

In answer to the many questions...

Yes - I am very much a typical guy, running on minimal brainpower and leaving out so many details. This picture answers many questions, including those of you who may be wondering about his Apgar score and the name of the on-call pediatrician. So far his name is Spencer. He was born at 4:58 AM and was not the first baby - boo hoo. He's had low blood sugar but is otherwise very healthy. He's a little guy, but look at his parents. He was 3 weeks early. Ladies - please don't be jealous but he was out in 2 pushes. Just click on the picture to get a bigger copy.



Incidentally, we only have room in our hearts for 2 boys so one of the other two are up for grabs... just kidding. I better get off this blog before I taint it too much with my twisted wit. Sorry Corinne - I know - I'm sleeping on the couch (yes!)

Corinne usually takes care of the blog so this entry may not be as spectacular. Unfortunately, she is incapacitated for a couple of days...so...without further ado...here he is, arrived before 5am this morning...

And Corinne looks cute in this one...

And check this out...

Before...

After...

How does she do it???

RIchard's 5th Birthday

We had 4 little friends over for Richard's Cars themed birthday party this last Friday afternoon. We colored some Lightening McQueen pictures as a time filler while waiting for everyone to arrive, then played "Don't Eat Pete" with their choice of Goldfish crackers or M&Ms. Everyone got a turn to find Pete. The gameboard is a 4 x 4 grid , and on each square you put one piece of something yummy to eat. One child leaves the room while the rest of the players decide quietly which piece is "Pete." Then the child returns and begins eating the pieces one by one. When he unknowingly picks up "Pete", everyone yells "Don't Eat Pete!" It always gets a good laugh. Then we played hot and cold to find a bottle of bubbles for everyone as a gift to take home. The best part perhaps was the race car Pinata that Ben rigged upstairs in our 3rd bedroom. It is the playroom for now, but will soon be occupied by Baby #3. Anyway, each child got a few turns to swipe at it with a golf club, but eventually Ben got to take a big whack at it. It busted open and even shattered a tootsie roll and lollipop. Garrett was quite upset that Daddy broke something. :) Very funny. Then we came down and had cake in the kitchen...the kids liked the Capri Suns more than the cake. Ben and I had a lot of fun decorating the cake. We are getting better each year at getting creative on the cake. I still like the Beach theme we had for Garrett's cake in August, as we had just returned from Hawaii. This picture is of Gavin, our next door neighbor playing "Don't Eat Pete" with Goldfish crackers.

Mall Birthday Dinner

Ben took the boys to the mall the day before Richard's 5th birthday for a special dinner at Red Robin, and of course while they were there they got to sit on Santa's lap. Ben said they were both very obliging and the Santa Claus was very patient and nice. Then they got to ride on the train which they both loved. I, of course, was at work...but my last day was this last Saturday, and with mixed feelings (but mostly happiness!) I don't have to work anymore!!! Hahahahahahah!

Selling our Car

I hope this is legal; to post an ad on my own blog. But, if anyone is interested, we are selling our 2006 Camry. It is in excellent condition, we are just in want/need of a van. We are taking the big family leap here. :) We have ads posted on craigslist.com and ksl.com. The car has almost 35000 miles, we've had it serviced at the manufacturer recommendation regularly, bought it brand new and absolutely love it! The kbb is about $13,000. It has some feature from the LE, like the radio controls in the steering wheel console (love that!) Drivers side lumbar support and the back seat folds down to make the trunk even bigger than it already is. Look at our ads on craigslist and ksl.com for more info. Thanks!

Special Day

At Richard's preschool each child has a 'special day' each month where they bring a favorite something. Last month he took his Titanic boat, and this month he took a Beanie Baby that I bought years ago when they were big, and he has since adopted as his sleeping companion. I think it's pretty cute that he likes this white, angel bear :) His classmates liked it too, but it's fun for me to see him in front of a crowd. He's usually quite timid, so this is good for him. :)

2008 Christmas Tree

Here is our Christmas tree...it's 4 years old and is still surviving. Maybe next year we'll get a real one. Richard keeps putting this big blue bow on his head, and then 'unwrapping' himself.

Mr. Goody

Very few people will appreciate this picture, but it has significance in my family...Mr. Goody was a tradition where he 'watches' the kids during the holiday to make sure they're being good. Then he reports back to Santa. Garrett found him and has since taken a great liking to him. Mainly Mr. Goody sits on the piano, but every once in a while I find him in other places. :)

Piano recital!

Here is a picture of our piano recital on Sunday evening! It's been a lot of fun teaching these girls and they finally got to perform for their families. Left to right in the back is me, Bethany, Mikayla, Crista, then in the front Lydia, Natalie, and Kalyana. Bethany, Lydia, and Natalie are sisters so they come altogether once a week.

Professional Halloween Photo

A family in our ward graciously took pictures of anyone who wanted one. Here we are. I'm not as Kang-ish as I would have liked, but oh well. The boys are cute anyway...:)

Halloween is over!

The day before Halloween, Ben took the boys to UVU campus where they had games and trick or treating. Here they are with no makeup, but you get the idea. If you click on the pictures they should get bigger.

At our ward Halloween party we had a soup and bread potluck, a cakewalk (here is Garrett eating his prize!), a coloring area, reading corner by a scary ol' witch, family photographs with a cute scenery, costume parade across the stage, and of course trunk or treating. Very fun and super busy for me and Ben. He and the scouts had a mystery drink bar....they had homemade rootbeer, some kind of smoothie and some other mystery drinks...We tried to get all the kids together for one big shot...but at least we found Eeyore! The family photos should be coming soon, so I'll definitely post those soon...