Country life

We spent new years at Brant's parent's 'cabin'. It's always nice and relaxing there and Spencer loves playing with all of the toys that Brant used to play with. He and Grandpa decided they needed a break.
Brant discovered a sleeping bag he got when he was a scout. Since it's for 5 degrees below 0, it'll come in handy for his scout campout this February. Gavin was testing it out for him.
Getting cozy with the sleeping bag from Aunt Danille.
Spencer grabbed a back pack and the cat's toy and announced that he was going fishing. He walked around outside for a while, but didn't get any good bites...
... then he decided helping Grandpa find some firewood would be a more fruitful venture.
We like to have dance parties around here. It's even more fun with sunglasses and when Puppy joins in on the action.

I have pictures of Brant and Spencer in this outfit so I thought we should take some of Gavin too. This is classic Gavin. This kid spits up like nobody's business. He's always happy while doing it, though.

A little more Christmas

Grandma Pam and Grandpa Rich stopped by on Christmas night on their way home from visiting the rest of the family. Spencer was thrilled to show them his loot.

Christmas aftermath... i love it!

A tired boy after presents and more presents

Brant picked up this basketball hoop a few days after Christmas. It was a big hit and Spencer still loves playing with it.

Home Sweet Home

I made a felt house for Spencer for Christmas. I'm so happy because he really likes to play in it. I got the idea from here and have been working on it for a while. It's great because it's a cover that fits over a folding table so I can fold it up when Spencer's not playing with it. You can pick the flowers and put mail through the mailbox.

You can pick the corn and the carrots.

It's kind of a boring side, but I ran out of time since I finished this on Christmas Eve. I wanted Spencer to have a doggy door for Puppy.
We're already missing an apple... the basket if to store the fruit after you pick it. I also want to make some oranges so it can be an orange tree.

Gavin likes it

A happy boy!

Cute boys

Spencer loved looking through the toy catalogs that we got in the mail before Christmas. Every time he turned the page he would ask, "Which one my like best?" and then tell me which toy was his favorite on that page. I'm nervous for the day when he can actually remember which toys he wants. We'll probably stop looking at catalogs when that day comes.
Spencer chillin' with his buddies (Moose, Mouse, and Puppy).
Spencer is holding up Batman that we found at the thrift store (complete with his batmobile). It's amazing how boys are magically drawn to super heroes. That's why they like their daddies so much. :)

Growing up so fast...
Spencer is really good at *gently* pushing Gavin in his swing. We had to practice a bit.

Christmas!

Spencer loved hanging up the ornaments on our Christmas tree and could do it over and over again...

... that's why he got his own Christmas tree he could decorate over and over again.

Cute Gav-man

After Christmas zone

Thanksgiving in Bloomington

We spent Thanksgiving weekend at Brant's sister's, Danille's, new house in Bloomington, Indiana. Thanks, Danille, for letting us take over your house for a few days!

Two beautiful cooks standing by our beautiful Thanksgiving feast!

Ready to eat!

You can see in the background what Spencer was doing during dinner, watching Finding Nemo. Enjoying dinner is a lot easier when you're not trying to coerce a 3 year old to eat yams.

He preferred watching the movie, too.

Spencer got lots of one-on-one time with his favorite aunt.

Gavin and Grandma Pam cuddles

Enjoying some delicious kettle corn with Aunt Danille.

A challening game of checkers

We went to a fun children's museum in Bloomington. Spencer (and Grandma) loved it!

Brothers

Since Gavin loves watching everything Spencer does, Spencer is always excited to do things for him because he knows Gavin will love it. Here he decided to draw a picture for Gavin. It was so sweet.

Spencer had to show Gavin how to use his toy.

This is my kind of camping: inside where there's a heater and a dvd player.
Gavin already has 2 teeth and seems to be working on a 3rd so he's always got something in his mouth. He's still a super happy baby, though.

Spencer's best (pretend) friend is Puppy. He does almost everything with Spencer around the house. Here he is helping out with the sweeping. Puppy needed some refreshment after all that work so Spence shared his drink with him.