Summer 2010

Part 2: The Price's!

While in Utah for a month we visited lots of family and friends, and since my brother and his family only live 2 miles away from Tyler's parents house (where we were staying), we were able to enjoy lots of fun times with them! Their kids are dang cute and so funny! We loved hanging out with them, and Spencer loved having a boy cousin to play DS's with! The best thing about seeing them was the new addition to their family, Dawson. He was adorable, and since we were all sick at the beginning of our stay we couldn't hold him much, but by the end I was all better so I held him every chance I could get!

Big brother Carter making Dawson happy.

Dawson being wide-eyed, which this was only when he was two weeks old! And yes, look at the hair on that fellow!! He needed a haircut after just being born, but didn't get one.

Seth and Austin playing, but don't they look SO MUCH alike!

Okay so you have to know a little background about Carter, he is funny, wait no, HILARIOUS! But the thing is, he doesn't even know it! He just is naturally a funny little guy. So I took a regular ol' picture of him then I asked him to do something funny, and this is what he came up with:

see...funny!

Spencer is only 4 months older than Austin, and this time when they got together they had a blast! Spencer is more of a sports going, loud, talkative, activity crazed kinda kid, but also loves video games. While Austin is a quite kid who likes computer games and video games.

So we brought over our DS's in case Spencer and Austin wanted to play. Umm...this is what happened:

I got them from my purse, and they just sat right down and started playing. And EVERY SINGLE TIME they played after that they sat in that same spot! It was crazy. Notice they are even wearing the same kind of outfit?!!? They are meant to be BFFs, I'm sure, because Austin could tame wild Spencer while Spencer could get Austin to be more loud!

Grandma and Grandpa Price came out too, and this is what happened then. Grandpa got the boys and girl with the DS's while Grandma snuggled with baby Dawson.

Again the DS's and being SO enthralled!

Cute brothers.

Fascinated by what is going on, except Carter looks confused.

Yes, this is my brother.

Yes, he is strange sometimes.

Yes, he dances weirdly.

Baby Dawson!

cute little toesies.

blessing day

New PJs from Grandma and Grandpa!!! WHOO-HOO!!!

Now settle down so we can take a good picture.

There we go!

Kaylee can even FLY in her Tinkerbell pjs!

My contribution to Dawson's wardrobe! :) um, he HAS to be stylin'!

Summer of 2010 is ALMOST done....then perhaps we'll find out where we will go next!!!!

First Grader

Spencer started First Grade today!!

His two best friends are not in his class (there are only 2 first grade classrooms).

BUT he says that's okay, because he still sits with them at lunch.

He's getting older and wiser (and cuter).

Also he loves his teacher and is so happy to be back at school.

YAY for SCHOOL!!!

Summer 2010!!!

Part 1:

Are you ready for the onslaught of experiences and photos I'm about to indulge you with?!!? I bet so! I'll try to make it as brief as I can make it (it's hard to pick out favorite pictures when you cherish them all!!). So I will start off with our first week in the States, we were in VA so these are the things we did.

First off, one of my FAVORITE things to do (besides eat at all my favorite places) is watch Wyatt, my nephew, play baseball!!! He is a stud! He is a great baseball player too! We all get into the games so much, and it's just so fun!

Already getting his pose perfected for his baseball card.

There's our baseball star!!!

Wyatt hitting the ball.

And yes, this is what Spencer does during the baseball games.

Sucking on a sucker, leaning back in a comfy chair with your legs crossed.

So what do you do after a baseball game you ask??

If you are Spencer you get to ride the tractor with Uncle Heath to smooth out the dirt!

We then decided to go up to Williamsburg. Look around at the Colonial part, and get some good chocolates while there, and then go over to the outlet stores to shop!

Spencer holding Grandma's hand.

Grandma Price, Spencer and Poppa Price walking in Williamsburg.

Looking at the oxen pulling a cart.

Poppa helping Spencer pet the horse.

I had to get a picture of the Colonial Inn, because when the Queen of England came to Williamsburg, this is where she stayed! It's quite nice.

A pretty garden in Williamsburg.

A garden that I thought was so pretty. It had this pretty white bench in it that was somewhat hidden, perfect for watching people or sitting there with the one you love.

My Dad had to hold up this tree that was falling over so no one would get crushed!!

He's so strong!!!

Just kidding, I just have a funny dad. :)

And of course, I had to take the typical Williamsburg photo!

We left him in there for a few hours while walking around, he did pretty well. Just kidding!!

Lastly, we went to Heath's Graduation from Nursing school!!

My sister and her cute family.

YAY for Heath!!!

That is all for now, but part 2 will be here soon!!

Life is Wonderful!!

Life is Wonderful, Amazing, Magnificent, Phenomenal, and Awesome, but life at times can also be sad, unhappy, and mundane. Life is meant to have ups and downs. With all the stresses of life, work, family, finances, it seems to be human nature for us to dwell more on the negative than the positive. As we wake up every morning and start our hectic day of going to work, taking care of family, completing our to do lists, that we forget to enjoy life. Our daily life is filled with things that bring us joy and a smile to our face, however we overlook them, we forget them, and we don't appreciate them. One thing that sets humans apart from other of God's creatures is our desire to improve our life. While it is great that we have this continual desire to improve our situations, this desire to constantly improve can stop us from appreciating what we already have. We desire what we don't yet have and don't appreciate what we do. When was the last time you smiled, laughed, focused on how much you are blessed. Here are a few things that make me smile, laugh, and just appreciate life.

QUITE MOMENTS

NEW EXPERIENCES

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

A BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL WIFE

NATURE

GREAT FOOD

GOOFY BROTHERS

TEACHING MY SON NEW THINGS

SPENCER'S LAUGH

THE EXCITEMENT OF A CHILD

THE AMAZEMENT OF A CHILD

SILLY MOMENTS

KNOWLEDGE THAT MY FAMILY WILL BE TOGETHER FOREVER

SPECIAL OCCASIONS

MY FAMILY

I love America!

Those of you who are long time readers of this blog know my feelings about celebrating the 4th of July overseas. While celebrating in the States surrounded by family, enjoying a barbecue on a warm summer day, and watching fireworks can be very enjoyable, I find I am more pensive about our great country when I am unable to participate in those 4th of July activities.

This will be the sixth time that I will have celebrated America's birthday living overseas (two in Madagascar, two in the Congo, and my first in Zimbabwe). Living in countries where governments do not believe and do not adhere to the fact that "all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness," has made me more grateful for our country, our citizens, and our government (regardless if its run by Democrats or Republicans).

America is the promise land. Our Heavenly Father has led people throughout history to America, the brother of Jared, Lehi, early explorers, and people seeking religious freedom. Not only has our Heavenly Father led people to the promise land, he has provided divine guidance to our founding fathers, he chose America to appear, with his son, to a 14-year old boy and re-establish his gospel. There was no other country in the world where the gospel of Jesus Christ could have been restored and flourished.

As Americans, we need to remember how great our country is and that it is truly the promise land. Regardless of political affiliation we all need to be grateful for our country and the fundamental principles that form the basis of our government. I am grateful and appreciative of many things about America, but here are a few:

1) I am thankful for a country where I am free to vote how I want and know that my vote will be counted.

2) I am thankful that I can vote how I want without fear of threats or violence from those that disagree with me.

3) I am thankful for a country where, for the most part, the citizens needs are met, either through their own means, or through the help of family, church, or government. I am sure there are plenty of people who disagree with me, but I know of families in the Congo where family members only eat every other day as they don't have access to enough food. I have sat in homes without electricity, plumbing, or floors. In Madagascar, there wasn't a single home that I went in that had a refrigerator, stove, microwave, dishwasher, dryer, washing machine, or computer. Most families lived in single room homes, with one bed for the whole family.

4) I am thankful for a country where the police do not stop you just to get a bribe.

5) I am thankful for a military whose soldiers choose to spend their life protecting the life of my family, instead of using their access to weapons to steal, rape, and murder.

6) I am thankful for a military whose mission is to protect America, not keep a certain party or person in power.

7) I am thankful for a government whose leaders are trying to make America better (even when I don't agree with their ideas of how to make America better), instead of spending all their time finding ways to stay in office and looking for ways to steal more money.

8) I am thankful for a country where I have the freedom of speech so I can write this blog.

9) I am thankful for a country where I can worship how I may.

10) I am thankful for a country that has allowed me to have a life with my beautiful wife and wonderful son, a country where I have liberty, and been able to pursue Happiness.

Today as we look at the flag, let us remember those that have died in order for us to have the freedoms that we all enjoy. Let us remember as we spend time with our family and friends, how awesome America is. As we look to the sky and watch fireworks, let us be thankful for the numerous blessing God has bestowed upon us and our nation. Happy Birthday America.

Kindergarten Graduation

I can't believe today has happened. It's a day that I thought was FAR off into my future. I thought my little boy would FOREVER be my little boy.

But alas, the day came, and to be truthful it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

My heart was filled with pride for Spencer, and I came close to tears but not of sadness but of how AWESOME Spencer is, he is such a great kid!

Really, he is one of those kids who speaks the truth, and will just ask if he has a question. I kinda envy him for that, because I was always so afraid to ask questions. And he is a smart kid! I love it!

I have to give credit to his teacher too, Ms. Cumpston, she is AWESOME! She took Spencer and worked with all of his little quirks and used it to help him grow and learn. She has always said (and even today said at the graduation) that Spencer has been the most enthusiastic boy she has ever taught. She says that he is positive and excited to do everything. He was really excited today that Ms. Cumpston read the book he brought to class.

It looks like we have a FIRST GRADER now in our home!