Random Act of Violence...looking out for others can be dangerous.

As apt managers we often need to change light bulbs and timers. I asked Spence to reset some timers and change some bulbs. He went out at night and heard something rustling in the garbage. He then so asked the transient to leave. The said man ignored him and said he wanted proof that Spencer was the manager. Spencer asked him to leave or he would have the police ask him to do it. The transient had a tree branch he was using in the trash and blindsided Spence across the head and then hit him in the shoulder. Fortunatly, Spencer decided not to hit him over the head with the wrench in his hand. Instead he came into the house and asked me to call the police. We filed a report in case something else happens. We are glad that it wasn't worse--that he was protected and thought to not fight--just a black eye, lots of stories to tell, and a few scrapes and bruises.

Spring Break Sunshine and FUN!

Well, April is almost over so let's start at the beginning. Spence is on his last year of Dental School and therefore his last Spring Break, so we WENT somewhere TOGETHER and stayed together the whole time. We don't do that very often--or at least we haven't since we started school...our trips are often separate.
We went to AZ to visit the Hilary, Ernesto, Evie, Elise, Elina and Kodi.




Snuggly TD and his Tia Hilary. Hilary often heard Thane before his parents heard him crying...he had his hardest time sleeping in AZ as he was cutting his front bottom teeth. Good thing we are family and she still loves us even when we don't sleep much! (We stayed up late nights playing games, talking, reading, and with TD not resting too well.)

The Botanical Gardens in Tempe were beautiful.
We saw the Chihuly exhibit. We love art!



Emma's wonder

Falling upon her neck accompanied by giggles...


Our beautiful butterfly!









They liked my almost white sweatshirt...


Teacher Emma showing us the chart to
identify the butterflies.


Spencer, tickeled by his animal magnetism
...or (insect magnetism)...



Hilary and "Lini Bini" as we call her


One of many Hummingbirds in AZ!

The ever present Giant Saguaro


Cousins in pink flower power


One tired and extremely drooley baby boy still
smiling...



We visited Angel Sweet-- yummiest ice cream shop ever and one of Grampa's favorite places.
Berry Forest, Dark Chocolate, Coconut and Mango were among our pleasurable poisons.




We also saw some pre-season baseball, Giants vs. Rangers and Emma got her first baseball at a ball park! (We thought she might get beaned by the ball as it sailed out over the stands about the same instant she was running ahead of us...we were fortunate that she didn't get hurt but took a game baseball home instead of a souvenir lump on her head.)
Thanks to Hilary and Ernesto for the fun runs in the sun, the great talks, yummy grilled foods and treats, visits to INandOUT and lots of fun with the E girls. We loved going golfing together, playing volleyball, getting creamed in hand and foot, and just being together. Thanks to the girls for sharing their grandma who visited while we were there too, and let us go on a double date. We took video of the dancing princesses as dress-up time was a daily necessity for the four girls. We'll need to take more pictures next time. Family really is the best of everything.

A glimpse of life in our little home...

Thane and Emma are pretty entertaining in our little world. We often just watch our kids for fun and try to keep a straight face when necessary.

We love our Thane!

Everyday life is precious.  I learn that every day from my kids.  Thane is already 7.5 months old and is so different every time I look at him.   To catch up over the past few months... Spencer gave Thane a blessing when he was two months old.  Unlike his sister, he was calm and almost reverent.  He was fortunate to have lots of family here for his blessing and both grandpa's to help.  Looking back we realize we didn't take enough pictures of all the people who came! We are so grateful for the support and love we felt then, and that we feel now.

Thane has had a few ear infections and his cough seems to have become routine.   He most recently had viral bronchitis but it really hasn't affected his moods too much.  His first tooth erupted while we were visiting Hilary in AZ--that was the most cranky/sleepless he has been and it wasn't too terrible.  Though the Nesto's did help us out a ton with him!

 He loves to smile at anyone he can catch looking at him.  He loves to roll around and has a singular pose we call "The Lounging Budda".  Picture pilates on an infant while on his side.  I am sure we have a picture of it because he still does it a lot.  He loves to inch and army crawl right now, sometimes even hopping with his knees.  He loves toys in his mouth, food in his mouth, bottles in his mouth, hands in his mouth...etc.  He loves to watch sports center on the internet with dad--no, I wasn't surprised.  He loves to catch cheerios on his tray and he is getting really good at it. He is already getting too big for 12 month clothes too. He weighs more than 18 lbs and is creeping up on Emma in height.  Soon enough I know there will be real wrestling in our house.

He loves his Mom and Dad, and knows us well.  He loves going outside, and going in the stroller on runs.  He loves fruits a little more than veggies, though he will eat all of it.  His greatest love is definitely his sister!  He lights up when he sees her each day and everything is made better when she looks at him and makes him laugh.  She can say any one word and it causes an eruption of giggles from Thane.  SO precious to a mom who has to tell the sister a few times a day to get off of him, move away from him etc.

He smiles when we put him to sleep.  He smiles when he wakes up. He is patient when waiting for his mom and dad.  He is patient when his sister "loves him" and worse. He will affectionately slobber and snuggle with you as you hold him close.   Really, he is a wonderful little son and he is learning new skills all the time. We love our Thane.  He is such a blessing in our lives and in our family!  We cherish these times.

We had  a great time celebrating Nana's 60th birthday!  We LOVE our Nana!  We had a fabulous weekend playing with Jen, Jodi, and Aunt Debbie visiting for the birthday surprise.  Carrie made amazing decorations, games and party favors to make the surprise perfect.   I would hire her if you want a party done flawlessly.  

We love every reason to get together with family!