Our Family: 2009

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Christmas 2009

Bountiful Utah

Stockings Hung and Tree Full

The kids woke up around 8:15 and we made it downstairs by 8:30

Isaac with his trains

Spencer with his new Nemo...an instant hit!

This girl was on top of the world!!

Spencer opening up his Fisher Price Piggy Bank...Natali was SO willing to help. All Spencer really wanted to do was eat the paper.

Her newest dress up!

Spence showing off his new clothes. What a handsome little man!

We had Chris for the sibling exchange this year...he got a new lunch box & some chocolate.

We had a great Christmas day. It was filled with lots of toys and fun. Cousins came later in the day for Christmas dinner. Only 364 more days till the next one!!!

Friday, December 25, 2009

A new tradition has been born in the Fluhman Family...Christmas jammies that we open on Christmas Eve. The kids were so excited. Natali thought it was just SO special. All Isaac could say was...FIRE TRUCK! Spencer, well...he didn't need jammies so he just wore some old ones (maybe next year Spence).

2009 Skating Party

On Christmas Eve it is tradition that the Hayes side of the families rents out the Classic Skating rink in Layton and we have a party. It is a BLAST. Roller skating, jump houses, inflatable slides, food, family, arcades, the Hokey Pokey, and even SANTA! Ben & I had fun running around with the kids. Natali LOVED having so many of her cousins around. Isaac refused to do any of the inflatables, but really enjoyed just running around.

Natali & Savannah

Bubba doing his thing

Spencer & Natali chatting it up with Santa!

Since when is this girl shy?

Abby & Natali getting ready to shake it to the hokey pokey!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Gingerbread Houses

GINGERBREAD HOUSE PARTY

We gathered up at Emily's on Monday and decorated gingerbread houses with all the cousins.

It was a blast!

The finished Product

Natali (the Cinderella Bride) & Isaac

Isaac & Abby

Abby & Ben

Mateo & Anna

Calli & Mary

Liz, Charlie, & Jack

Oliver

Indulgence

Sunday morning we made buttermilk pancakes. Isaac decided he wanted blueberry syrup on his topped with whipped cream. I decided to indulge him, why not...it is the holidays and we are at Grandma's house. By definition both things imply indulging. The boy liked it!

And this little monkey is getting bigger by the day. When we arrived he had no teeth. His bottom two teeth are in and he is currently working on his top. He is still super smilely and happy. He is sitting up better and he LOVES his early Christmas gift, Melmon the giraffe. He is holding it by the leg. It's the perfect size, it squeaks, and is the best teething toy I have ever seen. Spencer+Melmon = BFF's (in the store Melmon is called Sophie...but we decided to rename him, we're glad we did).

Super Man Isaac

After Halloween we set out determined to find Isaac some "non-girly" dress ups. He has been heard/seen running out of Natali's room saying:

"Look at me...I a princess!"

What's more manly than Super Man? Oh how I hope this (and the lot of GI Joe guys he is getting at Christmas help)!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Concert

Friday night was a great night! I had the chance to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas concert with my mother in-law and a few of my sister in-laws. This year Natalie Cole performed with them. It really brought in the Christmas spirit. My favorite part was the children's choir. They sounded truly angelic!

We left kids with husbands and started the night with dinner at Cafe Rio (please come to Des Moines). We then made our way into the heart of Salt Lake and enjoyed the lights of Temple Square. The concert was beautiful. The costumes, decorations, performers, and our seats were amazing. Afterwards instead of fighting traffic we made our way to the Lion House and picked up some rolls & a pie...oh Lion House rolls how I love you!!!

It was so nice to come home and already have the kids a sleep in bed. Ben was such a great sport. (doesn't hurt that he gets to go the bowl game in a week and half) It's been a long time since I have been able to go to something like this. It was so refreshing and uplifting.

Monday, December 07, 2009

Temple Square

(photo courtesy of the web)

Last Wednesday we took all the kids down to Temple Square to see the lights. It's been years since I have been there and we have never been there as a family. It was chilly out, but we bundled up and headed out for a Christmas adventure. It was absolutely picturesque. Spencer snuggled me in his sling, Isaac was cozy in his stroller, and Natali loved running around underneath the magical glow of the lights. I loved it all...the giant red lighted cedar, the row of orange lights by the Assembly Hall, listening to a choir practice in the tabernacle, seeing the array of nativities they had set up, the reflection pool with its floating lights, and listening to Natali & Isaac point out over & over again the angel Moroni.

After walking around we were all ready for dinner we decided to branch out and try something new. We had heard good things about Pat's and had seen it spotlighted on one of our fav. food network shows (yes we are dorks) Dinner's Drive-In's & Dives...Pat's In Your Face BBQ. Oh my it did not disappoint! Some of the best ribs I've ever had...and corn bread...and mashed potatoes.

It was a great evening! You can't help but get into the Christmas spirit after being at Temple Square.

Blessed

I failed to make the traditional list of all the many things in my life that I am grateful for. I thought about it a lot, but never made my way to the computer to document it. There always seems to be so much to be thankful for. Life happens. I am grateful for mine. I am grateful for all my family and a wonderful loving hard working husband. I grateful for the gospel. I am extremely grateful for miracles. I grateful for the reflection that inevitably occurs during this time of the year. I am grateful for my life!

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

7 months

Sweet little Spencer is now 7 months old!

(photo courtesy of Chrissy Jo)

Loves his "solid" food. His favorites are oatmeal w/ bananas or applesauce.
His bottom two teeth have popped through
Due to the above mentioned teething, his sleeping habits have rapidly declined. Hopefully we'll resume those sooner than later.
He is starting to get shy with strangers and nuzzles into me when they talk to him (selfishly I love it)
He is becoming more vocal with lots of "bababab's" and other cute baby sounds
We are still working on the sitting up aspect, he will for a few seconds and then topples over.
He LOVES his saucer
Nicknames: "Fudge", "Fudgey", "Spencey Man", and an occasional "Hair"
He rolls

Spencer we love you so much! You are my most snugly baby...and don't worry you'll figure out the sitting up stuff sooner than later.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Family Photo Session

Dearest Chrissy took time out of her busy Saturday and took our little family out into the woods to capture some moments on camera. It was a great. The kids did pretty well. Isaac was a little pot licker at the end and would not smile at all, but gave us a glare that said, "I AM DONE!!!" Here is a sampling. We LOVE them Chrissy...thank you!

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Spencer 6 Months

Little Spencer man has turned 6 months! Today I took him in for his wellness check up and to make sure that his little lungs were clear of any signs of pneumonia. He received a clear bill of health! Here are his 6 month stats:

Height: 26 3/4 in, 64%

Weight: 17 lbs 2 oz, 45%

Head: 17.5 in, 70%

What happened to my chubby baby! I don't think any of our kids have every been that low in their weight percentage. Skinny little blond boy!

Spencer loves to laugh at us, especially his crazy brother and sister. He is sleeping well through the night. He does NOT like rice cereal, but prefers the oatmeal. So far he'll eat bananas, applesauce, and squash. I tried avocados, silly kid didn't like them.

I know I always say this, but he is getting so big. Love you Spence!!!

Monday, November 02, 2009

Little Spencer Man

Poor little Spencer caught the "bug" that invaded our home and unfortunately it transformed in to pneumonia. After starting antibiotics and some breathing treatments I am happy to say his is doing WONDERFUL. I just had to get a picture of him with his mask on.

Although Spence didn't get in on the trick-or-treating action this year I did have to dress him up in the traditional Halloween outfit courtesy of Grandma Gerry. Natali & Isaac both have similar pictures taken in it. (side note, Isaac was sick and never got dressed up for Halloween and Natali was a witch but refused to let me take her picture...whatever...but we did celebrate the month, we just have no pictures to prove it)

It's been nice to have Ben home. Some things never change though...he still refuses to take a NORMAL picture with out making a face. I promise this was the best photo I got. Spencer loves his bath time, I can't believe he is so big. All his red hair is gone and he is totally blond. He is starting to really warm up to this whole daddy concept!

Our Family