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The mid-year photo catch up

I have been a terrible blogger for the past few years.  I started this gig in large part to keep a journal of our family ordeals but it's ending about the same as my other journaling attempts.  It's a good thing I'm not a paid historian because I wouldn't get paid very much.  But, we do what we can and shoot for clean underwear and cereal each day.  Beyond that, anything I accomplish is a bonus.

Spencer and Caroline are in the "say funny things" stage and we had an episode this morning that made me smile.  The boys were away with Corbin and I was home with Caroline sewing some pillows that the "hair" (stuffing--but the kids call it hair) was coming out of and sewing lace on a pillow that I made somewhere around the time Caroline was born--but who's keeping track anyway?

Spencer came home and said "Mom, are you "sweating"?  "Well, actually it's called sewing."  "Oh, can I do it?" [Enter Caroline] "No, it's only for girwls."  How they pick up on these things at two years old is beyond me.

And one of my favorite sweet lines from Spencer to Caroline on another occassion, "Carowine, you're my best girl."  And she is.  They are two peas in a bad pod.

Matthew pulling out his pumpkin guts.  He's not so much a fan of the ichy sticky.

Trick or Treat Night 2012.  Matthew was Spider Man, Spencer was a dog and Caroline refused to dress up and was only in it for the candy.  I'd say she has it all figured out.

Matthew loses a tooth.  The other front tooth went not long after this photo so eating is a bit tough.

Decorating the tree.  One of the most anticipated times of the year--until everyone tires and balls are breaking and Mom loses patience.

Making holiday crafts on a cold day.

One of our favorite holiday activities.  I love that we can buy the cheater starter kit so we can focus on the decorating--the fun part!

Our trip to see the lights on Temple Square with our friends Adam and Kate.  It was about this point that the 20 foot tree started to sway a bit.  Thank you, Spence.

Family photo op.

Decorating cookies for the man in the red suit.  They had enough decorations on them to gag a horse.

Set out with pride.

Christmas morning 2011.  Santa survived the sugar overload and managed to trade us some presents.  Christmas morning is so fun with this crew.

Welcome Christmas 2011!  We promise not to fight for a whole half day.

Can we just say this chick has attitude?  The suit actually goes the other direction but there is no negotiating.  Boots are mandatory swimgear in the winter months, apparently.

I ought to be in pictures.

Check out the dragon detail on these Chinese laterns made to celebrate the Chinese New Year.  Matthew is so creative and came up with this idea all on his own.  He hung these above his bed.  He is in his first year of Mandarin Chinese language immersion and having beginning success with the language.  We are proud of his work and look forward to watching him work in a tough language to conquer.

Saying our goodbyes to Cousin Trey on the night before he enters the Missionary Training Center to head to the Bangkok Thailand mission.  Trey will be learning a tough language too.

Spencer is our little farmer.  He spends hours organizing his farm animals.  I love to see the precision with which he plays.

Apparently love is in the air as staged and shot by some unknown photographer.  

Both front teeth went missing.  Self-portrait.



This photo pretty much says it all about these two.  Watch out.



Our annual 3rd or 4th (I can't remember) Valentine's breakfast.  Each year we invite a few special people over on a Saturday morning for waffles and to share the love.  This year we had grandparents and a few special friends on our street.  The kids look forward to this tradition each year.

Playing with neighborhood friends.

Pilgrimage to BYU Creamery for lunch and ice cream with our friends Adam and Kate.

One of our favorite outings.  A visit to the Monte L. Bean Life Sciences Musuem at BYU.  Matthew loves the new African exhibit.  The animals are all real (though living impaired) and are quite an  impressive collection.  The giant child is only a year older than Matthew.  The lady at the museum thought he was 11 or 12.

We tagged along with a private animal show to learn about reptiles and other such creatures.  These animals were real and the kids loved seeing and touching them.  In the background is one of my favorite exhibits--the elephant and the lion.  Absolutely beautiful and the size is impressive.

And that's the wrap on our summer

A fond farewell to summer and all that we loved--shared with those we love.  It's a busy time of life for the Three Musketeers and we wouldn't have it any other way.

One of our favorite summer activities is to eat, draw, read or play in the treehouse.

Our nature enthusiast examining a homemade butterfly made by the budding artist himself.  Art is one of his gifts and the detail of his drawings contines to amaze us.  He's made some replicas of Disney chartacters that are spot on.



Mr. Spence doing what he does best.  Monkey DNA for sure.



Performing at the final show of his Little Gym career.  He loves the "Bringing home my baby bumble bee" song.  I'm not sure if he's smooshing up the baby bumble bee here or not but whatever he's doing he's doing with glee.



Rock star in the house.



Our trip to Christmas Meadows to ATV.  We told the kids to be very careful because we were miles away from a doctor or hospital.  When we asked Matthew to pose for this picture he had to jump over and climb wet and snowy rocks.  He reminded us to be careful with him because we were not close to a hospital.



Heading out for the day all suited up.

A stop to rest and enjoy the gorgeous mountains we were exploring.

Matthew took this shot.  Pretty good, I think. 

Is he cute or what?

Inside the cabin at Christmas Meadows.  The kids loved our new "house".

Nothing is better than when the cousins come to town.

Showing off the well deserved soccer trophy which should read "I played hard each week to earn a Happy Meal on the way home."

Granpma Engle's 67th birthday party in the back yard.

What a crazy day of bowling at the BYU Wilkinson Center.



Oh yeah, we're having fun and you can't stop us.



If you need some fashion tips, we are here to help.

Sun+water=FUN!!!!!

Hang on for the ride.  Who's driving anyway?

One of our favorite places to visit--the Monte Bean Museum at BYU.  The kids love all the animals and I must admit that they have done an incredible job with the displays.  They are all real (but not alive, thankfully).  After a workout in the bowling alley it's a fun way to relax.

If you want to touch my hair, please prepay.  Thank you.

July trip to Outer Banks, North Carolina.  The entire Engle clan, complete with Uncle Rod and Aunt Sue--minus Trey descended upon Duck Beach for a wonderful family reunion.  We all had a great time playing, relaxing and catching up.  Too bad we can't do it every year.

Somone's summer feet enjoying that warm sand.  I can't remember if these are Matthew's or Andrew's feet :)

Spence finds a treasure.

Now this is a summer day.

Caroline loved the beach and never fussed about all the gear it required.

No photos please.  I'm on vacation.

Matthew really enjoyed the water and just learned to swim the week before we left.  He wore a life vest in the water to be safe.

Beach brothers for life.

This stuff is hard work.

Matthew had a great time boogie boarding with Corbin.  He was a little hesitant at first but soon learned the ropes.  All the boys paid with sand burns after a fun first day.

We wait all year for the peach tree to ripen.  This year our second bloomer split two big branches and we're not sure if it will be salvagable.  I sure hope so.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to Newcastler I go.  Spencer's first day of preschool.  He settled in after a few weeks and loves it now.

More peach pickin'

Can you say "yum"?

We would swing all day if you let us.  But Spence needs a little push to wipe that frown away.

Caroline comes in to assist.

Mr. Energy turns four!!! Hard to believe.

Is that doll hair?

Back at the Monte Bean Museum on Labor Day.  The African exhibit opened and Matthew was anxious to see it.  Cousin Trey met us there and joined us for lunch at the Creamery.  The boys adore Trey.

Celebrating Corbin's birthday.

Preparing to be clowns at the neighborhood children's parade.  We are lucky to live in a neighborhood that has such activites.  Although I sometimes sigh at one more thing to do the kids love it so we go.

The Three Musketeers strke a pose.

Really--don't mess with me.

There's a new sheriff in town.

A little perturbed that he didn't win "Best Clown".  Can't blame him.

7 years already.  September 21, 2011  When I was in the hospital after having him I remember foolishly thinking that it would be a long time before his 1st birthday.  That was six birthday ago. 

This is a chick who worships pink and knows what and when she wants it.  Quick lesson to be learned --don't mess with her.  She's the princess and won't let you forget it.

What I've been up to.

Celebrating the 7th birthday with friends at the Dinosaur Museum.  Matthew is our resident dinosaur expert. And I do mean expert. 

More of what I've been up to.

And some more.  This little halloween countdown calendar has been a hit.