slip-n-slide (among other things)

Barrett was so excited for the slip-n-slide. When I was putting his swimsuit on he whispered to me "This is going to be AWESOME!". It was so great!

Lauren giggled and stomped through the water!

Raina wasn't too sure about it, but I did catch a few smiles along the way!

Kids getting ready for the slip-n-slide

Daddy gave Barrett some help

Lauren accessorizes herself and says "Ready!"

Morning of Mother's Day

Friends came to visit (here's Samuel J. with Barrett and Raina)

Here's a collection of photos to highlight a few happenings around here.

But I must make note that I did turn 30 recently, but since it was a surprise party...I have no pictures. It's probably for the best....man was it a good time! :)

Komen Race 2010

Not Komen, but rather the Green & White Game Day the Saturday before the Komen Race...too cute to not post! Even if it is the wrong colors! ;)

Ben and I after the race

My family...lots of emotions and lots of LOVE!

Rainey cousins (minus Emmett who stayed with grandparents)

Sisters for the Cure! Love you, Joss!

Big weekend last weekend. Saturday Ben took Barrett to the Green & White game at Spartan Stadium. He took him last year and will most likely make this a yearly father-son bonding event. It's cute. Then, later that day my immediate family got together for dinner at my dad's. We just told stories and laughed. It was a great evening. The next day was the Komen Race (click for more pictures from the weekend) at the capitol. Jocelyn and I put together a team named "You Gotta Be" in honor of our mother's fighting song. Jocelyn made t-shirts and we all raised money for this great cause. The team met up before the race, we handed out shirts and got a group shot. Some people ran the race, some walked it, but everyone had a great time! Ben finished the race around 25 minutes, I finished around 33 minutes, and Dewey finished in second place in her age group (and won a medal!). I ran with Anne Edin for almost the entire race and to be honest with you, I don't think I would have ran the entire race without her! It was so nice to run with someone! Afterward, we all met back up and had a few drinks then continued on to another restaurant for dinner. By the end of the night we were exhausted (but the kids seemed to get a second wind at home...whew!). More pictures from the weekend are on the link below.

Girls are 2

Girls Turn 2

The girls turned two years old a few days ago! I can hardly believe how fast the time has gone by. On Saturday we threw them a party at our house. It was a beautiful day and we were all able to get out side and play a little bit, too. The girls are growing up quickly. Below are some of their stats @ 2 yrs. old.

Lauren
~*~Talks a lot, can make phrases and many gestures
~*~Has blond hair and blue eyes
~*~Loves t.v. especially Dora and Diego
~*~Loves to read books and "talk" on the phone
~*~Very independent
~*~Loves her "taggies" on her blankie
~*~Loves to give hugs

Raina
~*~Loves to suck her two middle fingers on her right hand
~*~Loves baby dollies
~*~Climbs everything
~*~Talks, but it's limited...she'd prefer to just move around
~*~Shovels food into her mouth...startles people sometimes
~*~Wanders sometimes in her sleep...I've found her at the foot of our bed and in-between Ben and me on some nights
~*~Attached to momma and wants "upie" all the time (meaning on my lap or being held)


Both girls love to play outside. I am excited for this summer, because I think they will love the water...if bath time is any indication! Barrett has been growing like a weed, too. Most of his clothes are either 4T or 5T (and he's only 3!). He is a sweetheart and only is "naughty" when he's tired. He's now fully potty-trained...this took some time... but are very proud of what he has accomplished. He can be hard on himself and I know this was difficult for him. Overall, all of kids are doing very well. They bring more joy to our world than we could have ever imagined.

On a side note, our family also welcomed a new cousin on April 11th. Kyle and Melissa had their new baby girl, Avery McLeod Williams. Welcome to the world, little one!

All Dolled Up

Lauren

Raina

Raina & Lauren

Mommy with her girls

Cold winter days...chillin' at home

Barrett takes on daddy in a very long wrestling match

Before Liam's baptism...Barrett didn't want to change his clothes...can you tell?!?

Raina with her beautiful "fake" earrings

Lauren is the ultimate girly girl

So handsome

King and Queen of the Ball

Dad and Trina crowned

Congratulations, Dad and Trina! They were crowned the King and Queen of the Ball last Saturday. My dad was already being honored at the Ball for winning "Artist of the Year" for the city of Portland. Way to go!!!

Baby Owen is here!!!

It's a BOY!!!

Jack Jeffery Owen
Born 2/12/10 at 4:27 pm
10 lbs. 0 oz.
22 in.

Congrats to the new family!!!

Welcome to the world little man!

Donovan Champion Walker

My dear friend, Lottie, welcomed her little man into this world on Feb. 4th. Congrats to the family!!!

Mud Room Project

The kids enjoying their new set-up (the kids all look so big in this pic...where has the time gone?!?)

Lauren "cheesin'" it up while Ben puts up the final touches

Raina joins in the fun

Sorry for the folded laundry, but here's a pic of the new cupboards

The homemade (by Ben) shelf and bench for the kids (each kid gets their own "cubby")

Ben hard at work with the help of the girls

Skiing

Last weekend Ben and I took off to go downhill skiing with the Janiczek's. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, but I know Kristen took some, so I'll share when I get them. Anyway, the skiing was great! We got up there around 6:30 or so Friday night and proceeded to go night skiing. It was College night, so needless to say, it was rowdy!! :) We had a blast, though. We started on the easy hills (since it has been about 4 years since we last skiied) and then slowly moved on up to the medium, then difficult hills. It was so exhilirating. I must say though that I prefer the casual, easy hills to the difficult black diamonds. Those get my heart rate up too high! It's too much concentration and not as much fun. Ben loves them, though. One highlight was when I was following Ben down a black diamond...I saw him continue skiing right on through a slalom ski competition course (the competition was going on right then). I stopped to watch, as did all the competitors and then was on my way. One glitch...I was laughing so hard that I became a yard sale (everything flying!!!). All I saw was my one ski flying over my head! Yup, lost my concentration on that one! :) I was still laughing, even after the fall, when I reached the bottom. Ben didn't even realize he went through the course...too funny! All in all, we had a great time!! We can't wait to go again...hopefully sooner rather than later! :)

My Girls & Me

Hanging out at home

Raina with her John Deere hat....

Lauren with her purple sequined beret...

Simply too cute...what a great smile!


No other words besides, I love these girls so much! I hope I made you smile with this post, just as these girls make me smile every day!

NYE and Random Pics

Lauren trying out Barrett's new toy

Lauren dressed herself!!

The kids enjoying some popcorn

Barrett on his kitty kat

New Years Eve, Jeff and Renee and the Snuggie!(p.s. That's an O'Douls in Renee's hand)
Ben and me on New Years Eve

Justin and Tressa

Recent Happenings

All ready and festive for the Spitzley family Christmas party!

The girls relaxing with daddy

Barrett at Thanksgiving dinner in Saginaw

The girls walking into the CC for Thanksgiving dinner (loving Raina's pigtails!!)

Lauren loves to dance!


Sorry about the delayed post. Things have been busy, but really there is no good excuse. I'll miss it later that I didn't post over the last month and a half since I find that this blog is one of the best methods I have for reflecting on happenings of the past. Anyway, the last month and half has been good. We spent Thanksgiving day with my side of the family in Saginaw, then from there headed up to our cabin to spend some cold days warm by the fire. It was nice because Jocelyn and I got to ride up together while the boys rode together. Besides the road-side deer event that we saw, it was pleasant and full of great conversation. I love that girl!

Besides all the recent events, we spend our weeks working and then hanging out together as a family in the evenings. It's been very cold outside, which just means we have more sit down family dinners and fun, playful nights together. I'm lovin' it!

Last weekend, we had our first family Christmas party of the season. It was with the extended Spitzley family. Always a good time. There was a large euchre tournament as well as a silent raffle where all proceeds go to family charities. Very cool!

More later....everyone have a safe holiday season!!!