Picture time!

Every year Jake's Grandma and Grandpa Critchlow have each of their kids families over for Christmas dinner. Nolan and I were lucky enough to be in town for it.
You know, Jake and I are so lucky to have the most loving Grandparents. I couldn't ask for a better family to be married to. Grandma Critchlow is the sweetest lady around. And she sure knows how to throw a great party.
We also are so lucky to still have Jake's Great Grandma Clifton around. She is pushing close to 100!! But what a joy it is to have wonderful family members. The Lord has greatly blessed me and my family!

A visit to Great Grandma Critchlow's!

Nolan sure does love his Grandma Rabe!

You wouldn't know from this picture but I'm not dating Courtland. He is Nicole's boyfriend. For some reason when we took this picture it looks like I'm with Courtland and Blake is with Nicole. Oops! I guess we are one big happy family!

This is the latest and greatest couple! Yes, Nicole has officially made it to la la land with her boyfriend Courtland. Aren't they so cute! We sure like to give them both a hard time, but we do love them both. It is so fun to see them in dating mode. Oh, remember the days. Now it is just changing stinky diapers and sleepless nights. Marriage......marriage is what brings us together today. When two people are in love.... What movie? That is right, Princess Bride. Anyway, we had a great time at Great Grandma Critchlow's. She made some amazing pork roast. Thanks Grandma!

Hangin' with the cousins

Nolan and I went to visit Grandma Rabe along with Kendra and Sophie. This was the first time that Nolan and Sophie have seen each other since we moved out to Milwaukee. They really seemed to enjoy each others company. I was hoping that if Nolan hung around Sophie long enough that maybe, just maybe he would start to crawl. But no, he is still just sittin' back and relaxing. I don't know what is going to get this kid to crawl. At least he's cute, right?

She's my best friend........

Since we've been in Utah it's been go, go, go. I can definitely say that we have had an excellent time. We were lucky enough to go visit my cute friend Melissa and her baby girl Kate. I think the two kiddies took quite a liking to each other. Flirting already. I'm going to have to keep close tabs on this boy.
















Of course, there is always time for photos. You wouldn't know from this good picture, but it took us at least ten tries for it to work out. Thank heaven for digital cameras!!
I had such a good time at Melissa's house. She is an amazing friend and has always been there for me. Thanks Melik the geek! You're the best!

Do you know what today is............. It's our Anniversary!!!

Happy Anniversary honey! I'm so sad that we aren't together, but I will be thinking of you. Wow, four years! I can't believe how fast it has gone. Every year gets better and better. I love you so much! I am so grateful for your love and support in anything I do. You always have had so much faith in me. You make me a better person. I love that we can laugh and act like dorks together. You are my best friend. You have never once made me feel stupid or bad about myself. I love that you tell me how much you love me and that you still call me beautiful. I love that you still hold my hand and cuddle while watching TV. I love that you get so excited to come home to Nolan and me. I love how great you are with our little boy Nolan. I love that you have taken me across the country but have never left me behind. (Oh, that was so corny.) I love the way your hair curls over your ears when you grow it out. I love, love, love your beautiful eyes and how comforting they make me feel. I love that we have so many of the same interests and hope we find many more. I love that you are so passionate about your future and work hard to get there. I love that you encourage me to try new things and make me believe in myself. I love that you let me be me, even if I am a crazy female sometimes. I love that you have given me a son. It always brings a smile to my face when I look at our boy because all I see is you in him. He is just like you. Thank heaven! But most of all, I love that you are mine and only mine. I am so grateful to be sealed to my favorite man in the world! So here's to many more anniversary's and many more years of enjoyment. I love you Jake.

We LOVE you Jake!

Isn't your boy the cutest thing ever?!!! He had such a fun time holding the little banner I made for you. As you can tell from the pictures it was hard to get him to hold it straight. But we did find some kind of success, except for the dog getting in the background on the only picture he was holding the sign upright. Awww well. Can't wait to see you honey! Finish up strong on your tests. We know that you will do great!

I miss my Daddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We did it! We have been in Utah for exactly one week without our favorite Daddy. We miss Jake alot!!!! Sorry honey that I didn't get pictures posted earlier. Your boy misses you alot and loves when we call you every night. He gets a smile on his face when you talk to him. He especially loves it when you sing to him over the phone. We hope you are doing well honey. Go get'em on your tests. We know you will do so good.
I just want everyone to know that I have the best husband in the world! He was so good to let me come to Utah this early. Even though he was going to be missing us so much. He hasn't even complained. I love you Jake! I can't wait to celebrate our Anniversary when you get here. Can you believe it has been 4 years?!!!!

Jake, you don't have to worry about Nolan crawling before you get here. I think he is still much too content to just sit and stare at things and find details on the same toy that he has been playing with for the last hour. Our little boy is so particular. I wonder who he gets that from.....hmmmm.

I also want to bring to my husbands attention the mohawk. Yes, I have been doing that to his hair. And yes, I like it, but for only one reason. I can't get his hair to do much of anything. By the end of the day it is flat anyway. Another funny thing about Nolan is since we have been here in Utah he has perma-rosie-cheeks. No, no I didn't put blush on him. It sure does look like it though.
My mom's good friend Mary let us borrow the fun toy that you see in doctors offices. Nolan can't get enough of it. He pulls at it and the top part keeps hitting him in the head and he can't figure out why. Pretty cute! Well, there you have it honey. That's all I've got for now. I will work on getting some more. We love and miss you so much. Good luck on your tests! You'll do great! See you soon.

Where did the train go?

The first day we got here we went to my Grandma Russell's house for some soup. Nolan instantly fell in love with Grandpa's cool train that goes around the Christmas tree. He couldn't keep his eyes off of it. So I think that my dad, the other Grandpa Russell, should think about putting his set up.
But anyway, the soup was great and the comany even better. My Aunt's and Uncle's were there. They couldn't believe how big Nolan is. He did so good with them. He didn't even cry the entire time. He was actually pretty sweet.
The next day the Rabe's came over for some pizza. But you and I both know they really only came to see Nolan. The pizza was just a bonus. Nolan had a great time with them. He snuggled up to his Grandma Rabe all night long. Grandma Rabe was in heaven.
Tuesday Nolan and I went over to visit my cute friend Melissa Jenkins and her beautiful daughter Kate. I don't have any pictures of that because they are on my camera and I forgot the converter to import the pictures. Anyway, Nolan and Kate fell in love with each other. Kate kissed Nolan and it made him blush.
The rest of the week has just been relaxing. Kendra and I went to visit Grandma Rabe on Thursday with our kiddies Sophie and Nolan. Those two really like each other. I think that the more they hang out the more Nolan will find an interest in crawling. They had a great time together.

No, that's not sweet potatoes

Nolan had been acting really funny Monday night. Making all sorts of faces. So time goes by and my mom and I start smelling around for this horrible aroma. I pick up the boy and put my head down towards his bum and..... wow, I almost put my face into his discusting mess. I think the plane ride had done a number on this kid. He was going to the bathroom every couple of hours. Not too pleasant for me. Anyway. My mom and I couldn't stop laughing just for the fact that I almost put my entire face into his sweet potato mess. Kind of sick but oh so funny. How do you like that for cleaning up the blog Spencer? It just got dirtier. A whole lot dirtier.

I heart Edward.....I think?

ROBERT PATTINSON

So this is him.... What do you all think? At first I was a for sure no, but then I went to youtube and checked out some of his stuff. My favorite of him is in the movie Vanity Fair with Reese Witherspoon. You should check that out. He could definitely pass as Edward if he looked that good in the movie. He has also been in the Harry Potter movies. I think he is going to be great though. He is starting to rub off on me. I have to keep telling myself that he has to portray a 17 year old. I must be getting old or something. I miss those days when there was nothing to worry about but who was going to ask me to the next dance, or what to wear on a Friday night, or who am I going to the football game with. Gosh, I am showing my age. Let us think of happier times. Oh yes, Edward. Just imagine. I wonder who they will choose for Jacob. I hope he doesn't look too young. Okay, enough of me gawking over Edward.

My pick for Jacob Black is the one and only Steven Strait. He is so good looking. I think I could almost like him more than Edward. He has been the movies Sky High and The Covenant. He is pretty dreamy.

Come to mommy..................

Yes, Nolan is on the verge of crawling. He has been doing this for about 2 weeks. I wanted him to start crawling before we headed off to Utah, but that isn't going to happen. He is so close. Today he moved his hand forward and then fell. He's getting the idea. It is so much fun watching him try new things.

Yeah for Nolan!

Yes, yes, more pictures in the tub

Okay, I know that we always put pictures of Nolan in the tub, but can you blame us? He is so adorable and he loves the tub. Jake usually gets to give him baths. It is there special time together after school. As you can tell from the pictures, Jake decided to make his hair part to the side and look like an old man. Even with hair like that, Nolan is still the cutest boy! We love him so much. I am so lucky to have this blessing of being a mom. It is the best!

What Jake has been up to

Can we say obsessed?

I had heard about the Twilight book series and was curious to read it because everyone was talking about it. My friend Haley gave me it to read and that was all it took. I was hooked! I read Twilight in 2 days, New Moon in 2 days, and Eclipse in 1 1/2 days. So I read the entire series in 6 days. What an excellent book!!!!
I'm not afraid to admit, but I have taken a liking to Edward. The way she portrays him makes him so dreamy! I can't wait for the next one to come out! Until then..... I heart Edward!

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow

Yeah for snow!!!! We finally had our first real big snow storm! I know most people hate it when it snows, but Jake and I love it. We were so excited to take Nolan out to see it and feel the snowflakes fall on his face. He really enjoyed it. I think he was a little bit nervous because he has never seen anything like it, but he was so good to go out.
Jake played in his flag football finals all day. How they lasted is beyond me. It was snowing by seven o'clock in the morning and the temperature was around 20 degrees. That to me is a sign to stay in doors. Even with the weather Jake's team prevailed and took it to the top. Well, that was he co-ed team. Go "Wild Types"!!!!

The snow is falling and it only gets us more excited for Christmas. I can't wait to see everyone! I leave this Sunday, December 9th. Yeah!!!!!

ThANksGivINg in MilwAUkEE

I am so thankful for my family for coming out to Milwaukee for Thanksgiving. We had such a great time with them. The festivities started off in Chicago on Saturday with the parade and Michigan Ave lighting up. Let me tell you, so much fun, but very cold! Nolan loved the lights and all the people. There were so many people there. They completely shut down Michigan Ave, also known as the "magnificent mile", and swarms of people filled the street for the parade. Mickey mouse and friends came down the street and pointed to the different shops on the street and they lit up as he pointed. I swear that Chicago has a parade for everything there. I love it though!
Chicago is my kind of town. We enjoy it there every time. I love the hustle and bustle in the shops and streets. The holiday season is so much fun down there.
After a fun filled night in Chicago we headed back up to Milwaukee for the remainder. My parents and the Vause family came up on Wednesday. We got all ready for the big day, Thanksgiving!
There was lots of screaming from the kids, napping, and laughing at each other. We did have a good couple of settlers games. Dan won the first and I took the last game. Wahoo! My family finally has mastered the game. Thank heaven. We use to have to tough it out for a very long game. Oh, and my mom was only two points away from winning! Good job mom!
Thanksgiving day was so relaxing. We just put the turkey in and watched football and played with the kids. I wish that we had a bigger place but Jake isn't a Doctor yet. All-in-all we had such a wonderful time. I am so grateful for my mom and sister for helping me out with the dinner. Even when I wanted to do it all by myself to prove that I could. You guys are the best. Thanks for putting up with me.
The kiddies had a blast with each other. Nolan and Charlie have really taken a liking to each other. You will see in the picture of them putting their heads together. They are so much fun. Enjoy the pictures.

WE DID IT! Our first real Thanksgiving!

Look at that turkey! I haven't seen anything that amazing in my life. That's exactly what you were thinking when you saw it, right? Me too. Jake and I finally cooked our own turkey for Thanksgiving. It was a biggy, 25 pounds! It took about 5 hours to cook. It was worth every second of it. I've decided that I still don't like to cook. Thanks to my mom and Kim everything was finished around the same time and was hot and ready for the family to enjoy.
We had our best friends Judd and Haley Fitzgerald over too. Oh, and the missionaries. It was a big feast. I think we could have fed a whole army. No joke. Our fridge has never been so full in our entire marriage. Thanks to the Russell's.

RoLL TaPe