Bruiser

We got a DOG!
I know we are totally crazy, but he was too perfect to pass up. Mikes Aunt Margaret has a couple of dogs at the ranch mostly big dogs and then this cute little Chihuahua. I would have never in a million years ever thought that I would a Chihuahua, but he has a way of melting your heart. Brooke and Spencer fell in love with him (well I guess I did to) and we pretty much blindsided Mike with the idea of bringing him home with us. Poor Mike didn't have a chance with all three of us trying to work on him. So Margaret was kind enough to let us have him as long as he would have a good home. So far he has been a perfect dog and all of the kids absolutely love king Bruiser.

Great Grandma

Great Grandma Lois and the boys. Grandma came out last Sunday for dinner and she was having a good time talking to all of the boys. So of course I had to grab a quick picture before the Laker game started :)

Who has the Camera?

Brooke doesn't like the fact that I am the one that is always taking the pictures. She thinks that it is her responsibility to take some pictures of me. Little does she know that is why I like being the picture taker...so I don't have to be in the pictures :)

Since explaining that to her she now tries to get pictures of me whenever possible. I said that's not nice and she said it's only fair. So I told her I would post her pictures.Mike, Bree, and I just hanging out on the couch. Bree wanted a picture of us. She said when she tells her friends that she is living with her aunt and uncle they all picture Mike and I as being old and no fun. Now she has proof that we are totally cool...haha!
-TOO FUNNY-

Spencer's 10th Birthday

Birthdays are coming quicker and quicker each year with my kids. It makes me sad for a moment that they are growing up and yet at the same moment very very proud of what each of the are becoming. Spencer is my sweetheart. He is the kindest most thoughtful kid always trying to make everyone happy. His little brother Jake just idolizes him and instead of pushing him away and getting annoyed Spencer takes the time to play with him and make him feel important. Spencer is also a very funny jokster. He gets great satisfaction from making people smile and laugh. People are attracted to his infectious personality. Who doesn't want to be with some one who is always smiling, funny, and kind?

From the moment that Spencer was born Mike and I knew that he was special. He has always been easy going and happy. I wish that everyone has a chance to raise a son like him. Spencer has always been a straight A student working hard and excelling in everything that he does. He is an amazing reader. I am constantly looking for new books to buy because he goes through them so quickly often reading his books 2 or 3 times each. He loves scouts and cant wait to get his Eagle like his Dad. Spencer also enjoys almost every sport. So I have had to limit him to picking 2 sports a year (to be on a team). Otherwise I think he would play ALL of them. I'm pretty sure that his favorites are basketball and soccer with baseball close behind.
This year the only thing that Spencer asked for was hats. He loves wearing hats and I mean loves them. I have to beg him to take it off for a couple of hours. I even find him in bed sleeping with his hat still on. So that being said I'm not sure why I bought him more hats for his birthday but I did. He asked for a BYU and a UCLA hat. I think he has been influenced by his uncles and grandpa :) Mike and I also got him an ipod which was a complete surprise to him...he LOVED it!

Spencer also chose to go to the movies and dinner with his friends like Brooke. He had a lot of fun hanging out with his friends.

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Basketball

A new season of basketball has already began and ended...so of course that means that I am still playing catch up on my posts.
This was Spencers second year of basketball on the our city league. He has become quite the good basketball player. He fools everyone as he drives to the basket with his left hand and as soon as they figure out the left he tricks them and goes right. He has spent a lot of time practicing so that he can have two dominate hands as a point guard. Spencer was very excited to make the all stars team at the end of the season...I'm a very proud Mom!
(Mike getting soaked after winning the championship game)
Brooke is now in her fourth year with the city league and playing better then ever. Mike was her coach once again which she requested...again. It has been a ton of fun to watch her progress. She has the best vision on the court and has amazing ball handling and passing which makes her a great point guard. Out of the 4 years that Mike has coached Brookes teams they have won first place twice, second, and third. Pretty awesome track record great players and an great coach! This year was the other first place season...YEA! Brooke also made the all star team and was awarded MVP. I enjoy everything there is about basketball and watching my kids play is just the icing on the cake.

Brooke's Bday Party

Getting back to Brooke's birthday...I've been rather busy lately. So this is an effort to try and get caught up on my blog. Grandma and Grandpa Seay were down for her birthday which was really nice. Grandma Kay bought Brooke a "Bread Basket" cake for the birthday girl and luckily we all got to enjoy it. This cake has quickly become a family favorite with all of the fresh berries and shaved chunks of chocolate -YUM-

This was the big #12 for Brooke which brought many milestones. 1) The ever anticipated age for getting her ears pierced...the age that was set by my Dad and which we also thought was a good age. 2) Finally graduating from primary and starting Young Womens at church. 3) The age that Mike and I set for the kids to get their first cell phone. Now as a Mother with all of this happening at once it was like my baby instantly grew up on me and I wasn't exactly happy about that idea.
Brooke decided to have a small party with two of her very close friends. They do everything together as you can see with their matching basketball sweatshirts. First we went to Wood Ranch which is one of Brookes favorite places to eat. Then we went to the store where all of the girls picked a ton of candy and junk to munch on. Finally we went to the movies and saw Tooth Fairy. It was a very fun girls night out!

Brookie's 12

I have been thinking all day about what to say about Brooke. I mean really what do you say about a perfect girl? From the moment that Brooke was born she has been nothing but a joy to Mike and I. I must have done something pretty amazing to have been blessed to be her Mom. She amazes me on a daily basis. Whether its her academics, sports, or example to her family she is spot on in every way.

This year she started middle school and with that was introduced to all honors classes. I think she was a little apprehensive going into honors classes, but she is doing awesome with straight A's. On top of her academics she is still playing club soccer which is year round and loving it. She also made her middle school basketball team which practice every morning before school. Brooke is one of the smallest girls on the team, but she definitely holds her own. She is also on the city basketball team which is coached by Mike. This league is for girls from 6th grade to 8th grade so that means Brooke is one of the youngest as well. I love watching her play basketball it makes me smile every time. Mike just went to a coaches meeting last night and all the coaches from the league do a skills rating for each girl. He was so proud when he came home and told me that the coaches rated Brooke #3 in the whole league.

Enough with the sports and academics Brooke is a great girl, daughter, sister, and friend. She is so caring and thoughtful always trying to find fun things to do with her younger brothers when she is babysitting. They look up to her more than I think she realizes. Brooke is constantly looking for ways to help me. I cant imagine going through a day without her she is like my right hand. She helps me clean, cook, and watch the boys with almost no complaining.

Brooke is very excited as turning 12 in our church means that she gets to go to young womens and all of the activities that come with that. I love it because I teach in young womens so I get to be in there with her. Not only is she she a good example to her brothers she is to Mike and I. She is on her third time reading the Book of Mormon and good at writing in her journal. She has been in YW's for only a week and has already finished 3 value experiences for her personal progress.
I love this little girl more than anything and I am very proud to be her Mom.

Brothers

A couple of weeks ago Mike and I met up with his brothers and parents for dinner. It had been a long time since they were all together so it was fun for them to catch up.We ate at a family favorite the Crab Cooker...Good food and Great company!

Pine Wood Derby "Year 2"

It was time for the Scouts Pine Wood Derby again. This is most of the boys favorite activity of the year and Spencer was no exception he was very excited to go. The car that he built last year with Mike was a good car and he came in third with it. As I gave Mike the car kit for this year his mind began to think...not good :) Anyway he asked Spencer if he wanted to use his totally cool awesome car from last year and see if they could better their results to second or first. Spencer quickly agreed to use last years car and was excited for the challenge. Man did Mike work that situation or what?

It was a fun night, but unfortunately the car didn't do as well as last year. So game on for next year when Mike and Spencer "build" a new car.

Christmas Day

My Favorite Morning of the year!
I love Christmas morning and watching my kids excitement as they come out of their rooms and see what "Santa" has brought for them.
Some of Jakes favorite things...Toy Story Wii game, sun glasses, basketball and a hoop, and of course star wars guys.
This was a complete Lakers Christmas for Tyler. To say that he has become obsessed with the Lakers would be an under statement. He watches every game will give you the play by play and knows every player on the team...I LOVE that! Anyway Tyler also got a Wii game, basketball, watch, and a Laker shirt, blanket, and bear. Since Christmas if the Lakers are on you will find him in front of the TV fully decked out in his Laker gear.
Spencer got a Powerwing scooter which was awesome. As soon as the presents were done we all went out front to ride it. I even rode the scooter and it is a lot of fun. I think I should have gotten 2 because everyone wants to ride, but there is nothing cuter than watching Jake ride it and shake his bum...that is how you get the scooter to go you have to shake your hips and bum. He also got a Wii game, basketball, a watch, and sunglasses.
We mainly had an all sports Christmas which was awesome. Brooke got new basketball and running shoes, a basketball, cookbook, and some cute clothes.
Most of the time I am the one doing all of the shopping and wrapping so I was very excited when Mike added a fun surprise for the kids all on his own. He got each of the kids a gift certificate for a day out with him and a trip to their favorite candy and soda shop "Rocket Fizz" They LOVED it great idea Dad!
It was a very Cool Christmas!