Breakfast?

I walked into the kitchen yesterday morning to this:

Leda making toast for her brothers (ahh)...& I've determined it's a good thing that Nutella spread is so dark---hopefully brothers won't notice how "crispy" their toast is!

Spencer turns 8!

We do friend birthday parties every other year. And this was the year!

The invite:


The friends:

(Travis, Connor, Spencer, Kyle, Jose, Jordan, Garrick, Logan, Chase, Leda & Kai)

The grub:



The festivities:

(legos)


(stick the star in the galaxy)



(star wars bingo)

(a late night showing of a "Star Wars the Clone Wars" episode)


The gifts:


The special guests & helpers:

(Grandma McLendon from Montana--Grandpa McLendon MIA in pics)


(Grandma & Grandpa Duncombe)

(siblings)


The light saber cake (made with love & an ode to his love of light sabers)



The obligatory family picture in our "spot":


And at the end of the night, Spencer said, "Mom, this was the best day ever!"

LOVE that. And I'm so in love my 8-year old boy.

(and honestly, it was one of the easiest & cheapest parties to throw. I'm a fan of "late nights" for sure! Thanks Aunt Kiki for the idea)

It sure is great to be eight!

Valentine's Day 2011

Cousin McKayla was here this week from Montana with Grandma McLendon (for Spencer's baptism) and OH what fun we had with her here!


It was especially fun to celebrate Valentine's Day with McKayla and Grandma.



Chase couldn't wait to get to Cottage pre-school to give Grandma Duncombe his V-day gift


Off to the Valentine's Day parties with Mrs. G, Mrs. Kelli and of course Grandma. I'm so grateful and feel so blessed to have these three women love my boy so much. To have loved ALL my children so much.



For dinner that night, we made homeade roasted vegetable soup (SO good and easy) and grilled-cheese sandwiches complete with pink milk, of course.



Soup recipe found here: http://www.pbs.org/everydayfood/recipes/roasted_vegetable.html

Leda was the only child who thought to give Daddy a Valentine this year. Sweet girl! I sure enjoyed watching the exchange!


Aaron brought home me AND his Mom, our favorite ever flowers (just one of the many things my mother-in-law and I have in common)



I didn't forget to give Aaron a present...


And then the next night, my awesome mother-in-law literally PUSHED us out the door to go on a much needed date night OUT. Aaron and I hit an Indian Restaurant and then saw a movie. What a Happy Valentine's Day!

Spencer's Baptism

What a special day. Words can't quite express what you feel as you watch your oldest child do something really important like becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Here the memories I want to remember from that day.


The Program

Saturday, February 12, 2011
Conducting: Brother Large
Pianist: Paul Duncombe (Grandpa)
Chorister: Shannon Hyer (Friend)
Opening Song: Hymn #308 “Love One Another”
Opening Prayer: Leda McLendon (Sister)
Talk on Baptism: Linda Duncombe (Grandma)
Musical Number: "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" & “I am a Child of God”
(By the Primary Children)
Baptism of Spencer by his Father, Aaron McLendon

Talk on the Holy Ghost: Shirley McLendon (Grandma)
Confirmation of Spencer by his Father, Aaron McLendon

Primary Welcome: Lou Ann Hendrickson
Bishopric Welcome: Brandon Large
Closing Song: Hymn #300
“Families Can Be Together Forever”

Closing Prayer: Marcy McLendon (Mother)


Nerves getting the best of Spencer beforehand and practicing with his Dad


Father/Son



Both Grandma's!


Family of Five


Grandma & Grandpa D and Spencer (So grateful Grandma made it---she was SOO sick with Bronchitis, but got herself out of bed and managed to whisper out a talk. Now that's love!)


The entire family in attendance


Grandma McLendon all the way from Montana. Boy do we love her.


McKayla also came all the way from Montana just for the big day. We were so grateful to have a cousin there!



He didn't know I was snapping a picture, but we are so grateful for Grandpa Duncombe's talent of the piano and his ability to participate in the program this way.



Spencer and his buds, Connor Ek & Kai Bunker



Spencer and his favorite babysitters: Taylor & Autumn Forsyth


My dear friend Shannon Hyer drove to Aliso from Glendora, sicker than a dog with morning sickness and brought her two daughters with her. That's a true friend, and I love her for it.


All the kiddos at the luncheon at our home afterwards

Grandma helping to prepare the Subway sandwiches for the luncheon--Subway was Spencer's request



Steve & Janet Smith and Linda & Paul Duncombe.The Smiths came from Pasadena to support us.


What a great day it was to honor this sweet 8-year old and his choice to be Baptized. We are so proud of you, Spencer McLendon! And how handsome you are in your very first suit! You wear it well, little man!