Memory Game!

It's another tag, but this time, it's for US!!

Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory of you and I, or you and Spence, or with both of us. It doesn't matter if you knew us a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

It's PARTY time!

We woke up Lance by singing to him, and gave him a couple presents to open. Let's be honest - he would have been more than thrilled had we only given him the gold curly ribbon!
Lance took awful naps on his birthday - I guess it was all the anticipation for the big party! :) So, although he looks a little grumpy in this picture, the smile quickly came when I turned on Baby Einstein! He loved holding his balloons while watching his movie.

We had a party for him at the park with some friends. He ate about a gallon and a half of Watermelon - his favorite food! And surprisingly, some did get into his mouth (note: the bib!)

He looked so handsome in his new cowboy shirt from Jojo!

Here are some of his girlfriends: Zoe and Hannah
Lance and Daddy!

Here are a couple of my cute friends I have met in my ward: Lisa and Kelly
Lance even got to do his favorite thing at the park - swing! I am with Cristina and Sarah. Spence works with Cristina's husband Jorge. They went to Thunderbird as well.
Lance was way too focused on his huge cool cake to even notice everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to him!
"mmmm, this tastes interesting... mmm I think I like it!" Surprisingly, Lance was quite clean while eating his cake. Spence and I kept chanting "get dirty!" He liked the icing, but didn't really like the texture of the cake.

This is Lance's pouty face cause we didn't get him a dog for his b-day! Maybe next year...
Here is a picture with his friend Phillip, from work! Phil really wanted to make it onto the blog!
Here is the cutest family we have met up here. They are our neighbors/landlords. They are so darling. I forgot to rent out the picnic area at the park, and there was a huge party going on, but no worries, these guys came to the rescue - they brought a canopy, chairs, a huge fold out bench and blankets for everyone to sit on. Plus they made a delicious unique lentil salad I may post on the blog, as well as a balloon and some books/games for Lance. What cuties! As you can see - Lance is a big fan of the Basil Family!
Here we are with Spencer's boss Kevin and his dog Bentley. Kevin gave Lance the coolest gift - it is a little hammer that lights up and plays music whenever he bangs it, perfect for a little boy wouldn't you say? Lance also loved the doggies that came to his party.

Isn't this picture the best? Big fan of the kiss from Mollie! This is Lance's little pal Merrick. He just turned 2.
Wow, this past year has been amazing. I can't believe my baby is 1, and is no longer a baby. He is the sweetest, most amazing guy in the world, and we are so lucky to have Lance in our family. It is crazy the complete paradigm shift I have had in the past year. Before I had Lance I really didn't like babies. Now, I just love every little baby and kid I see anywhere I go. I am so grateful to have a happy and healthy little boy. This past year has been the most incredible year for our family. We missed our friends and family in Utah, California, and Arizona, but we are so grateful for the love and support we had from our friends here in Washington!
We love you Lance. Happy B-day!

Lance's special day!

Lance turned the big 1 today!!! Words cannot even express how much we love our little guy. He is the most amazing thing in the world. Happy Birthday Lance! (obviously more pictures to follow of his big day!)

Our non-stop, super fun... but exhausting weekend!

The overload on the pictures continues...

Our new Thursday tradition is concert in the apple orchard. There is a darling apple orchard by our house that has become an official city park. Every thursday they feature food and free concerts. It is a blast!




Two of Spencer's very favorite things in the world include:

1. His family!


2. Golf!

Put them together = Heaven on Earth!

Spence told Lance and I to meet him at the golf course after work on Friday. We proceeded to golf 18 holes while pushing Lance in the stroller! Yeah, the golf course was totally cool with that! I don't think it is very often you see a cute little baby being pushed around in a stroller on the golf course. Well, Lance loved it! Spence is convinced we have a little golfer on our hands!


We didn't finish everything on the Seattle pass with my parents last weekend, so we went back up to Seattle to go to the Experience Music Project museum. It was amazing!

They have a interactive rock band type thing you do where you get the chance to sing and play real instruments in front of a computer generated audience, so you can feel what it is like to play in front of a crowd of roaring fans! Spence played guitar and lead vocals, and I played the drums - Lance was the band manager. Too bad I don't have a picture cause it cost $10 for you bands poster. We called ourselves The Mik Taggart's!!!


Afterwards we walked around the City and ate lunch at Cheesecake Factory.


Sunday: Spence had to talk in Church on the 8th Article of Faith, he did a great job! After church ended at 2pm, we headed up to Mt. Ranier National Park again! Spence was bummed he didn't get to go with us last Monday, so we went and hiked around in the beatiful nature! It is about a 90 min drive one way, so that basically took up the rest of the day!





Hope you enjoyed the overload of pictures once again!

Part 3: Seeing the sites around Tacoma!

My parents spent two days seeing the sites around our beautiful city of Tacoma! Monday we headed up to Mt. Ranier National Park. It is amazing to me that in 90 minutes you can go from Sea Level to (I am not quite sure how high the elevation is) high up in the mountains! Here are some pictures of Mt. Ranier and the surrounding area.




The next day we spent the majority of the day in Point Defiance State Park. This park is enormous! It has ponds with ducks, turtles, and fish; rose and flower gardens; history museums, forts and old buildings; a zoo; tennis courts, walking and biking trails; and finally a state beach! Pretty cool huh? Here are a few pictures from Pt. Defiance State Park.




This is Lance's FAVORITE book - Snappy Farm Zoo Yard! Seriously - I can hide it anywhere and he will find it. He would be in Heaven if I would sit and read this book to him all day long with out stopping! No worries I have it memorized and if he is sad when we are out and about - or if I want him to look at the camera and smile - I will just start acting out the book. Works like a charm baby!

As you can see we had a wonderful time with my parents. We were definitely on the go non-stop! I was exhausted by the time they left. Spence didn't let me rest for long, we had an eventful non-stop weekend which I'll have to blog about tomorrow!

Part 2: Hello San Juan Island!

This state is so beautiful - there is so much to do. After two fun days in Seattle, we ventured on up to San Juan Island.

On the ferry ride over to the island.

My parents relaxing on a bench once we made it to the island.

Have you seen gas this high yet? YIKES!

Exploring the island.

Lime Kiln Point Lighthouse. We went to Lime Kiln Point because that is where the 88 whales hangout! The lighthouse is in contact with all of the boats out on the water, and they know where the whales are at all times. Unfortunately when we were there, the whales were a couple of miles up the coast, so we were not able to see them. They follow the salmon up and down the coast. Since we were on the island for only a few hours, we didn't have time to wait for them, dang!

Here I am patiently waiting for the whales to come... we are hoping to come back here and go camping for Speen's b-day in a few weeks, so maybe I'll get to see them then!

There was an awesome free jazz concert at the park. My parents enjoyed listening to the music.
All the boats in Friday Harbor.
Lance LOVED hanging out outside on the deck of the ferry!

He loved peering over the railing into the water. We saw some dolphins, it was fun!