Christmas Card Beginnings

It's started...the quest to get a family picture to put on our Christmas card. I'm sure the larger your family is, the less likely you will ever be satisfied with family pictures. Ever year I try - umpteen times- to get a picture in which we all look fabulous...I can't imagine why it's so hard!
Our family just returned from a relaxing visit to Hocking Hills State Park in OH. I'll blog more about the visit later, but here is our first attempt at a Christmas card picture.

Not bad...but not perfect. Who knows, this might be what shows up in your mailbox in 2 months.
Shortly after we got home Noelle got out some art supplies, including google eyes and small pom-poms. She made a nice family picture which got me to thinking...why try coaxing smiles and good positioning when we can use this:

Hottie Husband Brings Home ANOTHER Medal!

My hottie husband ran The Kraut Route this morning and brought home a well-deserved medal for finishing first in his age bracket. This 10k is cleverly named for it's main sponsor, The Hofbrauhaus. Even more appealing is the complimentary beer and brat served to the racers after they finished(that is, if you like beer and brats).
Brad ran the 6.2 miles in 44 min and 55 seconds which is over 2 minutes faster then a month ago. It must be in the blood since we just saw Brad's brother, Dave, scooped up a medal himself. Brad's just glad they didn't have to compete for 1st place.

Hottie with his medal

A big hug from a big fan

The girls and I had to miss this race because of a bible study, but we hope to be there for his next race on Thanksgiving Day - "The Turkey Day 10k".

Spence Fashion

When the girls and I plan to be home most of the day, I let Noelle pick out her own clothes to wear. Sometimes she'll pick out something I wouldn't put together, but it's usually not a big deal and perfectly fine for a trip to the library or grocery store. Today however she chose a red turtle neck and hot pink capris. I let her wear them until it was time to leave the house then I gently told her that red and hot pink don't really go together and I'd like her to put on a pair of jeans.
My mother-in-law has a fashion motto: "It doesn't necessary have to match, it just has to 'go'". I don't think this outfit matches or "goes".

Poop and other fun

Yesterday was an exciting day in the Spence household...Sadie pooped in the potty. We have no intention of potty training Sadie this early but she'll often announce that she has to go poopy and then run back to the bathroom for a few seconds. The few times I've tried to have her sit on the little training potty she's been unsuccessful so now I just ignore her declarations of "poopy."
However Noelle must have more perseverance.
Yesterday Sadie announced "poopy" and headed for the bathroom. A little while later I hear Noelle and Sadie in the bathroom talking about going to the potty and that Noelle would help her. So, all by herself, Noelle helped take off Sadie's diaper and pants (I don't know if this is always a good thing), put the training seat on the toilet and help Sadie on.
I was making banana bread in the kitchen and was just pleased they were entertaining themselves it what appeared to be a edifying way. It wasn't too long until I heard Noelle rejoicing that Sadie had pooped in the potty. Noelle was very excited and Sadie was clapping. I just continued what I was doing to see what would happen next. Noelle continued to coach Sadie with phrases like:
"There will probably be more, so just wait a while"
"You'll get to use some toilet paper when you're all done!"
"I think Mommy will give you a treat for going poopy in the potty!" (I am?)
"Would you like a book?"
I think Sadie sat on the toilet for 15 minutes until I was called in to wipe. Noelle was estatic with her young protege and Sadie was just dazed and not quite sure what to think.

Here's Sadie and her pooping coach.
It just so happened that I had gotten them new toothbrushes at the Dollar Store that morning so I presented one to each of them for the great team effort.

On a different note, but equally as smelly, Sadie loves to get out my supply of onions, bag them up and carry them around the house. Who would of known onions were so appealing to a toddler!

The Loss of a Good Friend

The last day I wrote on the blog I was praising the invention and use of the ipod. Since then I have lost my very dear friend, the ipod. I think I left it in a park in OH. The last I remember I set it on the ground to help Noelle take off her bicycle helmet. I'm still hoping it made it home with me and I just haven't found it yet.
I was really attatched to that small peice of technology. It was a Mother's Day gift a year and a half ago. It was a complete surprise and I think it's the best gift I've ever received. So I'm mourning the loss of my dear friend and kicking myself for being so careless.

On a happier note, here's a quick picture of the girls in the sandbox. They managed to play very nicely in close proximity for a long time. Now that's something to rejoice over.