Easter Sunday

We had a wonderful day yesterday celebrating Easter. We actually made it to the 8:00 a.m. service at our church...that in itself is a miracle!! We had brunch/lunch with Mimi and Papa and Granny and Grandad. The Easter Bunny payed us a visit and left the kiddos Easter baskets and hidden eggs. What fun! Spence had a great 1st Easter (though he wished he could have eaten some of the chocolate bunnies). : )

Of course, there had to be coordinating outfits...harder to do this year with three kiddos and various sizes!

Checkin' out the goods!

Good Will hunting...(ha!ha!)

Nat's favorite part...cracking confetti eggs outside!

The closest we could get to a decent family picture

He is Risen!

Happy Easter!

"He is not here. He has risen just as He said."

-Matthew 28:6

Baby Dedication

Yesterday was Spencer's baby dedication at our church. What a moving ceremony of commitment and love! As Christian parents, we vowed to:

• Demonstrate for Spencer Christian integrity in our personal lives
• Teach Spencer the meaning of fidelity in our marriage
• Show Spencer the meaning of fellowship and servant-hood through our church
• Model faith in our lives, in prayer, and in the application of the Bible's truth as we teach Spencer to follow Jesus as Lord
• Promise to give Spencer every possible benefit of home, school, church and community
• Ask God to bless Spencer and to guide and guard him through all his years

Our family with our Pastor, Chuck Swindoll

Our family of five

Enjoying a meal after church with Mimi and Papa & Granny and Grandad

Celebrating Spencer Bishop!

Spencer was WORN OUT!

5 months old

Spencer turned 5 months old this past Wednesday. A friend of our's took these candid shots of Spencer while he was sitting in his carrier...I think they are just beautiful!

He is rolling all over the place and even drawing his knees up some and pushing forward. I am NOT ready for him to start crawling! He is enjoying his bumbo seat (he enjoys being upright) and he has started a Kindermusik class. Everything he grabs goes straight into his mouth.

He has transitioned to his crib from the bassinet...he just got too big ...I think he likes stretching out in the crib. He is enjoying rice cereal and he is really starting to chub up!! I love a chubby baby!

He will be dedicated at church tomorrow so there will be more pics coming soon!

10 Years Ago Today...

MARCH 7, 2008

Ten years ago today, I married the love of my life. Alot has happened in the past 10 years and I would not have wanted to experience any of it with anyone other than my dear Erick. He is the most loving, helpful and dependable husband I know (I'm partial). On top of that he is a devoted dad, faithful Christian, compassionate friend, amazing athlete and all-around great guy!

Our last 10 years in a nutshell...

March 7, 1998
Snow! Flight Cancelled!
Cruise
Walt Disney World
Tyler, Texas
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Hogg Middle School
Glenwood Church of Christ
Winter Park, Colorado
Mansion in April
Transfer
Summers/New Mexico/Mountains
First House
Frisco, Texas
Barbara Bush Middle School
High Pointe Church of Christ
Walt Disney World - Millenium
Galveston
Turning 25!
Road Trip Summer 2000
Yellowstone
Glacier
Seattle
San Francisco
Napa
L.A.
Grand Canyon
Loss of Grandmother "Merm"
Pregnant!
San Antonio
Natalie Born
Stay-at-Home Mom
Explorer
September 11, 2001
Guidant Corp.
Forerunner
Hot Springs
Loss of Grandfather "Tata"
Maui
Pregnant!
Rough Creek Lodge
Will Born
Kidney Stone
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Again
Turning 30!
Moved to West Frisco
LCA
Soccer Games
Italy
Walt Disney World with Natalie
Pregnant!
Stonebriar Community Church
Hyatt Hill Country
Kindergartner
Spencer Born
Dallas Whiterock Marathon

...WHEW! What a ride! I can't wait for the next 10 years! I love you more than anything, Erick.

SNOW (in March!!!)

We have had 2-3 inches of snow today! We picked Natalie up early from school (there was some sleet coming down) and we had some fun playing out in the snow. This is the first time Will has really played in snow and it's the first time Natalie will remember playing in a good amount of snow (the last time it snowed this much, she was 2 1/2). We're supposed to get some more throughout the night, so I think we'll be building a snowman tomorrow! Here are some of our wonderful memories...

Rice Cereal...Take Three

Things are going better with the rice cereal. We tried it for a second time this past Wednesday...not too interested once again. However, when we gave him some today, he was "all over it!" He enjoyed gnawing on the bumbo seat as well. Can you say MESSY?!?

We got stripped down for the occasion!

I know I'm biased, but look at those gorgeous blue eyes!!!

"Yummy! This bumbo seat ain't too bad!"

Grandparents' Day

Every year, Natalie and Will's school hosts a Grandparent's Day celebration. This was Will's first year to celebrate with his Mimi and Papa and Granny and Grandad. Poor Natalie was sick on Friday, so she didn't get to attend...she was broken-hearted.

Will enjoyed singing songs and saying scripture for his 4 grandparents. He also had craft time with them and spent some time in his classroom showing them around. Afterwards, they took him to eat some mexican food. I think he really enjoyed having them all to himself! Here are a few pictures from the day...

Rice Cereal...Take One

This past Monday (Feb 25th), we made a first attempt at giving Spencer some rice cereal. I think you can tell what his reaction was from the pictures. Oh well, there's always tomorrow!

Daddy Daughter Dance 2008

Natalie and Erick attended the annual Daddy/Daughter Dance yesterday. This event grows in size every year and Natalie looks forward to it so much! It is a great night for them to spend some quality time together and for Natalie to learn how she is to be treated with respect when she starts dating one day (in the FAR OFF future). This year was extra special because Nat got to go with her good friend Anna and her daddy, Patrick.

Natalie had a hair appointment and got her hair put in an "up do" for the big night! She loved having her hair this way! They finished it off with some spray glitter for a little added shimmer.

BEAUTIFUL!!!! She looks so grown up to me.

Natalie and her Daddy...they got each other flowers for their big date.

Here they are cuttin' a rug! Erick said all the girls went crazy when Hannah Montana or High School Musical came on...I think Erick had a headache from all the screaming! Of course, they had to do the "chicken dance"...Nat loves that one! They ended their evening with a meal at Cheesecake Factory (Natalie's choice).

Hearts and Half-Birthdays

Yesterday was not only Valentine's Day, but it was also Natalie's half-birthday. We celebrate the kiddos' half-birthdays around here....another excuse to bring a butter cream-iced cake into the house (my favorite)!

Here's Natalie enjoying her half-birthday cake after school. She was already sugared-up from her V-Day party at school, but what's a little more sugar?!?

Will got in on the cake action, too. I think both Nat and Will inherited my sweet tooth!

Here am I getting some Valentine's lovin' from Spencer. I think he enjoyed his first V-Day celebration! We had a nice quiet evening at home with heart-shaped pizza for the kiddos. Erick and I are doing our dinner out tonight so we wouldn't have to fight the Valentine's crowd.

And here are my three favorite valentines (after Erick, of course). PRECIOUS! I love them so much!

A Third of His First Year

My precious Spencer is 4 months old today! I cannot believe how fast time is flying! He actually rolled over this past Saturday and he is putting anything and everything into his mouth. He has been a champion night-time sleeper...sleeping through the night since 8 weeks. He giggles and tries so hard to "talk"...he's trying to catch up with his sister and brother! He has the bluest eyes (lighter than Will's) and chub-o thighs, belly and cheeks (I love to kiss 'em all).

What Spencer loves: the sound of Natalie and Will's voices, momma's milk (yum-o), bath time, being held, being tickled and being on the go!

What Spencer does not like: being still (like everytime the car stops), naps during the day, loud and sudden noises, and pacifiers (I think we have a 3rd thumb-sucker).

In the next week or so he will have his 4 month check-up and shots (ouch!). I can't wait to try him on rice cereal...I imagine he'll lap it up.

Here's a couple of pics from today. Excuse his greasy face in the first pic (he has dry cheeks, so I had him greased-up with Aquaphor).

10 things...

I was tagged by my friend JB to share 10 things about my kiddos. So, here goes....

1. Natalie is my social butterfly. The only thing she ever gets in trouble for at school is talking! At her parent/teacher conference in October the teacher was going over her report card with us. The first section was language and vocabulary. Mrs. H said, "I think we all can agree that Natalie has no issues in this area." Ha! Wonder where she gets her love of chatting from?!

2. Will is my child with OCD. If one crumb falls off his plate, he freaks and cannot eat another bite until it is picked up. His two gummy vitamins in the morning have to be the same color. He will spend an hour lining up all the DVD cases end-to-end just so in the playroom. Sometimes it drives me nuts, but I do enjoy the neatness factor!

3. Spencer rolled over for the first time on Saturday (2-9)! I cannot believe it! Neither of the other two kids rolled over before 4 months. I have a feeling he is going to hit every benchmark early (trying to keep up with his brother and sister).

4. Natalie has told Erick and I that we can go on her honeymoon with her...to a beach somewhere. She also told us her husband will need to buy her a house and an Escalade!

5. Will loves to run (like his daddy)! He runs everywhere...I think he has a future in track (and hopefully a scholarship will follow).

6. Spencer's middle name (Bishop) is my dad's middle name. The name "Bishop" goes way back on my dad's side of the family. My dad mentions the fact that his grandson shares his name to anyone and everyone!

7. Natalie loves horses! Erick took her to a horse riding lesson once and the trainer said Nat was a natural. I'm thinking of putting her in a mini-camp this summer to see if it's something we should pursue. She has stuffed horses, clothes with horses on them, horse pj's, horse jewelry, a horse purse, horse books, etc!

8. Will is my tender-hearted little man. He is always saying "I love you" and he tells me "sweet dreams" every night. He is still a snuggle-bug and loves to sit in my lap (he's almost 4). I enjoy every minute of it...I definitely think we have a special bond.

9. Spencer likes to move! Whether he's in the car, in his stroller or being carried, he has to have constant movement! If we stop...WAAAAAHHHH! I purposely take routes in the car where there are the fewest lights and I have taken to wearing him on me in the Baby Bjorn alot so I can constantly sway and move him while shopping, cleaning, etc.

10. I have three exhibitionists! All three of my kiddos love to be either naked or just in their undies/diaper. I have no idea where this came from (as both their mom and dad are NOT this way). Natalie will come home from school, strip down and run around the rest of the day in her undies. Will will run around all day (in the house) in his undies even when it is freezing outside (doesn't seem to phase him). Spencer can be screaming at the top of his lungs and if I take off his clothes...he is giggling and happy! CRAZY!

Okay, so now it is my turn to tag some peeps! I tag Christy Z, Amye D, Marie H, Regina P, Kelly R and Jessica O. : )

Bad Leslie!

I know, I know! I have been so bad about posting. With the busy holidays and three children, something had to go by the wayside. I will do a quick post tonight and then hopefully follow-up with more Christmas pictures later in the week.

Our precious Spencer turned 3 months old this past weekend (on the 12th). I think we should caption this picture "DUH!"

Another 3 month birthday picture! Isn't he growing and changing so much?! He is becoming our little "chub master!" : )

We went to Build-A-Bear this past weekend. Both Natalie and Will got a gift card from their great-grandad for Christmas, so we went to spend them. Natalie made a horse and named it "Payton."

Will made a bear and named it Buzz Lightyear (of course)!

Below is one picture from Christmas. We went over to my parents' house on Christmas Eve to open gifts and have dinner. The kiddos had a blast opening their gifts from Granny and Grandad and Uncle Brad!

HALLELUJAH!

My precious Spencer has slept through the night three out of the last four nights! I know I'm probably jinxing it by writing this post, but I am just so happy and proud! I always say I finally feel like myself again when the baby starts sleeping through the night. What a great early Christmas present!