Last night we went to the zoo here and had a "Feast with the Beasts". Besides paying way too much for food and dealing with the hoards of people, it was fun. They had a band playing, had jugglers, mascots, etc. etc... 
Parker sleeping... we had to catch it on film because it doesn't happen very often. :)
Spencer getting ready for the climbing wall at the zoo.
Carly was a great spectator.
Spencer climbed almost to the top. We were so proud of him!
Well, we dropped Spencer off this morning for his first day of kindergarten. He was so excited!
This picture was taken on Friday night when we met the teacher. Miss Holly on the left and the student teacher Miss Alex on the right.
Spencer all spiffed up for the first day.
Carly wanted to go too... she got her backpack on and was ready to go.
So, Spencer starts school next Monday and we are trying to get in the last bit of summer while we can... although having a new baby makes that a little difficult. So Kyle wanted to go camping and had to settle for the backyard as the wilderness to go camping in. They set up the tent and had a good night. (I think Kyle slept better than he has in a couple weeks... maybe THATS what really motivated the camping excursion.)
The campers
They really roughed it... they watched movies in the tent while the rain hit the roof while sitting on their nice air mattresses. Then they had warm chocolate chip cookies delivered to them... like I said - Rough!
The kids had fun running in and out of the tent. You can see the dark clouds rolling in... it rained all night, but they stayed dry. (Thanks for the nice tent Mom and Dad).
Parker at two weeks old.
Again, Parker at like 5 days old - first bath.
We took a trip to the zoo for a little while - I just needed to get out. Of course I was sore the rest of the day. I must be getting old!
The kids love to hold their new brother.
And we're all a little exhausted these days!
So, I think I'm finally feeling better. It hasn't been a fun recovery that's for sure, (my other two were cake compared to this one) but atleast the worst is over (hopefully). I'm still taking my antibiotics and feeling good. Yay for modern medicine!
We decided that if the baby wasn't going to be born, then we were going to have some fun without it, so we went hiking up in the Sandia Mountains. It was such a nice day. We packed a lunch and set out to enjoy the afternoon. Being the adventurous Dad that I am, I decided to take the kids on a short hike while the pregnant mom and her mom sat safely in the van. After about 15 minutes of hiking, Spencer and I realized that the rain was getting stronger and wasn't going to stop. We decided to bolt for the van, which was 15 minutes the other way. We ran from dry spot to spot for rest and relief from the rain. We finally emerged from the forest and made a mad dash for the van. We had a fun but wet ride home. 
We also had some fun in the backyard with the slip-n-slide. I decided that someone had to show the kids how to have fun. Needless to say, I was a slip-n-slide superstar. Forward, backward, rolling sideways, baseball sliding style: I am a master of all styles. 
Spencer is following in his stud dad's ways. go Spencer!
Dad/Son:
29 years old/ 1 day old
We really appreciate Craig & Marilyn (michelle's parents) for their help with the kids. It was nice to not have to worry about the kids while we were bringing another into the world. Thanks!
The kids missed their mom while she was at the hospital. They practically smothered her when we went to visit their new brother. Spencer asked me on the way to the hospital, "Dad, what are you going to do with 3 kids?" I wasn't quite sure how to answer. :)
As parents we will now be playing zone defense, instead of man to man.
Yikes! Didn't mean for this to be the first picture that you get to see when looking at the blog - sorry. Well, once again, not a flattering picture- that's what happens when you ask a 5 year old to take your picture while he's watching cartoons. Thanks Spence. But you get the jist of the big buddha belly. 38 weeks down - forever to go. I KNEW once I'd get off of bed rest that I would still end up going til my due date, it's just my luck... but we'll see. Maybe someone will have mercy on me and I'll end up getting this thing out of me soon. We can only hope.
Spencer has been doing swim lessons for the past two weeks. He loves it. I'm glad Jodie was here with me for the first week (still on bed rest), so that it wasn't too stressful for me :)
Spencer at swimming lessons
Today was the last day and therefore the party. Kyle got to come and partake of the excitement - don't they look excited? Carly's not feeling well today. Sad little girl.
This is at the party today. Spencer had fun running all over the place and playing in the fun pool stuff.
Ah, swim lessons are done for another year. Happy day. I usually don't mind at all, taking him everyday for two weeks, but as you all know, the last month hasn't been the easiest for me either. So, for now, I am glad it's over. I'm sure I'll be all raring to go when next year comes though... right?
We had a low-key fourth. ABQ doesn't have parades or anything during the day, so we stayed at home. Kyle took the kids to the zoo during the afternoon and then that night we had our fun.
Spencer is a pyro just like dad. He loved helping light the fireworks.
And Carly loves to eat just like mom. We made homemade ice cream and she devoured it.
Kyle next to the flag we bought to hang on our house. That was our contribution to being patriotic.
After doing our own little fireworks show and eating ice cream, we laid out on our back lawn and watched the fireworks show from all of our neighbors. It was absolutely amazing how many illegal fireworks were everywhere... it was sure a good show! And we didn't have to spend any of OUR money to enjoy it!
Just our Spencer.
Check out what's left of his black eye.
I am in the primary presidency in our ward and for our latest activity, we went to the ABQ temple for a tour (of the grounds). It turned out really nice and we had a lot of the kids come. (This is less than half of our primary, but more than usual for a normal activity.) Anyway, luckily we had some great parents volunteer for rides and to be chaperones! It was a success!
This is our fabulous sleeper! Except, of course, if it's her actual bed time... not so fabulous then.
The kids at lunch at the park. We go almost everyday and they LOVE it! It's nice for me because I don't have to make lunch, and I get to chat with some good friends while our kids play.
This is just a cute picture of Carly that a friend took with her nice camera at an Elders Quorum Social at the park. I stole it from her blog and posted it on ours :) (Thanks Michelle)
And this is not the most flattering picture of me, but it does my belly justice I guess... I'm now at 35 weeks and have been on bed rest now for 3 days... I've been having pretty good contractions (not just the braxton-hicks ones) and went into the doctor; they put me on a monitor for like 25-30 minutes and I had like 6-7 nice contractions... so I am now on bedrest. It's actually helped with the contractions so I guess the doctor knows what he's talking about... Okay, bedrest is not exactly easy with two little kids and a husband that works, and it isn't really a mini-vacation either. It actually rather stinks. I feel horrible that I can't help out at all. But luckily Kyle has been a HUGE help already and my mom is coming on Sunday to help out for a while and then we'll see what happens from there. Atleast it's only for a few weeks and not like one of my good friends who was on bedrest for the longest time! (Liz you are amazing!) So, we'll see how the next few weeks go.
We just got back this week from another trip to Utah. We went for my sister's wedding and nieces blessing. It's always fun to be with family and it was definitely worth it, but we are sure glad to be back and not have to travel anywhere in the near future! 
While in SLC we went to Temple Square for a little bit- our kids have never really been (besides when we lived there and we moved when Spencer was 9 months). Spencer loved the Christus.
And what would a trip to Utah be without fishing with Grandpa?
An ugly albino rainbow trout...
At the wedding reception... there should be playgrounds at EVERY reception!
Spencer's holding our cute niece- Sydnee. For some reason, we didn't take any pictures of the blessing day and most of the wedding day. We are lame! So you have to deal with the pictures we DID take... sorry.
Carly with major bed-head.
Curlers (first time)
The happy couple at the luncheon.
Carly at the luncheon. (check out those ringlets)
Carly and Grandpa going into the Temple.
Okay, so why didn't we take more pictures of cute Sydnee in her blessing dress and the happy couple on their big day? Don' t ask me, it's still a mystery. Luckily everyone else's blogs have far superior pictures, so check them out instead of ours! I think driving over 60 hours in 6 weeks time did us in. Just as a side note: if you want to see us in the next year, you will have to drive to ABQ... we're staying put. :)
