Say "eese"!

(Sorry- Blogger wouldn't let me move the photos down to the right journaling so please see journaling at bottom of post)

The Riddle Boys

The Riddle Ladies

Sorry it's been about a month since the last post. With a trip to Utah, still moving in, and starting school, things have been crazy. That's my story all the time but it seriously feels like nothing slows down here. We are always in the middle of some sort of change whether it's a new job, a new house, new sicknesses, trips.......well you get the picture. This last month has been full of fun times and I will try and sum them up.

The last week of December we went up to Utah to celebrate Spencer's dad's 70th birthday. It was a complete surprise for him. The whole family (we are talking 15 kids and 15 grandkids) met up at the State Capitol and took family pictures, then we went to his brother Jared's house and had cake and watch a dvd of his life and gave him presents. Then all us adults went out to eat at Olive Garden. That was the first time all the adults together had a dinner without any kids. We saw a lot of old friends and spent New Year's eve at Cameron and Rachel Bailey's playing Settlers and watching Despicable Me. We are so lucky to have so many good friends and such a great family!

Last week I started nursing school and boy is it tough. Everyone asks me how it is and I always say "It's not the material itself it's just so much material". Spence says I have a glow everytime I come home. He can just tell them I am enjoying it (which I am). I do, however, miss the kids a great deal but they seem to adjust just fine. They like having daddy all to themselves. He's a great dad and does stuff with them that I don't do a lot (like reading books, taking them on walks).

We struggled finding a babysitter that we trusted. We interview 10 or so people but we walked away from the interviews feeling totally insecure about each one of them. Spence had the thought (or maybe, inspiration) to rely on our friends (who we trust just like family) to help watch the kids until we can (hopefully) find someone suitable for us. Our friends were more than willing to help and we have our dear friends Christina and Christine watching them for us. We also have a few backups when we need it. We are so blessed to have such great friends that are willing to help whenever needed.

I have my first test on Wednesday (eek!) and my first clinical on Friday (big eek!). I am learning a lot (given I've only had class for a week) and in those 36 hours I have been in class, I still love it and look forward to the other knowledge I will gain.

We got a huge bare wall in our front room so we decided that since it's so hard for us to take a REALLY great picture by ourselves, we'd hire a photographer to do it for us. We found this lady through Craigslist. Her name is Joanna with Tenderlook Photography. She charged us $75 for the session and gave us the CD with the copyrights. I think she did a fabulous job. And on top of the great pictures, she also gave Spence tips on using his camera and starting a photography business.

Sariah started dance class on my first day of nursing school. Spence took her and said she did a great job. She's in a ballet/tap/tumbling class and is learning a song from "Ariel" (The Little Mermaid). I will post a video of her last dance lesson so you can see how cute she is. Heck! I need to see how cute she is too because I have to miss everyone of her classes.

Eli's is getting to be so big. He's climbing on everything and has finally mastered the stairs. He also likes to push buttons especially on the computer (when mom's doing homework) and on the phone. Last night he had a little toy camera and was holding it up to his eyes and said "eese". It was so cute! It's amazing what he picks up especially since he doesn't communicate by talking but he definately understands what you are saying and telling him.

Everyday we feel so blessed with all that our Heavenly Father has blessed us with. We try, but mostly fail, to not take our blessings for granted. We love each one of you and hope the best for your families. Thank you!