Amazon Smile

Do you shop at Amazon as much as I do?  That is definitely my favorite and easiest place to shop for so much stuff.  If you do, would you mind adding the Forrest Spence Fund as your charity of choice under Amazon's new charity give back program...Amazon Smile.  It doesn't cost you anything more but gives the Fund .05% of your purchases.  It doesn't sound like a lot but if you shop as much as I do than it will add up quickly.  Click here to learn more and sign up.

Forrest Spence Fund

Christmas card outtakes

We took about a million pictures for our Christmas card this year.  The outtakes were just too funny to not post as well.

Some funny ones of Austin:



Some funny ones of Maggie:

Some funny ones of Miller:



Some sweet ones that didn't make the cut but still cute:


Hope all of you had a very fun and full of laughter Christmas!

Maggie month 12

I can't believe my baby girl is a 1 year old!  The time truly does fly with each child but it absolutely flew by with her.  We took her 12 month pictures last week and thankfully this time she wasn't as active.  The boys kept her entertained.  Month 11 was another fun month with her.  The biggest thing to happen for Maggie is she is walking!!!  She is walking everywhere. If she falls down than she gets right back up and walks again.  She now has 8 teeth with more on their way.  4 on top and 4 on the bottom.  She is saying more words and repeats a lot of sounds we make.  She is eating all finger foods and is willing to try most things sometimes being the best eater of our 3 kids.  She is also primarly on a sippie cup with 1 last bottle at night before bed.  She is also drinking whole milk instead of formula.  She has dropped her morning nap which is so early compared to my boys but she wasn't taking an afternoon nap if she took a morning nap and I definitely need time where all 3 are quiet at the same time.  Most days she takes a good long afternoon nap. She still sleeps great at night.  She is pretty independent and will play nicely by herself for a little while.  She is still a go with the flow baby but is making sure we know when she wants something or doesn't get her way.  She understands that if you make a ruckus than you sometimes get what you want.  She loves bath time but hates when she has to get out.  It is quite a scene when she is getting out of the bathtub.  She has also started experiencing seperation anxiety.  She gets very upset when she knows she is being left or if there is a babysitter coming.  She is still the happiest baby I have ever been around.  She smiles and laughs constantly.  

Things she loves:
-her brothers!!!
-her brothers toys
-her daddy and mommy
-her own voice
-faces
-smiles from others
-bath time
-walking
-carrying toys and random objects all around our house
-cabinets
-drawers
-her fingers
-food
-lovie
-sleep

Things she doesn't love:
-when everyone leaves the room
-teething
-getting in the car seat (once she's in it she usually is ok)
-getting her out of the bathtub

She weighs 22.2 lbs (only gained .2 lbs - I guess all the walking she is doing) and is 30.5 inches long.  She is 75% in weight and almost 90% in height.  Our biggest baby for sure =).   

She was mad because I took the 2 away from her.

The boys said they were taking pictures of her too.
She's looking at me like "mom, these 2 are crazy...don't they know those aren't real cameras.".  
Side by side view of all 12 months.



We love you Maggie Anne and couldn't imagine our lives without you in it!  You are our favorite girl!

1st Birthday post coming soon!

Happy 1st birthday Maggie

Happy 1st birthday Marguerite Anne!  We fell in love with you long before you were born.  You have captured our hearts and haven't let go.  The first time I laid eyes on you I knew that you were the perfect fit for our family.
You have a sweet, laid back spirit that is evident in all of life.  You have provided us with so much joy and love this past year.

I have loved adding pink and hair bows to our home and look forward to many years of doing girly things together.

Your brothers have been smitten with you since the beginning.  They are rough and tough with you but I know they will protect and provide for you all through life.

You have the most beautiful eyes and kissable cheeks.  I love that God gave me 2 brown eyed children and 2 blue eyed children.

From the first time you laughed until now, you haven't stopped smiling and laughing.  You truly enjoy life and love being around others.

I love watching the boys love you more everyday and seeing the 3 of you interact.  If you could tell them to jump, they would say how high.  They adore you.

I still feel like a huge part of our family is missing and that will never go away but you becoming a part of our life has helped.

I thank the Lord daily for your life and the life of all 3 of your brothers.  The days are long but the years are short.  I am truly so thankful that I get to spend the days with you 3.

We love you Maggie and are so thankful for your precious life!  Happy 1st birthday precious girl!

Christmas fun

We have been busy at the Spence household getting ready for Christmas...

Playing with the Little People Nativitiy Set

Trying to get a good picture of them in their Christmas pj's.
Seeing Starry Nights at Shelby Farms.
Building Gingerbread houses
Going to Le Bonheur's Christmas party on their front lawn.
Going to Snowy Night at My Big Backyard

Going to a Cookie Decorating Party with my 2 littles.
Halley and I taking our girls to our first annual mother/daughter date downtown at Christmas time.  We plan on adding the Nutcracker when they are a little older.

Making salt dough ornaments for our family.

It has been a fun but very busy few weeks.