Memphis big snow

Memphis had its first snow storm this year (barely any but Memphis practically shut down because of it). Austin was intriqued by it and kept wanting to touch it. It wasn't enough to really play in but hopefully another big one will come to town this winter.

my little climber

Austin's new favorite thing is to climb onto EVERYTHING! He uses whatever he can to get a boost up, including Sadie. We have even caught Sadie sitting up a little to give him an extra boost. We aren't sure how much longer we are going to keep the gates up because he can climb over halfway up them. The only reason he can't climb out of his crib is because he sleeps in a sleep sac so he can't hike his leg up high enough to get over (trust me, he's tried). Here are some pictures of him climbing up in the rocker in our den and being so proud of himself.

Disregard the fact that his pants are wide open and you can see his diaper. He is hard to pin down and finish dressing =)

with Granddad Wayne

We were so happy to see Granddad Wayne over the holidays. Austin loves

his great granddad.

4 Generations of Spence men

Big Bunco

I hosted Bunco at my house on Tuesday night and we had a great time. I love getting together with these girls every month. I always look forward to it and enjoy talking, eating, catching up, and playing Bunco. Each host has to have something for the Big Bunco winner to wear when they get a Big Bunco. I used Austin's hat from last winter and thought it looked pretty cute on my friends.

Laura won Big Bunco 3 times so she was the big winner of the night!!!

sick little guy

Austin is finally making a turn for the better but he has been sick, sick, sick for over a week. He started with a cold last Monday (9 days ago) and it went into his chest. I took him to the doctor and he was diagnosed with a respiratory infection and double ear infections. They put him on steroids and 2 antiobiotics. He was so sad...he felt terrible and there was nothing we could do to make him feel better. He has finally made a turn for the better. In the last 24 hours I feel like I have my happy little guy back. Oh how I missed him.

We did a lot of driving around the town while he was sick because it would keep him happy for a little while.

more from Christmas

Some more snapshots of Christmas day with the family

David reading from Luke 2 on Christmas morning

Austin opening his first gift

Playing with one of his toys

Playing between the chairs

Playing hide and seek

Uncle Toph, Austin, and Rico

The hilarious shirt my mom got Matt (totally not true =)

Matt with his first child

Excited about another gift

Uncle Matt wrestling with Austin

Christin with their second child

Uncle Toph and Gigi trying to get Austin to smile

Uncle Toph and Austin in the tree

my future sister-in-law

My brother Matt proposed to Christin on Christmas night and our family couldn't be happier. We are thrilled to welcome Christin to the Miller family.

The Spence's love the two of you and can't wait to celebrate your big day.

Family

My family came to Memphis this year for Christmas. We had a wonderful time celebrating with my brothers, mom, and Christin. Austin loved the extra attention he received from all the family. He especially loved all the dogs running around. We had 5 dogs in our home. Sadie (85 lb. lab), Diesel (50 lb. bulldog), Deliah (65 lb bulldog), Rico (small dog) and Buddy (small dog). As you can see, my family loves dogs. This is the first Christmas we haven't added a new dog to the mix in 6 years. It was so nice to celebrate with all of them. We missed my dad but he and Sheryl (his girlfriend) are coming to visit in January and we can't wait to see them.

My brothers...Christoph on the left, Matt on the right.

All the kids

Rico (Christoph's dog)

Sadie in on the action

Deliah checking Austin out

Diesel hiding in Austin's fort

Buddy (mom's dog)

Christmas day!

Merry Christmas from the Spence's. We hope your family enjoyed celebrating the birth of our Savior.

Merry Christmas

This is the Christmas card we sent out this year. (The yellow around it

should be green, my scanner made it yellow instead of green.)

Click on the card to see it bigger.

With a little surprise at the end =)

Merry Christmas from all 4 of us!!!