To rent or Dubai...

photo source Abu Dhabi

Lame title, I know, but let's move on.

My parents are moving back East... waaay East. The Middle East to be precise. And they'll be there for four years. I know, it's a little crazy.

About three weeks ago, my dad was asked to travel to Abu Dhabi, one of the city-states in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai is another city), for a consultation. He evaluated their current higher education system and wrote a report recommending that a director be hired to oversee the creation of a more structured system. The sheik liked the report and my dad and offered him the job. It is a huge honor- a real career topper- and my parents are very excited for this opportunity.

My dad leaves for UAE on October 9th, a mere 10 days away (my mom will join him in November). Of course everyone in my family will miss my parents, but with my crazy pregnancy hormones, I find myself crying over this at least once daily. Seriously, I am a basket case.

Putting my uncontrollable emotions aside, I am so proud of my dad for achieving this awesome pinnacle of his career. And I admire my parents for going on this incredible adventure. We are planning to take a few trips to visit them and see that part of the world and we're really looking forward to it! They will also be back to visit at least once a year- my mom is already planning on coming when the baby is born in March.

We are going to live in their house until they get back which we are grateful for- it will be nice to have a little more room than just our little apartment for when we become a three-person family. We are busy working on house projects before we move over to the main part of the house from the mother-in-law apartment, so if I have been a flaky friend recently, that is why. It is a giant puzzle to figure out where everything and everyone is going to go (Cat & Richard, and my Aunt Barbara are going to keep living here, too.) My life has been turned upside down in the last month (or three if you count the pregnancy).

I would appreciate any words of wisdom for those of you who have had parents far away, especially when you were having a baby. I feel very supported and loved by my siblings, my ward, my friends, and John's wonderful parents, but I know I will be missing my mom and dad a lot.

Spencer Family Camping

We had a fun time camping in the Uintahs a few weeks ago with the Spencers at our all time favorite camping spot, Moosehorn Lake. It was a little different with the second generation- Lily couldn't figure out how to stay in her sleeping bag, and woke up cold several times during the night and try to get in bed with Steve and Kerry. Steve woke up in the morning and said he felt like he'd had a giant spider crawling over him all night. We were also on the steepest slant possible and everyone spent the night sliding off their mats and into each other. Oh well, the joys of camping, right?

Cartwheels, birthdays, and a Hog

The fabulous Thornton fam hosted a birthday party for the July bdays, Kate & Jeff (who are also married, go figure). After the festivities, we enjoyed the summer evening with front lawn gymnastics and rides on Mark & Chelsea's scooter. Good times.

The July birthdays- Jeff and Kate





That's how I roll, I'm pretty hard core.



Kate and Jeff participate in the cartwheel contest



Chelsea (an actual gymnast) shows us how its done during Hands Up, Stands Up



McKenzie and Breea (Dave's girlfriend and her oldest little girl)



Emily (Breea's youngest) shows off her dance moves (doing her choreography and singing every word to the Dixie Chicks' "Let 'er Rip")



Jeff scamming on Mark & Chelsea's romantic photo op



The newlyweds (they just passed the 1 year mark!)



Emily getting tough



Johnny gives Emily a lift

Happy Birthday Week!

This is the birthday week for a lot of my friends and family!!


My dear friend and sister-in-law, Chelsea, had her birthday on the 7th. Chelsea is stylish and creative- she has a great eye for fashion and design! She has also been a very sweet addition to the family- she is patient, genuine, thoughtful and fun! We have already spent some special moments together as sisters and I look forward to sharing many, many more with her!






My friend, Caroline, one of the best mothers and friends I know, celebrated her bday yesterday. She is truly one of my dearest friends. For years I was her children's nanny and I hope one day to be half the mother she is. She has been there for me through all my peaks and valleys of life- she nurtured my spirit when it was weak and was always my biggest fan!



My cousin, Christine, has her birthday tomorrow! She always has time for me and is a wonderful listener. Her compassion and loyalty have meant so much to me. She always includes me, supports me and makes me feel important. Even though I'm older by a year, I often find Christine is full of wisdom and grace that makes her feel like my OLDER cousin!




And my other dear sister-in-law, friend, confidant and example, Kerry, celebrates her birthday on Saturday! She is a great mom to the two biggest joys of my life, Sam and Lily, and a great companion to my big brother. She is so talented and hardworking and I really admire all she has accomplished!





What a wonderful week of birthdays! I am so lucky to have all these wonderful women in my life!

New Family Blog

I've started a blog for my family to contribute to called Spencer Pines. Soon I hope to have one for John's family, too. I'm following Lyndsay's good example!

Christmas 2007

What a great time of year!

I've been spending my time doing crafts, hanging out with family, Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, singing carols, enjoying the snow, and visiting with friends.
(Hanging out with some high school friends at a white elephant party.)





Also, a very Happy Birthday to my brother-in-law, Richard, who is 27th today!! (Here he is with the Spencer men last Christmas!)

Gingerbread Village

Catherine and Richard have made a gingerbread house together ever since they've been together. This year they shared their tradition with us and we made a whole village together as a family! It was so fun to see how creative everyone could be!

Lily was especially interested in eating all the candy and frosting she could get her little hands on!



Steve and Beverly's Quidditch Arena





Richard's incredible Commerce Center



Catherine's beautiful Church (notice all the landscaping)



John and Barb's Schoolhouse



Mom with the completed village



Mom, Richard, Steve, Kerry, Barb, Sam, Catherine, Lily (not pictured: Aunt Barbara, John and Mark)

This is the Thornton's Thanksgiving tradition...

John's cousin, Joe, is a magician and juggler, and after dinner we all head outside for his knife and fire juggling show!

Christmas fun with my family!

My dad treated us to a concert of the Bell Choir at the Conference Center on Saturday night. It was fun to trek down there all bundled up, braving the snowstorm, to hear beautiful music and see the gorgeous decorations. After the concert, we gathered at my mom and dad's house for ice cream and Steve and Kerry decided that it was too dangerous to drive home so they (and Sam and Lily) slept over. That following Sunday, even church was canceled because of power outages. It was so fun to be snowed in together!



The beautiful tree at the Conference Center



Lily "helping" John do his work



We bundled Lily up for one of her first excursions in the snow. She lasted about two mintues. :)

Bees game with the Spencer's

We got some sweet tickets last minute to a Bees game- we were in a private box with all the hot dogs we could eat!! (Which was only about two for me... weak.) Steve, Kerry, Kerry's sister, Kristin, Mom, Dad, Sam, Lily, Sam, John and Barb. It was so fun. We watched the game through the window and the Jazz game on the TV. My kind of sports venue- free food and a warm spot to sit! Sam was wearing his Spider-Man costume just for fun which made for a cute picture when he ran into the Bee! Check out Lily's HUGE GRIN in that first picture! She is so darling!