Adios Elder Spiker! We will miss you!

Well, it's over. The long anticipated drop off is a thing of the past. On monday the 10th Steve, Patrick and I left for Utah. We stayed at the cabin, playing, eating good food (which Patrick appreciated after 9 months of cafeteria food) and taking care of a few last minute details before... dun, dun, dun... dropping Patrick off curbside at the MTC. So this is how the final moments played out. We got ready in the morning, packed Patrick up, and then Steve gave Patrick a fathers blessing during which Courtney and I were weepy.

Patrick's first missionary care package.

Patrick and his first mission companion Elder Dwight Shrute.

Then we went to lunch at an amazing little bistro in Provo called the Communal. Patrick was showing his first signs of nervousness during the meal. Up until then he was cool as a cucumber! After lunch we drove to the MTC. We were greeted by an elderly man who told us to go to station 17 to drop Pat off. He then asked "Is everybody happy is this car?" I had been, but as soon as he asked the tears started. As we drove to station 17 we passed all these missionaries lining the curb. They were waving and smiling and helping the new drop offs. One mischievous missionary made eye contact with me, put his fists up to his eyes and then twisted them imitating crying... little jerk. Actually it gave us all a good laugh and kind of broke the tension. We pulled up to station 17 and two young men (who are now in Chile) helped us with Patrick 's bags and reassured us all was well. They were so sweet and helpful, except they are not allowed to touch our cameras which is why we don't have a full family shot... boo!

Patrick getting his bags.

Last pic with the parental units...

And with Courtney.

We then kissed, cried and off he went with his new friends. Kind of like dropping him off at summer camp if summer camp lasted two years and was in Argentina. We know he is ready, we know he is doing well in the MTC, we know he will come safe and better than before BUT we also know we will miss him very, very, much. Adios Patrick we love you.

Patrick's Big Adios!

Patrick spoke in church on Sunday the 25th. He did an amazing job. He spoke on the blessings of the restoration of the gospel. I was so amazed at how mature he seemed. And I got teary a few times as I watched, thinking about how I would not see him for two years. He has grown up so much since leaving for university. And I know those changes will pale in comparison to the changes he will make in the 24 months he will serve in the mission field. We had a big family dinner and then a dessert for everyone! The house and yard were packed! But it was so good to see all the people who have helped him become who he is in one place at one time! Lots of hugs and tears.... to be repeated... when he comes home in two years!!!

Hatchlings

The first hatchlings of the year are out and about! We look forward to the baby ducks and geese every year... and unfortunately the years are passing faster and faster! Now is the time to bring your kids by the lake, in a few weeks these tiny, cute, little ducklings are awkward ugly teenagers! Now that we can hear the ducklings peeping, it feels like spring!

Happy Birthday to Courtney and Chris!

Yep march is a double birthday month for the Spiker's! Court turned 24 and Chris turned 28!I really don't understand how this happened since they were just born... They are two of the best kids anyone could hope for! Both funny, smart, feisty, opinionated (no, what???) hard workers, good people, willing to help others, responsible, good spouses, good children, siblings and grandchildren! We sure love them both and appreciate all they contribute to our little family!

Grand Baby News

So I think I am going to need to buy these. Notice they are pink...

Afternoon walk around the lake

This is what you can expect to see on an afternoon walk behind my house. Click to enlarge.

Check out these two white birds. They just sit waiting for fish to swim between the rocks and then .... Bam! They eat them. Notice the baby turtle basking on the rock!

Yeah... so you can call me Grandma!

Courtney and Josh are expecting a baby! We are all so excited! They had their first doctor appointment today. The heartbeat was strong and the baby was flipping and moving it's arms and legs! Baby Alvord is due September 21, 2010 and the timing couldn't be more perfect since we will be empty nesters shortly thereafter! What a great distraction for me! Congrats to Court and Josh but mostly congratulations to Grandma Linda and Grandpa Steve and Grandma Bonnie and Grandpa Sam... cause it's all about the grandparents! Yay us!

Adios Patrick!!!

Patrick has been called to the Argentina, Salto mission! We are so excited! Foreign, but very developed.... I am very relieved. Congrats to Patrick! We know he will work hard and be blessed for it! He leaves May 12th.

Americana Farmers Market

These are just a few of the reasons I love the Gigi's farmers Market at the Americana at Brand

It's big!

They have fresh baked goods for...

....dipping in these!

Everything is clean....

...and colorful.

And they let you sample... yum!

My favorite place to be on a Saturday morning. And it doesn't hurt that they have an Anthropologie, Lulu Lemon and Madewell there... I am a girl after all.

Happy Belated Birthday Lindsay!

my mother is posting this because she feels guilty because I am the only child she did not do a birthday post for and I called her out on it... so don't think she is all loving and bla bla bla... this is a guilt post and nothing more...

This is my daughter Lindsay and here is her birthday poem...

Lindsay, Lindsay sweet and fair,

Lives her life without a care,

Prettier than a flowers bloom,

She never, ever cleans her room,

Her hair is red, her eyes are green,

In the morning she is really mean,

Like a bird she sings so sweet,

She has freaky long toes on her feet,

She makes me laugh all the time,

I have now run out of rhyme...

So happy Birthday Lindsay Lu,

You are now twenty-two!

Christmas In the Hood

We went to Santa Monica to take our annual Christmas picture. I wanted a graffiti wall to be our background and I found an awesome one! It's an office building on the corner of Cloverfield and Broadway. I am scouting crack houses for next years photo. Judy Hailey, the photographer that shot the kids weddings took these. Here are a few of my faves... (click to enlarge)

The 2009 Spiker Family Card

A Bedtime Story: The Bully and the Completely Innocent, Nice Boy

Once upon a time, two nice boys were shoveling snow... one wearing only boxers.

Then there appeared an ogre, a huge beast with a particularly large head.

He attacked the poor, unassuming boxer wearing boy while the boys father used his iphone video to document the unprovoked attack ( he later sent the video to friends and family)

The poor boxer wearing boy tried his best to escape the ogres grasp.

His attempts were futile as the beast was just too powerful.

When the beast was satisfied with his misdeeds he ran back to his underground lair.

The clothed boy was left unharmed. The moral of the story? Never shovel snow while wearing only boxers when a big headed ogre is present.

The End.