Thanksgiving in Utah

We were fortunate to be able to go to Utah for Thanksgiving and spend time with family. All of my siblings were there (all seven) which is a rare occurrence. On plane to SLC, Maia took the opportunity to teach two ladies sitting behind us some songs. She taught them "Called to Serve" and "Book of Mormon Stories". It was quite a fun experience. We got to relax, spend time with family and friends, eat some good food, go to temple square, and Janice even got to shop a little bit. She had to relearn how to shop in a store rather than online. We are very thankful for family and friends and most of all that my father is doing better. Here our a few pictures from our time there.
Family at Temple Square


Seth, Janice, Maia, and Sophie


Sophie and Maia


Sophie, Maia, and Grandma


Sophie and Grandpa

Catching Up

Things have been a little bit hectic here, so we have not done as well as we should in updating out Blog.
Maia has started school and is loving it. She does very well academically, but she is very active and that poses a problem at times. She has homework almost every day and that is a new thing for us. She is doing very well and is happy. She is already planning her birthday party in March and has a list of names of everyone she is going to invite. It is quite amusing. She is so excited to have a birthday party and be baptized.

Maia's First Day of School
Sophie is doing all kinds of funny things. She is very interactive and loves to eat. She already has mom wrapped around her finger and knows how to give her "the look" so she gets whatever she wants. She is quite a chunk. The rolls on her legs are squeezably soft. She has begun rolling over and has a good time doing it. Sometimes it is hard to get over onto that big belly.

Maia and Sophie on Halloween


If I have to wait to long for more rice cereal I will eat my bib and my fist.


I just rolled over.


I am soooooo cute.


I have a bald spot and a baby mullet.

Summer is Ending

Hello everyone! Our beautiful summer weather is coming to and end with the start of the new school year. We took one last vacation to Utah to visit Seth's family and friends. We were there for two weeks. While we were in Utah, we blessed Sophie and enjoyed having family there for that special time. Sophie is now a whopping 13lb. 8oz. We had a grand old time with the people we love. I finally let Seth take some pictures of me.

Janice and Sophie


The Girls


Sophie's Blessing Day


Maia and Grandpa


Maia and Grandma


Aunt Sue, Sophie, Grandma, Aunt Meghan

Hanging with the Homies

One of the highlights of our visits to Utah is the opportunity to get together with Seth's friends from high school and their wives. We always have a great time and enjoy each others company. It is amazing that after 16 years they still manage to get together a few times each year. Unfortunately Tomacuda and his wife were busy having a baby in the Washington DC area so they were unable to join us.

Brad and Natalee


Chris and Jessica


Ken and Ashley


Brian and Harmony


RL and Melissa


Seth, Janice, and Sophie

Afterbirth

After Sophie was born we had plenty of help while we were getting adjusted. First off, grandma and grandpa Spanos came for a week to help out. It was nice of them to be there to help because Seth was off delivering three other babies the week Sophie was born. About a week after Seth's parents left, grandma Griffin, Aunt Chrissy, and Milaci came to visit for a week. It is so nice to have family come and visit.

Sophie and Grandma Spanos


Sophie and Grandpa Spanos


Sophie and Grandma Griffin


Aunt Chrissy, Grandma Griffin, Milaci


Maia, Grandma, Sophie, and Milaci

BABY SOPHIE

Sophie was born on June 30 at 21:05 after a long a stressful day. I had the opportunity to be doctor, husband and dad. By the end of the day I was spent. After the delivery, I informed Janice that I would never be delivering one of our children again. Luckily, everything turned out well. Sophie is a beautiful bright girl that weighed 8lbs. 1oz. and was 21 inches long. She is a huge blessing and we are so lucky to have her. After seven years, we have become a little bit rusty. Luckily, things come back quickly. Janice is a wonderful mother and is in her "element" taking care of a new baby. Unfortunately my beautiful wife would not allow me to include her in any of the pictures. Maybe in a few weeks I will have permission.

THE RIDE HOME


BIG SISTER


Beautiful BABY


SLEEPING BEAUTY


BATH TIME

The Final Countdown - One Hot Pregnant Mama

JANICE IN THE ONLY DRESS THAT STILL FITS HER AT 38+ WEEKS


Well there are less than two weeks until the due date and Janice feels as if she is going to pop. Hopefully she will go a little bit early or else her doctor is going to hear something about it. She has been such a trooper through it all. I have not heard many complaints and she just plugs along. She has not slowed down a bit (except when walking). Today in church Janice said the closing prayer and after she received many comments on her waddle. We are excited that we will have a new arrival soon. Maia is a trip. She thinks the baby will come out ready to talk and play with her. We have been trying to prepare her for what an infant will really be like. I do not think she will get it until the baby is here.

Stormy Weather

We have had Jennifer Mollencupp as a house guest for the past two weeks and it rained nearly every day she was here. Poor girl! Not only was she isolated from the rest of the world, but she was cold and house bound, like me (except when she was working in the clinic with Seth). Luckily she brought Settlers of Catan with her so we had marathon game days which were very fun. Janice actually won twice!!



We drove to Kalispell on Saturday in a vain attempt to see the beautiful mountains. We were unable to do so because of the dark and cloudy skies and pouring rain. We did find a delicious Thai restaurant to eat lunch, perused a few shops, and then had a Dairy Queen Blizzard before enduring more of the torrential rains. Finally the weather was decent on here final few days here and she left work to go with Janice to see the beautiful mountains. I guess all was not lost.

And the Baby Is.......?

We forgot to announce what we are expecting. According to the ultrasound it will be a girl. Based on our friends the Cramer's experience though, we will not rule out a boy at this time. We have chosen a name, but for now I lovingly refer to her as the "NUGGET". Janice loves it when I call her that, but that is my pet name for her.

THE PREGNANCY GLOW

The Long Hiatus

Happy Spring! It is actually over 60 in Montana today. It seems like it has been quite a long time since this has happened. We hope you all had a wonderful Easter. We went on a fantastic vacation to sunny San Diego over Easter weekend. At the hotel we stayed in they give you yummy chocolate chip cookies upon check-in and every other time you ask for them which for us was every day for the week we were there. I guess it is those "cravings" I am having. Our hotel had an indoor and an outdoor pool, but the weather was so perfect (75 and sunny) that we spent time almost every day at the pool. We had originally planned to go to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo, but M had so much fun at Sea World that she wanted to go back a second time. Luckily the pass we purchased was 2 days for the price of one. M enjoyed the activities that involved getting wet and picking things up. Initially she was freaked out by the bat rays, but later she became more comfortable with it. Her favorite part was the rides. She loved the Journey to Atlantis ride (fast roller coaster with water portions). I even went on it 6 months pregnant. Luckily I did not go into labor. My doctor (who just happened to be traveling with me) gave me permission. He actually just shrugged his shoulders and said "they don't teach a course on amusement park safety during pregnancy in medical school or residency, so ride it if you want to." We loved the beautiful weather and Shamu show.




Another day we went to Mission Beach. The water was too cold, so we played in the sand, walked along the boardwalk, at Fat Boyz Pizza, Maia rode two rides at the amusement park, and then we found a park to play at. We had so much fun on vacation. It was hard to come home to work and 20 degree weather. One of the best parts was the food. We went to old town San Diego and ate Mexican food three times. We also found a Thai restaurant that we loved. The seafood on the bay was especially good as well. You miss the cuisine living in a small remote area. Well We will post some pictures.

Cold Weather

Hi everyone! It is finally snowing here so the past few days we have been sledding. Hopefully the wind will not blow the snow away too quickly. It is nice for M to have something to do after school. We go to "Hospital Hill". If you are going fast enough and aim your sled just right, you will run right into the brick exterior wall of the hospital. Two days ago a dad pulled up on a four wheeler pulling several kids behind him on their sleds (only in a small town). I actually see four wheelers on the road all the time. The people here, as nice as they are, seem a little peculiar to me at times.
Yesterday, I volunteered as a judge for the divisional speech and drama competition. This was a major event that was held at the high school. Competitors came from 16 different high schools from a long ways away. I judged three different categories and was impressed with some of the talent I saw. Speaking of talent our little songbird M performed in her first choir concert a few weeks ago. She was a big hit.
Well today is very cold. The high temperature today was -10 and that does not take into account the 20-30mph winds. I guess it has been pretty mild here so far so we should be thankful for that. Well have fun and stay warm.