Jack's Baptism

Jack hopped into the pool with ALL of his clothes on! (don't worry, mommy was there watching and laughing)
He has started putting himself in Daisy's cage.

Another pool/clothes shot

Getting Baptized
Godmother Liz and Godfather Brent
Spence family pic (not too good)

Welder family pic (still not good) Can anyone find Paul?
Welder-Wagner Family pic (still not good)
Luke, Stephanie, Jack and Father Vince
Godparents and baby again (Jack is getting tired from all of the attention)


Great Grandma Welder

Great Grandma and Grandpa Welder and cousin Amanda
Uncle Paul and Jack at the Baptism Welder-Wagner-Spence kids

Our happy little family

Steph, Jack and Aunt Liz

Liz and the newest love her her life
Freaked out by the Emu
How sweet!
Stephanie, Jack, Riley and Andrea at the Zoo

Hi everyone! We once again had a pretty busy week at the Spence household. Luke was home most of last week because he had training in Indy. It was so nice to have a husband with an 8-5 job. Jack and I just love having him home with us! Some sad news came our way early in the week. My great-uncle Charlie's girlfriend passed away and then he passed away a few short days later. While we're going to miss Charlie and Jeannie, we know that they are in Heaven and didn't want to live too long without one another. I always tell Luke that we should die together (when we're really, really REALLY old) you know....kinda like in "The Notebook". My favorite memory is when the Welder kids were really little, I was maybe 8 or 9, Charlie took me, Brent, Paul and my mom whale watching in Southern California. It was such a fun day and Charlie and Brent's pictures were in the newspaper talking about it. Charlie was such a great guy and we're going to miss him.

On Friday my parents, siblings and Luke's parents all got into Indy for Jack's baptism. Saturday the men went golfing and the women stayed home and fawned all over Jack. We also got the food ready for Sunday. We went out for a really good dinner, then that night my parents, Luke's parents, Brent, Krisite, Luke and I went to Howl at the Moon, a local piano bar. We had a TON of fun, but I do think that it was a learning experience for the Spences, haha. The Baptism was on Sunday. It went really well. Jack was good during church and during the Baptism. He looked at Father Vince really strangely when he was chrisened with the oil and when the water was poured on his head, but he was a little trooper. My siblings, Brent and Liz were his Godparents, Luke and I are so thankful to have such wonderful family support for Jack. My friend Janice came to the Baptism, which was so nice and fun for her to come. Afterwards, we had a big party at my house. Our parents and siblings were there, along with a Spence family friend Alan, Luke's aunt, uncle and cousins and a BUNCH of my friends. Luke, Jack and I are so lucky to have so many people here in Indianapolis that are good friends to us and love Jack. He LOVES all of his "aunties"!

The food was good at the party and the cake was excellent. The weather didn't cooperate as well though, there was some sun and some rain. We all packed into the house and although it was a little crowded, I think that everyone had fun.

My sister Liz decided to stay here in Indy for the week which I am so excited about. She is 17 and we don't spend tons of time togeter when I am in Nevada. We have had some good bonding time with her here. She is heading back sometime this weekend or next week. She is such a good aunt to Jack and is fun for me to hang out with. We just love her!

Yesterday, Luke and his friend Dustin finished putting the flooring in our bedroom. Our house is now offically carpet free! We love the hardwood floors, easier to clean and I think that it has brightened up the house. Thanks Dustin and Nichole for the help!!

Last night my Grandma and Grandpa Welder and cousin Amanda stopped in for a short visit on their way back to Iowa. Grandma and Grandpa hadent seen Jack since October, so they thought that he was HUGE. Jack was loving to them and cuddled with Grandma for awhile. It was wonderful seeing them and we hope that we'll see them again soon.

Today, Liz, Jack and I went to the zoo with my friend Andrea and her baby girl Riley. We had such a good time. Riley is 2 1/2 months old and slept the whole time, but it was some good adult conversation for me and Andrea. Andrea will be heading back to work soon, so we tried to get an adventure for Jack and Riley taken care of. The weather was perfect and we had a good time.

As you can see, we've had a great week here at the Spence house. We love seeing our family and friends and can't wait to see everyone again soon.

To my own Daddy

Also, I need to say Happy Father's Day to my daddy. I love you so much, thank you for being the best dad a girl could ask for.

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them ~Desmond Tutu

Happy Father's Day!

ANYONE CAN BE A FATHER, BUT IT TAKES SOMEONE SPECIAL TO BE A DADDY!!!


I LOVE YOU DADA!!

Happy father's day to the best Dada and man that we know. Thank you for taking care of us! We love you with all of our heart!

I'm a HORRIBLE blogger!!!

Jack and Grammy Wags
Jack and Grandma and Grandpa Welder

Jack cuddling with Grammy Wags

Who me??
They love each other. Noura always smiles, Jack never does, but they are equally cute.
Mommy and Jack swimming
New floor in Jack's room

New floor in living room/hallway
Jack's room again
Office/guest room (don't mind the mess, we virtually had to move out of our house and back in again)
Jack walks with his car

Look at those blue eyes
Getting ready for the zoo (my baby looks so grown up!)
Eating ice cream!! YUM!
Jack LOVES swimming!

Hi everyone. I know, I know, I'm a HORRIBLE blogger! We have had a fairly busy 2 1/2 weeks, I'll try to recap for everyone. Our 3rd anniversary was May 27. Dennis and Sandy came to Indy and babysat Jack for the night while Luke and I went to the Melting Pot, an AMAZING fondue place and stayed at the Hilton on the north side. I had some anxiety about being gone, but it all turned out great. Dennis, Sandy and Jack had fun together and Luke and I had a WONDERFUL anniversary. Dennis and Sandy then stayed until Saturday and Dennis and Luke (with very minor help from me and Sandy) put new wood floors in our house (living room, hall, office and Jack's). The floors look great and we love them! It was hard work, but well worth it. While the men worked, Sandy and I took care of Jack, went shopping and to the zoo. I think that Sandy loved having grandma time with Jack and it was nice to have some adult conversation for a few days.

I also found out that week that I was accepted into the MSW program at IUPUI (Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis)! I am just going to go part time T/R 3-5:40 and maybe start full time next year. So, if anyone knows anyone who can babysit for me on those days, let me know, we're looking for some reliable childcare for at least first semester. My good friend Betsy (Noura's mom) and her husband are going to start a radio station in Burundi, Africa from Aug-Jan. After she gets back, I am going to solicite her to babysit for me. But seriously, if anyone knows anyone, let me know! I had orientation last Friday and it was great, I am SO EXCITED!!!

Betsy and Noura also came over last week. The kids are so cute together, especially now that they are getting older and noticing one another. We always have a great time hanging out, I am going to MISS THEM SO MUCH!!!!!!!! But I'm excited for their family's new adventure.

Jack and I went to Iowa over the past weekend. We stayed overnight at the Spence's on Friday, my dad's on Saturday and my mom's from Sun-Tues. We had a really good time. Jack loves all of his grandparents and is usually very good for them. His grandparents of course think the world of him and spoil him, but he's worth it.

Liz and Caroline had a dance recital on Sunday and they were AMAZING! Caroline does gymnastics and she wows me every time. She can do all these great moves, I can't even do a cartwheel....seriously. Liz also did a great job in her tap,ballet and jazz numbers. I also went to Caroline's softball game and she did a great job. Mom and Mike babysat on Saturday and had fun taking Jack all over the place, he has been to so many games that I'm sure he is already a star athelete (unfortunately, he is MY CHILD, so we'll see how it turns out!)

I met up with my girlfriends Amy, Amy and Jess to go for lunch and shopping for bridesmaids dresses, it was fun to see them and I always enjoy their company. I was also able to meet up with Amy and Amy again on Tuesday and we had some good "girl time".

The drives were long but Jack did great, especially on the way home, THANK GOD! He is starting to realize that 9+ hours in a car is a little long, but he is a trooper.

Jack is getting bigger and bigger. Still no teeth, I'm hoping it will be Luke's father's day present. He is crawling like crazy and cruising around things, but not quite walking. He loves food and is just starting to notice when people are eating and tries to get a bite/sip. While I was home, I walked into the TV room at my mom's house and the 2 best baby helpers (Caroline and Liz) were in there, giving my child a bottle. Jack was going to town on it, I looked to see what they were giving him and it was BLUE GATORADE! Jack loved it, I just laughed, I guess 10 and 17 year old aunts will do ANYTHING to get the love of their 9 month old nephew....haha. JUST DON'T DO IT AGAIN GIRLS!!

Jack and I got home yesterday and were excited to see Luke. We went to the zoo today and just had some needed family time. Jack's baptism is next Sunday, the 22nd. All are welcome, just e-mail or write a comment if you want details.

Oh yeah....Indiana was also flooded last week, our neighborhood was flooded, but our house survived. I guess there are some benefits to not having a basement around here! Everything is hot and dry now, no worries!

Love,

Stephanie, Luke and Jack

PS Grandma and Grandpa Spence, Liz, Caroline and Paul, apparentally we were horrible about taking pictures when we saw you, so if you e-mail us some, you can make the blog next time! We love you!