How time flies....

The never-ending question in our household...why can't babies be babies for a little bit longer? It all goes by sooo fast! Spencer seems like he aged 6 months overnight. He just looks so darn big! Lately he is our little parrot...repeating everything (and I mean everything) he hears. He is still story telling and the stories become more and more interesting with each tell. And Mason...we can't believe he is almost 8 months old! How is that possible? His latest accomplishments include saying 'dada' in a really low voice...definitely the lowest baby voice we've ever heard (my mom said he sounds like a baritone baby). AND he is getting ready to crawl! He is pushing up and rocking back and forth - it will be anyday now. It is all super exciting but just going by so fast.

Can't we slow it down just a little bit???

A visitor and some photos....

Today we had a surprise visitor all the way from Texas...Uncle Jordan! Even though I knew it was him it took my brain a couple of minutes to catch up because I couldn't figure out why he would be in South Dakota (he is here for work). It was the first time the boys were able to meet him and they both took to him right away...Spence in fact was a little jealous of Uncle Jordan giving Mason any of his attention. We had a nice visit and we are really excited that another member of the Odahlen clan was able to meet Mason!

And of course I thought I better post some photos. Spence 'cooking' for the Superbowl game, the boys being bummed their team wasn't playing in the big game and thus opting for some additional entertainment, Mason showing off two of his four teeth (they're there....zoom in) and our pup Milo (I figured I better give him some blog fame).

A Storyteller, a Noise-maker, a Two-timer and a Potential facebook junkie

A storyteller: that would be Spencer. He has been telling stories for quite awhile now. Early on he would mostly tell the story with a series of actions - kind of like a mime (I know scary clown reference) and a few words. Now that his vocabulary is expanding he uses more words, but still includes the actions. His current story is as follows: "Me, stepped on crab. No shoes on. Crab dead. Mama help!" The stories are hilarious and keep us very entertained.

A noise-maker: that would be Mason. Of course he does the usual screeching sounds but lately he has added making a knocking sound with his tongue and a clicking sound with his mouth to his repertoire. And if anyone does these sounds in return, he cracks up. It's WAY better than the teeth grinding thing.

A two-timer: that would be Micah - because he's working two jobs of course! When he's not working at one them he is continually looking for a new one. So if anyone has any connections, suggestions, jobs to offer him, etc....please let us know!

A potential facebook junkie: Last but not least, that would be me. After some weird computer thing (don't ask me, I just work here) and some much needed nudging (thanks BB) I finally broke down and joined the facebook world. The reason it has taken me so long was two fold - 1. I knew I would be a bit of a slacker and would take forever to update it, load photos etc. and 2. that I could potentially become hooked. Those of you on facebook know what I mean....constant updates on your 'friends', continual invites to be someone's 'friend'....always the potential to seek out new 'friends' and don't get me started on the games....literally, don't get me started on the games or I will never be off of the computer!

Well, we're just gearing up here for Superbowl Sunday - soooo happy Micah will have the entire day off to watch it with us!

Odahlen boys rule!

Spencer has been busy saying multiple new words everyday.... he loves chatting on the phone (as Grandma & Gramcracker can attest) and today he put his Buzz Lightyear guys in "timeout." I guess he thought it was someone else's turn for a change! I got a photo of him playing in his new 'fort' today as well as a clip of him singing "Elmo's World" brought to you here for your listening pleasure. (I should add you can also hear Mason screeching in the background.)

Mason was baptized last week and his godparents are two of our best friends ~ Beth Burke and Ted Flaherty. As soon as we are able to get together with Gramcracker and Grandpa he will also have a blessing (hopefully sooner rather than later). He is still working on those teeth and everytime I try to get a photo of them he hides them....case in point the photo here!

So check out the photos and video...(sorry the video lacks clarity).
* Spencer Take 1 *

Presidential Pledge

Okay, so yes, this is on the Oprah website. But I thought it was pretty interesting so take a gander if you'd like.
http://www.oprah.com/article/world/peopleandpolitics/20090119_tows_ipledge

Obama is his man....

Spencer's that is....yesterday we watched the Inauguration and some of the festivities and Spencer was super into all of it. He cannot stop saying 'Barack Obama' and 'Obama' and recognizes him when he is on TV or the computer. Last night we had to read his book Duck for President for bedtime story (twice). Today he told me that 'Barack Obama is Pres' and 'he waved at me.' It's pretty amazing when even a two-year-old is excited about the President! And Mason....well, he is getting teeth 2, 3 and 4 all at the same time. He just started grinding them in the last day...not a nice sound. He's just growing more and more everyday!