It's a boy!!

Hi Everyone,

Here are pictures of Thomas Benjamin Howe.
Born May 26, 2009 @ 5:22am 6 lbs 3 oz and 19 inches long.
Mom and Baby are doing great.
The family is adjusting well to life with a newborn.
We are very greatful for this new blessing in our life!

Love,

The Howe Family

We are expecting...

Just wanted to let you all know we are expecting baby #3. The baby is due June 1st so I am 3 months pregnant. We are all excited. Jillian wants a girl...Spencer has no clue, but what can you expect from a 2 yr old?

Finally, Happy Halloween!

At our wards Fall Festival (Princess Bride and Spiderman...with glasses?)
Spencer was adorable. This costume definately showed off his physique. It made it even better!
Jillian had fun too and really wanted to go on the hay ride but when it goes an average speed of 35 mph around the church parking lot,
Mom and Dad decide that maybe the kids are just too young for this ride.
Jill finally talked (whined) us into it and the hayrides were over. Ahh...shucks.
Spencer loved Trunk or Treating! It was fun to watch him realize after a few cars that he was getting candy at each car. He decided to ditch his sister and dad and book it through the cars. They were actually talking to people at each car...what a concept.

Getting ready for Trick or Treat day at pre-school. Jillian, Spencer and friends. Mom doesn't have to buy any Halloween candy.
Jill gets enough here to last Halloween night and then some.

Posing on Halloweeen. Yes, she is now Tinkerbell.
Thanks to a neighbor Jill could choose from 6 costumes for Halloween.

"Spencer, Spencer look at the camera." (For more than 3 seconds please...)
We had a lot of fun trick-or-treating the neighborhood and some friends houses. Then we came back to our neighorhood for chille and a "bonfire" and marshmellow roast. Of course, we also had smores. It was good to meet some of our neighbors that we hadn't met yet.

Barbara the Brave

Hi Everybody,

I wanted to let you know that Barbara started her chemotherapy treatments this last week (on Tuesday). They are going as expected. Meaning she is feeling the effects of the chemo. The doctors have chosen a very aggressive treatment to fight what may be left of the cancer. It will be very hard on her during treatment. I know that your thoughts and prayers will be much appreciated.

Bill is still off of work for the first few weeks of treatment. Cliff and I (and fam) will be traveling out for the month of August to help out and Krissy will be there after that. Phil and Julie visited this past weekend and will be visiting again when time permits.

I will continue to keep you updated.

Sandy

Update on Barbara

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that Barbara went home from the hospital yesterday (Thursday)and she is recovering well. I talked with her a little bit ago and she wanted to express her appreciation for all of your prayers on her behalf and acknowledge that they were anwered as the blessings of heaven have been with her.

She did get an update today from pathology that the cancer was removed but they will still do chemo treatments. She is feeling nauseated but loves to take her showers! She is going through this in her typical humorous fashion.

Love you all!

Sandy

American Idol

I have a confession...this year I was hooked. On Tuesday nights the kids got to stay up late and watch it with me while we waited for dad to get home from Young Men's. On Wednesday nights the kids were in bed in time for me to get my stuff done and get downstairs before it started. It has been a lot of fun to watch the kids during the show. They would both get up and dance and sometimes sing with the contestants. A few weeks ago Jillian decided that she too needed to be "talked to" at the end of her "performance." So, I would "talk to" her and tell her what a great job she did spinning or jumping or singing or what words I liked that she sang (she often makes up her very own lyrics LOL).

Last night we had a great time with the Idol Finale. They were both hamming it up big time! Spencer came out with some moves that I have never seen. Surprisingly, my kids have great rythym and even change their "style" of dance based on the genre of music. Funny, funny at least to me.

on a side note: during the commercials we would switch to Dancing With the Stars and Jillian would watch them and try to copy what the girl was doing. So, she will be taking a dance class this summer since pre-school in not in session.

Of course, we forgot to get pics or video of the whole thing. We will have to try again :0.

Mom/Sister/Aunt Barbara

Just wanted to let you all know how she is doing.

Barbara has had some mild discomfort in her abdominal about about 2 1/2 months now. About 3 weeks ago, she went to the doctor and they suggested to her that she should have an ultrasound done. Her results showed several cysts on her ovaries. Barbara had a blood test done soon after and her results indicated cancer. She went into surgery for a hysterectomy yesterday morning and the surgery went well. Barbara did in fact have ovarian cancer and the surgeon believes that he was able to remove most, if not all, of the cancer. There is still a possibility of chemotherapy. As of last night, she had regained her color in her face and has kept a smile on her face.

We would appreciate your prayers in her behalf.