Speech and Spencer

Spencer started speech therapy just over a year ago.  He was evaluated and recommended for services in the Spring and then we started actual therapy last August.  The first couple of months didn't bring any change in his speech other than what I thought was normal for what was going on in our lives.  In October, we spent 7 days together as a family, four of them stuck in our car.  That trip helped him hear and learn so much.  He added several words to his vocabulary from that trip alone. 

Over the past year he has gone from kid who did a lot of grunting and pointing to a very articulate little boy who already knows so much.   It has been amazing to learn about speech and how my son works as the therapists and I have tried to unravel his speech.   According to our second therapist, most kids who have speech delays also have other developmental issues.  Spencer only had a speech delay which almost made it harder to work with him.  He's doing so much better though we continue to work on articulation.  I'm just glad I can have a conversation with my little boy.

Our Lone Star Trip

New River Gorge Overlook

The day after the kids got out of school we headed out early for Texas.  We stopped after a few hours at New River Gorge.  It was sprinkling when we pulled up and then it started pouring.  This was after a conversation before we left about not needing jackets.  Lesson learned : )  The views were quite pretty and though we just walked to a nearby overlook and checked out the visitors center it was a good places to get out and stretch our legs.

Highest Point In Florida

 We camped that night in Alabama just before the Florida state line.  Hyrum had agreed to let us go to Austin first to see friends so I agreed to a high point stop.   We stopped in Lakewood, Florida to see the highest point in Florida.  It was underwhelming to say the least.  The day we drove through Lousiana.  Driving through New Orleans and over the bayous was an experience.  It was amazing to see Texas so green too.  When we let there was a horrible drought.  We were really glad to pull into Austin that evening.

The Laws and the Wright

Road between Bastrop and Austin, TX

We spent a couple of nights with our good friends, Danny and Editt and their kids.  They were wonderful hosts and it was so neat to pick up where we left off.  We ended up going to church with the Austin Ward that day but saw many other friends from the Zilker Park Ward.  We had sweet visits with so many people we loved and served with.  Monday we decided to brave the ominous clouds and find a splash pad to play in for the morning.  The kids had a great time and we didn't get rained on.  After a lovely lunch, we headed up the road to Dallas.  We were so glad we decided to make Austin a part of our trip.


We spent two weeks in Dallas.  The kids played in Grandma and Grandpa's pool, I sewed a lot (more on this later), Hyrum and I attended the temple and went out a couple of times.  Hyrum's sister Sarah even came out for a few days.  The Wright's good friend came and took some family pictures for us.  Hannah and Jonathan discovered Calvin and Hobbes.  We even got to celebrate the 4th a little early with a great fireworks display in Allen.  It was a great time spent with family and relaxing.

Grandma and Ben hangin' out.

Ride at Sharkarosa

Pony Rides at Sharkarosa

My sewing project, before I figured out I needed to double the number of blocks shown here : (

Dad, playing with Ben.

Getting ready for Allen's 4th of July firework show.

More firework prep.

On the way back we camped along the Current River in the Ozark National River-ways.  It was somewhere we'd go back.  We hit up another high point in Missouri.  That was about it for our trip home.  We were ready to get home and prepare for the next adventure.

Missouri high point.

Country scenery

Family Picture

They love Grandma and Grandpa's house.

^Discovering Calvin and Hobbes                                           Loosing Teeth