The James Family: January 2011

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Our Kids

ISAAC!!!

Isaac is 8 years old. He is our silly, smart, tender-hearted, inquisitive little guy. He loves to hang out and just have fun. He looks a lot like his late Grandpa Allridge and also has a lot of his temperament. He LOVES anything that has to do with animals and has had animals of ALL kinds. Right now he claims that he has located a nest of preying mantis eggs. He is sure they will be hatching any day now (and we won't be surprised if they do!) He also has a cute little hamster "Chester" and a cat "Snowflake". Isaac is very protective of his sister. In fact, even though they have their own rooms and beds, they still end up sleeping in the same room together each night! Isaac loves to collect things like sea shells, rocks, and sap. He is way into pokemon cards, legos, going to Disneyland, and playing soccer and baseball. Isaac's new found joy is participating in Cub Scouts. He just earned his Bobcat and looks forward to working hard on his Wolf Badge. Isaac has a tender heart for babies. He prays every night to have a new baby and knows he will be the best big brother ever.

AFTON!!!

Afton is just turning 5. She has never-ending energy and is always making us smile! She is always singing at the top of her lungs and dancing. There is really no doubt where she is in the house at all times. She has a natural confidence about her and always has a plan. Afton takes ballet and tap and LOVES it, but she's decided that she wants to play soccer this year with her brother! She loves to play dress-ups, have tea parties, jump on the trampoline, help mom cook, and of course go to Disneyland (she asks almost everyday if we can go). She is very brave and goes on ALL the rides that she is tall enough for at Disneyland. Her favorite is Tower of Terror!?! Afton talks about adopting a baby everyday without fail and is very sweet and inquisitive. She asks a lot of deep questions which keep us on our toes. We love her sweet spirit. She is at the most wonderful age and we wish we could FREEZE time!

About Alyssa

Alyssa comes from a family of 6! She is the youngest of 4 sisters and 1 awesome big brother. She grew up in Utah in a wonderful home with loving parents. She has fond memories of neighborhood friends, camping and hunting with her family, growing a garden with her dad, and having lots of pets. After graduating high school, Alyssa went to Rick's College in Idaho where she especially enjoyed singing in the choir. She also had opportunities to study abroad and travel. After graduating from Ricks, Alyssa went to BYU to finish her degree. Alyssa had lots of interests and changed her major three different time from Dance, to Elementary Education, to Russian, but she had lots of fun with her roommate and BFF Lindsay. Alyssa knew she had met the man of her dreams when Spencer got off his mission, but she always had the desire to serve a mission. She was called to serve in Russia and had a wonderful and challenging mission. After getting married to Spencer, Alyssa was able to finally finish school with a degree in Family Science. She also taught piano for 7 years while Spencer was in school. The most important thing to her is her family and close friends. Her favorite things to do are: going with her kids to Disneyland, visiting family and friends in Utah, exercising because she always feels better when she does, listening to good music, being in the outdoors or playing sports with her hubby, and when possible, taking a nap! Right now she especially enjoys being the Den Leader to 8 great cub scouts including her son, Isaac! Alyssa lost her father to cancer 4 years ago and has learned that most certainly, life is precious. Her greatest desire is to make each day count and to be grateful for everything she has been blessed with.

Friday, January 28, 2011

About Spencer

Spencer grew up in a large family of 7 children. He has 3 sisters and 3 brothers and he falls in the middle. He has always had lots of energy and is quick to laugh. He is the type of person who can't really sit still. Even when he is sitting down he has a knee shaking up and down (ha ha). He loves being in the outdoors and while growing up enjoyed rock climbing, hiking, camping, and the scouting program. He grew up learning to work hard but is always looking to have fun. He is always drawn to others that need help and has really enjoyed working with the youth in our church over the past several years. He served a 2 year LDS mission to Leipzig, Germany where he met some life-long friends and also was introduced to Alyssa through letters. He has worked in various construction fields including framing, concrete, new construction, and remodelling. Working with his hands and seeing things be completed are his passion. He also was certified and worked as a Utah County Correctional Officer for 4 years to help put himself through school. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management in 2008 and has been working commercial construction since then. He has been a natural, fun- loving father to his children. Spencer is really drawn to all children, not just his own, and has a special way of making things fun. He is adored by his wife in all ways. He has a way of making intense situations turn soft. He is a listener. He is patient, forgiving, kind, playful, and fun.