Spencer and Erin
Spencer and Erin have known each other since the 6th grade. They dated a few times in high school but, mostly, spent their time getting to be really good friends. That foundation and the respect that they felt for one another helped to give them a solid base for the great marriage and friendship that they share today.
Spencer and Erin were close friends throughout high school. While Spencer's family went through some difficult times, he excelled in school and was accepted to the University of Utah. Meanwhile, Erin was a state away in Colorado, enjoying the active outdoor attitudes around her and the beautiful mountains. She did well in school and took much joy in her jobs as a part-time preschool teacher and a part-time nanny.
When Erin moved back to Utah to attend college, she and Spencer never looked back. They were thrilled to be living near one another again and quickly decided that they were meant to be together. It wasn't long until they were married. Although they were young (19 and 20), they knew that they wanted to be together forever.
Young married life was fun and adventurous. Both Erin and Spencer attended school full-time and worked. Spencer focused his schooling on psychology and social work while Erin focused on nursing. In their spare time, they continued to enjoy camping, hiking, snowshoeing, road trips and hanging out with Spencer's siblings.
While working their way through school, Spencer and Erin made the exciting decision to start their family. After much heartache and trial, Isabel and Milo were born 2 1/2 months early in March of 2004. Spencer and Erin were thrilled to finally be parents and could not wait to watch their children learn and grow. The joy and excitement that are parenting did not disappoint. They've both loved being parents and, most especially, being parents together.
Spencer completed his bachelors degree in psychology shortly after Isabel and MIlo were born and Erin graduated from nursing school a year later. After that, it was off to graduate school and a whole new adventure! Spencer completed his Master's Degree in Social Work in May of 2007 and soon began working as a child and family therapist. Erin supported the family through Spencer's graduate studies, working as a Registered Nurse in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where she continues to work part-time.
Spencer
Spencer comes from a family of four—with two additional stepsisters. He and his siblings are all very close in age and grew up as a rough and tumble inseparable bunch. He is the second oldest and counts his brother as his best friend (after Erin of course!) and looks after his sisters to this day. He enjoyed life on his grandfather’s farm and has more cousins than we can count. He remains close with his mother, his father, and his stepmom. He is an amazing listener, a terrific friend, and the greatest father a child could ask for.
As a social worker who specializes in family and child therapy, Spencer works with families and children who are struggling immensely. His job has helped him to magnify his appreciation for the sanctity and peace that family brings. Spencer is a favorite of everyone who meets him. Although he is a bit quiet at first, his sense of humor, compassion, and love of life come through quickly. He is an incredibly involved, patient, and fun dad who considers fatherhood to be his greatest accomplishment in life. He loves to do "daddy date" things with the kids including making pancake breakfasts every Saturday together, going on bike rides together, and going out for hot chocolate on cold days.
Spencer is also an avid rock climber and has even taught Milo and Isabel some basic rock climbing. He enjoys all outdoor activities and would rather be in the mountains with his family than anywhere else. Spencer also greatly values education and worked hard to put himself through undergraduate and graduate school. He loves teaching others and enjoys the opportunity to do so in his own family and through his line of work.
Erin
Erin is the oldest of three children. She was raised within a very diverse and loving extended family—with numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents all in the same small town, there was never a lack of playmates. She is very close to both of her siblings and her parents. She feels fortunate to live near enough to all of them that they can have family dinners twice a week!
As a part-time registered nurse, Erin works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the hospital just minutes from home. She treasures the time that she is able to spend helping sick babies get better and supporting their parents through difficult times. The intensity of her job also helps her to appreciate even more the silliness and adventure that comes with parenting twin four year olds.
Being a mother has always been Erin's greatest dream. Her favorite days are spent making a hot breakfast for the family, going for a bike ride or hike together and exploring one of the great parks nearby or going up one of the canyons for some adventure. She loves to read and loves teaching her children about everything from science to scriptures and looks forward to volunteering in their preschool classroom.
Erin also enjoys running (and has run in countless races) and hiking or just being outdoors with her family. She values physical fitness and nutrition and is a pretty darn good cook. She is a person who loves to be challenged and is always seeking new adventures.
Isabel
Isabel was the first born of the twins--by 34 minutes. She has been a fiery spark in our lives since the moment she was born. Although she was small for her age (until recently), she has always more than made up for it in personality. She is such an adventurous and fearless girl. She always wants to be on the highest rock, swing higher, run faster, and play harder. She is bright and very talkative. She loves her brother fiercely and gets more than a little upset if someone tries to tell her that she probably won't be able to marry him when she grows up!
Isabel loves to play outside, especially in the playhouse that Grandma bought them for their birthday. She loves to play house and dress-up too. She's also a big fan of dressing herself, loves hats, headbands, and all other accessories and isn't afraid to mix it up!
Isabel loves to read, loves storytime before bed, and loves to sneak into bed with her mom and dad early in the morning. She has taken gymnastics, a team sports class, and a tap class and loved them all equally. She also loves to color, paint, and draw and could do any of them for hours and hours. Issy would love to have a baby brother or sister to love and help care for. In the meantime, she has so much fun practicing on all of her baby cousins!
Milo
Milo was the second born of the twins and has always been our sweet little man. He struggled more with health problems related to his prematurity but has come out of all of it a strong and healthy boy! He is our tender-hearted boy who loves to cuddle and loves nothing more than to have all four of us together. His favorite days are spent making pancakes with daddy and going for a family bike ride or walk to the park.
Milo loves to play outside and would stay out all day long if he could. He loves to play all sports and ride his bike around and around. He loves to help his mom and dad with any task and, especially, loves to go rock climbing with his daddy. He loves his sister and misses her terribly if he is ever away from her.
Milo also loves to read--especially anything about animals or babies. He loves to learn about animals and asks to go to the zoo at least twice a week. He loves Family Home Evening and always wants to wait for everyone to sit down before we eat even one bite of our dinner. He loves babies and has been such a great cousin to all of the babies in the family. He would love to have a baby sister or brother of his own to hold and cuddle.
