Birthday for Mr. Spencer

Spencer turned 11 years old on Saturday!  We can hardly believe it.  

 Of course, we attacked his bedroom door with bday cards and pictures, as per Chamberlain Family Tradition, and then put up a few decorations around the house. 

 On the Friday before his birthday, it just happen to be "Crazy Sock Day" at his school.  So, he and Hailey sported the candy cane socks that Santa left in their stockings last Christmas.  They were extra fuzzy, extra soft, but extra HOT here in AZ!

 He no longer can use only 2 hands to show how old he is!  11 :)

 Yep - I brought Spencer his lunch of choice---McDonalds chicken nuggets with honey mustard sauce.  Yum--

 This is the best creation ever (aside from Spencer!!)---it's his Uncle Tony's favorite cake and when I told him what the ingredients were, he was ALL in!  It's a chocolate cake ( 4 layers) with chocolate pudding in between each layer, then chocolate whipped cream as frosting, and chocolate bar shavings as a garnish.  Wow!  What's not to like about that?!

 Spencer got some really fun new Lego sets.  He is done with the Star Wars line and wants to build a huge mountain with a castle up on the very top and a village down below, guarded by knights!  I LOVE his imagination!!

Spencer is now an official Boy Scout---no more cub scout shirt for him!

 On Saturday we had some friends over for a BBQ/swim party.  The weather was perfect and Rider kept hoping somebody, anybody would drop their hotdog on the ground!  ha ha!!!

 We played a really fun game where Tom and I would throw a ball at the boys and they had to catch it, and HOLD on to it while jumping off the waterfall.  They really got into the game and we gave prizes to the top three winners!

 Here is Spence - clutching on to that slippery ball!

 I just LOVE these boys!  

 Spencer's cousin, Nate, came to the party and it was super fun having him there hanging out with the big kids!

 Oh man - my mouth is watering just thinking about how delicious this cake was.  It's pretty deadly . . .but "death by chocolate ain't so bad", right? ha ha!

I tell ya - there is just really something special about Spencer.  I can't describe it in a blog---it's something deep within my heart.  But he is an extra amazing child and I know it must have been hard for Heavenly Father to part with him.  I'm just honored he sent Spencer to my home.  

 That night we all headed to Texas Roadhouse for a family birthday celebration.  Spencer got a dessert and had to sit on the saddle with everyone singing to him.  It was pretty funny!

This video just embraces everything I love about  Spencer.  I filmed him one morning practicing the piano.  He thought I was texting but I was really filming.  I just love his sense of humor!  He still is the Sunshine in my life!

HAPPY 11TH BIRTHDAY SPENCER.  WE ALL LOVE YOU!!!

Crazy fun and relaxing Spring Break!

Kelsey and I had a fun day during Spring Break where we put in some well-deserved GIRL TIME!!!  We went shopping!!

We hit Nordstrom Last Chance and a few other stores but didn't find what we were looking for until we hit Urban Outfitters downtown Phoenix.  It was SO fun!!!

One of our most favorite days during Spring Break was our family hike on Camelback Mountain.  (Kohler was in Mexico with Keaton's family--- we missed him)

It was super fun to climb up and see the views, especially since we live in a really flat city with hardly any elevations.  

This is my favorite picture of the day.  I love how these two little guys are best friends!

Yes, we even took our little dog, Rider.  He was on Cloud Nine!!  He was literally PULLING whoever was holding his leash UP the mountain.  I've never seen a dog more excited to be out.  I just love this picture because out of all the children, Rider's favorite is Kelsey.  He ADORES her and that's probably because she gives him the most love.  It was Kelsey who really wanted him in the first place.  

Then, mid-week, we all headed down to our Orthodontic Office to video the one, the only . . . Chamberlain Orthodontics Harlem Shake!  You can view it on youtube.  It's hilarious!  We even recruited my little nieces, Maya and Eden, and my nephew, Nate.  We all dressed up and filmed it in less than one hour.  What a blast!

Here is another view of our Chamberlain Ortho car :)  LOVE IT

Spring Break around our house, if the weather cooperates, plays host to a swimming party every year.  It was beautiful weather and we decided to heat the pool and jacuzzi so the kids could invite their friends over for a fun afternoon.  

There were water guns shooting everywhere and kids having a ball!

Of course, if you come to our house for a swim party, we gotta break out the shave ice as well!!!  Sooooooooo good!

A full sink of flower cups means good times were had!

Here's our little nod to St. Patrick's Day.  We had the sister missionaries over for dinner and made Irish Soda Bread (which was really good btw), Colcannon potatoes (bacon, sauteed cabbage, cheese, onions-yummy!) and roasted pork with cinnamon apples (not really Irish but so delicious!)  

Last Day of School Swim Parties!

I LOVE throwing swim parties on the last day of school.  It's a celebration, right?  So, why not!!!!

 The first party was for Spencer and Hailey's friends.  We had about 20 kids and moms there and it was SO much fun!  We had pizza and a yummy drink that I made up---Cherry Mint Limeade.  SO good!

 Since Hailey didn't have to go to school on the last day (kindergartners had already graduated!) she helped me decorate!

 We hosed down the patio furniture and got everything cleaned up.

 We got out all of the toys and made sure all of the water guns worked!

 Our waterfall and slide were just re-finished this last April so now the slide is SUPER fast!!!

 My sweet friend, Caree Anderson, came over with Grayson and Sam.  Grayson has been Spencer's friend for a long time.  This is a photo of Caree and Sam - he is Hailey's age.

 There is Grayson, in the green swimshorts--along with Conner Prusse and his mom, Heather, and Zach Everton on the left.

 Man, did these kids have a GREAT time!!!

Then, after the little kids left, we cleaned up and got ready for the "teenagers" party.  Kelsey invited some friends over for dinner and a night swim party.  It was so fun to see her laughing with her darling friends.  She has a really good group of girlfriends this year and that makes us so happy!  It turned out to be a super fun day!!!

LET THE SUMMER BEGIN!