TWELVE

Spencer had a birthday and he is a whopping TWELVE years old now!!! We all woke up early so he could open his presents before Nathan and Sarah headed off to work. He requested pancakes and sausage for breakfast. He got a flip phone (don't worry, he got the Iphone 7 a month later) and a new ipad, new ties to wear when he passes the sacrament, flipflops, a Polaroid camera, an organizer and money from grandparents, Nonnie and cousins.





He got to go register for 7th grade on his birthday. He worked on opening his locker and finding all of his classrooms.



We went to Jumptime in Meridian and everyone had an awesome time! Even Benjamin...not sure what happened right before I took this picture.



We went out to PF Chang for dinner and went to Fanci Freeze for Boston shakes for dessert.

Twelve terrific things about Spencer...

...he is a great helper in the kitchen! He really likes to cook and bake.

...he worked really hard this summer at Ball Manor, walking dogs and taking care of neighbors cats and plants to earn a lot of money!!!!

...he enjoys watching super hero shows on Netflix.

...he is a super babysitter to his younger brothers!

...if he could wear shorts and flipflops all year round, he would!

...he is great with little kids!

...he is excited to hold the Priesthood and advance in scouts.

...he is very talented!!

...he has awesome freckles!!

...he is extremely thoughtful!

...his favorite color is still green!

...he loves to play Minecraft on the computer!

Happy, Happy Birthday, Spencer!! We love you so much!!

ELEVEN

Spencer had a birthday, shout "HURRAY"!!

He began his day with having a yummy breakfast of pancakes, eggs and bacon and opening presents. Spencer got lots of Minecraft legos from Benjamin and mom and dad, fabric from Andrew, Snackeez, goldfish and Gatorade from Sarah, money from Nonnie, Grandma and Grandpa and a trip to Portland with is dad.
He spent the day with cousins, Auntie Jayna and Nonnie at the pool and got to have ranch chicken for dinner.









Nathan and Spencer left Friday morning and traveled to Bend. They went and saw the movie Minions and shopped around the Mill District.
They left early Saturday morning and drove to Portland. They first went to the Saturday market and did more shopping. Spencer had his portrait drawn and really enjoyed that experience. Then later they headed over to the quilt show and enjoyed seeing all the amazing quilts and trying out a high-tech sewing machine. Spencer was able to keep the bag that he sewed. On their way back to Bend they went to see the Multnomah Falls.
















Eleven things about Spencer...

...he is amazingly kind to EVERYONE!

...he is a great piano player.

...he's a fish in water.

...he is pretty artsy!

...he is very good at quilting.

...he loves Minecraft!

...he's very helpful when the dishwasher needs to be emptied!

...he enjoys playing with legos!

...he's happy 97% of the time!

...he loves having his own room!

...you'll often hear him say, "How can I help you?" and he means it! He's always wanting to help others because he has such a kind heart!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy, sweet Spencer! We hope you have many, many more! Love you tons!

TEN

Spencer hit double digits this year and it was his golden birthday - turning 10 on the 10th. Spencer choose to have pancakes, bacon, eggs and orange julius for breakfast and then he opened presents from his family. He got money from both grandparents, iTunes card, Monopoly, boogie board, water bottle and water bottle holder for his bike, a pillow and a new comforter and cover. We went to church and a lot of Monopoly was played.









For dinner he choose chicken caesar salad and then we had some friends over for cake and to sing Happy Birthday to Spencer.






10 things about Spencer.


He makes friends quickly wherever he goes.

He loves to help in the kitchen with any meal.

He enjoys riding his bike.

He likes to play Mindcraft.

His favorite color is green as it has been since he was very little.

He's getting to be a really good piano player.

He is a great swimmer and is always the last one in the pool!

He has a kind and helpful personality!

He likes his shoes to be about two sizes too big because he doesn't like them tight and so he can wiggle his toes.

He begged for years to have his own room and after having his own for two weeks asked if he could move back in with Benjamin and Levi.

We love you so much Spencer! Happiest of Birthdays to you!!

NINE

Spencer wanted to spend his birthday in Provo and spend the day at Seven Peaks. (Again, we didn't take one picture while we were at Seven Peaks. It is a super fun water park and we absolutely love it there!) He was totally spoiled and got many nice presents! He got a rock tumbler, stuffed owl, Bath & Body smelly stuff, lots of crafts, socks, a shirt, gems and mining pans.





Spencer had a friend party at our pool several days after his birthday when we got back into town. He invited the Allen's, Boettcher's, Burket's, Deka's, Alyssa Hansen, Merchant's, and the Ramey's. It was such a fun party and we have such wonderful friends, who all LOVE Spencer!!





When we were in Colorado, we celebrated Spencer's birthday with Keegan's actual birthday. We thought it was SO sweet of Keegan to share his birthday celebration with Spencer. We had a picnic at a park, we played games and then sang Happy Birthday and ate cake! What a fun time!




Spencer is our happy and kind boy! He is a great brother and loves to help his mom in the kitchen! He is very talented in many ways and loves to make crafts! Happy Birthday, Spencer! We love you SO much!!!

It's GREAT to be EIGHT!

In our family, we have a tradition that the eight days leading up to our children's baptism we celebrate them every day in a different way. You can read about Sarah and Andrew's "It's Great to be Eight"
here and here.
On the first day of Spencer'"It's Great to be Eight", Spencer and Mom went out on a date.  We first went to the Scout Store to buy Spencer's cub scout shirt and a few other things he will need for cub scouts. Then, we had lunch at Applebees.

On the second day, Spencer received a new set of scriptures.

On the third day, we had a special Family Home Evening full of fun games and a yummy treat.

On the fourth day, he received a special "comforter" from Nonnie and Grandpa.  This is to remind him of receiving the Holy Ghost and that it will be a special comforter to him throughout his life.


On the fifth day, Spencer and Dad went out on a date. They went out to eat at The Cheesecake Factory and shopped for new church shoes.

On the sixth day, he received a new scentsy warmer to remind him that the greatest "light" in our lives is our Savior.

On the seventh day, we had a special evening of going out to Joe's Crab Shack and we went to see the movie, Madagascar 3.

On the eighth day, it was Spencer special day. He received a new sports coat and tie to wear for his baptism.  We are SO proud of Spencer for making the decision to be baptized!




We had so much family and friends who came to celebrate with Spencer. He sure is loved!!!

EIGHT

Spencer turned EIGHT on the tenth of this month.  He was so excited about this birthday, that I think he told everyone (several times) that it was his birthday.
His day started out early with the opening of presents.  He got cards and money from both grandparents, a water bottle, an iTunes card, the movie Lorax, an iTouch case and from mom and dad he got his own Russian Tortoise.  We spent the day at Roaring Springs and then came home for cake and ice cream and watched the Lorax.





We wrapped up a small rock (in about five different sized boxes) that had written on it, that his present was in our neighbors garage. (They were out of town - Perfect!)  Spencer decided to name his tortoise, Jessie.  "Jessie is the BEST tortoise in the whole world!" says Spencer.










I think it was an amazing day for an amazing boy!!!