Playground Fun

For family night we went to the school to play wall ball and basketball. 

Ashlyn is so excited to play on this playground everyday when school starts. 

 Tanner winning HORSE

Dallin teaching Ashlyn how to play wall ball. This ball was definitely too big for a beginner. 

Dallin's Piano Recital

We rushed to Dallin's recital from soccer practice so he wasn't dressed for a recital but oh well. 

This was Dallin's first year doing piano. I can't tell if he loves it or not. He doesn't practice much. Not sure if it will stick, but we will see. This first one is just the end of one song. I liked his bow at the end. 

And here he is doing Jingle Bells.

Preschool Graduation

 Ashlyn graduated from preschool. I am so glad she got to do with with my good friend Jenna. I was in a preschool co op group with Jenna last year, and was so happy when she decided to just do her own. Amber will do it next year with her. 

Having ice cream one day. 

Spring Soccer

It is that time of year again. We are halfway through with soccer season. I got a new camera lens, and had fun taking pictures at Tanner's game. 

 The cheerleaders. Actually they weren't even paying attention to the game. They do their own thing with some of the other players' sisters. 

A day in the life of the Spence family

Some weeks we don't have much going on, at least not much to blog about. But I thought, why not show some of the day to day things. Those are good to remember too. 

In the morning Nate and I like to exercise. He goes early, and then I can go for a walk by myself until he goes to work, or I go to the YMCA and use the child care there. When I get home from walks this is what I find many times: Nate with the girls watching Good Morning America with eggs and toast in their laps. Yes, Amber is often half dressed.

And this is one of my favorite things to find, especially when I am not asking one of the boys to do it. I love having readers to share in that important job.

With Nate's orthopedic residency he has to travel to Portland, Seattle or Eugene on some weekends to do classes. Makes things a little crazy around here especially when it is soccer season and Nate is the coach. I was sort of forced to step up to be the assistant coach so that the team would have a coach when Nate is out of town. I was not happy about this. At all. I already feel a little overwhelmed with my kiddos, so hanging out with 10 seven year old boys a couple nights a week and on the weekend isn't really how I want to spend my time. It has been fine, I guess. I am growing to like the boys more and more each time we are together. It is pretty cute how they repeat exactly what I am yelling from the sidelines to their team mates out on the field.

This weekend Tanner stayed the night with Joel so they could get to an early soccer game on Saturday, and of course they stayed up too late and woke up too early, so this was Tanner early in the evening. Grateful to have Paul and Paula with kids in the same sports, so we can juggle kids around to get them where they need to be. 

Preschool field trip

Ashlyn's preschool went to tour the Jacksonville Fire Department. Even thought it was mostly girls, they were still into it.

Walking through a truck.

 And trying on a coat.

One Sunday Afternoon

The cleaning bug has bit Ashlyn. She loves to clean. Her room is always organized. If she knows kids are coming over she will put the baby gate up so that no one makes a mess in her room. 

Recently she has wanted to do the dishes. It has been nice. I hope she at least influences Amber. The boys are a lost cause. 

 Then there is this side of Ashlyn. She wanted to "decorate" Nate and Amber while they took a nap. She put all kinds of random things on them while they slept.  It wasn't quite as fun to clean up.

ABC song

Both of the girls wanted to sing the alphabet song for me. 

Down time

Tanner was sick a while ago. He can't hide it when he isn't feeling well. Just looks sad, doesn't he.

When he was feeling better we had friends over. I don't know my parents raised us in the country, we had no play dates, ever. We have them ALL the time.

The girls had a pajama tea party with a friend in the back yard. 

 Ashlyn was gone one afternoon, so Amber and I went for a walk/ride down the street to see a friend.

We went to the park with cousins, but this was the only picture I managed to take that day. Dallin always finds a tree to climb.

Easter Afternoon at the Moala's

We had a big family get together with my cousin's family. They have a big yard that was perfect for an easter egg hunt.  

Sisters

Tracie, Me and Kris

Coloring eggs.

Prepping food

 The hunt 

 The aftermath