spring has sprung, as they say, and the spences have been taking advantage of the great weather! we kicked off the season with a trip to conyngham for easter. the kids were anticipating the weekend for a long time, talking about the impending egg hunt and spending time with nana and pop pop, their cousins, and aunts and uncles. (jackson said one day: “you know what? i think holidays are so fun because we get to see all our family and hang out together.” our thoughts exactly!) here’s the kids in their easter finest (with a shout-out to aunt lynne for finding phoebe’s adorable dress, which she did not want to take off – ever).

we couldn’t resist including this nice family portrait of the fitzgeralds. is it possible that colin has gotten even taller this year?! can’t believe he’s finishing up his senior year of high school. yowza!

and we’ll finish off the set with queen phoebe. after an impromptu trip to burger king, the miss decided that she should now always be called “the queen”! whenever someone comments on her crown (which she wore for several days, absolutely everywhere she went), she told them “i’m the queen!!”

we were so lucky this year to have amazing, warm easter weather. usually, we’re all shivering and forced to wear winter clothes when we celebrate. but not this time! temperatures were in the 70s and 80s, so out came our bright, happy clothes! we joined molly’s whole family at the fitzgeralds’ house in eagle rock and at nana and pop pop’s house in conyngham for our celebrations. we had some wonderful food (you’ll see photos of molly’s homemade desserts — viscuits, or italian butter cookies, and 3-layer carrot cake) and some wonderful times hanging out with all the fellin cousins! thanks to aunt jill and aunt lynne for their efforts to put on another great egg hunt, and to aunt amy and pop pop for coming with us to the bowl arena for jackson’s first non-wii, real-life bowling game!

christmas started for us on december 23, as jackson, phoebe, dave and molly traveled first to eagle rock and stayed with the fitzgeralds. brooks stayed at home this year, and kept our friend, katie, company!

phoebe’s first christmas was very special because she got to spend it with so many family members. here she is with daddy in front of nana and pop pop’s christmas tree, just before christmas eve dinner. she ate her first pierogies soon after this photo was taken!

not sure where dave and phoebe are looking, but jackson and molly got the message!

josh just loves his baby cousin.

nana and pop pop were happy to have half their grandkids for christmas eve. the boys are all smiles — and they haven’t even opened their new hess trucks yet!

aunt beth spoiled her little godchild this christmas, as usual.

the fellin family tradition is for the youngest child to place the baby Jesus in the manger once christmas eve dinner is finished. this year, it was phoebe’s turn (with a little help from cousin sarah).

then the portraits began. we started with the ever-photogenic fitzgerald clan. looking good, colin, jill and tim!

next up: mom, lynne and dad!

the proud godfather, colin, with his well-accessorized godchild.

speaking of godchildren… lynne’s godson’s not so little anymore!

thanks for another memorable, and delicious, christmas eve, everyone. dave shot some nice videos of casino day at eagle rock and christmas eve dinner, etc., which we’ll post as soon as we can!