April 2014

One of Spencer's favorite springtime activities is flying kites.  He has a sweet two handle kite that works great in Rochester thanks to all the wind we constantly get. 

And this was our announcement for baby #4.  We took this at the Orme's house right before Easter dinner.  We hadn't told the kids yet and I really didn't want them to know so I told them they just needed to hold the signs, smile big, and then they could go play.  They were so concerned about playing with all their friends they did just as I asked and ran off when we were done.  Heidi and Cassi thought it was hilarious they didn't inquire about the signs they were holding.  We ended up sending this picture to our families a couple weeks later. We also put it in my Mom's Mother's Day book that we make her each year.  Kristi had one similar that she put at the end of the book with our picture.  It was a great surprise.

Our wonderful friends.  Max and Sadie Allen, Adam and Sadie Orme, and Eliza and Sarah Rutledge.

Bike time! My kids can ride their bikes for hours outside. Tanner is an awesome kid and just follows the boys on his scooter.  He doesn't go in the street so it makes it a little easier for me to let him be with the boys in the front yard while I am inside cooking dinner.

Somebody figured out how to play angry birds…..and how to get into the Angry birds game.

EASTER EGG hunt! Just a fun little Easter Egg hunt at a community church.

Dying Easter Eggs for Family Home Evening.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE taking Sunday pictures! These are pretty classic for our family.  

One nice, one silly.

Benson's 6th Birthday!

Bensons birthday at school!

Benson wanted his friends to have chocolate oreos and golden oreos for his birthday treat!

It was sports day at school so he was wearing Reece's basketball uniform.  He was one happy kid!

Benson had a couple birthday parties.  We had a "late-night" birthday party with his best buddies: Max Allen, Carson Wilcox, Chase Hull, and Caden Gillette.  We made skylander element packs and filled them with candy!, played bingo, had a huge dance party, and played in the basement.  It was a hit.  While I was taking the kids home (around 9pm) two of them started to fall asleep in the car (it was less than a 3 minute drive).  I would say it was a big success!

Carson and Benson's birthdays are only a couple days apart.  Since they are best buddies they wanted to celebrate their birthdays together.  We decided since they have TONS of kids there age and it was was spring break to hold their birthday party at "Soccer world".  We rented out the place and the kids and their siblings got to run around for an hour in a half.  It was perfect-- especially since spring break was a little colder this year.  After their party we went to Carsons house for Pizza and opened our presents with just the two families.

5 things I love about Benson:

1. He calls me his beautiful mom all the time! He loves to take care of me and makes me feel special all the time.

2. After he gets off the bus from Kindergarten we put Tanner to bed and have time together.  We eat lunch, read, and practice the piano.  These moments have been precious to me-- we laugh, joke, talk, and just enjoy being alone with each other. 

3. He is passionate and loves life.  He is always up for an adventure

4. Benson is helpful and kind. He is a great friend and loves to play with all his buddies-- including his best buddies Reece and Tanner

5. He loves Jesus.  He just told me that his favorite song used to be the alphabet song but now it's "I am a Child of God".  Benson understands the gospel well and want to be like Jesus.

Love you buddy! Thanks for making our family happier by your contagious laugh, energy, and love for life. You are an awesome kid and we love you tons!

Love Mom and Dad

Spencer was super excited to give Benson his gift.  He got him two rockets! Spence put them together and then we went to an open field to launch them.  They were super impressive and soared through the air.  One of them went so high that it traveled so far we couldn't locate it when it dropped.  Both Spencer and Benson were bummed about it.  But it was a fun family activity.