Bradys in Town

It was so fun having Bradys come visit.  They have been planning to come since last October/November and we were counting down the days!  It was SO fun having them, but there were a few disappointments.  The original plan was for everyone to come, but Laura was going to stay with the twins, Simon, and Breann.  The day before departure day, Tommy's family all started coming down with a nasty stomach flu that was taking out their whole ward.  So they decided it would be best not to come.  Matthew ended up driving his Tacoma with Molly and Sam, arriving late Friday night.  Matt and Shauna left Friday evening, planning to drive through the night but hit a deer four hours into the drive.  Luckily, Jenny and Steven were just an hour behind so they picked up Matt and Shauna and finished the drive in Steven's 2 door Dodge Stratus Coupe.  I can't imagine that drive.  They are all such troopers.  We feel so lucky to have such awesome family.

Once they got here, the bad luck didn't end completely because we had rain every day, one day it was all day long.  Most of our activities were outside activities so we were really bummed out by the rain.  But it was still nice to be lazy, eat lots of treats and play lots of games.  We had a pretty crowded house but I was surprised that it wasn't as chaotic as I expected.  Once again, there were less dishes in my sink than when it is just us.  Many hands make work light I suppose.  When we did get out of the house, activities included eating at Lamberts, Chuck-E-Cheese, and Bass Pro.  

We are working on trying to talk one of Jon's brothers into moving out here.  It's wishful thinking for us to have a family member close by.  We'll see ;)

I love that little hand in there sneaking something that looks good. Can you believe the size of this salad?! You never leave this place hungry!

Parents in Town

The week my parents were in town was chill but lots of fun.  The highlights included playing at the park, roasting marshmallows in our new firepit, catching turtles, going to the movie (Rio 2), playing games, and just spending time together.  Brigham is papa's boy and wanted nothing to do with anyone else the entire week.  He loves, loves, loves his Papa.  Vanessa is a Grandma's girl and wanted Grandma to do her hair and pick her clothes and read her books.  It's kind of a nice break for me and fun to see them have a relationship with their grandparents.  It's a very different relationship than what I had with mine, but something I want very much for my kids to enjoy.  I wish we lived closer to them, but we feel lucky that they are able to fly out a few times a year to spend some time with us.  Hopefully one day we'll be closer to them.

Vanessa's Birthday

The night before Vanessa's birthday I picked my parents up from the airport so she woke up to some of her favorite people.  She knew they were coming, so it wasn't a surprise, but she was thrilled to have them.  I had gone all out on making her cake this year.  It was something I have wanted to try for a while and I really enjoyed doing it.  I watched several youtube videos and made the cake and frostings ahead of time.  I went over to a friend's the day before so she could help me a little with the decorating.  I was really happy with how it turned out.  I am pretty sure Vanessa saw it while we were working on it, but she still made a good surprise face for me.  I think she was happy with it.  It tasted good anyway, so that's what counts the most.

I asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday and she chose to go to McDonalds.  So thats what we did.  First, we made a stop at Toys R Us and my parents let her pick out any toy she wanted.  She is in a period of indecisiveness and was a little overwhelmed with the decision.  She finally chose a strawberry shortcake and polly pocket.  After we eat at McDonalds and played for awhile, we went home and opened presents.  Jon didn't have the day off but he was off early enough that he was able to meet us for lunch.  After presents, the kids played with her gifts and we had tomato soup for dinner.  It used to be one of Vanessa's favorites but she decided she doesn't really like it anymore.  Benson loved it though.  So at least he like Vanessa's birthday dinner.  We invited Vanessa's two neighbor friends over to have cake with us, Grant and Sofie.  Sofie couldn't come but Grant did.  Even with the extra help eating the cake, we only ate about 1/3 of it.
The rest of the week was filled with fun adventures and lots of attention from Grandma and Grandpa.  I think Vanessa loved all her gifts.  She got lots of books and two new Barbie movies.  Also Hungry Hungry Hippos, a doll, glow in the dark stars, pjs, and a new outfit.
I can hardly believe this girl is five, and starting kindergarten next year.  Vanessa is an amazing girl.  She has a lot of love for her brothers, for the gospel, and for family.  She loves to be with friends and yet never complains about family day on Sunday.  She barely blinked about missing birthday parties because they were on Sunday.  She loves to read the scriptures (or at least hear summaries of the stories).  She is by nature very obedient and is very embarrassed when she gets in trouble.  She likes to be right and to do it right, the first time.  She is learning to be really helpful with the boys.  I love to see her relationship with them grow.  She likes to play with little toys with Benson and likes to jump and be rough with Brig.  She is so good about getting me for Benson, to let me know he wants to be moved, or jump on the tramp, etc.  I hope she never loses that love or tenderness.  It's one of my favorite things about her.  Happy Birthday Sweet Girl.  We love you!

Running Through The Sprinklers

It's easy to take the simple things for granted when your muscles work correctly.  Simple things like running through the sprinklers.  Benson would probably be the last to take that for granted.  We turned on the sprinklers for the first time in May and let em loose.  It was the first time Benson had his chair to go through them so he didn't have to be carried.  I'm pretty sure he was in heaven.

Family Shirts

We went for a walk to take pictures in our "family shirts" as Vanessa has coined them.  It didn't go as planned.  I got these two shots that I love....

 But the family pic ended up something like this.  We had some nice scenery picked out that was down the street but Vanessa fell and that was the end of her happiness.  And then the sidewalk ended and the street suddenly got busy....basically we gave up.  This bench was convenient.  Although someone was crying or grimacing in each shot.  At least they're cute little stinkers.

 And this little stinker is lucky he hasn't been sold to the gypsies.  I tell him as much everyday; every time he steals food from the kids or drinks from the toilet bowl.

Kansas City or Bust

We finally made it.  Being far from a temple and having little kids makes it really really hard to get to the temple.  Let's be honest here.  Who wants to watch your kids for an entire day?  So when it finally worked out for us to go with another family and do a kid swap, we were so excited!  It was crazy, don't get me wrong.  But the blessings of the temple are always worth it.  Jon and I were both head bobbing on the drive home, which is never a good thing.  We had to make a pit stop and load up with some goodies to make that 3 1/2 hour drive.  Three and a half hours feels really long when you're really tired.  We didn't get the temple pictures I was hoping for.  But I am sure we will have more opportunities.  We had to do something fun for the kids so we took them to a special lunch place where a train delivers the food.  And we also went to Kaleidoscope, which is basically a very cutely decorated giant craft room for kids.  We also stopped at the fountains for a few minutes.

 These are the kids sleeping at the hotel.  It must be genetic because they HAVE to be touching someone while they sleep.  And all of them do this.

 Kaleidoscope.

 Fritzs, You can't see how the train delivers the food in the pic, but it has a track around the ceiling and drops it down onto a tray that lowers to your table.  Brig thought it was awesome, that boy never lacks enthusiasm.

Easter

It's hard to believe this, but this was our first Easter with just our family.  We were in Florida by ourselves one year but Vanessa was so young, we did egg hunts with friends but not much else.  This year we did the whole shebang but I took video of the hunt so we don't have pictures.  We started our own family tradition of doing the holiday festivities on Saturday and keeping Sunday focused on the Savior.  I loved doing it this way.  I felt like it kept Sunday special and stuck with the precedent we are trying to establish that Sunday is a "different" day.
When we talked to the kids about the resurrection, we told them that Benson would be able to walk because he wouldn't have SMA anymore.  Because said, "OK!  Let's do it!"  He was okay with having to wait until the Lord decided it was time though.  He also told us all the things he would do if he could walk.  They all included things that he can already do in his power chair.  I know he would like to walk, but I don't think it is as painful for him as I sometimes worry it is.  I think it helps that this is the way it has always been.  He seems pretty good with how life is and has no problem telling kids he can't walk because he has SMA.
Vanessa never ceases to amaze me with her love for learning about Jesus.  I know she is already gaining a strong testimony of the Savior and has a sincere love and eagerness to learn about Him.
Brigham is still crazy.  He has a very dynamic personality.  But at the tiny age of two, he is very tender.  He gives hugs and kisses whenever someone is hurt.  He is very concerned for people when they are sad.  And he always picks things up off the floor for Benson.  Considering he is only two, he is amazing at sharing.
I feel so inadequate and lucky to have these kiddos.  They teach me more and more all the time.  Being a mom has made me a better person and keeps me trying harder and harder to improve myself, for them.

Shirts!

Bounce over to Benson's blog and get yourself a shirt!!!! (link below)

Benson's Blog

Front Yard

We did a little front yard landscaping.  I'm really excited for the prospect of what it will be.  I forgot to take a good before pic, but here is an in process one.

And here it is all done.  In between the trees are some hydrangeas.  Don't worry, you can't see them.  But I have big dreams for them and I think they'll be beautiful.  We are planning to add rocks for mulch, so I'll add those pictures when they are in too.  I need to add something on the right side but I'm not sure what because it will throw off our symmetry.  The left side has our spigot and I don't really want to block it, since that's a pain.  I'm pretty sure that is the worst planned spigot in the history of landscaping.

Garage Sale Mania

We did a garage sale.  It's over and I can finally breathe.  It was a smashing success, so I'm not complaining.  But it was A LOT of work.  We let the RS in our ward know that we were doing a garage sale to raise money for a van for Benson.  It's the largest expense I see in the foreseeable future that feels totally unattainable.  So, we are starting fundraising now.  And hopefully by the time he is 6 or 7, we'll have the cash to get that van!  I figured a couple people from our ward would bring a few things by.  We had TEN families donate.  Our two car garage was packed completely full!  I spent the entire week prior organizing, pricing, making signs, and baking.  We were seriously blown away by everyone's generosity.  Up until now, I wasn't sure many people knew who we were except for the family with a little boy who has an awesome power chair.  With kids, church has little social time.  I couldn't believe how many people asked about the sale, how many donated, and how many seemed to genuinely care.  I was really touched.
I also did a small bake sale.  We sold Chocolate chip cookies, oreo truffles, and peanut butter truffles.  We sold out of all of them.  I am kicking myself for not taking pictures, but I really didn't have my head on straight at all last week.
My visiting teacher, and a dear friend, came over and helped me three days in a row!  I seriously don't know what I would do without this woman.  She is my mom away from home and I feel so blessed to know her and call her my friend!
Vanessa sold lemonade and the baked goods and I was so proud of that little lady.  She did great talking to all the people she didn't know and talking so they could hear.  She also sang little songs occasionally to try to get people to buy some lemonade.  She made over $40!  She doesn't really know what that means, all she knew was it was enough for the two barbies she wanted.  I don't think she even knows she has some left over.
We also met another family that has a six year old daughter with SMA type 1.  It was awesome to meet this family and Benson loved talking with their nurse.  He chatted with her for a good ten minutes, telling her all about getting his tubie put in and Ninja Turtles.
On Friday, a friend watched Brigham which saved me.  But on Saturday we had the crazy tyke with us all morning.  It was considerably slower on Saturday so it was okay, but in the chaos of the event, Brig did manage to get away with Jon's keys.  And they disappeared.  It wouldn't have been such a big deal except we don't have a spare.  And it also happened to be our only house key as well.  I prayed and searched all morning.  That night, we had family prayer and searched.  The next morning, the kids found the keys tucked inside the tree of their pet shop tree house!  It was an awesome experience to talk with the kids about how our prayers were answered and we found dad's keys!  That saved us a whole lotta cash!

Don't Let the Bed Bug Bite

We are having a hard time convincing the kids that they like sleeping with space, by themselves. But at least it makes for some funny pictures.