Bensons Birthday

My Baby turned one! He is 1!

I have been reflecting a ton the past couple of weeks. I think it's in part because Benson just turned one, part because Craig and I just had our 9th anniversary, and part because that's kinda just what I do. I've been thinking mostly about where I was emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually a year ago, and where I am now. I'll take the now...for sure.

I have three very active, happy, and healthy children. We spend our summer days riding bikes, playing in the yard, swimming, reading books together, and laughing. I have a Husband that works very hard, so I can be home with our little Chickie's. He keeps our garden/yard looking amazing (and looks so hot while he does it), is Loyal, loving, and serves the lord. I love our cute little house in our quiet old neighborhood were we all know each other. What more could a girl ask for? I thank the Lord for the trials I have been through, the lessons learned, and the light at the end of the tunnel.

I am so blessed.






Back to Benson. He is such a sweet little thing, and always tries (with success) to make us laugh. He loves his Daddy more then anyone, and thinks anything Carter does is hilarious. He loves playing peek-a-boo with Layla, but doesn't love it when she picks him up. He is master of going up stairs, but still working on the down part. Looks for every chance he can get to play in the house plants dirt, and rub it in his beautiful blond hair. His favorite food is watermelon...he thinks it's a full contact sport! Not kidding. I'm going to have to post a video of him eating a slice...fantastic. Benson has a great arm, and lets us know he is done by throwing his Binky, bottle, or food as far as he can with a solid grunt to add affect.
What a boy! I love watching him grow, and discovering who he is. Benson is a very LOVED little guy! Happy Birthday buddy.

Ice cream!

What is better in the summer then ice cold ice cream? ...riding your bike to the ice cream shop with your sweetie's, and sitting on the grass under the shade while you eat that ice cold ice cream...that is the best! I'll tell you what else, my boys can make some crazy faces!

Especially the biggest boy.










What do you love to do with your sweeties in the summer?

p.s. today is my 9th anniversary, and the kids are sleeping over with cousins tonight:) Yay for me and my Lover boy, looks like we will be getting to bed early;)

City Slickers

When I was 3 years old my family moved out to the country. We had chickens, and a rooster. It was Paul and My's job to collect the eggs everyday. It didn't take us long to learn that the Rooster was big, and mean, and scary, and could bite us. We developed a strategy before too long, and it worked pretty well. one of us would distract the rooster, and get it to chase us while the other ran in the coop and snached up all the eggs.

Our summer days were spend fishing in the gentle creek by the house, building secret forts in the sage brush, exploring our mountain, picking flowers, riding the horses, weeding the garden, and LOVING life. We moved back into town when I was 5, but I have always remembered those 2 years as the best of my childhood. Deep down in my heart I have always known the truth...that I am a country girl.

My Family had our reunion at a ranch in Lava, Idaho this year. They had a few cows to brand, so being the country girl I am I ran right over with the kids. How exciting! I just knew the kids would think that was the coolest thing ever, and decide they are really country in their harts just like me. We all lined up to watch them brand the first one, and I watched Carters face....as he nearly began to cry!

He hated it!

He couldn't believe they would be so mean, and hurt that poor little cow. hahaha, so my plan didn't work out so much. After the kids slowly drifted away, my siblings and I jumped right in the middle of all the action. Matt held the calves down, Janelle and I gave them their vaccinations, and Joanne and Judy painted the oil on after the ranchers branded them. We were real life cowboys....for about 20 minutes, and we were all ready to get back to our city life ways. It wasn't until the reunion that I learned all my brothers and sisters have always felt just like me, and believed they were really and truly county kids at heart. However, we have been shown the truth, and have come to the realization that we are really nothing but a bunch a city slickers. The funny part is that we are all surprised by this discovery, even thought we only lived in the country 2 of our 29+ years, haha.

My camera died after the first couple hours of our weekend, so I missed out on LOTS of great pictures, but here is was I got.













The first night we had our branding experience, dinner, and then broke up into groups and made up skits. I had a bunch of props and costumes, and the skits were hilarious.


The next day people went swimming at the Olympic size pool and platforms, did crafts, slept, at really good food, played games, watched movies on the projector, and stuff like that. Judy made reunion shirts that turned out so cute. the boys were blue and girls were pink, all with a brown logo with our name and stuff on them. The theme this year was code of the west, so we talked about that a bit.

The last day we just had breakfast, and packed up. We all went to Moms grave together. It was the first time we have done that since the headstone was placed, so that was touching. I feel like Mom was smiling down on us, laughing at our cheesy skits, and loving the way we take care of each other. What a weekend.

4th of July night

As I mentioned in the last post, the kids and I went to Island park for the weekend of the 4th, but we came home in time to do fireworks and a pick nick with Craig.
We decided to get us some KFC, and have ourselves a pick nick at the park, but the Storm had other plans. On our way to the park it started raining buckets, so we drove to a parking garage and had our little pick nick in there. It turned out to be so fun, something totally different then we would normally do. After the pick nick we went home and lit our fireworks while listening to patriotic music. I loved having the music, it added so much to the whole experience. After our fireworks we drove Craig's truck to our secret location to watch the big show, where we all sat in the back of the truck and ate red vines. After the show Carter, Layla, and I lay down for the ride home. It was their first time riding in back, and it was a magical moment with the combination of giggles, stars, and fireworks all around....perfect:)

4th Of July

My family has a cabin in Island Park, and every year for the 4th of July we have a BIG reunion up there that lasts the whole weekend. It's with my the 6 children in my Dads family, and all their children, and all their children....so it's lots of people, and lots of fun. Craig had to work this year over the weekend, but I thought I would be super woman, and take the kids up anyway.
My Dad rented a beautiful cabin near the family cabin for my siblings and I to stay in. It was so fun to go back to our cabin at the end of the day and sit in the hot tub, and play games till the weeeee hours of the morning. During the day we got to do all the fun camping stuff that kids love most.
At one point the ladies decided to take a ladies only boat ride, cranked up ABBA, and surfed behind the boat. It was my first time surfing, and I totally loved it. Even though Layla tripped while we were out, and her front tooth went through her lip; and Carter through the BIGGEST tantrum of his life because I was going on the boat without him...I'm still glad I went.

Ditch Day

We are lucky enough to live in one of the few neighborhoods that still has irrigation water rights. Once a week the little ditch behind our yard fills up with water, and the kids get wet. Grandpa Hall (Craig's Dad) and Carter made this cool little boat together, so now on "ditch day" the kids take it out and float it down...so much fun! Happy Ditch Day.

1960's Date

I found myself in the cutest little vintage store the other day looking at home decor items, and before I knew it I was trying on this little number. I loved the boat neck with the side tie, and the extended sleeves. Most dresses are too short for me, so I love it when I find a short one that isn't too short. I mean come on, we all want to show a little leg every once and a while, but not the whole kit and caboodle:)

Basically, this dress inspired me to plan a great big 1960's themed date with my guy. I made Craig an invitation that said "Hey cool cat, are you ready for a groovy time? Pick me up tonight at 7:00" I wore the dress...or course, and tried really hard to do my hair big, but I just couldn't get it to stay :( Where is aqua net when you need it!?! We went to a diner for some good grub, and made a swift return home to relieve the baby sitters (thanks Kim and Jeff). I google searched "60's recipes" and found a yummy fruit dip one. I also picked up some old fashioned coke bottles, popcorn buckets, and some other oldish snacks for our movie. We watched the original "yours, mine, and ours". I thought is was cute, but it was a little too slow for Craig. After the movie we did a little dancing to some hits from the 60's, which of course led to....ya know, good times;).

Annnnnyyywaaayyy, it's always so much fun to change things up, and keep them exciting. We still stuck with the regular dinner and a movie date night thing, but with a little flare. Our next theme date is already in the works, so you'll have to stay tuned to hear all about it...well, maybe not allllll about it:)