Four year olds!

Brian Jr has been especially funny lately. His little personality is just bursting and we are constantly being entertained by him. We love his sweet little prayers where he says thanks for hot dogs, Lingle Park and other such details! The other day I was laying with him in his bed (his all time favorite) and I told him I had to go and he was begging for me not to go. I then explained to him that I needed to go lay down with Daddy and that when he was married he would have a wife to lay down with him. That was that and it was over. Then a few days later I kissed him goodnight and I was walking down the hall and I hear him yelling (he is always yelling, he only has one volume and it is LOUD)...anyway I hear him yelling "I want a wife, I want a wife, I want a wife." We will have to remember this one so that we can someday tell his wife about it! This little guys is going to need a lot of refining. Today he was all the way down the street riding his bike to the neighbors IN HIS UNDERWEAR!!! Of course, all the neighbors were out there laughing! Then when we were at a picnic he pulled his pants down and starting peeing about 15 feet from where we were all gathered. About 10 minutes later I look over and he is scarfing down a hot dog from someone's plate! I think he has the wrong mother! Oh speaking of mothers...get this: A few days ago we are at the pool and apparently he jumped in and splashed this lady and she jokingly said "where is your mother." He turned to her and loudly replied "I don't have a mother" and swam off!

Ben is One!

We had such a fun little Birthday Party for Ben. I must admit I was a little hesitant. I think since we have three, I am way too relaxed. Brianna and Brian had appetizers and punch bowls at their one year old parties! Poor Ben! Mary and Brian both agreed he had to have a party. I TRIED to keep it really simple. Brianna did the decorating, which she throughly enjoyed. I made a little duck cake for Ben and a REALLY yummy ice cream cake (first time making one of these). We had a few snacks like deviled eggs, chips and salsa and pigs (actually turkey since I am dieting) in a blanket. Ben got two presents on his Birthday which was the perfect amount. He got a little fire engine to ride on that he loves and his very own wagon from Mary and Jim. We had to be very specific about the rules of the wagon. I can just see Mary rocking on her front porch and watching Brian push Ben down the driveway in his new little wagon...YIKES! I can't believe how this year has flown by. Ben has been such a joy to our family. He is so sweet and quiet and we all adore him. What a blessing he is to our family! I can't imagine my life without this sweet little guy! P.S. It looks like Ben is going to like football!

Posts to come...

Ben's first Birthday
My garden (it grew like crazy while I was gone)
Pictures of our Bedroom all completed

Home Sweet Home

OK I have to tell you that I seriously am so crazy about this husband of mine. I missed him SOOOO much! I feel like I am still a silly teenager in love with her high school crush. I couldn't stop thinking about him the whole time I was there. I even cried one night because I missed him so much. We ALL missed him. The kids were super excited to see him, even Ben. Brian was all worried that Ben wouldn't recognize him, of course he did. Just like I always do after a LONG flight alone with three kids I say I am not going back for awhile! I am going to try to make it till next summer or maybe just the winter, we'll see! But I dont' know if I can make it that long again without my husband!

SAN DIEGO

We actually fit 34 people in 3 cars!!! This picture doesn't do it justice. It was crazy!!! Most everyone came in Motor homes and there were only a few cars and of course EVERYONE wanted to go to the beach! Ben got his very own seat since he is so little. He was definantly the most comfortable...he cried anyway!
Ben loved the beach, especially the food! Oh he is a cute boy!
The surfer dudes. It was fun to watch Keith, Greg, Davee, and Stephen surfing. We also got to see a bunch of dolphins.
Tamara was just a little bit cold. That girl is always cold!!!
Oh my, this was crazy. Jacob got stitches and then Grandma took them out. We were all helping as you can see. We kept saying "stop talking Jacob!" Then on the way home (the day after we took out the stitches) he ran into a shelf at Jack in the Box and opened it all up again!

Highlights of my Arizona trip

It was so fun to surprise Alison. Her co-workers told her that one of the patients needed to speak with her about their bill and so when I showed up she came out to the waiting room calling for this so called upset patient and it was ME! We went to lunch (kidless, thanks mom)! We can't wait to go on our cruise in Sept with the Solomons!
Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast. Dad woke up early and went and bought Brianna and Brian bikes for the bike parade and for the San Diego trip. The kids were very excited. Thanks Dad! We had a great time and mom even ran home to get the Sugar Free Syrup and Fat Free Redi Whip. Someone came to our table for syrup and Dad said "trust me you dont want that." We were loving life!
The kids got very inventive in the blow up pool. They used a kiddie table as a flotation device. Opa and Grandma weren't sure they liked all the creativity!
Mom had a party for Ben and Brian the night before we left. Ben was loving his cupcake! Can you tell? Look at the mess he made on the brand new high chair, sorry mom!
Brianna and Brooklyn had so much fun together. They were constantly laughing, and driving Opa craZY!! They remind me so much of Tamara and I when we were younger. Brooklyn is carefree and sweet and Brianna is a little bossy and uptight...hmmm that doesn't sound like me, does it???