Benson woke up great but then got a little grouchy. We found out that all we had to do was start singing "Happy Birthday" and he'd cheer right up. If we were in the kitchen he would hurry and look at the birthday banner and grin from ear to ear!
For days after Benson would ask for, "Mouse cu cake".
I got more video than pictures. But Benson was in heaven. He also found that Mickey can ride around in the bus.
June 7th Andrew started his first rotation. The last year of Pharmacy school has begun. I really can't believe how fast it has gone by. He really likes the one he is in now and hopefully the rest aren't too bad either. There will be a few that he has to do actual homework in, but after having tests weekly to nothing I think he will do just fine!
You know you are tired when you can fall asleep like this!
Tanner calls my cedar chest "Mom's special table" because I don't let him play with toys on it. So he has also made it "His special table" UNDERNEATH IT. It started out by him putting toys under it he didn't' want Benson to get, but it didn't take Benson to long to figure out the cool stash of toys. So now they both put things under there. Tanner just tries to push his stuff a little further back out of reach. 
I gave the boys Push-ups when Benson went to stand by Tanner. He leaned against the door and crossed his legs so content with his new treat. It was so funny how he did it Andrew and I couldn't stop laughing.
Enjoying a little art! I tried letting Benson paint, but the there is just too much paint that comes out on the brush for someone who doesn't know how to control it. It was on the floor, easel, and Benson was determined to keep up the good work. So I switched him to chalk.
With dad at work me and the boys headed to the downtown park. We hadn't been in a while and Tanner wanted to feed the ducks, geese, etc.
Tanner was getting a little nervous because they would come right up to him. I just kept telling him to throw the bread out far and fast! Tanner would just squeeze between me and the stroller. Benson on the other hand thought it was cool and would just hold the bread out. I'd have to grab it and throw it before they could come chomp his hand.
There was lots of wildlife to see. There was also HUGE crazy looking fish in the water swimming around. At least a yard long and their top fin and tail would stick out of the water reminding me of jaws... dun ut dun ut dunn ut!
After walking around the lake Tanner asked if we could just sit on a bench the the shade and watch. After about a half hour of just sitting there I asked if he was ready to go. He didn't want to so we stayed a little longer. Benson was suprisingly just as content sitting there taking in all the sights too. It was a fun and relaxing morning!
"Mom birds, tweet tweet"
I love fruit and even more so right now. 
"ROAR"
As I have mentioned before TANNER LOVES CLOTHES. I was out shopping a couple weeks ago for some baby girl clothes when Tanner wondered off and found some shoes. He brought them over to me and asked NICELY a million times if he could get them. I told him we would have to ask his dad. (he had just gotten a couple hand-me-down pairs). Andrew was at school and so we left without buying them. A week later I went back to the mall (this time the whole family) Tanner asked if he could go show dad the shoes so we went. I had a 40% off coupon so Andrew told Tanner he could get them. Tanner was in heaven. As soon as we got home he ran upstairs and put on a recent hand-me-down shirt. He was so thrilled his outfit matched. (note: he wanted the shoes before he got the shirt.)
How much of a banana do you think can fit in my mouth?
Benson LOVES hanging....on anything. Most of the time it is not safe at all. There is a bar at the playground that he will swing out over a drop off. Makes me soooo nervous!
Going to the extremes to get his binky. He only gets it when he goes down for bed. The other day in the middle of the day he thought he needed it and squeezed under his bed to get it. I heard him grunting and then excited and then start to freak out. Yep... he was stuck, it took some wiggling around and me lifting up the side to get him out. I actually let him keep it for about 5 minutes just because he worked so hard to get it. 
Benson loves "May may" and was sad to see her and her family moving on. (Along with the rest of us). For the following three days after they moved Benson would say, "Maymay, truck, play" Meaning where is Maymay, where did the big moving truck go, and I want to go play with my buddy. 
"CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE, DANCE TO THE MUSIC!"
Andrew has been gone a lot these last couple of weeks with the end of school and finals to study for. When he is home he is down in the basement locked away from all of us studying more! Today was his last final but the stress had started to lift last night with almost all of the tests over. So instead of eating dinner and disappering to the basement, he hung around with us. Not even 30 seconds had passed from the time he laid down on the floor until Benson was trying to balance on top of him to give Daddy "loves". Tanner quickly joined in. They love DADDY'S attention and are glad they'll get to see more of him now!
Tanner got this easel from my parents over a year ago. It didn't come with paint, brushes, cups, or paper and I have been a slacker by not buying them. All he has been able to do is the chalk board on the other side and dry erase. So as I was walking through a store the other day I saw all the fixings to complete the set. FINALLY the boy can paint. He loved it and painted a couple pictures over almost an hour and a half. 
I am the luckiest MOM in the world to have the greatest boys around. They both love helping me and will be great big brothers to their soon to come little sister!
A bunch of us girls went to Granite City for dinner one night (yum). The week before a bunch of us went to a movie. Andrew said, "I wish I could go out every weekend instead of studying!" He was just teasing of course. He realizes that I need to get away sometimes without kids. I laughed looking at this picture realizing 3 out of the 10 have had babies recently and 5 of us are pregnant. I am going to miss the girls moving this year!
I made homemade chicken noodle soup. Benson ate his so fast and wanted more. I asked, "Benson do you want more chicken noodle soup?" He answered (signing "more") then said, "Bawk Bawk soup.... bawk bawk soup." It was so cute I had the share!
Jackson, Creighton, and Tanner
Lily, Ruby, and Meili
Beggin' for food! They would clap then beg with their hands!
We had pulled the hide-a-bed out for the night so Andrew and Tanner could have a "camp out". All the couch cushions were on the floor so Benson and Tanner thought they'd have some fun. They laughed and wrestled each other for over an hour. I love watching and listening to my boys play and love each other. One of the best sounds in the world!
The women (and kids if you have them) in our ward got together for a fun Pack and Play lunch at a park before the graduates of this year leave. It was really fun with yummy food... but it is always sad to say "good-bye".
