Splash pad party!

Our ward had a get together at a little splash pad. The kids enjoyed it although it doesn't look like Tanner is here. The cold water felt so good on such a hot day!

My Birthday!

So I have to say that the best thing about this birthday was ALL the yummy food. But the whole day was good. It started off by me waking up and finding a sweet note from Andrew on the mirror to walking downstairs to find my kitchen decorated by my friend while I was still asleep in bed. Then she had someone babysit my kids and took me out to eat lunch at Olive Garden. After Andrew got home our family went to Wheatfield's to eat dinner (I think it's only in Omaha but I'm not sure ). I got what I have gotten almost every time, the Creme Brule' Waffle covered in fresh fruit. Tanner got the same and ate the whole thing. By the time we finished we were to full for dessert so we just got a slice of chocolate muse cake to go. But our car was parked in front of Ted and Wally's (a homemade icecream shop) so we couldn't resist that and got a little to share between all of us. By this time it was getting late so we went home and put Benson to bed and had a neighbor watch him. Then Andrew and I took Tanner to Toy Story 3. It was cute, had a lot of funny parts, but it seemed like they made this one for older kids. Tanner didn't like some crazy monkey in it. By the time we got home we went straight to bed. Andrew was helping Tanner get ready for bed and Tanner started crying saying, "We didn't even make mom a cake, or have her blow out any candles and sing Happy Birthday. I forgot to buy her something at the store too." I didn't hear any of this but Andrew said he was so heart broken. It made me feel bad. So the next day they put candles in the cake from Wheatfield's and sang "Happy Birthday" to me. (The cake was probably the best cake I have ever had.) Then I took Tanner to the a store and Tanner picked out some actually really cute earrings for me. And because Benson was there I picked out a few then let him pick out one pair that he wanted to get for me. They both thought that was fun and I got two new pairs of earrings! I really did have a great birthday. My family and friends made it great for me. Thanks for all that you do for me!

(The picture at the top is the only picture of the day... it's my almost gone DELICIOUS waffle.)

Father's Day!

So by the time I thought to snap a picture of the boys looking so nice in their Sunday clothes, Benson was the only one still dressed. So I scratched that idea and took one as we were sitting down for Andrew's Father's Day meal. He actually grilled the meat (we wanted it to be good, not burnt on the outside and raw in the middle like it probably would have been with me cooking it.) But I did the rest, complete with delicious smoothies!

Anyhow I think he enjoyed the day.

Thanks for being a GREAT DAD! You really do an amazing good with the kids and are such a good example to them. I can't wait to see you with our little girl! :) Love you babe!

The Durham Museum

So we have wanted to go to this museum forever but have been to cheap to pay for it. Luckily Andrew got free tickets through the school and we were able to go and check it out.
They had these statues everywhere. They were probably my favorite. I love "real life" statues. I think they're so cool!

Benson was unsure about sitting in between these two guys. He kept looking back and forth at each of them.

Andrew and I posing. Thanks for the great picture Tanner!

We got there about two hours before closing time and stayed until it closed. The boys actually really liked it and wanted to stay longer... for the trains of course. They let you walk through a train that changed time periods through each cart. Tanner said he liked the oldest the best. I couldn't believe how small the individual quarters where. In what was about as big as our closet was a sink, toilet, chair, then bed that folded down out of the chair and over the toilet to make a bed. I took picture but none of them did justice. You couldn't really tell what you were looking at. So you'll just have to take my word from it. But they were SOOOO small!

This was a little trolley type train that the kids could just climb in and out of. Benson liked this the best because he didn't have to listen to me tell him to hurry up or slow down. He could just play.

T-ball

Last Saturday was Tanner's first t-ball game. It was supposed to be his third but the first two were cancelled because of rain. Tanner had a lot of fun and the team this year is made up of all his friends, so I think it's funner for him. This is some of his team!

"GOOOOO team!"

Cheering on Tanner! Isn't Benson such a cutie!

So as we were driving to the baseball field Tanner asked me where it was. I said it was going to be at the same place as his games last year. He asked if it was next to the big building with a leaf on it. I thought about it and said, "no". I didn't remember any leaf. Well as we pulled into the parking lot Tanner starts yelling, "It is the same place, see mom, see the leaf? I knew I was right." Really? How does he remember these things from a year ago? I have the camera zoomed in so you can see the picture, but it really isn't that noticeable I think.

College World Series

Friday the 18th was the Opening Ceremonies for the Men's baseball College World Series. We live within walking distance (kind of annoying with all the traffic. The other day a cop wouldn't even let me turn the corner to go home, I went around the block twice before another cop told me to do a u-turn to go straight. So I did causing a even bigger backup. Wouldn't it have been easier to let me turn in the first place?) Anyhow so I took the kids to the zoo for a little bit first and then walked over to the stadium.
Since it was nearing Benson's nap time we didn't do anything but walk around and look at all the different things they had set up.

Watching UCLA practice.

Benson and Tanner thought it was great to be in the middle of all the commotion but I could tell Benson's nap was way passed due. So I told them we would come back later with dad. Tanner didn't want to leave still but finally gave in knowing he would get to come back!

Later that night we after Andrew got off work we headed over the the stadium again with some friends.

There was lots of different baseball activities you could do. Race the bases, throw baseballs through some holes, see how hard/fast you could throw a baseball, etc.

Andrew looks like he is really trying here. :)

We all had a really good time. The boys all got a plastic batters helmet, posters, sweat bands, our picture's taken, and tons of fun for FREE!

That night we all watched a GREAT fireworks show and let the kids run around.

Andrew has tickets to one of the games (I don't know which one) and will have to live it up since this will be our last year out here to enjoy the fun festivities!

Gettin' wet!

It is so hot and humid here in the summer's that it is a necessity to have cold water for the kids to run through. Benson usually stands back and just watches Tanner and the other kids get wet, but he must have been really hot this day because there was nothing stopping him. He loved it if you can't tell by the pictures.

Since he usually doesn't get wet I didn't bother putting him in his swimsuit, I finally just stripped him down after he kept trying to get in.

By this time Tanner was done and just drying off but he to had a blast!

Really??

Andrew was in charge of watching the kids and this is how I find them! At least they were quiet. :) We had the hid-a-bed pulled out because the kids had been feeling sick and always wanted to just lay down. So they're all just relaxing!

But I have to give him credit. This is what they are usually up to. My boys love books and would have you read them all day if you could. Benson usually just wants to hear the same stories over and over and over. Benson's favorite right now is about PJ Funnybunny. He calls it the, "Hop Hop Book".

Benson's 2nd Birthday

I'M TWO!!!
Tanner let Benson open the present from him in the morning before we headed to the zoo. He couldn't wait for Benson to see! They were both excited!

Benson ALWAYS wants to go to the zoo. So it was the perfect day for him. Train, animals, and a carousel ride!

"CHOO CHOO"

Benson had been acting a little sick all week so I was hoping he would feel better at least a little bit for his birthday. He did GREAT! It was really a good day and I think he enjoyed everything. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BENSON! We love you so much. You are a joy to have in our family!

Swimming

Benson looks like he is crying here but it was just really windy for a bit. He liked going down the slide as long as no other kids were around.

Benson loves baby Grey. He calls him "Bay"! Benson is in heaven if he even sees him. In church if he spots him he will start screaming, "Bay Bay Bay".

Tanner

Andrew took Tanner down with big slide a few times then told me to race with Benson. Benson didn't like it so much because the water came splashing up and over our heads.

Tanner and me here.

I did take Benson on this one a few times, he was questionable about the fast turns.

Fun at the pool!

Tanner and dad had a lot of fun swimming together while Benson and me played most of the time.

"SHARK!"