Ben's Birthday

We wanted to make Ben's birthday a special day for him. When the big kids were little, I took them to Chuck E Cheese on their birthdays, just for a special treat. I had forgotten about that, but remembered earlier this week. So this morning, Anna and I took Ben and Sam to Chuck E Cheese. I think there were 2 other people there. It is a nice place when it's empty! Ben loved riding this horse.

This is about all Sam did- play Mario Kart.

He wasn't too sure about this ride and ended up getting off before it started.

Back on the horse!

Eating a popsicle.

He loves popsicles.

His big birthday smile, or so he said.

Meeting Chuckie.

Some of my children have been afraid of Chuckie at this age. Not Ben.

After Chuck E Cheese, we picked up Emma and lunch and headed to the park. It was 80 today and breezy and beautiful.

We love a picnic.

Sam was serious about the food.

Emma's first time at the park.

And her first time on the swing. She loved it!

Sweetie Pie~

She smiled and laughed while she was swinging. I think it tickled her stomach.

The big boy who doesn't even need a push anymore.

He was telling me he wanted to go as high as the sun.

A monkey on the monkey bars. (Check out that tongue)

Merry Go Round.

We had a nice time and Ben enjoyed himself.

Ben at 3

Benjamin Robert Anthony turned 3 today. He is an amazing kid. I am almost sad to see him turn 3 because I enjoyed him being 2 so much.

Ben loves to play outside, loves rocks and sticks and loves to eat. He seems to eat all. the. time. At his party tonight, Paul and I gave him a Reese's Peanut Butter heart. He kissed it. Not once. Not twice. THREE times. What 3 year old does that? (Well, thinking about it puts me in mind of another 3 year old who probably would have done that- his name was ZACK!)

He is generally obedient, but does test the limits at times. He does not like to nap. In fact, one of his favorite sayings, said right before naptime and bedtime is "I don't take naps anymore". He is amazed that Sam doesn't have to take a nap and is convinced he doesn't need to either. Some days he lays in bed, never sleeping. But mommy is not ready for him to give up naps yet!

He loves to read books, play cars and has discovered playing games. I try and play at least one game with just the boys every day after we do school and Ben loves this. Alot of the time he has no idea what is going on but he is happy just to be included.

Ben loves Emma and loves to kiss her. He is very sweet to her. He also loves to play with Sam, who is his idol. If Sam is doing something, then Ben wants to do it also.

He makes the funniest faces and can be very animated. At his birthday party tonight, he was so excited, he exclaimed loudly at each gift. At one point, he ran down the hall to put on a new outfit he had just received. He gave us all a good show!

Benjamin, I love you so much. I can't believe you are already 3! What a gift you have been to me and to your family. Don't ever change. (And you can slow down growing up!!)

Blast from the Past

These pics were all taken in the summer of 2008. We were on the first leg of our cross country vacation, The Rocky Mountains. Look how small Sam was!

A beautiful picture Paul snapped of an elk making its way across the mountain.

Baby Ben. Looking at this, he reminds me of Emma. I think it's his mouth. It's certainly not his hair. :)

Anna and Ellie were so little. Ellie was just a little girl! How did she grow up so fast?

They have all grown up so much in the past 2 1/2 years. It's amazing. Looking back through these pictures have reminded me of what fun we had during those 3 weeks. That was an incredible vacation.

Silly Faces

These were all taken in church. :)

February 9th

Today is a special day in our family. Paul , Jr. turned 21 today. Even as I write that, I can hardly believe it. Paul, Paul Jr and Zack, all ready for church in 1994. Paul was about 4.

Ellie's birth in 1999. Paul was 9 here and was very excited about the birth of his new sister.

At the Grand Canyon in 2008. All four of my sons on the rim. Paul was 18 here and had just graduated high school.

In December at our open house.

Paul at 21.

Happy Birthday Paul. We love you and thank God for you.

Emma at 7 Months

Emma turned seven months old today and celebrated by standing up in her crib for the first time. She was very happy with herself and did not understand why she couldn't get up yet. (She had just been put down for a nap).

We immediately lowered the mattress so she wouldn't fall out.

She is still a wonderful baby. The only time she ever fusses is when she is put down for a nap. She does not see the need for sleep at all and registers her complaints quite loudly.

She has mastered the art of sitting up without wobbling and she has mastered getting herself into a sitting position. She gets up on her hands and knees and rocks and has moved a little bit. She will be crawling very soon.

Emma will also straighten her legs out like she is going to stand up while her hands are still on the floor. It is quite something to see.

She eats baby food three times a day and enjoys it very much. She takes 4 bottles every day and has learned this month to hold her own bottle.

If you hold out your hands to her, she will put her hands up so you will take her. Whenever I walk into the room, she will look at me and put her hands up for me to take her. I must say I enjoy that very much!

Emma says "dada" but I'm not convinced she understands who that is. Her dad is convinced she knows it's him. I've heard her say mama only once or twice, plus alot of other sounds.

Her hair is crazy! She did not lose any on the top so it constantly falls into her face unless we have it pulled back.

Emma has learned so much this past month it just amazes me when I stop and think about it. I enjoy watching her learn and do new things; however, I already miss her being a little baby. It is truly bittersweet.

Recent Deals

Have you ever heard of DealPulp? I hadn't either until last week when they ran a great special. They were offering a box of clothes from ThredUp, another company I'd never heard of, for $6. ThredUp is a used children's clothing swap site. You can buy a box of gently used clothes (that you pick) for $5 and then pay $10 to have it shipped to you. An OK deal, but not great. Well, DealPulp was offering free shipping- only $6 for a box of clothes- a much better deal. To sweeten it even further, DealPulp was offering a $5 credit for new customers. So, do the math and the box of clothes were now $1- a wonderful deal! Emma has outgrown most of her clothes, and she has outgrown the little girl that was giving her hand me downs. I have been on a search for gently used clothes for her, so I could not pass up this deal. I went to the ThredUp site, searched every box in her size and picked one. I figured at the worst, I was out a buck; at best, I would get a box of clothes she could wear.

I got the box today and I LOVED every outfit in it! The clothes were all in great condition and so cute. Ellie and I squealed as we unpacked all the clothes. This deal was much better than I even hoped it would be.

Woo-Hoo!

This morning as I was on Facebook, one of my friends posted a link to a coupon for $1 off Mueller's pasta. She even mentioned that Food Lion had it on sale for $1, making the pasta free. Well, I printed out 12 coupons (there was no limit), went to Food Lion tonight and came home with 12 boxes of pasta for which I paid nothing.

Gotta love a great deal!!