Bring Your Daddy to School Day

I have never seen this little boy beam with as much pride as he did this morning when he got to show his Daddy all about school. Our little guy goes to Pre-pre school on Tuesday mornings. It is a toddler group that gives kids a little bit extra attention (whether is be speech Therapy, physical therapy etc). It also happens to be a great place to chat with other moms and hear about how wonderful your little one is doing each week.

We have been part of the group for over a year (he can be part of the group until he is 3) and the group of toddlers we have had this school year is great. We will truly miss all the parents and kids during the Summer but I am pretty sure we will still get together for many play dates.

Since Joel has meetings on Tuesday morning he hasn't been able to come to group since last year so today was his day... he got to see Bennett's bin, play in the water pool, sing songs in Circle Time and help him wash his hands before snack. I am pretty sure Bennett will be devastated when Joel doesnt come next week because when we got home all he could talk about was how "dada at Bennett's school!"
After a morning of showing Joel around I realized that maybe it was this mama that was beaming with pride... it is so fun to watch him showing off for his dad and being part of his little social group at school... He is growing up too fast.

Bennett's bin...

Parachute time! the kids go crazy for it.

Time for the shaker song...

Lets get ready for snack time (Bennett's favorite part of school)!

This snack was soooo cute. It was fish day and so they had these long pretzels, with blue cream cheese to dip in... then they dipped the stick onto the fish crackers like they were fishing... it was a huge hit and I must admit it was tasty!

Happy Campers!

We realized a little late that we had no plans for the Big memorial Day weekend... It occured to us that all we really wanted to do was get outside with the kids. So we camped out at Aunt Katie and Uncle Marty's!

We met up with Uncle Kippy and Aunt Jeanie at Katie & Marty's Friday evening and it turns out our late planning worked out perfect.

We had a tiny bit of sun, many quad rides, lots of the guys doing manly outside work like using the tractor, and even some T-ball practice. It worked out perfect with each family doing one big dinner. We loved hanging out with Maddie and her friends too! It was relaxing, no fuss but lots of fun... Perfect weekend with family!

Reece... cutie!

Our camp sites...

Beautiful little Evie!

T-Ball...

Boys will be boys...

I think I have some of the cutest nephews on the planet...

Today Bennett and I spent the day, enjoying some sun and some cousins.

It seemed like just yesterday it was two summers ago and Reece was a new born and Bennett layed happily on a blanket not mobile yet... Now our afternoons are spent playing T-ball, "racing fast" in circles in the front yard and just trying to make sure one of the boys don't ride a trike down the deck stairs.

They are growing up too fast!

Bennett sure loves him...

 Cash...

Corn on the Cob

Wow, what a beautiful Day! Bennett and I spent the majority of the day in the front yard soaking up the sun and playing...

This little boy cracks me up nearly all the time. I told him he didn't have to wear a shirt and less than a minute later this is the little nakey boy I had playing in the hose. I guess I will have to explain better next time. He told me he was waiting for Daddy and I didn't have the heart to tell him he wouldn't be home for another 6 hours.... Too cute!

I am not sure why I find him eating corn on the cob so hilarious... maybe it is the intensity he appears to have about it... he loves it!

Mama' First Half...

Over two months ago Joel and I made the difficult decision that we would not "try" for any more biological children. This came with two exciting positive sides... first, we are officially going to adopt! and second, I would be able to start running again.

That next week I was talking to my cousin Teri who is always doing all these fun runs or bike rides and she somehow convinced me to do the Capital City Half-Marathon! I hadn't ran over 3 miles in almost a decade so it was a little scary to even think about but I thought "what a great way to kick this into gear"... and boy did it!

So I started on the journey to get myself into shape but I was still terrified as the day got a bit closer. As all the girls arrived on Saturday afternoon, so did my nerves! My aunt Pam, cousins Teri, Emily and Meghan all met at our house and we drove to the start line to get registered and get our shirts (which were super cute).

I was ready! We woke up to the sound of the pouring down rain before 6 am and we were to the start line ready and cold at 7... As the 1,200 people running the half started at the sound of the gun I was so excited. All the planning and training were going to pay off. I started out not knowing at all how I would do but I thought I would be between an 11 and 12 min average mile or around 2 hours and 30 or 45 minutes to complete the whole 13.1 miles.

Thank the lord for my Cousin Emily.... She was a great pace and I kept up with her for the first 9 miles.... we were about 3 minutes apart as I reached that last down hill stretch into the finish line and I am not really sure if my legs were actually moving under me, it was more of a glide closer to the clock that to my surprise what right at 2 hours and 17 minutes... I was ecstatic!

I ended up finishing at a 10:29 average mile pace and I couldn't be happier. I had a great time and can not wait for the next one...

Right before the race... hiding under the beautiful tree from the rain...

Coming into the finish line...

We did it!!!

And to make it all worth while I had my two favorite guys waiting and cheering for me at the finish line!

School Pictures...

Most of you know that putting my kid into an adorable outfit and keeping him in it isn't really one of my strong suits. It has never bothered me to take perfect pictures of my child in unmatching, out of season and even sometimes clothes with dirt on them. But with a two year old I would like to think I am not alone in this battle.

But then school pictures roll around and for some reason I feel this urge to make sure my kids outfit at least matches for the one day that will be captured at school for all time. So this morning after a lot of coxing I got Bennett into one of the few button ups we own, I soon realized it was enormous on him but it had been such a battle to get it on that I went with it. I said "buddy, you look soooo handsome, go look in the mirror" and as he was gazing in complete admiration of himself he said "mama, this Papa shirt"... and I had to laugh, yes that looks like a shirt both of your grandpas would wear.

Once I agreed he was so proud of his "Papa shirt" that he ran out the door happily... I went with it and chased him out and got a couple cute pics before running him to school.

I attempted this same clothing battle last year about this time for the school pictures and boy my baby has grown up!

One year ago... still just as handsome!

March for Babies 2011

What a day! It is now Mothers Day morning and all I want to do is snuggle up in my PJ's and go through my pictures from a wonderful day yesterday. As I am flipping through pictures of kiddos in strollers and people walking in the sunshine it is hard not to get emotional over all the wonderful friends and family we have that came out to support us and this great cause. I had been so worried about the details and donations that I didn't realize how great it would feel to see all those T-shirts worn by everyone we love.

I had assumed it would rain and didn't think much of it (we have to be used to it at this point) but when it didn't rain I couldn't have been happier. It was a beautiful walk around capital Lake and truly a fun day. Team Bennett was a bit slow and definitely pulled up the rear and so by the time we got back all the hot dogs were gone... thankfully I had over bought some BBQ materials (and cocktails :) and Team Bennett headed back to our house to celebrate a wonderful morning.

My sweet Aunt Pam and cousins Emily and Paige couldn't make it over from the Tri-cities, but being the supportive ladies that they are they wore their Team Bennett T-shirts and headed to the March for Babies in the Tri-cities. One of the most famous March for Babies team is Kate's Team out of the Tri-cities. I had heard they have amazing donations and walkers every year... but it didn't occur to me until yesterday after talking to my Aunt that those walkers were walking in her Memory... It made me remember how darn lucky we are that our little guy survived and we are able to celebrate and walk in his Honor. He truly has been through a battle and I was sooo proud of him yesterday and all his two year old craziness!

The March of Dimes has made some amazing strides to prevent premature birth and birth defects... I know all the generous donations are helping us towards every baby being born healthy.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!

And the Tri-Cities Team Bennett!

A little fun with Lily!

Oh lily... such a funny sweet and happy little girl! Bennett and I were lucky enough to steal her from day care on a sunny day. Her and Bennett crack me up. They had pancakes, a tea party (where during Bennett annouced he had farted "I fart lily") and splashed in the new water table in the front yard. I am pretty sure many summer afternoons will be spent with me sitting back, watching and giggling at two of my favorite kiddos playing in the sunshine.

Gone Fishing

Since Joel was in college he has celebrated opening weekend for fishing by packing up some tents, some crazy boys and a tiny bit of beer and headed to Jameson Lake in Eastern Washington. This has never been an event I felt I was missing out on and I had always considered this one of Joel's "guys weekends". You can imagine my lack of enthusiasm when he asked me "wanna go to fishing weekend with me?"

Anyway it turns out all those crazy college boys have grown up and wanted to make it a family weekend and boy am I glad they did. It was a great group and even some well needed great weather. The kids in the group were awesome... and it truly warmed my heart every time Bennett took off to play with the pack of children in the dirt. His little personality is hilarious, he is so social now and clearly made many little toddler friends.

It amazes me how easy children become friends. They will run up to one another and just simply say "wanna play?!" and off they go, fast friends... it was the first time that he wanted to play with kids and not me.
 I must admit I was secretly most excited about capturing some great moments of my little guy fishing for the first time. He (Joel and I) caught 2 fish and the second one was his favorite. We let him "hold" it (or just squeeze it really hard) he was giggling like crazy the whole time. Surprisingly when we put it back in the water it swam away.

It was a great weekend and it made us all very excited about camping all summer!