Trying to catch up

JanHow sad that it's been three months since my last post. That just goes to show how quickly time flies. We have had incredibly warm spring. Temperatures are warming up,some days it feels like summer. 

Here's a quick little catch-up. 

First of all, I fall in love with Benjamin more and more everyday. 

We have been making good use of the sunshine. when it was still a little chilly, we brought out some blankets (or towels) and the girls made themselves picnics. 

Who needs a pair shades to block the sun when you've got two hands?

Spending time at the zoo with their cousins. 

After the zoo weenjoyed a lovely trip to get some cupcakes and chocolates from aunt Maren's sweet tooth fairy shop. Yum!!

Jane is quite the artist. This is her picture of kites. 

We love our little man.

His funny faces make me smile. 

Benjamin loves the sunshine. We put him to sleep by her big windows where the sun shines through and he sacks out. 

Jane has been such a good helper with Benjamin. If he starts to fuss she comes to let me know and sometimes she'll even try to care for him herself, and she does a pretty good job at it. After patting Benjamin's back for a bit she let out a big sigh and said, "mom my patting hand is getting tired."

She'll even change his diaper! This could be good or very messy. 

We are all pretty much in love with him. 

Sneak peak Spring

Today is beautiful. Windy with a little chill , but beautiful. It feels as though spring is right around the corner. Rich has been working on our laundry/mud room on his day off today. He took a break to do some spring cleanup with Ally under the pine trees. Ally said they were doing "hawd wook."

Oh Jane, she is such a good little helper. I love her stunning blue eyes. She loves to draw and asks Ally if her pictures look "beeufidull."

Mom and baby Ben. 

Yesterday we headed up to liberty to have Sunday dinner with Rich's siblings. Everyone was able to be there, it was so nice to visit. 

The real deal

 Yesterday was the official day of valentines. Rich had to work all day unfortunately and then he went to the viewing of a coworkers mother who recently passed away. He didn't get home till about 8 o'clock at night. Earlier that day the girls made him some valentines, we picked up a special drink and some treats and took them to him at work. He was really busy at work so we didn't get to visit which was too bad. so we went and ran some errands, I took the girls to lunch at their favorite place (chick filet) and then we headed up to Grandma Arnell's house. I needed to do some etsy stuff and still so some grocery shopping while the girls played at grandmas but Etsy got waylayed and only the shopping got done. I had exhausted myself. We had dinner with my parents and then riches home just in time to set up a special v-day dinner for daddy. 

Rich always gets the girls special valentine treats, and me too :) and check out that awesome Jerky Bouquet! Best man bouquet ever. Rich's fav on the menu (pizza) and I was asleep on the couch by 9:30. 

An early valentine surprise

Rich has to work open to close at the bank on Friday and Saturday this week so he was able to take Wednesday off.  Since Friday is Valentine's Day we decided to celebrate a few days early. Rich had a great idea to surprise the girls by going swimming at lava Hot Springs. He made us all pancakes and eggs for breakfast and then we packed up and we're on our way. To say the girls were excited would be an understatement as they danced around the house squealing with delight. 

We spent a few hours of the pools, Jane liking the hottest water the best - crazy girl. Baby Benjamin stayed in his car seat, poolside. After swimming we went for lunch a local diner and then on the way home Rich surprised the girls with some ice cream cones from a local gas station. 

The day took longer than expected and we didn't get home until about 6 o'clock. Rich had arranged to have Maddi Larson come babysit so he could take me out to dinner at my favorite place-Olive Garden. We scampered to get ready to go and had a lovely time. I sure love my valentine. 

Be brave!

The other day I encouraged the girls to go outside and play in the freshly fallen snow. After getting the baby settled and sleeping soundly I went out to check on the girls. This is how I found them. Ally's snow overalls had gotten caught on one of the trampoline springs. Ally was in distress and Jane kept telling her to "be brave Ally, be brave!" 

This is my life

These girls love their " baby brudder" or as Ally calls him,  "Benjawin".  When we found out the gender of baby Ben we asked Jane what we should name him. 

She told us "Jackson". I don't know where she got the name from. Maybe a boy in primary? When prompted she would tell us that she came up with the name herself. She stuck with that name for the rest of the pregnancy until the last month when she hopped on board Ally's name train, "Tarzan the Savior Jesus white."

Wow. Strong name, yes.... Much to live up to!

Besides from the name of Mack, which I favorited for several months, we seriously considered Jackson. But when it came right down to it, the name Benjamin blind sighted us and it just felt right. It suits him. Strong name :) Benjamin Don, middle name after his grandpa Don White. 

His sisters take good care of him and make sure he gets plenty of snuggle time, although they are not mauling him, surprisingly, so that's been nice.

Jane is quite helpful actually. She will get him his binky if he starts fussing, fetch me more diapers or outfits if needed. She has taken on the role of big sister with pride and loves to show off her "baby brudder who has beeufidal eyes." I will miss her when she goes to kindergarten this fall :(

These three are my life, particularly during the hours between 9 am-6 pm. And every other hour of the day I get to throw a handsome man into the mix.