Swimming

When we told Benson that we were going to go swimming as a family, I think he didn't believe us right at first, but when we said that Luke was coming, he didn't stop talking about it. He was really excited. We had to run some errands before we went and at every stop Benson would scrunch his forehead and ask, "Is this the swimming pool?"

We went to the So. Jordan Rec. Center with Laura and her family. The boys really loved it, and were excited to climb up the slide. However, Andrew was unsure of all the spraying water, and cried. Once we calmed him down, he was shivering cold. I tried keeping him low in the water, a warm shower in the locker room, but eventually it led to wrapping him in a towel and sitting as a spectator on the bench. That's okay little Rew. I was a bit cold too.

There was a really fun lazy river and a whirlpool that Benson loved. Kimball and Dan went down the big slide and came back to tell me and Laura that it was our turn. We went down the first time and Laura made me laugh when she said, "I must be getting old because I was thinking, that slide hurt my back and elbow..." We went down again and I watched Laura go before me- very very slowly. I thought, I'm going to see if I can get going faster. I did the tricks of a teenager, and flew out of the slide- dunking myself in like three feet of water. This time Laura was laughing.

After swimming, we had a barbecue chicken salad at Laura and Dan's and ate drumsticks for dessert. Luke and Benson played football, and laughed, and fought, and had a great time. Andrew loved getting into unfamiliar stuff. What a great weekend we had! I am so grateful for my little family, a sister nearby, and time to spend together.

Fenna Henna Jenna Ferfie Lerfie

Benson, Mary Lynne, Andrew, Erica, Jennifer, Laura, Connor

Utah State, Feb. 16, 2010
February 16th my youngest sibling Jennifer turned 22! I can hardly believe it, yet I am surprisingly letting her grow up- in my mind- because she's doing such a great job of it. She is a senior at Utah State, and we miss her all the time. Benson and I talk to her very often though. She has been the funnest, best little sis. She always wants to go shopping and lets me in on all the secrets in her life.



Just days before her birthday, I mentioned to Kimball that I thought it would be fun to go up to Logan and see her on her birthday. That night, I got a phonecall from my mom telling me that she just tore her ACL for the second time. What a bummer. She has been having so much fun playing coed volleyball, soccer, ping pong, and doing lots of other fun activities. From our family experience, I've seen what a set back this can be- (currently I am the only child in my family with uninjured knees- this is not a boast- but a hope they will stay that way). As soon as I heard about her knee, I decided that for sure I would go. My mom and Laura came too. We went to her place and had her open our presents. We went to the Pita Pit for lunch- I'd love one in SLC. Did a bit of shopping and went back to her place to sing to her and have some cake that we brought. It was a lot of fun to see her in her element, and despite her knee, her demeanor was cheerful and happy as usual. She is such an awesome aunt and sister. I- we- love her to death. Happy Birthday Jennifer!!

Little Boopers

I wish this wasn't blurry, but I still love his little angel face. My little boopers is getting, well, not so little. He went in for his 15 month check- up this month and he was in the 50% for head and height and in the 60% for weight (24 lbs). Still very average, but big to me. He literally is in to everything and his reach is increasing dramatically. He's been able to open the front door now for more than a month- scary- and he is also sneaky about it.

He makes us laugh all the time- the hard laughter. He loves Benson sooooo much and follows him around. All the hardness of having two babies close is ALL worth it to see them as little playmates and best friends. He has recently experienced his first time-out's and has had about 4 (15 seconds). He doesn't cry, just stays in the corner and then hugs me after. It's amazing that he really does know when he's not supposed to do things.

He tries to run, but can't keep up with himself and falls face forward all the time. He loves Little Einsteins and pats his legs and raises his arms, and he knows milk, and please in sign language. He folds his arms for prayer, blows kisses, and wins hearts. Oh how I love to kiss on his cheeks!!

I know there is something wrong with this picture---I shouldn't be smiling, but Kimball was standing right next to me when he projectiled and it was so startling that we just burst out laughing. It really was funny- even more so that it was on me and not him. I deal better with that sort of stuff- that was not in any way to paint a picture that he doesn't just dive right in anyway- because he does. Andrew has been sick a lot in the last month. He got a double ear infection the day before New Year's and had a sinus infection and fever at the same time. He was on antibiotics for ten days, but still has a runny nose, and spontaneous 'not-feelin-so-good' days. He also has 6 going on 8 teeth, and so he's been dealing with that too.

My cute little Boop!

The BIG 3-0!! ! !!!

I mentioned to Erica a few months back that I wanted to see people that I haven't seen in a while for my birthday. Not a very well coded message Erica says, "You want a party?" At first it was a surprise party that I obviously didn't know about. Erica kept asking what movie I wanted to see, where I wanted to eat. But I did accidentally saw a text on her phone and was SO EXCITED. (Be careful what you text people!) I still refused to hear details but I was able to help with the setup of the event. Erica did such a wonderful job at putting it all together. What a party!

The friends that I wish I saw more often but don't see as often, and will now see less often. Enjoy Chicago Marsh's. Thanks so much to very busy people who bless me with their friendship. I'm grateful for you.

Mmmmm Luau Chicken Salad. Anything with Strawberried in it has got to be good!

Can't believe that I'm thirty. Here's the cake to prove it. Delicious and my favorite: chocolate covered lemon cake. I didn't get the chance to show off my aged lungs. That's why I have sidekicks now. I taught Andrew how to blow candles out a few months back and he got a little confused because he is used to only blow out one candle.

Andrew got so into blowing the candles out that on the final one he put the exclamation point on the cake. He tried to balance himself on the cake and his little paw print couldn't have landed in a better spot!

Benson rocks this joint, and looks the part pretty well. Thanks to Clark and his boys for lending the Wii and Rockband.

Birthdays are just days, you celebrate them because they have significance. I enjoy birthdays because they allow me to reflect annually on life and my personal goals. Thirty is a nice round number but it also is a good barometer for many things. For example, my dad worked for the same company for thirty years, lived in the same house for thirty years. What will MY next thirty hold? Regardless of age, I could not be any happier with my life. I am most grateful that I have an amazing wife whom I am passionately in love with, that I get to spend every day with. A wife who has brought two incredible children into our lives. They inspire me, educate me, entertain me and stretch me. Here's to thirty more 'eh.

Cosmo has a minivan!

We took Benson to a BYU basketball game. He LOVES it! We even found Grandma Knights in the crowd sitting with Sue and Ken and sat with them for the second half. Of course, Benson watches Cosmo as much as the game and when he came close enough Benson waved at him and yelled, "Cosmo" and he came right over to us. After a huge victory, we were walking back to the car and we saw a minivan aka: the cosmobile, and Benson yelled, "Look mom, Cosmo has a minivan!"

The suspicion is confirmed- he has a sweet tooth

When Kimball goes out of town, he brings us all a treat/surprise. This time he was gone for four days and brought us each a big lollipop (and me two new shirts!) At first when he unveiled the surprise, my first thought was "what is he thinking??! Everything in the house will be stickified within moments." However, I decided to relax and let them live a little. Don't worry, they didn't finish them all at once, and I had to closely monitor them. Needless to say- it was a hit.

Kimball was given a chocolate bar from his workplace that was sugar-free. Benson had asked me if he could have some. I told him that he could after lunch. He went and got it out- so he wouldn't forget and left it within reach of little Roo baby. I was nearly shocked to see Andrew walking out of my room with a half eaten chocolate bar. I guess the sugar-free didn't stop him. I was laughing so hard watching him eat it. He has so much personality! I've said this before, but he knows what he wants in life. Luckily, we were able to salvage a few bites for Benson- even though he didn't care anymore about it because he thought it was just as funny as I did.

At the touch of a button

We were given a Blend-tec for Christmas from my parents- I know- lucky. We love it and the kids love it to. At the touch of a button, we have a smoothie, as if I made a quick run to Jamba Juice. I think that we are going to get a lot of use from it. Thanks mom and dad!