"My going to school...just like daddy!"

Benjamin had a BLAST on his first day ... I think his favorites were playing hide-and-go-seek (he hid under the table ... at least that's what he said), riding the cars and bikes INSIDE, and eating his lunch. Which came home all over his clothes. This ironically, made me happy that he ate his sandwich (PBJ...with blackberry jam) all by himself! They also learned the color: Blue ... which he already knows - but it was a GREAT review as we talked about everything BLUE on the way home! He is going to pre-school 2 mornings a week ... his teachers are WONDERFUL and he couldn't stop smiling because he had so much fun! The icing on the cake for HIM was getting a sucker at the end for being a good boy! I loved how happy he was and eager to tell me EVERYTHING!

A week in HOT Atlanta!

Well ... it seems Sundays are my big post days ... but the weeks have been so jam packed - it's my only free moment to catch up and do my enjoyable things! Jonathan did a 2 week rotation in Atlanta - the last we were able to spend with him ... thanks to 30,000 Marriott points we have been saving up! So here are a few of our fun outings and adventures:

Monday night we had family home evening with the Forscutts at the Braves game ... unfortunately they lost pretty bad -but we had a great time being with Chris, Elizabeth and Kinsley ... and with eachother ... well at least UNTIL ...

we tried to ride back on the MARTA (Atlanta railway) -- the 20 minute trip took an hour and a half ... due to some issues with the doors opening and closing. At one point they told us to get off - so I got off with Benjamin (no shoes because it was 11 pm at night) -- and Jonathan was holding my purse (with phone inside) ... well the doors shut... the train took off - and there we were - shoeless Benjamin, no phone and no Marta pass. Luckily we were able to get on the next train ... BUT - un-beknownst to me - Jonathan's train took a side track - to try and repair the doors, we headed to our train station ... and Jonathan was no where to be found. After searching the scarey station for 20 minutes - I finally concluded that Jonathan had gone on to the car without us ... so Benjamin and I belly crawled on the ground under the Marta gates ... only to find ... Jonathan NOT at the car -- now we were locked out of the Marta station - AND there were lots of CRAZZZIES!! Thankfully, Jonathan got there about 5 minutes later!! What an adventure ...

Wednesday ... was a VERY busy day: Benjamin and I went to the Botanical Gardens ... I LOVED it ...and would recommend it! I didn't get lots of pictures of the flowers ... Benjamin just wanted to look at EVERYTHING. I love this cow ... check out the toothbrush: very fitting!

Wednesday night: Our trip to Stone Mountain. The hike was WONDERFUL ... but VERY VERY VERY hot ... and I enjoyed teasing Jonathan about wearing PANTS... in Georgia ... hiking... in JULY! He was completely drenched (well we all were) by the end of the night. The laser show wasn't as good as in years past - but as you can see we had a lot of fun!

(and yes - Jonathan HAD to buy the $6 light up sword for Benjamin!)

Jonathan and I were both able to go to the Temple during the week - I let Benjamin walk around the Temple grounds - he kept wanting to go inside - I told him he needed to be big like daddy - he replied: "my am big mom."

Lastly ... a trip to the Varsity ... the original one in downtown Atlanta. I LOVE the hamburgers... Jonathan not so much! Benjamin just thought it was GREAT to get a milkshake and orange soda in the same meal (definitely treats at our house!)

We did get to do a good bit of swimming ... and sleeping since we had to drop Jonathan off at the Marta station every morning at 6 am... which was very early for us - being that we were up late most nights! We headed home via the Outlets in Commerce ... for some tax free shopping -- and boy did we stock up! Happy school clothes shopping (even though I'm not in school!) ... we'll update more ... soon!

Boston TIPS!

Jonathan and I are going on our 5 year anniversary trip to Boston ... any tips on must sees, must eats, or must do's?? We are also going to spend some time on Cape Cod as well ... but I know a few of you have been/lived in Boston! We're excited ... my mom is planning to keep Benjamin for us!

A Mush-Room?

About two weeks ago - I looked out the window and saw this AWESOME little - well BIG, mushroom ... so why are they called mush-rooms anyways? So I HAD to show Benjamin because he had never really seen one before -and definitely not THIS big!

So as you will see he had to explore every bit of it! He LOVED how soft it was and kept saying, "it's soft mommy." I kept agreeing. He even tried to re-plant it ... I had to tell him that it's kind of like a flower, once you pick it ... it's picked! Oh the fun summer brings!

7-0-4-5 Cola-what?

So yes ... we've spent a LOT of time at 7045 Colaparchee Road lately! We most recently spent the week house-sitting while my parents were gone and Jonathan was completing a rotation in Atlanta. So this is the home I actually grew up in ... I wish I had taken a picture (maybe next time) - but it is so fun for Benjamin to experience all of the SAME things that I did -and even a few new ones. In the past few weeks we've gotten to swim in the pool, have blueberry picnics in the pool (blueberries right from the bush), Benjamin rode the tractor and 4-wheeler with Jonathan (and my brother Daniel), he got to see a deer in the woods, pick the garden, catch lightening bugs, play on the swingset -and Benjamin even helped with some cleaning projects!

So here is a picture of Jonathan and Benjamin riding on the tractor... note the flip-flops and shorts ... definitely not a farmer :)

This was from one of our first trips this summer... Jonathan and Benjamin rode the 4-wheeler so much that Benjamin just couldn't keep his eyes open any longer.

All in all we've had a really fun summer so far ... and it's not over yet!

Dollywood 2008!

As you will see - we had a GREAT time at Dollywood with Jonathan's family. My favorite is the Tennesee Tornado ... Jonathan's was the Mystery Mine (both roller coasters) - and Benjamin's all time favorite was the old timey cars! He would've ridden those all day if he could have!

Just so EVERYONE knows - I am 26 ... and old enough to be a passenger with Benjamin. Several of the workers said I didn't look 16! I had to assure them I was his mom!

Highlights of the following pictures:

*Benjamin insisting Jonathan hold on - while riding the pig ride!

*Benjamin REALLY is on that slide - he went over and over (not really tall enough!)

*The YUMMY blue raspberry ICEE's

and other favorites of the trip!

I would have to say there was one BIG bad part of the trip ... not to complain ...but the 8 hours it took us to get home was NOT fun! It is normally a 5 hour drive - which is fine ... BUT - Jonathan decided to take the SCENIC route through the mountains ... without informing me and I got SO car sick! I remember those windy North Carolina mountains from when I was a kid and always being car sick! So next time - I will drive HIM through the mountains ... or skip that part. It was a pretty drive - when I could keep my eyes open - but not worth the trouble! AND to top it off -

the picture of us at the top of the mountains got deleted!

But we did have a great time with family and getting to see everyone! We really enjoyed Splash Country -- I vote for more days there or 1/2 and 1/2 days would be PERFECT with a nap in between :)

A big thanks to Gene and Terri for a fun vacation!

I'm a Big KID now!

Well now that Benjamin is the big two ...we thought we'd share HIS exciting news. Part of Benjamin's birthday present was getting a new bed, sheets and quilt. He LOVES it - except the going to bed part! We've had lots of nights of crying and getting up and being put back in bed - but TONIGHT -- we had a miracle -

he didn't even get up once - hopefully this will be the start to a new beginning!

Benjamin's EVEN more exciting news is: He is POTTY trained! He almost NEVER has accidents and he did it all before turning 2! We had heard boys are harder to potty train - but not this little guy... I guess he just decided he could use the big (or little) potty too!

If you want any tips on potty training - just ask him - he's the PRO.

Honestly though -- I think here's MY advice:

1. they have to be somewhat READY - but not necessarily all the way

2. when they are: don't miss the boat ... even if it means taking the potty on vacation!

3. find a "treat-treat" they like - for Benjamin it was jelly beans not M&M's

4. be persistant

My next child will probably be 6 before he/she's potty trained -

I think we just got LUCKY with this one :)

Benjamin's 2nd Birthday!

Well Benjamin turned 2 on June 4th but we didn't have his party until Saturday, June 7th

(which was the planned date - which ended up being perfect because of the hand, foot and mouth

virus and not being able to be around anyone until he got better!)

We are so excited that we had lots of his little friends (and their parents) to help celebrate his birthday ...

along with my parents and sister!

A Few Funny Things (caught on camera!):

Lili (isn't she a doll!) trying to get into the dumptruck with Benjamin .. still in the box!

Benjamin couldn't blow out any candles ... because they wouldn't light!

The only time the WHOLE entire day that the wind actually blew!

AND the nice finger prints in the cake!

OH ... and might I add that the beach ball ended up looking more like

the Pepsi symbol than a red (PINK!!) , white and green beach ball...

Abby and Emma having a blast in the sandbox!

Abby, Benjamin and Lili playing with the squirting beachball!

(a b-day gift... we had to open right then and there!)

The group picture ... where you can see - 3 kids (including Benjamin) ... crying and trying to get up as quickly as possible!

Benjamin in his "NEW CAR" that he just couldn't wait to get into ... no roof even yet!

Jonathan trying to help Bridger into the squirting ball... no go!

Benjamin highly enjoying his cheetos!

And one of my favorite pictures: a typical 2 year old party ...

no 2 kids really playing TOGETHER and each doing his/her own thing!

We had a great time and we were glad that the EXTREME heat held off until after the party! I was a little bummed that we didn't get a family picture ... who forgets to take that?? But at least we were all there!

Home Away from Home ...

Utah - my home away from home! Benjamin and I were blessed by Jonathan's GREAT idea to go to Utah ... just the 2 of us - because airplane fairs (at the time) - were such a GREAT deal... and Benjamin was just UNDER 2 ... we actually flew back to Georgia the day before his 2nd birthday! The trip all in all was a BLAST ... minus an ILLNESS that Benjamin contracted!

So here's our trip in pictures:

1. "I'm going there someday!"

The gate outside of the Salt Lake Temple.

2 & 3. Benjamin in front of Temple Square/ Benjamin & I in front of the Christus statue.

4. Benjamin playing in the fountains.

5 & 6. Benjamin headed to the Temple/Benjamin walking around the fountain.

7 & 8. Benjamin and Briana at the park, Benjamin in the tunnel.

9. Benjamin and Briana eating ice cream on the front steps -

can you tell who Benjamin's favorite "sister" is...

10. Lucas, Savannah, Benjamin and Briana eating ice cream... popsicles and ice cream were part of the daily routine!

11. Savannah, Lucas, Briana and Benjamin at Thanksgiving Point.

11. Briana in the Secret Garden at Thanksgiving Point.

12. Benjamin and I at Thanksgiving Point.

13. Lynette and I in front of the flowers at Thanksgiving Point.

14. Me, Brittany, Lynette, Megan and Justin at Carraba's after their highschool graduation!

15. Benjamin and Romney playing outside ...

they were both so on the go - this is the closest I could get to getting them BOTH in the picture!

16. AND saving the best for last... a NEW baby!

My college roommate Laura - had her baby Monday, June 2nd ... so I was able to go and see baby Olivia and Laura --she was only 6 hours old!

BUT... I didn't get to hold Olivia BECAUSE... we thought Benjamin had an ear infection... then decided it was definitely NOT his ears but his throat... so of course we thought Strep throat... BUT after a LONG day in 3 airports... lots of crying, and "my hurting, my hurting"... we went to the doctor Wednesday - on Benjamin's birthday... and he had...

NOPE - not chicken pox like last year for his 1 year b-day gift... this year for his 2nd birthday he got the HAND, FOOT and MOUTH VIRUS!

So I'm hoping 2 years of random children's diseases ... hopefully we can take next year off!

Highlights of the trip included visiting LOTS of friends, staying with the Heideman's, going to our nephew/cousin Richard's b-day (I didn't have my camera), going to the Provo Temple, Brittany and Megan's graduation... 2 girls that I LOVE, going to Thanksgiving Point and Temple Square, shopping and seeing Laura's new baby! The only thing we missed out on was a hike ... but VERY hard to do with a 2 year old! Seeing the mountains was ALMOST good enough :)