A September Afternoon

Last Saturday was such a beautiful warm sunny day! Maybe the last. After we got some chores done we made lunch together and then went to the park. First I wanted to tell everyone about our lunch. Not because it was sooo amazing, but because it was so fun and I thought maybe some of you out there would like to try this with you own kids. So... we made... Mini Pizzas! It's such a fun little activity for the kids, and it's pizza, and it's mini, so they feel soooo cool eating them. Anyway they are really easy. You buy some English Muffins, cut them in half and toast them in the toaster. Then put a little margarin (or butter) on them. Then put them on a cookie sheet, let your kids add the sauce, cheese, and toppings. Pop them in the oven at 400 degrees for about 6 minutes, or under the broiler just until the cheese melts and that's it! There done!
So after lunch we went to the park and layed in the shade while Benjamin ran around the park. It was just beautiful! Such a fun relaxing day.

Such a pretty girl!

So Happy!

Benjamin coming off the slide (his favorite thing)

Arlen's Baptism

On Saturday, Sept. 19 Arlen was baptized! She started taking the discussions when she stayed with us and was very interested. But then when she went back to Logan they were put on hold while we finished all the wedding plans. But once the wedding was over she jumped right back into the discussions with the missionaries and just loves the church and all she is learning. We are so happy for her and he decision to be baptized by one holding authority to do so. Her baptism was very beautiful and the Spirit was felt very strongly. The next sunday Isaac confirmed he a member of the church and gave her the gift of the Holy Ghost. He also gave her a beautiful blessing and again the Spirit was felt very strong. We are so happy for Arlen and pray that the Lord will continue to bless her. We love you Arlen!

The Elder's that taught her, Fred, & Arlen

The imediate family that was there

Afterward we had a small BBQ, and when Gary decided to lay down and take a nap in the shade, Benjamin decided to go lean up against his knees and have a conversation. He, He, it was too cute!

Say "cheese" grampa Gary!

The Big Switch

On Labor Day we painted Ben's new room. Then this past weekend we made the big switch, we set up his new room and his "Big Boy Bed," and expecting the worst, we did his bed time routine and put him down. And he stayed!!! We couldn't believe it! No tantrum, no complaining, no getting up. We were shocked and so happy. Man we have a good kid!.... So we thought. Then at 2 A.M. we are startled awake by a little visitor. Yes, he woke up and came to find us. So we took him back, put him in bed and.... he went back to sleep. Then at 7 AM he came running into our room and exclaimed "Good Morning!" The next night, was the exact same thing. He wakes up in the middle of the night, but before he was confined in a crib, so he would just go back to sleep but now, he can get out of bed and we have to put him back to sleep. Any suggestions on how to keep him in bed?? So then the third night, Sunday night, just when we think we have a perfect child.... he proves us otherwise. Isaac put him to bed and gets out and runs into our room... what?! I guess he just wasn't sleepy last night. So Isaac puts him to bed, again, and again, and again! Benjamin thinks this is a fun game and even starts to mimic daddy's "I'm getting really frustrated" hands on his hips stance. Then daddy crosses his arms, Benjamin crosses his arms. Daddy gets tired of it and turns off all the lights and goes to bed. Benjamin stands by our bed thinking he's won. I finish nursing Abby and put her down in the crib. (Yes, she is finally out of our room! Yea!) Now it's my turn, I put him back to sleep again, and again, and again. Ahhhh! Finally I lock his door. I wasn't sure if it was the right move (I didn't want to tramatize him) but I waited as he cried at the door. But it was totally a fake cry to see if we would come. When we did not come, he realized the "game" was over and ran back to his bed, hopped in and went to sleep. The whole ordeal was about an hour. But now we know what to do. Now I just have to figure out how to keep him in bed when he wakes up in the middle of the night.

So to explain, just a bit, we turned the guest room into his new room, but because we have no where else to put the guest bed, we left it in there and set him up in the awesome little nook that is in the room!

Before

After

His awesome Sports bedding that my mom and I made!
And the cute sports pillows and wall stickers, are from the dollar store!

I also added some pink to the nursery

Pink bows to the crib and the wall stickers say, "once upon a time there was a princess"

Utah State Fair!

Yesterday, we went to the opening day of the Utah State fair! They had an opening day special, only $2 to get in... so we had to go. It was so fun! They had lots of shows, animals, exhibits and a 57 foot slide. Being 2 years old, Benjamin's favorite things are slides, so we took him on it and he laughed with joy the whole way down. I filmed it, the video is at the bottom of this post. And following are pictures of most everything we did.

Ready for the Fair!

The Alligator show. It was really cool, but Benjamin was really scared and did not want to look.

At the wildlife exhibit. Doesn't Benjamin make a cute goat?!

Daddy, makes a cute goat too!

Chickens and Ducks! These and the pigs were Benjamin's favorite animals.

They had this great farm exhibit for kids. It took them through all the processes of how we get our food. He had to "feed the cow," then milk the cow. Then "pick an apple," then "plant a seed," then pick his carrot that he "grew."

Then he "drove a tractor," (tricycles that said John Deer on them), then he grabbed an egg from the chicken coop, then sold his goods a the farmers market then got "paid" a dollar. Then used his dollar to buy cereal at the grocery store. It was actually really cool and Benjamin loved putting things in his basket.

The Shark encounter! (A dude swimming in a giant aquarium with sharks) it was actually really cool.

Waiting for the Bear show to start.

Bear photo opp. The Bear show was really neat! And these are the bears that were used to create the Disney characters for the movie Brother Bear.

One tired little King by the time we got home.