Benson and the Slide

Rhona's Visit

Benson Walking

Big Girl Bed

We love to jump on beds at our house! And Kenas new big girl bed is the best one to jump on!
She is so happy to be in a big bed now! We left up her crib for a week to use as leverage to keep her in bed, it totally worked! She won't get out of bed until we come in and get her in the morning! She has done great!!

Grandmas Toys

Grandma Sue came to visit this week and brought her fun building blocks! She decided to leave them for Kena and Benson to play with for a few more days since they love them!
Grandma keeps them in this fun basketball hamper that also acts as a perfect "fort"!

Summer Swim

We have been spending a lot of time in the water the last few weeks! Benson and Kenadee have been loving it!!

Home is Where Your Heart Is

Here is a little tour of our house. The front and living room/dining room

The messy kitchen and family/play room

Backyard and kids bathroom

Spare room (future Library/Office) and Kenas room

Bensons room, the only one in the house fully put together.

Master bathroom and bedroom. (Doesn't our little queen bed look tiny?)

There you have it, our current abode! We are loving it!!

My Favorite Dancer

Ladies Night

5 Moms + 0 kids + lots of chocolate = too much fun!!

This last Friday night we had a much needed carefree getaway! My highschool girls went up north to Nattie's cabin. It was do fun to talk about the good old days, share in the excitment of the present days and dream of our future days! We missed our sweet Megann, Rhona and Morgan! Natalie, ,Leah, Lindsay, Alissa and I were able to make it. Ladies, you amaze me! You are witty, fun and sassy still!! I love ya!!
Nat and Linds

Alissa, Leah and me

Papa Bears chair

Group hug, next year lets all get there!!

Update

Life is good! Ben and I have been busy trying to keep up with our very energetic kiddos. Work is going great for Ben and I feel like my house is finally in a liveable state! I have decided that it's time to take a short break from projects!!

Benson is 10 months. He doesn't eat baby food anymore, it's all about the big people stuff! We cheated and turned him forward facing in his car seat because he is incredibly strong and weighs about 21 lbs. He is taking more risks with his walking skills, has started dancing when he hears music, hugs his mom all the time, and climbs into everything!

Kenadee is 2 1/2 and is a firecracker! She loves loves loves to dance and sing. We recently went to see my little sisters perform in a dance recital and Kenadee tried to convince me she "needed" to dance on stage! She loves talking on the phone to anyone who will listen. She surprises me with cute phrases all the time and is constantly telling us "I love you the most!"
I thought it would be a good idea to try Benson in the sling while I made cookies. He was able to reach the flour!

Kenadee just climber right in after I took out the clothes

I gave Kena her first haircut. I trimmed just a little hoping to stimulate some more growth.

Benson's favortie place to play. If anyone leaves the bathroom door open Benson will find out!

After dinner the other night Benson was so filthy I just stsuck him in the kitchen sink, of course Kenadee had to join him!!

Dinner Tonight

So tonight for dinner the kids had spagetti-os. Benson was covered and needed a bath. While I was bathing him Kena was out "spicing up" her dinner. Here is what I found when I came to check on her. The salt shaker was full at the begining of dinner!

Projects

I've been busy painting lately. My first project was this crib that we were given. It had been through 5 kids and looked a little worn.
Amazing what some paint can do!

My second project was this tv hutch that Christina found for me at a garage sale. It was blue and scratched all over.

Now it's black and I love it!

Pottys and Binkies

We are potty trained and binkie free! It's been a busy couple of weeks, but Kena did it! We started potty training about a month ago, ,but we just completed our first full no accidents week!! Kena even goes to the potty on her own, without help from mom!
We also said goodbye to the binkies last week. Its been me who was attached, and I finally decided to give it up! :) We had Kena put all of her binkies in a tin and put them on the front doorstep for the binkie fairy to take to babies who really need them. She got a cute little teddy and some treats in return, and hasn't complained since. I thought this was going to be so hard, I kept putting it off, but she did great!

Happy Birthday Sister

Last week was my cute sister Heidi's 22nd birthday. We drove over to Gilbert to take her to breakfast. Afterwards her and I got pedicures it was wonderful!!
Benson was loving the toast.

Grandma and Kena (who was being shy of the camera)

The birthday girl and me!

Surprise

For a few months now Tami and I have been planning a baby shower with Michelle's mom and sister. Michelle had no idea!! This last Saturday was the day and boy was she surprised when Tami and I walked in! Alicia (Michelle's sister) had the great idea to do a bird theme, everything turned out great! We were so excited to get to be a part of this shower to celebrate baby girl McDonoughs arrival!
Tami, Michelle and I

The food table, this was an early picture, there was a lot more delicious food!

Alicia (Michelles sister), Lisa (Michelles mom) and Michelle

Alicia's adorable birds nest cupcakes!

Girls Lunch

Last Monday my dear friends Natalie and Megann came over for a visit with their cute little girls! We talked, ate and laughed at the kids. It was so fun, thanks girls for making the trip across town!