Little Man Update

Bennett is growing like a weed! He is a pure joy to our family. The kids can't hardly keep away from him. Bennett eats very well and is sleeping fairly well. I could certainly use a little more sleep! :)

Christmas 2010

We were very blessed to have my mom and sister with us this year for Christmas. It was also a very fun year since we had Bennett join us. The kids got some great gifts and we had a wonderful visit.

Christmas Eve

One of our traditions at Christmas time is getting new pajamas on Christmas Eve. This year we let the kids pick out their own jammies. (Bennett may have had mom's help! :)

Fun in the Snow

7 Years

I've been so blessed to be married to my best friend! We just celebrated 7 years. In that 7 years we've lived in 4 states, moved 10 times, had 3 kids, graduated dental school and managed to have several wonderful experiences. I love this guy and am so grateful for him! I look forward many more years.

First Bath

Kenadee helped me give Bennett his first bath. He resisted at first, but then seemed to really enjoy it! Kenadee got to brush his hair afterwards.

Ben Turns 30

Ben's birthday got a little overshadowed due to a new baby. But we still celebrated with ice cream cake and friends! Ben is a wonderful husband and father. Me and the kids feel so blessed to have him in our lives!!

It's a Boy!!

Bennett Otis Mishler joined our family December 14th at 4:41pm. He weighed 8 lbs. 3.6 oz and was 21 inches long. He had a full head of dark hair and perfect little features! We are so excited to have him join our family!! The delivery went very smooth, thank goodness for epidurals!
I was so grateful to have my sister Heidi here!

Mom, Dad and baby Bennett.

He came out and hardly cried at all! This kid already has such a sweet disposition.

Here's our family of 5! The kids love him. Kenadee wants to hold him all the time. Benson often looks over at him, smiles and says "That's my brother!"

The Story:

Tuesday morning I woke up wondering if my water had broke durning the night. There wasn't any gush, just a slow and steady leak. I was unsure so I took Ben to work and told him to keep his phone on him. I went home, showered and got my hospital bag together, then I called my sister-in-law Cindy who said she thought I should go to the hospital. I wasn't sure because I wasn't having consistant contractions. It was so much more obvious with my other two pregnancies that it was time to go to the hospital. I also called the doctors office and they said to go to the hospital. The worst that would happen is that they send me home. I went and picked up Ben and we went to the hospital. It was about 9:30am. When we got there they said they had to check to see if there was amniotic fluid present. If so they would admit me and then start patosin to get labor going. Well it was my water breaking! I was admitted. I asked if I could have an epidural before they started the patossin. (My experience with Benson taught me this!) Once everything was started it was just a waiting game. I was exhausted and completely relaxed from the drugs, so I slept off and on until about 4pm. At that time Ben wanted to run home and grab Heidi, so he asked if the nurse could come check my progress. I was dialated to an 8 1/2 and 100% effaced. The nurse Lauren called the doctor who came in to check on me. He said ok when you feel pressure give me a call again. Well as he was walking out the door I felt something. I asked Lauren to check and sure enough the head was in place ready to come out. The doctor came right back in. The first push brought out the head and the second the body! At this point they asked Ben to announce the baby's gender. It was a boy!! We were thrilled. He was healthy and perfect! They put him on my chest right away and the sweet boy let out just one little cry then just hung out while he was wiped down and cleaned up. As for me there were no tears at all! This by far was my easiest delivery!!

Kenadee's Princess Party

The Saturday after Kenadee's birthday we had a party with Heidi, the Mishlers and the Chappells. I had made the girls these tutus for the party. Kenadee helped plan her party. She wanted to make bracelets, paint nails, dance and watch a princess show. Grandma Sue sent up the crown, earrings and banner.

She got some great gifts! The Chappells gave her the Cinderella and Aladdin movies. The Mishlers gave her a reading light and Cindy's favorite childhood Christmas book. We got her this kids camera. This girl loves to take pictures!

Here are Kenzie, Kena, Jordyn and Benson enjoying their princess cake.

Cute Benson wanted a picture too.

The girls in their tutus. (Jordyn, Kena, Kenzie and Lilly)

Kenadee with her princess cake.

Kenadee turns 4

My sweet little Kenadee turned 4! She is such a sweet and spicy little girl. She loves to sing and dance. She is extremely inquisitive! She loves to use her imagination and make up silly stories. She is an absolute blessing in our lives!
Uncle David brought Kenadee a ham for her birthday. Don't ask, just know it was Uncle Dave!

Kenzie came by to say hi and brought Kenadee a treat and a rose.

Kenadee opened presents from Grandma Sue, Papa and Nana and Aunt Heidi. She got several great books, a game and some money.

For her birthday breakfast we made pancakes, eggs and sausage. Her favorites! That night we had dounghnuts and sung her happy birthday.

Christmas Crafts

Grandma Sue sent up these cute gingerbread people to decorate for our tree.
Aunt Heidi came to visit and help out with things when the baby comes. We love our aunt Heidi!!

Cutting down the Tree

The day after Thanksgiving we bundled up and headed north with David, Cindy, Lilly and Garrett to cut down our own Christmas trees. It was a bit of an effort for me being 37 weeks pregnant! It was a lot of fun though, and we are excited to make this a yearly tradition for our family.
I always thought it was silly how we make snowflakes with paper. I mean seriously do snowflakes really look like that? Well the answer is yes!! Can you believe the detail on this thing? This is how snow falls here in Alaska!

This is the tree we picked! It looked like the perfect size out there in the woods, but when we got it home we had to cut off another 3 feet!

Kena and me enjoying laying in the snow.

Here is Lilly performing her back bend exercises.

Kenadee just plopped down and started doing snow angels. (Thank goodness for snowsuits!)

Here are the troopers! Kena and Benson did amazing.

Here we are just getting started. This is when we were still warm!! :)

Cindy and Lilly getting bundled up for the journey.

Thanksgiving 2010

We spent Thanksgiving with the Chappells. Stephanie made a killer meal, with a very juicy turkey. I added my part by making a pie. Serious points go to Steph for all of her efforts!!
We enjoyed everything traditional about a good meal. Potatoes, stuffing, green beans, rolls, deviled eggs, fruit, the yummiest candied sweet potato pie, and of course turkey.

The kids loved their little table.

It snowed that whole day, so the girls bundled up and headed outside with the dads.

Kenadee and daddy with his true Alaskan hat from the lovely ladies at work back in AZ.