San Diego Trip, Part 1

One of Ben and I’s favorite things about our first big vacation with the boys was the anticipation. We took a video of their faces when we told them where we were going, what we were doing, and most importantly that they would be flying in a jet to get there. We counted down the days and looked at pictures of the places. It was so special. We are so thankful that we were able to do a special vacation, just the 4 of us, before baby comes in September.

I’ll never forget the boys’ faces as we rode the bus from the airport parking lot into the terminal. They sat side by side, perfectly still, backpack on, totally serious—they were excited, but nervous, and were observing each and every detail. “Maybe that’s our jet!” “There’s the control tower!” Once we got past security, Ben took them to a big window where they could see our jet that we would fly on. Both boys LOVED flying. They asked a million questions, thought getting a special drink of sprite was the greatest, colored in their new coloring book on the cool tray, and chewed gum during take-off and landing with no complaints about their ears.

Sam sat by Ben at the beginning, and Seth with me; we switched half-way through. Ben and Sam saw Lakeview and Yosemite through the window! We only had one window seat unfortunately.

We spent the rest of the day getting our rental car, finding our house, getting groceries, eating pizza, and even had time for a quick jaunt down to the beach (which was only two blocks from our house on Mission Beach.) Seth, Sam

Sunday morning the boys woke up nice and early and EXCITED. We were heading to Legoland! Before we left Ben had found a gluten free bakery that would be on our way, so we ate a wonderful breakfast before hitting the park. (I’m so thankful for Ben and his great attitude about our food allergies!) Legoland was pretty cool. The boys recently have gotten really into legos, and Ben apparently was obsessed with them as a child, so they were all fascinated by the lego sculptures and cities (I even thought they were pretty amazing). This was Seth and Sam’s first time on real rides and rollercoasters and they LOVED them. The only unfortunate part about this day was that by about 12 pm, the park was packed with people making all the lines about 45 minutes. Waiting in line with two tired almost 4 year olds and a pregnant woman is not the most fun thing in the world. In the end, Ben went on a couple more rides with them while I sat and watched, we hit the gift shop for a set of legos for the boys, and we headed to PF Changs very tired and hungry…but thankful for such a fun day! Sam, Seth (can you believe these are all made out of legos?!) Seth and Daddy on first ride Sammy, so excited They had a very cool room where the kids could build their own lego car, and then use a ramp raceway to see who’s was fastest. The boys really enjoyed this! Seth Sam Such a good daddy! Seth Sam

Seth, Sam

After this I told Ben, “No more upwards pictures of the pregnant woman!” Ugh. (Sam, Seth, Lego New York in the background) If I would have let him, Ben would have taken pictures of the buildings all day Bye, bye Legoland! Playing with the spoils of the trip!

Picture Update

I have quite a few pictures, but not enough energy for a full blog update. Here’s our life in pictures:

I’m 20 weeks pregnant and growing rapidly. We found out on Tuesday that we’re having another boy! This is the boys on a Saturday morning, pretending that they are headed to camping at crooked river. Wondering what the pink chain is between them? Headphones, via their teenage uncles influence. Hilarious. (Sam, Seth) Seth is starting to get freckles on his nose. I can barely stand how cute it is.

A couple of weeks ago, our neighbors gave us our first lego sets (real legos, not duplo legos). The boys LOVED them. In two days they had build their item, took it apart, and switched and built them again. This prompted us to bring out the HUGE tub of legos given to us by Ben’s Uncle Bruce and Aunt Julie. Building legos has been the boys’ new obsession and they are quite good at it. I’ve been trying to take pictures of some of their inventions: Sam’s dune buggy And Seth’s… New vehicle from Seth The Dr. Seuss car from the show “Cat in the Hat”

I’m sure you all know that spring and sprung! We’re thrilled with our yard and being outside as much as possible. Here’s a few pictures I snapped of our blossoming flowers and trees: A bird’s nest from last year Our wisteria has flowers for the first time since we planted it SIX YEARS ago! Apparently it takes awhile to mature. We’re so excited! Hoping for lots of apples this year! My favorite stage of our maple tree…just gorgeous!

Last Wesley Day

I don’t remember exactly when I started watching Wesley—probably when he was about 6 months old? First I had him one day a week, then two, and now since September I have had him for 3 days most weeks. It has been such a blessing to have Wesley in our home!

I never ceased to be amazed at how God fulfills the desires of our hearts, but often times (ok, most times) not in the way we envisioned. In those long, two years in which we were trying for another child, I was able to have another young one (Wesley) in my home. Seth and Sam were able to have a little “sibling” and learn how to interact with someone younger (not to mention make a great friend!). As she came to pick up Wes, I was able to interact weekly with my dear friend who prayed for me and encouraged me.  So when Katie told me in December that she wanted to stay home once her next baby comes, meaning I would be done watching Wesley the end of April, I was sooo sad (yet, so happy that she would be able to home full time!). I wondered what I would do without that routine, with all that extra time, and without a little one needing me at home (let’s be honest, although obviously the boys need me to make meals, keep the home, etc., Seth and Sam spend so much time playing with and talking to each other, they could really do without me most of the time!) I realized how having Wesley had really helped fulfill that desire for another child in me. But God is so gracious and His timing is always perfect! Low in behold, one month later, I found out I was pregnant! 

So the last few months with Wesley have been fun, and I no longer feel sad about him not being with us weekly. I know that the friendship that Katie and I have, and that the boys have will continue, and we’ll still see each other a lot. I’m excited about having my weeks free to foster relationships with Seth and Sam’s other friends and cousins, to start going to weekly story times again, to start doing a little at home preschool with the boys, and to get ready for this new little baby! And overall, I’m just so thankful for the time I had watching that special little boy, Wesley! Thanks Katie and Raleigh for the privilege of having another little one in my home!

Here’s some pictures I took last week of all the boys at a park: Seth Sammy Wesley refuses to go down the slides…even thought Seth and Sam wanted to do a train with him!  Sam Silly Seth boyWesley was all about saying “cheese” Sam, Wesley, and Seth….LOVE!! Can’t wait to get this in a frame!

Cherry Blossoms at the Capital

After visiting my sister and her kiddos, the boys and I took advantage of a beautiful, sunny day and headed to the capital buildings to check out the cherry trees. Cherry blossoms are one of my favorite things in the world. During my four years of college in Salem, I spent countless hours down at the capital under the cherry trees. Ben and I went on many dates there as well. It is a very nostalgic place for me and I was excited to introduce Sammy and Seth to it! Lots of people noticed that the boys were twins, because they both picked out red and black outfits for the day. When they are matching (they pick out their own clothes, so it’s not very often) we stick out like a sore thumb and get lots of twin questions! (Sam, Seth) The boys were very disgruntled because they couldn’t go closer to the fountains to see if there was money at the bottom. A picture of heaven Sam, Seth Ben and I have an engagement picture on this exact same bench…major nostalgia Handsome boys and beautiful trees (Seth, Sam) The boys have been building all their blocks with statues at top now. I was desperate to get a picture of me and the boys, but always hate asking. So, of course, I waited until the boys were tired of pictures at the end of the afternoon and got up the guts to ask a stranger. As you can tell, Seth really didn’t trust her. He refused to even crack a smile even when I was tickling him. Sigh. The only thing that would have made this afternoon better (except to have Seth actually smile in the picture) would be to have Benji with us! We missed him!

Visiting Our New Nephew

Last week we finally got down to Salem to visit baby Edmund again. We had a fabulous time, as it was a beautiful day outside and the 5 oldest cousins had a blast together. It was truly delightful to watch them all play with one another! This meant Katie and I could have some peace and quiet, catch up on some of her housework, and snuggle with Edmund lots. I was even able to do a little photo shoot of the handsome boy! Here’s some pictures of our morning and Edmund:

Miriam, who’s six years old, had all the older kids lined out playing games while they waited for lunch It was so fun to have a picnic outside! I LOVE this picture of the oldest four; however, the funniest part of the picture is little Clara’s head at the bottom, which I intentionally cut off as she was screaming because she couldn’t climb the tree like the rest of them. It’s tough being the youngest Clara! Seth holding Edmund Sam wouldn’t hold Edmund because he “only wants to hold HIS baby.” Silly boy. I told him that he should practice, but he wouldn’t be persuaded.