May in Review

May has been busy and I'm getting worse and worse about updating this little blog.  With a new calling at church, being a room mom at Jessica's school, filling cookie orders, moving into a new place, and having three little monkeys running around, there just hasn't been a lot of extra time for this type of thing.  Don't even ask how far behind I am with scrapbooking. Ugh.  But here's a bit of what's been going on this month.

We've had some friends over here and there.  Benjamin was happy to share his dinner.

I made some cookies for an Eagle Court of Honor.

Jessica's class had and end of year program for the parents.  

I love this cute girl and the cute little friends she's made this year.

We already posted about Daytona shores and fishing with some friends from church.  Good times!

Middle of the month I flew out to LA (thank you Southwest points) for a girl's weekend Michael's mom put on. This woman knows how to throw a party! The theme was "luau" and WOW! Just wow!  

Here was the spread when we arrived.  The entire house was decked out floor to ceiling.  Amazing.

We did our nails, played at the beach, volunteered at a 5K, and even had hula lessons! So fun!

Since three of us had little guys, we were able to bring them along.  

Such cute boys!

Benjamin had a good time hangin' with the ladies (and Papa).

Before leaving for all that fun, I made about 100 cookies for a wedding reception. A lot of late nights, but it was fun to try some new things.

This past weekend we decided to use one of the free hotel nights we had racked up from all of Michael's work travels.  We got a room near Disney and spent time playing and swimming.  Our Disney passes are about to be out of commission for the summer, so we decided to make the most of them while we could.  Michael and I were both laughing about the idea of getting a hotel 40 minutes from where you live, but it's a fun free luxury for now.

The view from our room.

Lastly, I ran my first race in about 5 years this Saturday. Our local Baptist church puts on a 5K every year and it was so great! I got a 24.52 and was definitely happy with that. Yes, I got passed by police officers in full uniform, but I was still thrilled with 8 minute miles.  

After the regular race they did a kid's fun run. 

Both Jessica and Chandler loved it and were so happy to get a medal at the end.

That was our month of May! 

Daytona Shores and Fishing in Chuluota

We had a fun weekend. Michael had lots of rewards points from all the hotel stays he's racked up, so we spent Friday night on the beach in Daytona Shores. We had an ocean view at the top of the hotel. Today, after swimming again, we went fishing with Brother Wampler from our ward. He let the kids go with him to get bait and then we fished a lake behind his house. Jessica is quite the little fisher. She could bait her own hook, cast like a pro, and caught a fish in the first 5 minutes. The rest of us caught a fish, but it took a bit longer.

Jessica can ride a bike

Jesssica is a pro at riding her bike. She could still use a little work on her dismounts, but she's quite the little biker now. Michael put this little video of her progress over the last week (with a little other shots mixed in). Enjoy.

I just had to share a couple of things from Jessica and Chandler.  This morning during breakfast Jessica was hard at work on a drawing for Michael.  Here is her masterpiece:

I just love that girl! She is the most sweet and loving kid.

Chandler was back to saying all sorts of cute things.  This morning while the two of us were playing, he said, "If I find another girl that is nice, I would probably marry it. I would find a girl that would, like, fight naughty guys, and I'm not a naughty guy."  

I'm one lucky mommy!

Turtles

Quote for the day by Chandler:

"I don't like to sit on turtles, because they are hard."

Benjamin

At birth Benjamin was diagnosed with a congenital defect that would require surgery.  Today was the big day.

We've felt so blessed and watched over during these past few months leading up to the surgery.  We were able to get one of the top surgeons in the field and a great hospital not too far from home.  We found out that a couple other kids in our ward had gone through the same thing, which has made the whole process so much better.

We checked into the hospital early this morning.  Benjamin was all smiles despite not being allowed to eat since 9:30 last night.

 

He was looking stylin' in his hospital gown and thoroughly enjoyed the blood pressure cuff.

After talking with several nurses, the anesthesiologist, our surgeon's PA, and finally the surgeon, our sweet nurse cried with me and took Benjamin off to surgery.

That was the longest couple of hours of my life.  Michael tried to keep distracted with work while I wandered the halls, trying to keep composed.  Before long we got news that the surgery was done and everything had gone just perfectly.  After speaking with the surgeon about the procedure, we were taken back to a recovery room. Soon they brought in our sweet little guy.

Seeing Benjamin attached to so many wires was a little scary, but apart from an IV, they were all just monitors that were soon removed.

After finally being allowed to eat again, Benjamin was all smiles. He was happy to be back with his family and his new teddy bear.

After another little while of consultation and monitoring, we were allowed to take him home. We are so happy to have this sweet little angel in our home.  We were also lucky to have Michael's parents in town helping with Jessica and Chandler.

 

This past Saturday they went with Michael and Chandler to the beach and on an airboat ride into the swamp, while Jessica, Benjamin and I went to a birthday party. I guess there were all kinds of alligators to see (in the swamp, not at the birthday party).  :)

It's been a wild weekend. We're so glad everything went well.  Thanks to all those that kept us in their prayers.

3

The realization that this little man of mine is growing up has been tough. Chandler has such a natural sweetness and kindness that I've never seen before. He is a ray of sunshine every day and I'm so happy and proud to be his momma.

We celebrated this birthday much like his last. He wanted a hot dogs for dinner and a train cake. And once again he ended up with blue teeth from the frosting.  He's easy to please, so a morning at the park and an afternoon with Jessica building a fort in the living room made him as happy as could be.  He was also thrilled to discover that Daddy would be able to be home despite having been gone for work all week. 

I wish I could express how perfect this kid is.  I would have 20 kids if they could all be like him.  Really and truly. He is kind and loving, forgiving and simply a joy. I love you buddy!

A Little More About Our Bub

-Still obsessed with trains of any variety

-31.2 lbs, 36.25"

-Know all his ABCs, capital and lowercase

-Knows most of the letter sounds and which ones are the vowels

-Favorite color is green

-He is slightly scared of being too close to Benjamin, probably due to a fear of being grabbed at or having something stuck into a baby's mouth.  :)

-Wants a little dog

-Once said, "If a squirrel comes into our house, I would just hug him!"

-He loves to snuggle

-Refuses to eat any vegetable except the occasional baby carrot or sweet potato fry. We just have to make sure he never finds out why his smoothies are sometimes green (spinach), why his pizza crust is often pink (beets), and why on earth mom needs to use a blender to make mac and cheese (pureed cauliflower and squash). 

-He screamed like a little girl when he noticed a ladybug a few feet from him

-He is always quick to forgive, no matter the offense or offender

-Apparently he'll sing solos in nursery during singing time, so long as there are applause afterwards

Thanks for letting me be your Mommy buddy! Love you, love you!

Magic!

Friday night we decided to take the kids to their first pro-basketball game - Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers. Michael went to see the LA Clippers sometimes growing up and I went once to a Charlotte Hornets game while visiting a friend in Jr. High, but neither of us had been recently. We were worried about how the kids would be, but they LOVED every minute, even Benjamin.  We were one row from the very top, but it was a blast! Go Magic!

In other news, I've been keeping up with my recently acquired cookie decorating obsession.  Some I did just for fun and to practice:

At church I helped with a get-together for all of the kids who will turn 8 and be baptized this year. I made a TON of these cookies for those kids and their families.

Jessica and I decided to make mini cookies as Valentine's treats for her class.  We froze those to decorate later and then decorated the extras for us.

And finally, we're bringing cookies to some friends who are doing a Super Bowl thing. 

Here are a few of them.

It's been fun!