Ben turns 10

My little boy is not so little anymore.  Ben turned 10 this month.  I'm so proud of how he had grown and is becoming quite the young man.  He loves his family and Heavenly Father.  He tries very hard to do what is right and live up to the high level we hold him to.  Ben is very musically talented.  This year he is once again in select choir (a special music group that meets once a week before school), band (he plays the french horn), voice lesson to improve that beautiful voice and piano lessons because we feel our boys should be able to at least play hymns at church.  Even though he is very busy he still finds time to play with his bakugan and read books.  I love you Ben.

Instead of a cake he wanted a cupcake tower.  I added rice krispies because my sister has celiac disease and can't eat wheat.

His gift from Aunt Brin and Uncle Jefferey.  Cookies and toys - What more could he ask for?

From grandpa he got loaves of garlic bread.  This may seem like a strange gift but for Ben it was perfect.  One of his nicknames is Breadjamin because he loves bread so much and garlic bread is a favorite.  I think  know he would eat a whole loaf if I let him.

Opening more gifts and having a good time.

Heavenly Father's Beauty

Sometimes all I need to calm my spirit is the beauty all around me.  To be reminded that the little things really are the little things and to take time to take a break.  One evening about 2 weeks ago I got the message and took some pictures to remember.

Sunset in our backyard

First Day of School 2010

Ahhhh...the first day of school.  A time that parents love and some dread at the same time.  Our babies are growing, but now the days will be quieter.  I'm at the love point right now.  The last few weeks before school started were loud obnoxious ones.  I knew the time was coming close at hand because the kids were getting on each other's nerves more than normal.  So on this blessed day I made a yummy breakfast and headed off.  I like to take them the first day it's just what I do.

For breakfast we had raspberry muffins and scrambled eggs.  It's a good thing I got this shot before they ate because they scarffed them down.

Evan's plate

Ready for kindergarten

Ready for second grade

Ready for fifth grade - Where did the time go?

Not to be outshown by her brothers, Lex needed a picture too

Of  course she also had to be in the group one in front of the school.

A blessed day to be sure.

So much life

I swear that time as sped up.  How else can I explain so much happening is such a short time.  No I haven't finished the vacation pictures yet ( I think I was possessed by the picture taking spirit because I still have tons to sort through), but so much other stuff has happened in the month that we have been home that I thought I should get some of it recorded.  Before I forget and all.  I am getting old you know (33 yrs and counting)

The older boys made this banner for Doug and I.  They also had a little song to sing for us telling us how much they love us.

Ben used his easy bake oven to make these smores for me and Doug as a special I love you treat.  Really we do have the best kids most of the time.

I let Doug take my sweet little angel on a daddy/daughter campout

And I got this in return.  Where is my angel?  Looks like a devil to me.

At my niece's birthday in April there was a pinata.  My brother-in-law Jefferey off-handedly stated that he wanted a fish one for his birthday.  Well we made him one.  That's just the way we roll.  I think he liked it.

The treats inside were things you would find in a fish.  Ex:  Gummy worms, mini-marshmallows, small fish, candy corn, and raisinets as poop.

No this is not all that has been going on but as least it is a start to catching up.

Cheese Factory

We made it to the cheese factory and had loads of fun looking around.  Right when you get inside there were these picture op props. 

Ben is the farmer and Chris is the cow

Ben is the farmer and Evan is the cow

Daddy is the farmer and Ben is the cow

There wasn't much going on in the production area, unfortunately we came at an in between batches time, but that doesn't mean we couldn't enjoy ice cream at the end of the tour.

Ben

Chris

Evan

Lexie

So much fun and at last we are done.  The kids are already asking to go back.  This vacation was so much fun and a ton better than the last one we took.  Last time the length of stay was only a week and this time we had 10 days.  Those extra days were great.  We had time to play and explore and time to just chill at the house and relax. 

Tillamook Museum

While in Oregon we just could not go to Tillamook.   I mean there are the sights and all, but really the reason for going is the ice cream.  We got to the ice cream eventually, but first the museum.

There were so many cool things in the museum.  Lots of old time knick knacks, tools, guns, vehicles and more.  I loved it all, well except maybe the war part with uniforms and guns.  Don't get me wrong it was neat, but not what I was looking for.  I could have stayed much longer than we did just looking around, but the kids were getting antsy by the end.  You know how it is, kids looking at boring old stuff and all.  So here are some of the boring old pieces.

Cologne Bottles:  I want some just as decoration.  I love the blue color and the storks on the bottles

Handbeaded gloves:  I can't imagine being so precise and detailed as to do this work by hand.  My admiration is elevated by what the natives and indeed all people could do without a sewing machine and other modern convienences.

Buggies and first cars: very thankful for the cars we have today, especially in the winter.

Old time casket:  actually a basket

There was a section of stuffed wildlife native to the area.  Counldn't resist getting pictures with the polar bear.  It looks like it could lean right over and pluck you up.

Ben

Chris

Last but not least are these tiny shoes!  I can't imagine having feet that small unless you were a young child, but while there are some children's shoes here there are also adult shoes.

There was so much more that we saw.  I like musuems.  I wish we went to more.

Day 6

Today we went to Cannon Beach to shop and then to the beach to play.  No pictures of shopping.  I know you are dissapointed, but I hope all these ones of the beach make up for it.

The afternoon was a perfect day to be at the beach.  The sun was up and the tide was out making it easier to see the tidal pools and go cave exploring.

Brin and Ben were pulling dead muscles off the rock while Justin and Lex played

Grandpa in a cave with Fin, Parker, Sam, and Evan

Daddy and Lex looking at the muscles

Brin exploring the cave

This is the ledge that Brin was on.  You can't really tell from the picture but between the rock slices is a tree that was washed in.

While this picture isn't the greatest I kept it to show the tree that was lodged in the rock.  It goes all the way through the top picture and into the back of the cave on the other side.

Mommy and Peter

Sisters: Sheilah with Peter, Lilly, Paige and Brin with dad

Doug and kids exploring a tidal pool.  You can't tell but Doug had to lift the kids over a pool of water to get up to the tidal pool.

Daddy and Lexie at the waterfall

Daddy with kids at waterfall

Family pic at Hug Point beach.  We should have done this first because by this time I was tired of walking around carrying Peter.

A couple of cool nature shots

As we were leaving Doug found a piece of driftwood that looked like a submarine.  No, I didn't let him keep it (sorry honey), but we did take a picture.