Cute!

He's just really cute! We sure love having him around. And he really loves his Vicks. Anytime he sees it he has to have it so when he's stuffy in the night & I put it on him I have to be sure to hide it from him. If he sees it he gets upset if he can't hold it! What's Bennett getting for Christmas?? Possibly more Vicks, he is stuffy a lot too:). Bennett is starting to make his way all over. He not only can roll across any room in no time flat, he now scoots himself too. He loves to stand in his exersaucer and jump. It is so loud and we can't hear anything when he does it during homework time or dinner time or while the kids watch TV. They have started yelling at him to stop but it does no good. Bennett also enjoys rolling to the tile so he can lick it. We think it is a disgusting hobby but he seems to love it along with licking anything else that gets close to his tongue.

Tree lighting

Shaleen's family came over for Thanksgiving this year again & Shoo & the kids spent the night so we could have fun the next day. We let the kids play most of the day but did venture out a few times. In the evening we went to a tree lighting at an outdoor mall. It was a lot of fun. It was crowded but we ended up with a pretty good view. We were right by the tree when the lights went on & all the fire works went off. We were all very excited and cheered loudly until we realized the babies were screaming. Apparently it was a little too close for Bennett & Madelyn. We got lots of pictures with characters after but the biggest hit of the event was all the silver confetti on the ground. The boys loved having confetti fights, it was almost as if we lived in the snow but better because your hands didn't freeze:).

Halloween in December, I know!

We had a fun Halloween with all our Parke cousin's in town. Jillian spent part of the weekend throwing up (her 2nd of what has been 5 cases of it). The boys played and had lots of fun being crazy.

A few weeks before Halloween we made our traditional monster houses with Abi & Natie. Quinn got to join us this year and Bennett was an excellent observer. Quinn was very pleased with his first tastes of candy!!!

Trying to catch up

So it has been busy around here which is one of the reasons it has taken me so long to post anything new. Here are some of the things you missed during my long break. Jillian had her first Highland dancing competition. She enjoyed being on stage and loved the dressing room under the stage (see top middle and bottom right pictures). She loves dancing with her friends and enjoyed the treat bags given to all the primary aged dancers. She also was awarded two medals which was a big surprise since she hasn't been dancing very long but she was pretty excited about it. I was really proud of her for working hard and doing such a good job.

Carter has been playing soccer again this fall. He is enjoying his team and especially loves to be goalie. He doesn't mind getting kicked in the head as long as he can dive on the ball.

Jillian enjoyed reading to animals through the library. She got to read to turtles, cats, chickens & dogs. It was a good experience for her. She was given lots of free things including books, a t-shirt & even Rosie, the stuffed dog in her bag.

Appetizer

More Halloween to come but here is a little taste till then.

36!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is Christian's 36th birthday!!! I can't believe he was 26 when we got married. Time really does fly even when it's not all fun (thinking of Carter's earlier tantrum about not wanting to do swimming lessons today:). We celebrated yesterday since today is full of work & soccer practice etc... We had dinner a little later than expected due to my lack of following through. Make dinner early, check, put it in the crock pot before church, check, plug in crock pot, that was the one that got me!! So disappointing to walk in to an uncooked meal when you are starving and fully expected dinner to be waiting. Good thing we get out of church at 2 not 4. We managed to squeeze in dinner and cake (cherry chocolate) before bedtime.

He got an i-tunes gift card & "The butter battle book" by Dr. Seuss from the kids. They love to read Dr. Seuss together and we almost have the entire collection now. The thing he is most excited about is our new king size bed that should be delivered any day. Any of you who know Christian know he has a few things he really wants, a fridge with an ice maker and water dispenser and a king size bed. Now we will have them both and he will have nothing else to wish for. It is nice to have a husband with such simple wants that benefit me just as much as him.

Preschool for Carter

Jillian started 1st grade and a week later Carter started preschool. He loves it. It is an in home preschool and there are 2 teachers & 10 kids Tues & Thurs from 9-11:30. Carter also started soccer again with practice 2 nights a week, swim lessons Mon & Wed mornings & a 45min class at the community center Mon & Wed afternoons. Oh, I almost forgot story time on Fridays. I was concerned about Carter dying of boredom during the day and me dying of him bugging me to death now that Jill is in school all day. I thought some activities were in order and he is enjoying them all & I am enjoying getting him out to do things even though it makes for some busy days.

Add in taking Jillian to & from school, dance Tuesday afternoons & reading to animals at the library on Wednesdays for an hour and I am not lacking for things to keep me busy. Luckily Bennett is the best kid. He hangs out with me, travels all over and never complains about extended periods in his car seat, nor feedings for a few minutes at a time in the front seat of the car. He naps well & sleeps through the night!!! His new favorite toy is his feet, he is always holding or eating them. He's happy all the time with big smiles & lots of laughs, he is definitely our most obedient child right now and we sure love him!! We love them all but it is refreshing to have a child who requires very little, makes few messes & can't say "Mommy get me...." yet!!!

FOOD!!!

Bennett has started eating cereal with fruits & veggies (green beans, top left:). He is getting the hang of eating now & likes it. It goes pretty well overall if I can keep his hands and feet out of his mouth while he is eating. He also enjoys his jumper. He loves to bounce so it is perfect for him right now. The kids love to see him in it and as long as we can keep them from giving him crazy rides in it everything goes well.

Jilly P first grader!!

First grade has begun!! Today was the first day of first grade for Jillian. She got to make her own lunch last night which she thought was pretty neat. Turkey sandwich, green apple, water bottle & cheese & crackers. Good choices Jill!!! Recognize the lunch box Aunt Kelsey?? She was very excited but got more nervous as the night went on.

This morning she had waffles for breakfast & we were off to start the day. She was pretty nervous but we got her there & found her line (which wasn't easy to do with hundreds of kids & parents on the playground). It was a mad house which made me feel a little unsure too:). She has one friend from church in her class which is nice & her teacher Mrs. Rodda is very friendly. I think she will have a great day but it will definitely be long since kindergarten was less than 3 hours. Can't wait to pick her up this afternoon!!!!

Summertime

I signed the kids up for a hula class at the library. Jillian had a great time & was a good dancer. Carter told me he tried it once cause he spun around and that was hula and he didn't like it and wasn't going to do it. And he didn't!!! He is a big turkey but very funny too. We were asking the kids about stories they learned in primary a few Sunday's ago & I said "Remember the story of Mary & Martha & who was their brother?" Carter shouted out "Harry!!!!" We all thought it was pretty funny and routinely talk about the story of Mary, Martha & Harry now. He must be Lazarus' little known brother.

While we were in California we had dinner at the beach for family home evening with Grandma & Grandpa Parke, Kelsey & Mina & her girls. It was overcast & pretty chilly but we all still had a good time. The kids did a little body boarding with Grandpa then we had dinner. Benny stayed nice & snugly. We saw a seal while we were there. It came right up on shore and was pretty cool until we realized it was unwell. It kept flopping around and lying in the sand. It actually came a good way up the shore & managed to chase away an entire group of people who fled for their lives from the crazy seal. We got to see the animal rescue man come in his pick up and catch the seal in his giant butterfly net (no joke). He then managed get it into a cage on wheels & wheel it up a ramp into the back of his truck. Catastrophe averted!

A week ago little Madelyn Jane was born. I kept Abi & Natie over night & the next day we all went over to see her. I still thought Bennett was little till we saw her. I can't believe how big he has gotten. She is adorable & little and has such a tiny, quiet cry compared to Benny's shrill scream! The girls all loved holding her.

Paige's wedding

Paige & Joe were sealed in the Newport Beach temple on July 30th. They were sealed by my Dad which was pretty special. It was wonderful to have all the aunts & uncles with them in the temple. It was a beautiful day, not too hot, which is why we were all very surprised later to see how sunburned we were. Even poor Benny!!! I know, terrible Mother, but as I said we were not outside long & it was not very hot so we didn't realize. He was a trooper & never complained about it. We all just felt terrible for him.

We had a nice morning at the temple & a fun evening at Mark & Lisa's for the reception. It was really pretty!! The kids loved the bouncy house in the back yard & the cupcakes. It is ok to have slushies & cupcakes for dinner once in a while right!!! Jilly took a little break to play a studious In & Out worker and then it was back to the bouncy house. I don't know how none of the kids threw up with the sugar/bouncing combo.

I got to go out to see Paige & Joe's little house later in the week. It is very cute & tiny. Oh, how I remember those days 10 years ago! We are so happy for them & all the kids love having Joe as an official part of the family especially when he takes them for rides on the fire truck. He has been part of the family for about the last 6+ years but now it is offically forever!!!! I hope he thought that through:). We love having you Joe!

3 months

So it was a few weeks ago but this is Benny on his 3 month birthday. He has gotten so adorable. He smiles & laughs all the time. He only fusses when he is hungry or tired and it is an easy quick fix. He loves all the kids playing with him and snuggling/eating his blankets. He is by far my easiest kid right now. He sleeps well though we are not on a set schedule yet. I am hoping that will come now that we are home from vacation and getting back to a routine.

Summer company!

We have been very busy this summer. Lot's of company & lots of fun! It all started with Sierra, Tennyson & Asher coming to stay with us for 2 weeks in June. We swam, played at water parks, made play dough & spent a lot of time playing in the backyard. There were many hugs & even more fights:). After the first week the novelty had worn off for the kids and they were fighting like siblings. Sierra & I didn't have any fights, just lots of fun. We watched lots of chick flicks & probably did some other stuff I can't remember right now.

Some notable events from their visit were Sierra's pink eye (luckily no one else got it), Bennett's bronchitis and breathing treatments and I was sick their last few days! We can't wait for them to move back to CA soon so we can have them up more often.

Oh, almost forgot, Mom & Dad Parke treated us to a buffet for my birthday dinner, that's right I turned 30. As you can see Tennyson loved his chocolate ice cream & chocolate cake!

3 days after they flew out Hannah & Bethan flew in from North Carolina. I picked them up at the airport & we went to Town Square for some shopping at H&M. After a 45 minute debate, we decided on In & out for dinner then the girls & I rented a movie.

The next afternoon, Brett & Gaby came into town with Adrianna, Sarah, Emmy & Elise. That bumped up the # of teenage girls in the house to 6. The kids swam, we had taco's for dinner then watched a movie. I took the girls on a candy run & Sarah came home with a container of frosting which she and her cousins ate with spoons. Gross!!!

The next morning they all drove up to Utah for the 4th and in the afternoon the Parke's Mckel & 2 friends came into town. The next morning (Saturday) Gavin, Cheryl & Quinn flew in. We went to a buffet for dinner and had a good time visiting. On Sunday I got called to be first counselor in the Primary Presidency, we had a BBQ & I picked Kaylee & 4 of her kids up from the airport.

On Monday morning the Parke's left with Aunt Kelsy & their 2 friends and in the afternoon Brett, Gaby & the 6 girls came back on their way home from Utah. We had a big BBQ with Shaleen & her family too. There was swimming, lots of food & a full house at bedtime. I think this was our fullest night with 21 of us in the house.

Tuesday morning 6 kids headed home with Brett & Gaby. We sent Kaylee's 2 boys & kept Hannah & Elise to help with the little kids.

Hannah & Elise were great help. We treated them to manicures & pedicures, jamba juice & another viewing of Eclipse to thank them for their help. They watched the kids while we did some house hunting for Kaylee.

Gavin & Cheryl flew up to Idaho on Friday evening. On Sunday Uncle Giles was finally able to fly in after a week of waiting for & recovering from Kidney stone surgery. The kids were very excited to see him & attacked him in the pool. The following Tuesday we sent off Kake & Giles & the last of their kids to California. And so ended our whirlwind of company.

It was a great run while it lasted!

Bennett's blessing

We went to California this past weekend to bless Bennett with our families. We decided it would be easier for us to go where most of our families are rather than having them try to come to us. We had a very nice weekend. The kids got to spend time with some of their favorite people that they have been missing here in Vegas. Tehani enjoyed meeting, holding & feeding Bennett. Apparently her baby sister is too much of a chubs to hold (her words not mine:).

Emme had a great time taking care of the baby. She insisted that her Mom not help her hold Bennett cause she was loving him all by herself!! Who cares if he is almost as big as she is:). She came prepared with her binky in her purse & would give Bennett his binky whenever she put her own in. As we all know, taking care of babies is tiring so Emme had a little nap but she was right back to child care duties when she woke up!! What a good Mommy she will be one day. Hopefully she will still enjoy it as much!

On Sunday Grandma Parke was sweet enough to host a luncheon after the blessing. We filled the house to the brim & sent many kids outside too!!! It was great to have family & friends around to celebrate with us!! Thanks again everyone for coming. I think we shocked Christian's home ward by doubling their numbers on Sunday! I loved watching Bennett being passed all the way down the row & back again. Everyone got a chance to give him loves & everyone shared very nicely!!

1 month

A few weekends ago we went to a new water park. The kids had fun.

Bennett was one month old on the 22nd of May. He is a good little thing. We have been working out some stomach issues & such but overall he is peaceful & content. He is sleeping longer at night which is a blessing for me & he is taking some naps in his bed though we are far from a schedule or anything. It is all random right now but I take what I can get. He loves his Binky & snuggling with blankets. He is very patient with all the love from his siblings and believe me it is a lot. Jill is great & Carter is actually very gentle with him also. They love to talk to him & tell him all the things he will get to do when he is older like eat oatmeal & read books.

Tonight the kids are having a camp out. Christian told the kids about when he was little and would sleep on his parents balcony with his siblings. The kids have been dying to try it for a year now & tonight is the night. We decided it was a good time because it is nice & warm but not too hot yet. Also, Christian has tomorrow off so it is ok if he doesn't get much sleep. He was planning to sleep on our balcony with the kids but the tent is too small & the ground is very hard. As you can tell by the pictures they are very excited about their camp out. Bennett tried it out with them for a minute but decided his bed was more comfortable :). Mine too!

Loving our baby!

The kids really love Bennett. They love to talk to him, try to tickle him & give him his binky! I keep telling them it will be a few months before he will be playful with them but they are not deterred by his lack of response nor his sleeping though their efforts. I, on the other hand, wish they would not try so hard to entertain him when he is sleeping!!

Bennett is 3 weeks old now. He is a pretty good baby. He sleeps a lot during the day & even pretty well at night. We usually are up for a few feedings but I am functioning much better on broken sleep than I normally do. He enjoys his bath & is very patient with his brother & sister's loves.

Highland dancing

Jillian started taking Highland Dancing lessons a few months ago from a girl in our ward. She really likes it and danced in her first recital last night. She looked very cute in her kilt & did a great job with the dances. It was just for fun and each of the girls got a certificate which Jillian thought was very exciting, but not as exciting as the treats after the show!