Benson's Baptism Day

 Benson was baptized on June 01. He has been waiting a long time for this day! Aunt Rachel did a Baptism photo shoot a few days before the Baptism. She did an Amazing job.

 Looking so grown up and handsome in his suit.

Benson is such a good boy and I know I am his Mom, but I promise he is as sweet as he looks. I love his spirit and I especially love how he has such a strong desire to do what is right. After he was baptized and he came in to the room with his wet hair, he had the biggest smile on his face, he came to me and gave me a big hug. I was thinking how he was just as perfect as the day he was born, I instantly felt gratitude for this Gospel and especially for our Savior Jesus Christ. I am so thankful that when we make mistakes we can always repent and become just as perfect as Sweet Benson was on this day.

 
 This picture kind of made me laugh, I love my Mom poking her head out from behind Brigham :) Rachel to the rescue AGAIN, thanks for taking the group shot.

  Great Grandma Phyl-Phyl gave such a nice talk on Baptism. We are all so lucky to have her in our lives.

* For me, It was an almost perfect day. We had everyone over for lunch afterwards and as I was bringing out the "Texas sheet Cake" I fell down our deck stairs. I tried to save the cake for a fraction of a second but then realized it was the cake or me. So cake..... in the air, landed face down. Me...sliding on my shins, down every. single. wooden. step.  If my legs only knew what was coming to them in this pic^^. Dang Heels. Benson brought me a dollar about 15 minutes after the fall. "I'm giving you this dollar, so you"ll stop crying Mom." I was mainly crying out of embarrassment and the fact that everyone left without dessert. I should have been crying from my wounds because they are just barely healing and it's been almost a month.

 Benson was so happy all day and I know he felt loved and special. I am so thankful he has so much family that loves and supports him.

Our Latest Project

The bushes had to go.

                                      Beetle was more than happy to take a chain saw to them.

                   

After we cleared out the bushes Beetle tried burning the leftovers. The fire dept. showed up about a half hour in to it. Turns out you need a permit to burn! Beetle was disappointed, we all know he loves an excuse to play with fire.

I thought clearing out the bushes would be the hardest part. Oh no, these bushes had stumps! Two of them, and they were beasts. This picture doesn't do them justice. We axed them ALL DAY LONG! I haven't used an ax much but while Beetle took a truck load of bushes to the dump, I decided I could chip away at the roots for a while. It was a great experience, and a wonderful stress reliever. I noticed Maxwell staring at me while I was swinging my most powerful swings, He yelled....."HEY, Mom's aren't supposed to use Axes!" "Oh YES they are!" I yelled back.

The come-along got a dang good work out and so did Beetle. I am so glad he never gave up on the stumps, I thought he was going to when he would ax for a few hours and they wouldn't budge. 

Before

After

This ended up taking us about two weeks but it was worth it! We couldn't believe all the space under those ugly bushes. Beetle ended up pulling out 4 other trees with the come along and he is going to add a birdhouse to the tip of one of the tree trunks. Eventually we will take out these trees and plant a Maple tree that we have been trying to grow. I also think we need to move our poor little peach tree.
Can you spy Brigadoon?

Miss J and Summer begins

Annabelle loved her teacher this year, Miss J. Sometimes I wish she would talk about me like she talks about Miss J. She has been the best teacher for Annabelle. Annabelle would always come home with funny stories about her and she would always tell me how Miss J loves to hug and kiss her.

She wasn't kidding! When I asked to take a picture of them on the last day of school, this is what I got!

I'm a side hugger and I am pretty sure my daughter is too, I was loving having a front row seat to witness Annabelle's awkwardness. 

Loving Miss J's face and Annabelle's blushed face

Joking aside, I am so thankful for Miss J and the positive influence she had on Annabelle. Annabelle stayed after school twice every week for homework club and I know it was so she could be around Miss J. longer. Annabelle says she always makes learning fun. When Annabelle said good bye to her, she had tears in her eyes. I know she will miss her, thank goodness she is the chorus instructor so Annabelle can still see her often next year.

                                                            Now let the Summer Fun begin!

Last Day of School, Smart kids and Malaki

Baby Kate

Smart boys and George