Benson's 9th Birthday

Benson LOVES Banana Bread so this year he asked for a banana break cake instead of a birthday cake(: Fine by Me! I love this stuff almost as much as he does. 

Benson is someone that is pretty easy to please. He is always happy with what you give him and even if it's not Lego's you can expect a big hug. He had really been wanting a Gnome to add to our yard this year. I couldn't believe when Beetle sent me a pic of this one and said "found him a Gnome!" Wal-Mart of all places.

 Beetle was pretty excited to add a can crusher to his gifts. Benson collects soda cans at the Smart Family gatherings and takes them to recycling. The can crusher is saving our shed a lot of space. I'm pleased to report that Benson just earned $13.00 at the recycling center last week from collecting cans since April. It really motivated him to keep up with can crushing.

Benson was MORE than pleased to receive Rachel and Danny's Birthday Gift! He loves little Caesars Pizza. 

         Benson Loves his Grandparents and loves to give them hugs.

              I love it. 

Charlie Farley is always up for a party!

 Benson also graduated from a wolf to a bear in cub scouts!

We were lucky to have Tater here visiting for the special ceremony.

Such a fun week! We Love You Benson.

Christmas Sing

Lots of Christmas Sings this year! Between chorus performances for Annabelle and Benson and just regular Christmas performances for Maxwell, I felt like we were juggling, A LOT.

I brought the whole entire crew! My kids have never had such an audience all under the age of four! Luckily Beetle saved the day and met me, and luckily this double stroller has straps that Bayliss didn't figure out a way to wiggle out of until the end of the performance.

             Poor Annabelle inherited personal space issues from me, I can so feel this awkwardness.

             Grandma Phyl and Grandma Cheryl came to the University mall performance to support.

 So did the entire Elder crew, complete with Giant Ricker, sad I didn't get a pic, Pearl was proudly representing though.

                       I don't remember the last time all seven of us strolled through the mall together.

Nothing like these performances to get you in the Christmas Spirit, I wouldn't miss them for anything!

Look Who's Eight!

Benson has been looking forward to his Eighth Birthday for a long time!  His excitement showed the entire day.

Benson had his first friend party. A bunch of boys and Anna ( she better get used to this). These boys were not hard to please, I don't know if it was because they are in second grade or if it was because they are boys but there was SO MUCH EXCITEMENT and ENERGY in the air!

                                                        Cracker Whacker was a hit,

                                                           
                                                              so were the trick candles.

Finally!

 Benson loves spaghetti and pancakes, for his birthday he chose spaghetti. He only likes a few things that I cook, but when I do cook those few things I know for sure I will get a "Thanks Mom" and a hug. No wonder we have spaghetti and pancakes on our menu every week!

Another reason Benson has been looking forward to his eighth birthday is because he gets to start cub scouts! He had his uniform all folded and ready to go for his first cub meeting. He has been looking forward to this day for SO long....like years!

            Doesn't he look so cute in his uniform? I am so glad he shares my love for uniforms.

 He has already earned his bobcat! The other boy scouts did a really cute ceremony for him, he danced through the whole thing.

 The most anticipated of Benson's eighth birthday is his Baptism Day. He is so excited to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Benson has a good spirit and has such a desire to do what is right, I am so thankful for that! I am also thankful he is the oldest brother, I know he will lead his little brothers with a great example. We Love You Sweet Benson.

The Art of the Brick

Last Saturday we went to the "Art of the Brick" exhibit in Park City. Benson was so excited, he has watched a Lego DVD with Nathan Sawaya's work countless times, so to see it in person was a real treat for him.

  It was fun to see him so excited and happy, he has always wanted to go to Lego land. I should have just told him Lego land came to Park City....for FREE! Because really this work was Amazing!
           

Maxwell is obsessed with kitties right now, so he wanted a pic in front of "Grey Cat".

This guy and Lego art exhibit don't jive. He made us and the museum personnel a bit nervous at times. He brought loose Legos from the kids Lego table in to the exhibit area and we learned in a hurry-- that is not allowed, they were worried he had taken them from one of the show pieces. I'm glad I got a pic before I realized I was being a dumb parent.

Can you believe what he did to this guy?

Just Kiddin. But with four of my kids running around, this sculpture gave me anxiety every time I looked at it.

The Lego Table

Benson was loving life.

Simon has just started building with Lego's, I love his concentration face.

He was talking to all the other kids at the table while he was building. I wish I could have understood what he was saying because it sounded important!

Benson's finished work, inspired by Nathan Sawaya.