Happenings of the Week

Last weekend Benjamin and I went over to CA for my friend Melinda Kaneshiro's wedding. Melinda and I grew up together. We lived down the street from each other and our birthdays are a day apart. She moved right before Jr. High School but we've always been able to stay in touch. I was very glad I got to go spend her special day with her. She married Adam Newman and they seem very happy together.

Here is me, Melinda, and our other friend Melanie Olds. The 3 of us have been friends since kindergarten. I was going to find an old picture of us to scan and put on here but decided I'd just better get this post done. But here was are. I love that we've stayed friends this long!!

For storytime this week a fireman came and read the kids a story. He also put on all his fire gear and gave them a tour of the fire truck. My boys LOVED it!! But the batteries in my camera died right before they went to see the truck and I missed some great pictres. So sad!! At least I got these...
Alex trying on the fire coat.
Toothless Abby lost her other top tooth this week. She claims to have 2 more loose. Also, my smarty pants daughter got an award for being on the Principal's Honor Roll for 1st quarter. Woo-Hoo!! According to her teacher she is the top reader in her class (she also has the messiest desk Ü).
Being a Mom is HARD!! My house has totally turned upside down these last few weeks. The kids are wild and crazy (they love to practice karate on each other) and I can't seem to keep anything clean. I'm having a hard time knowing what to focus on. I hate it when I feel so out of control. But then moments like this make it all worth it. I can't believe I have 4 kids!!!

Alex and Andy decided they wanted their training wheels off their bike. I was a little hesitant just becuase they still seem too little for that. Abby just barely got her training wheels off almost a year ago. Tyler took them out yesterday to practice and Alex just picked it right up and he can't wait to ride again tomorrow. (Sorry my video is sideways.)

Andy's practice session didn't go as well. (Again, sorry for the sideways video but these are too fun not to post). That is probably one of the hardest things about having twins - when one picks something up faster than the other. But Andy's attitude was better today and he also can't wait to go practice some more tomorrow.

Benjamin's Blessing Day

Benjamin was blessed on Sunay, September 28th, 2008 by his Daddy. Grandpa David Councilman and Grandpa Larry Allen assisted. Benjamin was 5 weeks and 2 days old on his blessing day and was such a good boy. Here are some pictures from his special day.

4 Generations





Benjamin and Sophia Wares ~ the little girl I babysitThis was the same blanket Mommy had when she was blessed.

Andy & Alex Are 4 Years Old!!!

Andy & Alex celebrated their 4th birthday on September 12th. I still can't believe I have twins!!Here's a little walk down memory lane...

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008
We actually have twins on both sides of the family. My grandpa was a fraternal twin and Tyler's grandma has sisters who were twins. Since then there have been 3 sets of twins born among me and my cousins and Tyler's sister has a set of twin girls. Here are the 3 sets of twins in my family ~ Jamie and her girls Amy & Ashlyn, me & the boys, and Becky and her boys Ben & Caleb. The funny thing is they are all identical and identical twins aren't genetic. So go figure.

These are Tyler's sister Cindy's twin girls Hannah and Monah (and their brother Michael). They will be 10 in March. Too cute!! Their dad is Korean - just so you know. Ü

Now on to the boys' birthday. We celebrated a week early (on Sept. 6th) by going to Peter Piper Pizza with Kaitlyn and Ethan Millar. We celebrated early because Grandma Pam was in town and also because Tyler was going to be gone on a boy scout campout the night of their birthday. The next night we did cake and presents with Grandma.

Abby made this birthday poster for the boys.

Alex wanted a new Pooh Bear for his birthday. He's had the white one ever since he was about 10 months old and it's his favortie thing. We were pretty surprised that he wanted a new one. Now he has 2 favorite things. On their actualy birthday Mommy and Daddy gave them super-hero jammies. These will serve as great Halloween costumes too. Ü Then they got to take Hostess Cupcakes to share at preschool.I know this post is forever long but here's another cute Andy & Alex thing. They are sharing their candy with each other that they got at Peter Piper. They did this all on their own - I just went and grabbed the camera.

I love you boys!!

Catch Up Time

My goal of updating my blog once a week isn't going too well. Ü Here are some cute pictures from the last couple of weeks....

We had read the book and watched the video of Eric Carle's "The Mixed Up Chameleon." The kids were playing dress-up and Andy came down and said, "Look Mom, I'm the mixed up chameleon!" He was a ballerina, fireman, racoon.

These 2 pictures were taken a week ago Sunday. It was Benjamin's 1st time to churh.

The sticker on Ben's forehead says "I am somebody special."

Abby lost tooth # 3!!

Tyler pulled Abby's 3rd tooth yesterday (top left middle). I don't know why I get a kick out of this video but I do. It's kind of bloody so beware. Ü Our friend's, the Millar's, were over at the time. Their daughter Kaitlyn, who is 3 months older than Abby, hasn't lost any teeth yet and has been really bummed about it. But after seeing Abby's tooth come out I heard Kaitlyn tell her mom that maybe she didn't want to loose any teeth after all. Ü Abby went to school today with a big smile on her face and couldn't wait to show everybody the hole in her mouth.

Happy Birthday Moms and Grandma!!

My Grandma, Christeen Hall, celebrated her 85th birthday on August 23rd. She graciously had her birthday party at Peter Piper Pizza where the adults could visit and the great grand-kids could play. I had to miss her party this year because I was still in the hospital. If I've counted right, Grandma has 4 children, 26 grandchildren, and 54 great-grandchildren (Ben was # 53) with 3 more on the way. What a posterity!! Grandma Hall is a great example to all 84 of us. Today, September 11, is my mom's 60th birthday!!! She probably wouldn't want me saying how old she is but I think 60 is a big accomplishment. This woman does more in a day than I can get done in 3 months and is always thinkging of others before herself. She took such good care of me that week she was here. She's the best and we don't know what we would do without her.
We had cake and ice cream last Sunday for her and Andy & Alex (who's 4th birthday is tomorrow!!). Sunday also happened to be Grandparents Day and the boys had made "hugs" to give their grandparents in preschool. Here is Andy giving Grandma Pam her hug.
Speaking of birthdays Grandma Allen's birthday is Saturday!! The boys were born right between their grandma's. This grandma has the biggest heart and the special talent of loving everyone unconditionally. She brightens your day.

Happy Birthday Grandmas!! We're so thankful for you and all you do!! You are Amzaing!!!

3 Weeks Old Already!!

Benjamin's 1st 3 weeks of life have gone pretty good. Tyler was able to stay home the 1st week and my mom was here the 2nd week so with weekends and everything I've only had to do life by myself for just a couple of days. It hasn't even been too bad. Ü I can tell that sleep deprivation will be setting in soon though. Ü

Ben's a cutie pa-tootie. He sleeps for us really well although sometimes its rather hard to actually get him to sleep. Tyer has been giving Ben his 1st bottle at nightime (somewhere between 10pm and mindnight) which has been fun for Ty. Benjamin did come down with thrush during his 1st week of being home but we're pretty much over that now. When Ben is awake and content his favorite things to do are look at his brothers and sister (he likes to look at mommy and daddy too Ü), stretch his long arms and legs, and have tummy time (amazing!!).

We will be blessing Benjamin at the LDS church building on Ellsworth and San Tan on September 28th at 12:00pm for any family or friends who want to attend. We'd love to have you.