Aug 10

This is one of my favorite pictures of Ben. He is trying to nurse the ear on his puppy. He does this every time he is put in his car seat.

The boys and me in the morning (well...most days, this is what we look like all day to be honest)

Daddy & Ben

Daddy is giving Sam the backpack that he use to carry when he was a little boy. This was a very special moment for Josh. His mom bought him this backpack. Sam loves it and carries it to church every Sunday!

Sam is playing hide-and-seek in the box.

Alli stayed with me for a week and helped. We will miss her lots!

Cute little booties hand made by a friend of ours (Kristin Crouch - thanks Kristin!). They are soooooo cute and soft. I am very impressed

Aunt Holly & Ben

Sam and Alli made a home-made water park. They had lots of fun in the 108 weather.

Handsome Ben

Cute outfit (thanks Wendi) He had cute little matching socks too.

Sam is eating with chopsticks. He did quite well. More ended up in his mouth than on the floor.

"Bobo" & Ben.

Ben is gazing out the window.

The boys

Sam swimming at Aunt Holly & Uncle Chuck's. he loved it!! He even jumped in and went under water, holding his breath.

Sam and the gang played Guitar Hero. He did a little bit of everything: guitar, drums, singing...

Daddy and the boys

Ben's hair looked really red in this pic. It does have a tint of red and changes based on the light.

Sam loves his Cinnamon toast...

Isn't he handsome!!

Wide-eyed pic of Ben

Sam got some new water colors and experimented with them for the first time the other day. He is very "artsy"

Mama and the boys. Sam loves to hold Ben, every opportunity he can get.

Sam got an award for reading (being read to) lots of books this summer. The library had a great summer reading program.

Sam and Ben's first bath together. It was loads of fun for both (and for Mama & Daddy).

Check out these curls!!

Proud Papa with his grandsons

Daddy & Ben. (Josh just got in from a full day of drum camp, so he looks kinda tired and ragged)

Nana and Ben. Nana stayed the week and played with Sam TONS!!

Sam is offering Ben his blankie once more.

Funny Sam and Ben pic. Crazy brothers...

Alli is helping Sam pic tomatoes. She let him wear her flip flops because his tender feet were hurting :) (He is not use to walking bare foot)

Future American Idol...Okay, Maybe not :)

Sam & Ben - Day 11

This picture doesn't capture it fully, but Ben has very round, plump cheeks. Sam likes to squish them and say "ball."


I caught a glimpse of this from the other room. Ben was lying on the floor and Sam curled right up next to him.

Ben is in his cute little outfit from Matt & Wendi. (He had the lion top on, but spit up right as I was about to take the picture...) He is gazing thoughtfully out the window.

Sam is playing with Daddy's headphones. He loves to listen to drum corps with Daddy.

Sam is helping Ben...This is a regular occurrence. Listen for him to say, "Uh Oh" "Me in" "My Ben" "Me my Ben!"

Big News!! Baby Ben has arrived!!

We had quite a weekend last weekend!! Big Daddy and Aunt Aaralyn visited for the weekend and baby Benjamin decided he didn't want to miss out. Benjamin David was born July 6 at 9:14am; He weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces and was 20 inches long. He is absolutely perfect in every way!! Big Brother Sam loves him and offers his blankie to him regularly (This is a big deal; I don't even get to have it). He also wants to hold Ben, read to him, and make sure he has his pacifier when needed. Sam is a great big brother!!

Josh and I are enjoying this next season of life, and just trying to soak up every minute of it, knowing it will pass all too soon. Children truly are a gift and a blessing from the Lord!!

"Thank you, Lord, for my two beautiful boys...and my best-friend & partner for life."

Enjoy the following pictures...

Daddy holding Ben...

Sam is offering his blankie to Ben

Sam is such a tender, loving big brother. He is giving him kisses. He also was very concerned about Ben's hat being securely pulled down on his head.

Sam is so excited about his new brother.

Papa, Sam, Nanny, and Ben

Aunt Aaralyn gets to hold Ben, too.

Mama helps Sam hold Ben.

We were sooooo glad that Big Daddy could be in town to share the event!!!!

Cousin Alli is also proud of Ben.

Ben is all ready to head home...This will be his first car ride.

Sam and Ben are buckled up and ready to go...we're off!!!!!

Sam loves sitting with Ben.


Daddy and Sam have a moment

Ben is snoozing...this is what he does best!

Daddy and Ben

Sam is going down the slide at Chick-fil-a, or as Sam calls it "Cluck eat". Nanny and Papa took him here a few times to play while Mama and Daddy settled in.
















Ben becomes wide awake at about 10:30 at night (he has always been active at this time, even in the womb). But he sleeps well through the night after about an hour of playing.


Goofy baby pic...I couldn't resist. I think this was his first smile.

Sam was helping Big Daddy put together a grill (or take it apart, depending on how you look at it). This was a priceless moment. Sam loves to help with these kinds of things, and Big Daddy had a run for his money. :)


Most recent pic of Ben...notice the curly hair. I think he has his daddy's hair.