James' Baptism, Birthdays, & Company!

Holy Crap. When was the last time I blogged, oh yeah, I blogged about Christmas! Sheesh, here it is almost Mother's Day and I haven't posted anything about this year yet. I can't believe how fast this year is already flying by. So, to catch you up on things.....

January

-Ran Disney Full Marathon in 3:45:00 (I don't remember the exact time, but that is close) It was awesome, people cheering you from the moment you start until the moment you cross the finish. My watch died just as the race started so I was running "blind" the entire time and that drove me slightly crazy, but it was a great race and I will most likely be running it again next year.

-Ben Ran the Disney Half Marathon, he LOVED it. Got a great time and I love that he will go run these races I sign him up for. Cute boy.

Rest of January.....um school field trips and recovering from the marathon. And I think I already blogged about all that.

February

-Ran another marathon. It was tough. I am not going to lie. My legs were hurting from the moment I started running until the end and especially at mile 23 when I was running up the 4th causeway (over the ocean) and literally wanted to jump into the ocean off that bridge. Yes, I had tears, it was painful. But I placed 3rd in my age division so that was awesome. Probably won't be running that race again though.

-Valentine's day. We had so much fun. We went to a bakery and each picked out a mini cake to eat. We had a Dance party, and just played all evening. Such a fun day with each other.

March

-Sophie turned 3!! How in the world did that even happen!!! Oh my word. I can't believe it. She gets bigger every time I look at her I swear. She had a great day though. We had a party with all her friends during the day. She got tons of stuff. We made a Hello Kitty lunch. With Hello Kitty shaped sandwiches, strawberries and all that. Then had some awesome Cupcakes to finish it off. Then she and I just enjoyed the day together playing and trying out her new toys. once Ben and the Boys got home it was time for more presents, more cake and more playing. A fabulous day and man, we all love that little girl so much. She is out little caretaker. Whenever someone is sad she does whatever she can to help them be happy. She dances and sings all the time. She loves to play with her teddy bears and be their mom. She loves having friends over, even if that friend is really mom's friend and is 30 yrs older than her. She can also throw a good punch so watch out, she has two older brothers and knows how to fight. ;) She brings so much joy and happiness into our home and I don't know what we would do without her. Love you baby girl.

-Spring Break. Our Disney passes were about to expire so we decided to go on a little trip and do Disney the way everyone else does. We got a hotel, priceline $70/night for a hotel that is normally $200/night. Awesome. And spent an entire day at each park one last time. We really had the greatest time. I could blog forever about it. Harrison loved loved loved Space Mountain & River Rapid thing at Animal Kingdom. Harrison ran out onto the street during the Disney Main street parade, did a handstand and dropped onto his head. He laughed, as did EVERYONE else. What will I ever do with that kid. He was the entertainment that night, everyone was watching him and laughing. so funny. Sophie got a little sick, but found a new coaster she loves at Magic Kingdom and of course Ben and James went on all the big coasters one last time.  I will admit. As we did everything "one last time" I was so sad to say good bye to our fun fun year. We have been playing there for the past year and had so much together as a family. We have gone at least once a week. That is a lot of Disney. I am thinking I will have to buy passes again next year. hehehehe.

April

-Cousins! My sister, husband & 4 kids came to visit for a couple days. We spent a day at the Beach, a Day at Disney (our very last) had Eaters together & then they went on home. We had fun with them and it was great to see family again. My kids absolutely loved playing with their cousins and having sleepovers every night with them. plus they didn't mind missing a couple days of school just after a long spring break! Silly kids.

-James turned 8! Wow. seriously cannot believe that one. He had such a fun & great day. I made him an 8 layered chocolate cake, which was awesome if I do say so myself. We went swimming, played with friends, opened presents and all that fun birthday stuff. We gave him an ipod (one we already had but never used anymore hehehehe) I filled it with a bunch of kid appropriate songs and he loves it. He walks around the house singing like no one else can hear him. So cute. Love that little boy James. He is my rock. I can depend on him. He always tries to do what is right. HE has a heart of gold and really wants to be good. He is so smart and has done so well in school this year, honor roll every term! HE is always very friendly and thoughtful. He eats lunch with a group of Autistic kids every thursday and loves it. He also always leaves me little notes around the house and it always makes me smile. Love you so much James.

-James was Baptized. This was crazy because I remember getting baptized. How do I have a kid old enough to get baptized? Ben's parents, Susan & Marshall, and his brother, Andy, all came out for it. We were so happy to have them all there for such a special day. It was such a perfect day. There was such a sweet spirit there and I was so proud of James. Harrison & Sophie loved watching their older brother get baptized and I am grateful for his good example. When he was confirmed, I don't really remember a whole lot of what Ben said in the blessing. I just remember such a strong and sweet spirit in the room. He did say that people would want to know more about the gospel by seeing James' example. I know James will be a great missionary throughout his life.

-Ben's family came to visit! We had so much fun with them. After the baptism we were off to the beach with Ben's family. It turned out to be a pretty windy cloudy day. But that didn't get us down. We still had fun in the waves and walking along the beach. After that we went on a drive looking for gators and found 2. It was cool. On Monday we all went to Universal Studios/Harry Potter World and had the funnest day. We really did. We went on lots of rides together, getting soaked, completely soaked. Harrison braved the bigger rides and I was proud of him. We went to lunch at the Three Broomsticks And then just as the park was closing we stopped by there again for some butterbeers. So glad we did. No one else was there. So we had the place to ourselves and just sat enjoying the quiet and drinking our butterbeers. Felt like really were in the three broomsticks. While the family was in town we spent time walking around our little community, getting cakes, going to publix, playing with Gma & Gpa. Goofing off with uncle Andy (sophie is in love).

-The day after they left I hosted a RS activity at my house, and then another just a few days after and then another thing just a couple days after that. That weekend, I think I spent 75% of my Saturday in bed. I was soooooo tired. Ben & I both were. We let the kids watch TV and do whatever, while we just lazed around. Love Saturdays like that. Need more of them.

-Since all of that, I have been keeping busy with my calling, taking care of kids, going on field trips, taking Sophie to swim lessons (she is AWESOME) running (getting ready for fall marathons), planning summer vacations (camping in the GA mountains in this great little cabin for a week in June) planning a trip to Portland (leaving in 11 days, JAy is getting Married YAY!) And trying to keep up with housework, bills, laundry, eating healthy and all that other mom stuff I do every day. Except today because I am taking a break and doing what I want. Hence today's blog.

So here are all the pictures from the last few months. Enjoy them!

 Ben & James.

 Mom & James

 My little Boy James, all ready to be Baptized. 

 All of us after the Baptism. It was hard to get the kids too look at the camera.

 Our family, we are pretty cute I will admit.

 And of course a silly picture.

 Sophie on her Bday  Yes that is Darth Vader. She loves him. He is Cute.

 Sophie and a few of her friends. She had so many kids come over, it was great. She plays with these two a lot. Julliette (shorter girl) & Caroline.

 Check out this amazing outfit. That hat was made for Sophie by one of my friends in the ward. Love it! That dress has become a curse. She only wants to wear THAT dress because it twirls. EVERY DAY. Sheesh. Oh and that long hair...we cut a good 8 inches off the next day. She is cute with short hair too.

 You know you want those shades.

 Sophie & her Hello Kitty cake.

 Just before blowing out the candles.

 Before church on Sunday. They actually looked good so I took a picture of them. Of course, they had to make funny faces,

 Ah, but here are their sweet smiles.

 Love this picture so much. Sophie looks so annoyed by Ben. It is great.

 James on his Bday. I have lot more pics, but they are on my phone and I have not uploaded any of those pictures. One day right?

 He got a body board and swim shirt for his bday. He is quite the little "surfer" out on that ocean. He loves the big waves. He straps the body board on, hops on it and kicks out into the water and rides those waves on in. It's only a matter of time before he actually starts surfing. It's in his adventure blood.

 On our Gator hunt. She just looked cute so I took a pic.

 Such a cute girl.

 Sophie and her Uncle Andy. They were best pals.

 James and Harrison at universal. I only took about 3 pics while we were there because we were just having too much fun and I forgot to take pictures.

 Out to dinner with Cousins at the T Rex restaurant in Downtown Disney. Biggest waste of money ever. Just sayin.

 At least the kids had fun. James & Joseph, they are great pals.

 Cousins at Disney. I love that Harrison is holding Elijah's head forward. funny.

 Sophie and Maisy. Sophie liked having a girl to play with for once.

 Sophie and Dad on Dumbo, Sophie's all time favorite ride.

 JAmes and Joseph on the carousel. They really had a great time together.

And......

The most random picture ever.....

Harrison wearing my wedding Veil. Funny funny boy.