December

I can't believe it's December 30th. The month has flown by. Having a birthday and Christmas has made for a celebratory month that has been lots of fun. This is a picture of Ben playing with his birthday helicopter. He loves it and will take it apart and play with the base making it a boat. He has several lego "guys" that operate it.

Before I forget I wanted to post something funny that happened at church. It is totally irreverent but cracked us up. I still chuckle about it. After placing the sacrament cup properly in the sacrament tray and being told that he did a good job, Benjamin said "what did I earn?"
He responded simultaneously with "A swift kick in the pants?" I almost choked I was so caught off guard and found it so funny. Same Sunday when negotiating with Daddy about a graham cracker he tried to bargin and said "double or nothing!". This kid cracks us up. It is hard to keep a straight face with him around.

I made a Red Velvet Cheese Cake for the adults at Ben's birthday celebration. It was beautiful and tasted so good.

The day before Emma left I was trying to get some good pictures. This was the best of the bunch. They were eating their rice crispy treats and making a mess.

All month long Benjamin has made Daddy be a Reindeer and has ridden him around the house. Joseph is such a good sport. He drew the line at being photographed with the jingle bell on his nose.

Santa was good to us this year.

Scott and Jenni's family with Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. We missed Kenneth and Heidi's family especially because normally they have been around to celebrate with us. I'm glad that all my siblings were able to be together in Utah and have the added treat of my parents surprise visit on the 26th.

This is Caleb and Joshua sitting on Santa's lap. Benjamin wouldn't even get near Santa this year. He and Lydia were content on Mommy's lap.

Scott and Isaac. He's really enjoying being Stake President. He sure is a fine man.

The day after Christmas Jenni put Joseph and Scott to work building shelves in their new entryway. The project was almost completed in one day. It still has to be faced with decorative trim but it looks great and I hope that they love the extra space it provides.

While the men were working the children were being super heroes and playing with every toy in the house.

Wasn't it Batman and Robin? We had Batman and Superman.

This is my favorite picture of the day.

Later in a change of Superhero status for Benjamin now to be known as Batman..... Joshua couldn't wait to climb into the shelf and make himself right at home.
Benjanim kept calling him his Batman partner.

Benjamin's Christmas Photo

Benjamin gave me a great Christmas present. He sat for a photo session and we got 2 pictures that we love. As is typical with 4 year olds so often he does a cheesy smile that isn't him. This picture captures the real Benjamin and I love it!

Emma

Our beautiful little Emma went home today to stay. I will miss her tremendously. I'm so glad that we had her - for even just the 4 months. She taught me several things and weaseled her way into my heart. I had hoped that I could remain aloof and unattached but alas, I really came to love that little screecher. She learned to walk, got 10 teeth, could raise the roof and make us laugh by doing a strong girl pose. We'll miss you muffet! Thanks for being a part of our lives.

Home Alone

Benjamin has a new favorite movie. ABCFamily has been having a movie a day as they count down to Christmas. We happened to stumble upon Home Alone while some of our friends were here for dinner and the adults were playing games. I was afraid it would be too old for Ben but Benjamin and Jared loved it.
We went to the Library and got Home Alone 3 and have watched it 3 times. Ben loves the bad guys.

Another funny thing I wanted to share:
On our trip to NYC we passed an Ikea. I like that store and was wondering aloud about their black Friday sales and kidding Joseph that we should stop. Joseph mostly in jest said, "you have a spending problem." Then he corrected it and said no I have a revenue problem. From the back seat we heard Benjamin say, "and I have a toy problem." We laughed for miles. It is amazing how smart he is.

Benjamin & his birthday presents

I think that I was finally able to upload Ben's birthday present opening. Hopefully it works.
Enjoy.....he really is a cutie.

Big Boy Birthday

How could Benjamin possibly be 4 years old already? Alas it is true.....we have a big birthday boy. Here is the cake I made. It came out pretty cute and Benjamin liked it which was the important thing.

Scott and Jenni and their family and Grandma and Grandpa Larchar helped us celebrate.
Benjamin had the candles blown out almost before I had the cake set at the table.

And was quick at pulling out the candles to be able to dive into the cake.

We got Ben this CAT digger that he can ride on for his birthday. Unfortunately we had sprinkles most of the day and he was unable to test it out in the garden. He liked riding it around the house and practicing moving the arms.

I must say though, hands down of all his gifts this year (which were many because we have generous neighbors) his favorite was from his birth mother. They sent a Lego helicopter. Ben has played with it all afternoon and evening. It has a "lego guy" who is a police man. Benjamin named him Joseph. (He names all his toys.) He comes equiped with detachable handcuffs and binoculars that have been a paticular hit & there is a compartment for those item in the helicopter.

The propeller spins too and adjusts to different angles. Benjamin has been in heaven.

Thank you to everyone who called, and to all those who have wished us well. It has been a lovely few days as we have celebrated Benjamin. We feel so loved and so honored to be his parents.