"Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming"

Benjamin has been taking swim lessons the past few months.  It has been a really special time for us to spend together before Rebecca gets here.  Ben started off not super into swimming, then loving it, then not so into it, ect. Every week is hit or miss! :)  At one point he was up to 6 seconds under water! Luckily the week Tula came to watch was a hit and she captured some happy pictures of our little swimmer. 

Enjoy the picture dump...

Our Crazy (And Blessed) Life!

I am super behind on blog posts!  My lack of blogging has been due to the fact that our life is crazy right now! I normally blog while Benjamin is napping but lately I have needed that extra hour to sleep. :) Between my brothers and sister we have one that just graduated from college, one getting married this September, and two expecting.  Adding family weddings, vacations, and normal everyday to dos we are busy busy!  All our craziness has been because of one blessing after another and I am so thankful.

So here I go playing catch up...

Mother's Day Weekend

We let the guys have a break and go to the lake kid-free (Luke joined them) while the ladies stayed back. Will needed some time off from Dad/Husband duty and spent the weekend relaxing.  Amanda and I stayed at my parents house and had tons of fun - pedicures (Tula's gift to us), shopping, and lots of fun eating.  It was really special to spend that time with my mom and Amanda. 

Ben and Audrey were two peas in a pod.

Audrey was ready for food...

Benjamin was ready to be free...

Freedom!

Sunday Will returned and made me a yummy breakfast for dinner.  He was so cute cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

Benjamin and I played outside while Daddy sweated it out in the kitchen.  

My Mother's Day was wonderful and I felt super loved.

Grant's Graduation

We all traveled to Lubbock for the day to celebrate the baby in our family graduating from college.  I can't wait to see where life takes our hard-working, fun-loving, creative Grant.

Bumping it up.

Other random events:

We had so much fun at the Knochel wedding!

Mom and Dad enjoying a dance.

Benjamin's school year wrapped up (tear).

Here he is on the first day...  

(looking very dazed and confused)

and last day. 

(still looking dazed and confused. ha!)

Playing at the new Allen splash pad with the cousins.

Amanda and I missed the memo that an entire school would be having their end of the year party there that day.  The kids still had fun exploring and splashing around!

Mowing with Daddy.

Cheesing it up.

Wrestle time with Pop.

(Yes, Ben is upside down.)

Playing outside.

Stay tuned for posts on swim class, Rebecca's shower, Rebecca's nursery, and our San Antonio trip.

Chicken Pox Fun!

This week has been an eventful one... Monday we spent the night with Tula and Pop and I noticed a few spots on his hands and feet thinking they were ant bites, Tuesday Benjamin went to school and enjoyed a beach party (I showed the spots to his teacher and she agreed it was ants), Wednesday he woke up covered in spots so I took him into to see the pedi.  After two hours spent at the doctor and seeing every physician in the practice we were told he had herpetic whitlow and the chicken pox.  The doctor said that the chicken pox vaccine most likely wasn't effective due to his suppressed immune system from his eczema and peanut allergy.  My poor little guy is always having skin issues. I am so thankful this happened before our Rebecca got here!

Here he is eating his snack waiting to see the doc.

I tried to get a classic chicken pox picture of him but you can't really see the spots.  His hands, arms, legs, and feet were the areas affected.  He had a few here and there on his face and torso.

Two seconds after speaking with his school's director this was sent out. :)

I already know of at least one other child that has come down with it.

We have logged many hours watching movies...

Here he is snuggling with me while managing to keep his gloves on for a few minutes.

Thankfully his sweet grandmothers came to the rescue!

Tula dropped off yummy food, medicine, movies, and a play-doh kit.

Miss E sent a care package filled with a new train set, a basketball set, and a whistle!

Sorry for the graphic pics but I wanted to document the progression of his pox. 

Day 1.

Day 2.

Day 3. 

  

Today he is feeling better just following the doctors orders of staying home for a full week.

 We can't wait to be chicken pox free!

32 Weeks and Photo Dump

Well, we have officially hit the 32 week mark! I had a growth scan done this Tuesday and Rebecca is still measuring big - 1 week 2 days ahead of schedule to be exact.  She is currently 4 pounds 15 ounces big and looks great! 

Benjamin is still enjoying all my random pregnancy cravings. 

Donuts was a must yesterday morning.

Blue coconut Sonic slush was another must one day.

Tula bought Benjamin a baby so he could practice seeing one around.

Not the best picture of me but I wanted to document Benjamin's need to crawl all over me at every second of the day.  I think he can sense Rebecca coming and would love to switch spots with her right now.  This kid may love me a little too much. :)

School pictures.

I have LOVED his teachers this year and am going to be so sad for the year to come to a close.

Muffins with Moms at school.

Cook-out at Uncle Brian and Aunt Amanda's.

Luke was sick in this picture but Ben didn't seem to care.

Uncle Rett discussing life with Audrey.

Riley is getting married in less than a month.  We had so much fun celebrating him and Alexis's at their couples shower.  I am so blessed to have such an incredible and fun family!

I love Riley!

Elizabeth, one of my childhood friends, has moved back to Mckinney!  We have already logged many hours playing with the Larkins! 

 Tough life being a kid.

 Cousin sleepover. Audrey came to party!

"Thank you Miss Traci for my new pirate plate!" 

Morning snuggles.

 Looking old outside while watching golfers.

Will and I were able to sneak in a kid-free Rangers game last week.  Thank you Tula for watching Benjamin!