Baby shower

Recently we had a baby shower for Lindsey and baby Ben. I love showers that are given after the baby is born because then the guest of honor can be there and everyone can see him. He got passed around for about 3 hours straight and did great. He's done really well with all the times that he's been around a group and everyone is in line to hold him.....kinda have to be in this big family.
Amy had it at her house and then us sisters all hosted. We had a really yummy brunch and played some dorky shower games. The dice game, of course, and then a game where we asked Lindsey a bunch of questions about Ben that we had asked Pat earlier that day. If she didn't match Pat's answer, she would have to eat a piece of gum....and not just Trident....Hubba Bubba gum. Well, she didn't do so hot on matching, so she probably ending up eating about 8 pieces of gum. She could hardly talk by the end of the game, it was very cute.
We opened gifts and ate some cake and had a very nice time visiting and laughing.
I think the biggest laugh of the day came when one of Lindsey's questions was "Who's idea was it to bring mom on the trip to Texas?"
and the very next question.....
"At what point did you regret that idea?"
Lindsey didn't seem to hesistate long enough for mom's liking and quickly decided they regretted it when "Rita took over driving and was flying 90mph down the highway"
They didn't get a match on that one.
Pat's answer......Lakeville.

Como Zoo Day

I'd been telling the boys all summer we'd go to the zoo one day.....I didn't make it there until almost the last week of August. Whooops. Hey, at least we went. We took Kaylee too and they had a lot of fun. Here's some pics to proove it.

Twins

No, I'm not having Twins....we went to see the Twins. My brother had come into some tickets and was nice enough to give them to us so that we could enjoy a great family day at the new Target field. I've heard so much about it since the season began so I was excited to see it in person finally. Well, let me tell ya....it did not disappoint. It was amazing! We had the best time. I could really see getting used to that. We had these bleacher seats that are probably considered cheaper ones, but we loved them. There was tons of room to move around with all the boys, we had a great view of the field right behind 1st base, and a perfect view of the JumboTron where we could see all the fun things the game has to offer in between playing. The boys were in heaven! Thank you Uncle Mike and Aunt Kristin, they will not soon forget that day!
This is us when we first got there and were walking around taking it all in.


One of the cool things about the field is that you can actually take food in. They let you bring in a backpack with any sort of snacks and waters. We literally had a lunch packed for all of us, some water bottles, and some snacks.
So, we found that by the time you get your tickets free, you bring in your food, and mom does her own face painting rather than paying someone else to do it.....we got away with a pretty cheap day. If only Jay didn't insist on that $10 steak sandwich or the $7 beer......




Enjoyin' the day....



The boys and I made a couple signs before going. There is this thing that one of the announcers, Bert Blyleven, does with the fans. In between innings, he'll find people in the crowd with signs and circle them on his screen so that when the people at home see it, the fans are shown on TV. We held ours up high whenever there was a chance and right around the 4th inning, we got our whole family up on the giant Jumbo Tron. The boys were sooooo excited! I never imagined with all those thousands of people there that we'd get picked, so it was pretty cool.

All done.....what a fun day!

Say Cheese!!

We got together recently for our family birthdays and since it would be the first time all 13 grandkids were together, it was the perfect opportunity for a photo op.

Tyler, you're the oldest, so you get to hold Ben. Alright, that's all of them...oh, how cute. Okay, everyone....smile!

Wait.....where's Josh? Josh, come here....
Okay, now smile everyone!

Josh? Josh....where'd you go? Sit up, Josh. Just one more quick picture, buddy. I know, I know...you're tired. C'mon kids....okay...and, SMILE!

Alex, can you get Josh to sit back up? That's it...just scoop him back up so we can get just one more. Josh.....Josh....

Tony?? Tony....help your cousin get Josh up. Everyone else...keep smiling, we're almost done.....


Oh, who are we kidding. We're not perfect. But who wants to be perfect anyway...? I think we're pretty normal.....and that's just fine with us.

VBS

The beginning of August is the time of Vacation Bible School at church. We missed it the last 2 summers because I was doing daycare. Not this year. Not only did the youngest 4 get to all participate, Tyler and I were volunteers for the week as well.
I was a 4th grade governer, which means I had to help get the class of 10 kids from one station to another throughout the morning. Chapel for singing, bible teaching, crafts, drama, rec time, snack, etc. It was really a great way to be involved because I was able to be with the kids all day, but didn't have to actually teach the lessons. Trae was in my class so I think next year I'll help with 7th grade when Timmy is that age. On the Thurs. of the week, they have an evening program and pie/ice cream social.
The program is the best part. All the kids get to go up front and sing the song they've been working on all week....actions and all.


Then the 7th graders do a more profound song and dance that is always very moving. I can't wait for Timmy to be a part of that next year.

Meeting Bennett

On Friday, July 30th, Bennett and Lindsey got home from Texas and we were all too excited to wait even a day to see them and meet our newest nephew. It was so amazing to see this little guy.....all 5 pounds of him. I'd never seen a baby so small much less held one. He was cuter than we even imagined and we are so happy for Pat and Lindsey.

The boys all made signs to hang at their house for when they got home. I had to share this one that Tony and Tanner made. Tony wrote the words (spelled everything on his own except "Welcome") and drew the picture of "Benit" under the rainbow with "God" looking over him. He also helped Tanner draw a picture of "H " . Tanner drew the picture of the family. Pat reaching up to put his arm around "Lindsey" as she holds "Benit" on her lap. How cute is that. I love when kids are learning to spell and they sound out their words.
I made an impromptu cake for the event that matched his room....and I did it before even knowing that it would match. Pretty cool.
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This is me holding him for the first time. I had never seen, much less held, a little peanut that small. He's just soooo cute and he was looking right at me. Adorable!



All the cousins waiting their turn. Little Ben was causing quite the excitement.



Tanner's turn.....

Tony's turn....He LOVES babies!

Trae get's a turn.....

Timmy holds Ben next....

And Tyler gets a turn.

Jay finally gets his turn.

This little guy sure is loved already by his whole, large, extended family. We are so excited to be able to see him grow up and be part of this crazy brood.

T-ball

Tony and Tanner finished up their season of T-ball last Wednesday with a night game for all the parents. They played for about 6 weeks on every Monday and Wednesday for an hour. It was funny to watch some of the antics when little kids are learning the game, but on the other hand....they do pretty well. They really start to understand the game and how it works. It's fun to watch them, but I'm secretly glad they're done. It's just one less thing we have to be on time for this summer. Plus, Trae and Timmy played on the same days in the afternoon, so my 2 weekdays off were pretty full. They still have a couple weeks left and then the countdown to school starting begins.....muuuhaahaaa.....*insert evil grin here*......