Grandparent Visit

 Today, everyone who came in for Benson's baptism left and our house feels way too quiet. We were blessed to have a few extra days before the baptism with both sets of grandparents. Mimi & Grandpa came in late Tuesday night and Nanny & Papa came in Thursday night. 

On Wednesday we mostly just hung out at the house and let Mimi & Grandpa rest, since they got in super late. We did go to "Tropical Smoothie Cafe" to get free smoothies. They were running a weird promotion that if you wore flip flops into the cafe, you got a free smoothie. We decided to take full advantage and Mimi came too. 

Then on Thursday we went to the newly renovated Walmart Museum. It was pretty cool. We ended our museum outing with ice cream from the "Spark Cafe". One thing about Grandpa Herb, he LOVES ice cream. So we had to take him to "The Spark". We enjoyed the beautiful weather and ate our ice cream on the square. 

Then on Friday morning, we went to the temple as a family. However, before we left we had a small emergency. Tanner had a teenage boy moment that ended in him nearly burning our house down. Happily, he caught the fire before it caught the garage on fire. Tanner thought it would be fun to burn all his old school work and notebooks from the school year. However, after he thought it was extinguished in the backyard firepit, he found a piece of paper that was smoking. Without thinking, he tossed it in our big trashcan in the garage. Then he went inside to finish getting ready for the temple. When he came back out, the entire trashcan was on fire. Tanner was thinking somewhat clearly and pulled the trashcan out of the garage and  onto the yard in the front. However, some things fell out of the trashcan and onto the garage floor and kept burning. By the time the rest of us came out into the garage to get into the car to leave, the garage was full of smoke and Tanner was frantically pouring cups of water over the trashcan in the front yard. We all immediately went into damage control mode and got the garage fire put out and sprayed the garbage can with the hose, dousing it until it was just smoking. 

Then we quickly piled into the vehicles so we could get to the temple in time for our baptism appointment. We arrived with a few minutes to spare and walked into the temple smelling a little like smoke, but no worse for wear. We got our clothes and got settled in the baptistry, all the while, Benson and Tucker are waiting on the temple grounds for us to finish. 

Then while I'm sitting in the baptistry, I kept having the thought that I needed to go home and check on the trashcan to make sure that it was fully out. I hesitated because I thought it was just my anxiety getting the best of me. However, after the third time the thought came to me, I decided to listen and I left the temple, took Benson and Tucker and we drove back home. When we arrived home we found that the trash can had reignited and was fully on fire. I'm still learning how to listen to the spirit, but I am so glad I listened this time and came home. We were able to fully put it out and then we left the hose running on it while we then went back to the temple to pick everyone up. 

Everyone else had a wonderful time in the temple and I'm so glad. But I'm equally glad I left when prompted and was able to take care of our house. 

After the temple we went to lunch at a Korean BBQ place and had an amazing lunch. We did the grill table where you cook your own meat and it was delicious and so fun. Benson loved helping Mimi cook the meat. Papa and Benson had some delicious sushi and both Tanner and Nanny had some soup. Bailey got a bento box so she had a little of everything. It was such a yummy lunch. 

Then on Saturday before the baptism, we all went to Andy's so Grandpa could try the frozen custard. Grandpa was a huge fan and even ordered seconds. It was as delicious as usual.

After our ice cream adventure it was time to get ready for Benson's baptism. We had such a wonderful visit with both sets of grandparents and we feel so lucky to have so much love and support. 

Benson's Baptism

 Today my sweet baby got baptized. I am still in shock that Benson is eight years old, but watching him get baptized today made it more real. 

Benson's baptism was such a sweet experience. Our Bishop, Chris Blankenship and his first counselor, Taylor Bull, both attended, as did our primary president and his primary teacher. In addition to all that support from our ward, multiple friends from church came as well. Not to mention, Uncle Joseph and his family drove over from Texas, Nanny and Papa came over from Mtn. Home and Mimi & Grandpa flew in from Oregon. Then Uncle David, Aunt Michelle, Aunt Laura and the Allreds all were able to zoom in for the baptism. 

Benson had so much love and support and we felt so much love. The Stake RS president I serve with also came and she helped me clean up afterwards. We seriously felt so supported and loved. It was amazing. 

Benson asked Tanner to give the talk on baptism and Tanner did a great job. It was adorable and I was so proud of him. Benson also asked Papa to talk about the Holy Spirit. Papa sat down right in front of Benson and spoke one -on- one with him and it was the sweetest interaction.

Chris performed the actual baptism ordinance and because my sweet Benson asked me, I sang for him. I did ask my friend Jessie Lott to sing with me, because I don't have a strong enough voice to sing alone. Thankfully, Jessie agreed and we sang "My Own Sacred Grove". 

Our bishop also spoke and said some really kind words and then the primary president spoke shortly. It really was such a sweet day and I'm incredibly grateful for some many people who came to share it with us. 

After the baptism we had some refreshments. Benson loves soft pretzels and he asked that we have those after his baptism.. So naturally, I had to theme the refreshment table around baptism and pretzels. The theme was "Like pretzels twisted strong and tight, I'm bound to Christ in truth and light". We had soft pretzels with cheese sauce, "dots pretzels" and fruit cups. My friend Melissa also made the most beautiful cookies. I don't know that I've ever seen more beautiful baptism cookies. They were amazing. 

We had a great time visiting afterwards with everyone while we all ate and enjoyed the food. After everyone had left, we walked over to the temple to take a family picture. Again, I was just so happy to have so much family here to celebrate this day with us.  Happy baptism day little Benson, I hope you always remember this day, what you felt and what the spirit taught you. We sure love you!

Last day of School!

 We just celebrated our last day of school and we are so excited. Every year it feels like it can't come soon enough and this year was no exception. On Friday I had lunch with Benson to celebrate his birthday and then I checked him out of school. This year for his birthday lunch he asked for poke bowl. He enjoyed it so much. Then we decided to go ahead and check Tucker out early too and then we ran across town to pickup Bailey a little early. Tanner was already home because he had already finished his finals, so we decided to celebrate a little early and we all went to Sonic to get yummy drinks.

Then there was no school yesterday because it was memorial day and after our long weekend, we decided we didn't feel like going to our last day of official school so we skipped. 

This was completely fine with me because I hate early mornings and I was more than ready for summer vacation to start. 

I did take the kids last day of school pics. I feel like Tanner grew alot this year. He doesn't think he did, but his jeans from the fall are getting to small, so that seems like a good indicator to me. I just love all these kids. 

So instead of getting kids off to school, I decided to set up a fun end of school party for us. I themed the whole party around the pool and called it "Good-bye School, Hello Pool".  We had a lemonade bar and jell-o cups. It was bright and colorful and it made me so excited for all the summer fun this year. 

So here's to long summer days spent in the sunshine, at the pool and playing outside. I seriously can't wait. Happy Summer everyone!

Benson's Birthday Party

 Today we had an epic birthday party for our favorite Benson boy. I can hardly believe my baby is 8 years old. 

Benson helped me plan this party and we invited 7 little friends to join him in an awesome laser gun battle. We reserved the church gym and decorated it with obstacles and things to hide behind, then we dimmed the lights and let the kids go crazy. And they did go crazy, it was complete chaos but they loved it.  I made each kid a laser tag shirt and Benson helped me put together favor boxes for all his friends. It was pretty fun. 

For the food, Benson asked for a chocolate Bundt cake, root beer floats, white cheddar popcorn, Popsicles and Gatorade. We also had water bottles at everyone's table setting, along with a rock candy sucker. It was all very cute and I love how it turned out. 

Benson had a blast with all his friends. They played endless rounds of laser tag and they were pretty exhausted afterwards. I was grateful all the kids were obliging enough to put the shirts i made on for the party. 

 

 

We did take a break at one point to open presents, eat food and cut the cake and sing to Benson. Everyone enjoyed the cake- it's a favorite at our house, but not as much fun to decorate since it's not frosted. Honestly, Benson isn't a big cake fan, so I was surprised he even wanted cake. But he does like this chocolate Bundt cake.  We love our Benson Boy and we loved getting to celebrate him.