Updates: B-day, Fun, and House

Happy Birthday Justin!!! (So I know the post is a few weeks late but we celebrated on his actual birthday). We surprised him with a German chocolate cake, and he got to cook on his new grill.



This is the boys "exercising"--obviously they have been watching Mommy and Daddy do yoga!

Here is Seth sitting on one of the trikes. He and Benjamin both love to play in the garage--whether or not it's raining outside.


Here Seth got some help dressing up in Benjamin's fire coat and hat--he's holding his horse which Benjamin informed us is his fire ax.

Here are the curtains I made for our big window in the living room. Thanks to Emily and Marianne for helping me pick out the fabric (and watching the boys while I deliberated!).

Here is a picture of the outside of our new house! We are working on the flower beds in the front, and Justin added some more seed to help our lawn get better established.

Here's a closer view of one of the flower beds. I took out some of the shrubs and planted geraniums instead. I also planted some wildflower seed in between the shrubs and the house. Next to come will be a border of marigolds but only so much can be done on Saturdays in between homework!

We are loving our house, but most of all we love seeing Justin more since he doesn't have to commute so far!

New House!!!

We bought a house and have moved in!! It's a lot closer to Justin's work, so he won't have such a commute. The boys love the yard and the house.

I'll post a few pictures once we get internet connected at the house!

Hide and Seek

Since I'm on today and remembering, I'll post the video of Seth and Benjamin playing hide-and-seek. It's really funny. Unfortunately, I stopped recording just before Seth pounced on Benjamin's back--it was so cute!

Enjoy!!

More Snow!!

We got more snow! This snow was fluffy and moist--perfect for snowmen!!
(Thanks to Justin for loaning his socks to keep our hands warm! Still no luck finding our mittens.)

Seth and I are in front of the bigger snowman and Benjamin is working on the small one. Justin had been helping earlier to get the big snowman together. When his hands got cold, we switched.

Seth was having so much fun this time in the snow. It was warming up and there wasn't any ice like last time. Originally he hadn't wanted to go outside but when Mom and Benjamin were outside (and then Daddy came out to relieve Mommy) he decided he really did want to come out and play in the snow!

Here is the finished big snowman. We had trouble getting the craisins to stay for his mouth but his leaf hair looked great!

Though it is hard to see, the little snowman comes up to Benjamin's knee and also has leaf hair (but no facial features cause Daddy was getting cold without a coat).

We also had a snowball fight (Seth, Benjamin and Mommy). Daddy cheered us on from inside and we enjoyed ourselves until our hands got too cold.

Here is the picture Benjamin took a few hours later. As you can see, the snow is melting already. We were glad to get out and play in the snow before it disappeared!

Snow and a Swollen Lip

So, we got snow a few weekends back--the boys loved going outside to play!

We dug out the winter stuff (had to improvise with socks for the mittens I couldn't find) and the boys went out for a blast.

Isn't the excitement of children wonderful!!!

Then today, Seth was dancing in the kitchen (I hadn't gotten his socks off yet after running an errand) and he face planted on the kitchen floor!

By the time I took these pictures he had calmed down and been fed lunch...the look on his face is amazement that the camera is so close!

This one he's trying to show off the cool big owie he has on his lip! (By the way, saw another tooth peaking through the gums! Give it three months and it will be in!)

Our Growing Family

So, in case you didn't get our Christmas letter, we are expecting a baby.

IT'S A GIRL!

We are all excited--most especially Benjamin who has been asking for a baby sister ever since Seth was born.

Here are a few recent pictures.

This was Seth this morning. He ran back and forth with this decoration for several minutes. Benjamin was also running around with an oatmeal bucket on his head. They love to play together.

Here is Seth not feeling well--Benjamin is the ever wonderful big brother cuddling with him to help him be calm and happy.

Here are the boys with their sailor hats from Grandma and Grandpa Jorgensen's visit--they love playing in them.

Here is Seth enjoying his Christmas present--a red bean bag chair!

Again sorry for being sporadic--enjoy the photos!

Christmas Photos

So I know I'm rather a slacker but here are a few pictures of Christmas time.

Our finished gingerbread houses.

Daddy roofing his and my house.

Aunt Marianne with her house and Seth.

The boys enjoying bubble wrap--the best part of Christmas packages. Thanks Nate and Kelly.

Washington, D.C Trip

First of all, I would like to again thank my mom's cousin for letting us stay with her while we were in D.C.



We loved being able to go on this trip and spend time together as a family seeing the sights. We rode on the Metro which Benjamin LOVED doing. We went to the National Air and Space Museum which was a blast for all of the boys!



Then we went to the capital and ate snacks on the steps. We went to the Library of Congress then stopped all too briefly (for me at least) at the Botanical Gardens on our way back to the Air and Space Museum for lunch (they had a McDonald's inside).

After lunch, we walked past the National Archives on our way to the White House (this was when Seth took his nap--in the Mei Tai on Daddy's back. And, yes, I did provide more support for his head after I took the picture).

Benjamin and Daddy at the White House. This was one thing Benjamin had been really excited to see--we had been talking about it for a while before our trip. Since Seth was asleep, we didn't try to get him in the picture.

We continued walking, but we rested more often since Benjamin's feet were getting tired (though we walked over ten miles that day, Benjamin did great!!).

Seth woke up on the way to Lincoln, and (after a brief walk to get his wiggles out) we put him back on my back. We walked back to the Washington Monument and took a few pictures (it was getting dark) before heading back to a Metro stop and catching a train.

We enjoyed our trip so much; Benjamin has even been planning another trip back!

Family Photos

Sorry that it has been so long since I posted. Justin got a job, and I started graduate school full-time. Yesterday in between sessions of General Conference, we went to the park by Aunt Marianne's house, and she took lots of pictures! I've picked a few to post that I really enjoyed. I haven't posted the one we picked for our Christmas cards, so be watching for your card in a couple of months (if your address has changed from last year, please let me know!). By the way though you can't see it in the photos, Seth has two new teeth in the front on top--a total of four!


This one encapsulates the relationship between Benjamin and Seth. They love each other and love playing a mock "rough and tumble" (Benjamin is remarkably gentle and also tolerant of what Seth does to him!).



This was one of our silly pictures. We love being a family!

This is one of several darling pictures of Seth and Justin on the swings. Seth loves his daddy!!

Marianne took some photos of just Justin and me as well. We are still very much in love!!

Here is all of us on the swings! It was hard to get Seth to smile and look at the camera--luckily Benjamin was in a cooperative mood so we didn't have to worry about that (he loves being at a park anyway!).

Five Year Anniversary

Justin and I have been married for five years today! My sister Emily is visiting and watched the boys last night so Justin and I could go out. We went to the temple and really appreciated the peace we always find there. It always helps remind us why we are here, that the Lord loves us, and that the stresses of the world aren't as important as they seem.

With all the uncertainty that is part of life, it is wonderful to know that our little family can be together forever. Justin, I love you and am so happy that we get to spend the rest of our lives and eternity together. Happy fifth anniversary!