Friends

Benton and the pastor's daughter, Aleeah, try to make a break for it over the log.






Benton hangin' with the big boys, Wyatt and Hunter.








Jazzmine helps Benton fly a kite.









Cole and Benton enjoy some watermelon. 

For the Love of Melon

It turns out, Benton really enjoys watermelon, and who can blame him? It all started with his mother forgetting a bowl. I brought a gigantic melon, but nothing to put it in once it was cut up, so I stole Benton's prized bucket. The only thing he loves more than that bucket is the fruit inside. In the first picture, he is pollishing off the last few slices (note the rind behind him on the ground) . The second picture was taken after he had dumped the rest on the contents on his head. When he came up for air, all he could say was "yummy!" And at last, I tortured the child by washing the juice out of his hair using said bucket as my water distribution device. He wasn't too happy about that one.
 

Life's a Beach

Brent and Chanda invited us to stay Wednesday night with them in Pacific City. It was so much fun. We didn't get there until eight, but decided to walk on the beach anyway. Benton loved the sand. We got back to the house at about 10. We stayed up roasting marshmallows and building supreme s'mores (with peanut butter and bananas. Yum). There was alot of laughing. Something about "Choosy Moms choose KJV," and "When you care enough to read the very best, KJV." Maybe you had to be there. Anyway, we were up way past our bed time.

 

Beach Bum

Brent and Chanda got Benton a bucket and shovel to play with on the beach. The boy was beside himself with glee. Chanda and I tried to walk to the sand dune, but our progress was impeded by one very excited boy. He would take five steps, scoop up a shovel full of sand, run away from and incoming wave then chase it back out, run to me so he could put the sand in the bucket (repeat process through infinity). Finally his little camo pants got so wet they were tripping him and making him do belly flops on the sand. While all involved found the specticle amusing (including the belly flop victim), I finally took mercy on him. He contunued on in his diaper. At long last, he grew tired of the running an plopped himself down right in the way of the incoming tide and shoveled away. I think he would still be there if it were up to him.


 

Any Day Now!

Brent and Chanda's baby girl is expected on the 12th of this month. We are so excited to meet her! (Aren't they cute?!) 

Happy 4th of July!

We celebrated 4th of July with a BBQ at our house with a bunch of food, friends, family, and fireworks. I didn't get many pictures because it is difficult to be both hostess and photographer. In the first photo, Benton is "helping" Paul set up the fireworks, and in the second, the kids are gathered around one of those smoking snake things. Benton din't like it much. He kept saying "No snake. No snake..." That's my boy! 

Baby's First Baseball Game

We aquired some tickets to see the Keizer Volcanoes last week. It was really fun. Benton loved being able to yell whenever he wanted and watching them hit the ball. Our seats were right over the enemy dugout, so we had a great view. Benton made friends with everyone around us (shocker!). He had a little trouble keeping the flip down seat flipped down, but he got it figured out. The Volcanoes won 6-4 which was great nes for us, because as soon as they got that fifth run, we all got cupons for free Famous Star Burgers at Carl's JR. That was definately a highlight... We're going again next week. It's not exactly Yankee Stadium, note the empty seats, but it was still fun!
 

Pool Time

The pool at BLBC is finally open. We had a great time lounging beside it and splashing in it. Benton was a little worried at first , but once he got used to the water, there was no stopping him! He even put his face in the water! (Of course he was trying to drink it at the time)...


Check out the progress they're making on the gym! It is going up really fast.

Kissing Cousins

One day, this behavior will have to stop, but for now, it's so cute!! 

Happy Birthday, Nenny!

Our friend Nenny--I mean Jenni--is celebrating her birthday today. Best wishes to a real sweetheart! We love you, Jenni!
 

Happy First Day of Summer

Benton ran around outside this morning while I watered the lawn and picked strawberries for our cereal. He's not too good at berry picking yet--he gets too excited about the "geeps" (he thinks the green ones are grapes which he loves more than strawberries). But he'll get it figured out! 

I can see!

I gave Benton a little trim this morning. Its so nice to be able to see those baby blues again, even if I did get the bangs a tad short--and crooked. Hey, at least there's no blood! 

Safety First

Someone had to watch out for Daddy while he ran the BBQ for Father's Day. Uncle Ryan gave Benton a had so he perform his official duties.

Grandma Phyllis was a good helper, so Ben let her wear the hat for a little bit. 

Summertime

Me and Daddy lookin' cool in our shades

Time to go home already?! 

A Very Pirate-y Day

On Sunday, I took Mom and Dad up to Portland to see some pirate ships. It was great fun being packed around the waterfront.
The Lady Washington (closest to the docks) is best known for her roll as the Black Pearl in the movie Pirates of the Carribean.
Me and Daddy wanted this job. 

Puzzled

It's been a long time since my last post. I've been a little tied up, as you can see. My grandma Phyllis got me this great big foam puzzle, and I love to wear it.

Remembering Tera

Tera was a woman of tremendous faith who inspired all around her with her caring spirit. She will be missed by all who knew her. As a counselor, Tera often touched the lives of hurting people in her work. She was especially moved when she and Phil visited World Vision's Gulu Rehabilitation Center for Children of War in Uganda in April 2006. Tera hoped to be able to return to Gulu for the specific purpose of providing counseling and care for the counselors who pour themselves out each day on behalf of the children. In celebration of Tera's life, the family would like to invite you to make a donation in Tera's memory to help the children, and the staff who serve them, at the World Vision Gulu Rehabilitation Center for Children of War. Your gift of love will help make a lasting difference in the lives of these children and serve as a legacy of love and hope, in the name of Christ, and in honor of Tera. If you would like to give a gift online in memory of Tera, please visit www.firstgiving.com/RememberingTera .