I was looking at pictures on my camera the other day and stumbled across these pictures from Bauman Farms. We took a day trip back in October with the Taylors and the Rowles. We had so much fun soaking in all the fall atmosphere (and the apple cider donuts). 

McKinzie helped Benton down the slide. 

Jazzmine shared her Pumkin Ice Cream. 

Resting on a pumkin after a long day of playing. 

It's a...

Brother!!!

Benton's brother is due April 17th (which is the perfect date, incedentally. "Not too hot not too cold. All you need is a light jacket." Name that movie for scads of bonus points). Anyway, we're very excited about having another little boy to love and clean up after. I'll try to get some pictures of him posted in the next day or so. Or maybe not.

We spent Thanksgiving out at the Browns this year. It was a full day (emphasis on full). It was good to spend the day with family, though we missed the ones who couldn't be there: The Peters in Africa, Drew across a pond or two, and Jessi holding down the fort in Virginia. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

"More cranberry!" (He's not my kid). 

"Punky-Pie. Mmmm. S'good." 

Benton wasn't the only one enjoying Thanksgiving dinner! 

"Just one gumball? C'mon. Gum is a pallet cleanser, right?" 

Peek-a-boo! 

Benton and Grandad worked off some calories buffing the kitchen floor (Actually, Grandad did most of the calorie burning and Benton did most of the buffing). 

Benton loved Grandma Sherri and Aunt Marci's pumpkin birthday cake! Cake makes a great dinner, in case you ever wondered. 

For Laurelai

Jesus loves me this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong;
They are weak but he is strong.










In April of this year, we discovered cancer had wrapped its greedy fingers around Laurelai’s brain stem. The news rocked our family, and for many of us, our faith. How could a good God let this happen to a little girl, barely past her third birthday? Over the months that followed, praying for Laurelai and her parents, we came to realize that while God reveals his heart to us through his Word, his mind and his ways remain a mystery.
We take hope knowing that because Laurelai died years too soon, her parents will get to spend forever with her someday. We are inspired by their hope when it didn’t make sense, and their faith when all seemed lost. We know that the God of peace is sustaining them through the ache of losing their little girl, and will sustain them through the dark days to come.
When I heard that Laurelai was gone, I was shattered. I didn’t even know what to pray. I sat on the kitchen floor and just cried. With a two year old in the house, one cannot exactly be alone in her grief. My son was wandering through the kitchen banging on a cardboard box singing Jesus Loves Me. As I swallowed my tears and sang along, the words of that ancient Sunday school song soaked into my soul: Little ones to him belong. I closed my eyes then and I saw her. I saw Laurelai on Jesus’ lap leaning on him the way she leaned on her mom and dad in those last few months. But she lifted her head from his shoulder, touched his face, then jumped down and ran off to dance in the rainbows.

Yes, Jesus loves Laurelai.

 

A day at the Beach

I just found these pictures on the camera from Paul's birthday trip--oops. We went to Depoe Bay for the night. It was beautiful and so much fun. Benton did some shopping in the pirate store and we sat outside and watched the whales. We saw quite a few swim by out lookout.

 

Big Boy Bed

Benton has upgraded to a real bed now. He loves the independence it offers. Today also marks the one week anniversary of freedom from the binky!! We're all very happy about that one. 

Birthday Picture Survey

The results of my Photo shoot:
Let me know which one you like best and I'll get you one for your fridge! (Doesn't Aunt Snook do good work? Check out more at www.paradisephotography.blogspot.com)

 

Benton's big day

On the morning of my birthday, Mommy made me waffles and eggs--yum! Then I got a bath, which was good for me, bad for Mommy. (The details aren't exactly appropriate for this blog). Aunt Snook and Emma came over and we went to the park for my 2 year old photo shoot and some play time. Then after a nice long nap, we went to dinner with Soren and Grandpa Graham at Red Robin. Soren and I shared some ice cream. Yum! 

Open Presents! Open Presents!

Mom and Dad made me wait until just before bed to open my presents. It was a good birthday. I slept soooo good that night! 

The Infamous Hair Chop

It finally took place Saturday morning, September 30, 2006, for those of you who need to make note of the momentous event. Let's just say he handled the stitches better, but we all survived. We'll see what the next few days hold. His father hasn't seen him yet...