Final Catch Up Post

After this update I can cross "Post on Blog" off my To Do list! I have been figuring out how to fit everything in with two kids. Some days I feel like I am making progress and others I am sure I will never be productive again. Whenever I say that my mom reminds me that my kids are happy and well fed and that is a feat in and of itself, the rest will be there tomorrow.

Our warm days are numbered here and so I am trying to get out with the boys as much as possible before the house arrest of winter sets in. This week we took them to the zoo. Luke liked it more than ever and Noah behaved himself very well.


Luke is adjusting to having a brother around and is even starting to like him.


He has been loving the extra daddy time that he has been getting. Ryan has been such a big help I don't know what I would do without him. 4-wheeler rides, movies, games of hide and seek, stargazing... you name it and they will do it together. He is turning into quite the daddy's boy.

Unfortunately, when Ryan has to work and I am trying to feed and take care of Noah we have turned to the movie "Cars" It is Luke's favorite. He can't get enough of it. As you can see...


All in all we are loving having Noah in our family. Like Ryan said when he first came home, our family feels that more complete. He has been a good baby and is growing fast. Before we know it both of the boys will be running around wreaking havoc in our home.

Twin Cousins

So 5 days after Dad graduated, I went into labor and had Noah. We were calling home to talk to my parents and when my dad answered he told us that Roxanne had gone into labor and their baby probably would be born that night! We were so excited. Roxanne wasn't due until the 5th of September but Little Josh decided that he didn't want to wait. Joshua Willard Benson was born also on the 19th of August. He was a bit smaller than Noah but every bit as cute. So to add to my belated congratulations to Dad here is one to Josh, Roxanne and little Josh.

We are sure they are going to be the best of cousins... even if they aren't convinced of that yet. They came up to Idaho so the boys could meet and for Grandma's 90th birthday. We tried to get a good picture of the two of them but this is the best we got... feeding time for Noah. I am sure there will be plenty more pictures to come.

Belated Congratulations to Papa Bear

I have been meaning to post for awhile but just haven't done it... so much to catch up on the pressure gets overwhelming. But I really have wanted to congratulate my Dad. He graduated in August from BYU with his MBA. (Here he is with Madison, Angie's baby. I didn't have any other picture of him with cap and gown)


He went back to school to get his masters, something he has wanted to do for 30 years. Trying to raise and provide for 11 kids made it impossible for many years. Finally a couple of years ago he decided it was time and went for it. I am so proud of him for chasing his dreams and not giving up on what he wanted. He is an inspiration that it is never to late to achieve those life-time goals you have set for yourself.

To celebrate we managed to get all 11 children, 7 spouses and 6 grandchildren to his graduation. This was a big feat for our family coming from all over. It was so fun to have everyone home and around for a couple of days before families started splitting off to their respective homes, and new adventures across the country and oceans. Here we all are!


And here are the 5 pregos in order of closest due date... if it isn't obvious by my bulging belly.