Who doesn't want a wall for their birthday?

When we bought this house we were told by the inspector that one of the windowsills, along our back wall, had some water damage and would need to be replaced. We've had some other work done so asked the workman to look at the windowsill and give us an estimate. He told us he'd have to remove a bit of the siding on the back of the house to see how extensive the damage was. The damage was extensive! About a foot and a half, all along the back wall, was rotten! Apparently the windows weren't sealed very well and the previous owners covered up the damage with new siding :(

So for my birthday this year I got a new back wall. How many girls, or anyone for that matter, can say that? (Just to let you know, back walls are not cheap, this is the most expensive gift I've ever received.) And not only a wall but 3 new windows. I think the windows may be gifted to me for our anniversary and Christmas, after all there are 3.

We are just happy to have it all fixed and not rotten. And I hope we won't have any more "remodeling" to do for along time.

ps- Anthony did a great job of pampering me for my birthday, in spite of the wall.

The tarp they put up to help keep the cool in and the heat/mess out. (We pretty much cooled south texas for 2 weeks)

The back of the house. There are supposed to be three windows, one was being worked on. They had to do one at a time b/c our roof is at an angle and we didn't want it to fall in.

The finished product! Aren't those windows beautiful!! And the wall looks pretty good too!

The inside, finished product! We love this wall and the windows! If the rest of the house falls down this wall won't!

10 Months

We can't believe Benson is 10 months, he should still by my little baby! I say this every month but it's still true, he's so much fun and such a good baby/kid!
Here's his latest and greatest...
-finally had two top teeth break through (yesterday)!
-claps and tosses it in the oven for patty-cake
-loves to wave hello and goodbye to everyone, all the time
-can crawl up the stairs but not down (and the great thing about it is he's afraid of the stairs so won't go up them unless I'm right there with him, so no gates)
-loves to suck out of a water bottle
-loves to talk/yell/laugh
-loves to pull out the outlet covers (it's a game to him)
-loves to rock in new rocking chair

Pulling out the outlet covers

After pulling it out he always looks at me to see my reaction

New pj's (halloween ones) first thing in the morning

New rocking chair and Anth wanted to make sure the U jersey still fits

Playing with footballs with Dad

We sure love you Benson and can't imagine life without you!!!

9 Months

We've had another wonderful month! I love every stage Benson goes through. I keep thinking the one we're in is the best and then something changes and it gets even better! I hope I always feel that way. Here are his stats...
-weight 24.4 lbs
-length 29.5 in
-he's a pretty big baby!
-loves to be chased
-is such a tease
-loves to pull my hair
-eats only solid food or a bottle
-can stand without holding on to anything
-when we walk with him he would rather jump along
-still has only two teeth, but it looks like his canine are coming soon
-smiles and flirts with everyone

Can you see those chunky thighs? Oh they are so much fun!!

Here's a video of him walking/jumping. (I don't know how to turn it sideways so just turn your head, sorry)

Utah Trip

We were up in Utah for a family reunion but also got to spend a day before and a couple after enjoying northern Utah. I love Utah! I realize I was born there but it really is a great place! We got to see more family and a few friends. There is never enough time to see everyone!

Anthony with his High School buddies (Nelson, Anth, David, and Daniel)

The Wilkinson's and us. They were dear friends here in Corpus and moved to Oregon

Vance family get-together. Bens with Grandpa Vance

Bens playing with cousin Beck

Bear Lake 2011

Every year we have a family reunion up at Bear Lake, in northern Utah. We really look forward to this trip every year! Bens did great on the plane rides and it was so wonderful to be with family!!!





Here's the A B C babies (Adalaide, Benson and Calvin). They weren't too happy to get their pictures taken. And it's a tradition to have the babies take baths together, so fun!




We also love that it's up there because our little William is buried up in Laketown.

8 Months

He just keeps growing!
In the past month he...

-fully crawls, everywhere
-pulls himself up on everything
-was sealed to us and blessed
-loves to eat whatever we're eating and hates baby food
-puts everything in his mouth
-went to the aquarium, saw a dolphin show and was scared whenever they jumped out of the water
-loves swimming (we got a little plastic pool)
-loves to turn off lights (we're working on learning to turn them on)
-loves to play with dad after work
-gives everyone we meet a super cheesy smile, such a flirt
-can have really poofy hair when dad combs it out
-is as big as most 1 year olds (has size 4 feet)
-still loves to bounce, be tickled, be read to and sung to

How I found him after a nap one day

New church shirt and tie from Gma Vance

We love you Benson and are so happy you're part of our family!!

FOR-EV-ER

This past weekend was everything we could have hoped for and more!! Our family came into San Antonio Thursday night and we went up on Friday. We got to enjoy the sites, good food and of course just being together!

Playing with cousin Adalaide

Saturday was a wonderful day! As Benson was sealed to us I felt an overwhelming feeling of completeness. He's been ours for 7 1/2 months but to know we are bonded eternally, makes a big difference! During the sealing Benson looked at Anthony and then smiled and then at me and smiled and then at the sealer and smiled. He was such a happy boy! We took a few pictures outside the temple and then headed to Pappasito's for lunch. (Saturday was my mom's bday so we sang to her at every opportunity!) After lunch we all started the long drive to Corpus.




Once in Corpus Anth's brothers helped install a few appliances (more on that to come) and then we headed to the beach! Some great friends left us their boogy-boards when they moved to China so we had enough for everyone! The water was great and we stayed out there until it was pretty dark (that's what's nice about living in a place where it never cools down at night).

Going on a walk and sharing a stroller (Adalaide wasn't too happy)

Anthony gave Benson a name and blessing on Sunday, with his dad, grandfather, brothers, my dad and bro-in-law to help. It was a neat experience. Usually blessings are given when the babies are smaller, like around 1-2 months old. So it was pretty funny with a 7 1/2 month old. Benson fussed for a bit until he found the microphone and then loved trying to eat it.



It was really a wonderful weekend!! I know it was far for family to come and would have been cheaper if we'd just flown up but I loved that they got to see our life here. We really love our ward and wanted to share this weekend with them too. It was just really fun having everyone here. Thanks for coming and for all the support! It's fabulous to be a forever family!!!