Little Duckling

Aunt Kali bought a duck a couple of weeks ago (without permission).
She only got to keep him a few days before she realized how unrealistic it was to have a duck and had to find him a new home.

We loved the day we got to spend with that cute, cuddly, little duckling.

Benson loved to quack at him...and watch him swim in the bathtub.

When Benson woke up from his nap the other day, Alayna crawled in with him and she read him stories for awhile...it was too cute!

15 (and a half) Crazy Months!

Poor Benson doesn't get a post on the blog until he is 15 and a half months...because of his poor excuse of a blogger mommy. These pictures were taken when Benson was about 14 months. I know he is melt-your-heart-handsome!

So Benson's stats for his 15 month Doctor are:
Head: 19.1 in - 83 percentile
Weight: 25.5 lbs - 64 percentile
Height: 31.93 in - 76 percentile

*Benson has been really late getting his teeth - he has 6 teeth now, 4 on top, 2 on bottom.
*He decided yesterday - he was only going to walk...for the last 3 weeks he has only walked if it is convenient (he is already standing up and isn't going far) or he is being bribed (yes - he will do anything for a M & M). It is so cute - he is so proud of himself as he walks everywhere and if he falls he stands back up instead of crawling.
*Benson loves his sister, Alayna - the very most. He is constantly calling her name - Nana and trying to find her and play with her.
*Benson loves to play Hide-N-Seek, Ring Around the Rosie, Duck Duck Goose, and go on walks in his Beep, Beep Car.
*I love all the cute things Benson has been saying lately. He is always been noisy, but is now really starting to talk. He tries to say everything.
Our favorite phrases are: "I do, I do!!" (He says this when asked "Who wants a ...(treat)?" - and waves his arms). "I know!" - "Apple" (means I need a drink - and would prefer apple juice, but will take water or milk.) "Duck, Duck" - (he says this anytime he can get close enough to your head to give you a few good swats.)
*Benson is such a joy - he sleeps good and eats good (maybe too good). He loves it when we read stories and do animal sounds. He seriously melts my heart everyday!

Preparation!

Friday Night Fun at our house was a trip to Disneyland - put on by Alayna...first she built "Tower of Terror" - and we all rode that together (holding hands as we plummeted down - and raising our hands as we lifted up.) Next (above) was Dumbo - we had to arrange our chairs in a circle with the elephant in the middle and we rode up and down - all of us had a blast.

Benson getting ready for Dumbo.

Riding down the first big hill on "Pirates of the Caribbean" - then we sang "Yo-ho, Yo-ho!"

Getting ready to plunge into the water below on "Splash Mountain".
Other rides we rode at our "Family Disneyland Night" - the Matterhorn, Teacups, Casey Jr., Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and Small World.
Just less than 2 1/2 months to go - until we are officially there...hopefully all the preparation will have paid off!

This family is also preparing to move to Phoenix in late June. Coby matched into their OB/GYN residency and will work there for the next 4 years. We are a little bit nervous, but mostly excited to start this new adventure in our lives!

February...

I know its been forever since I updated, but I do have 3 or 4 posts that I want to do, but for now - this is pretty good overview. February was a super sickly month for all of us and we are glad it is over!! (P.S. - my kids NEVER slow down and look like this)

I made the most delicious Boston Cream Pie ever - to die for!

Alayna loves to draw these days - and this is her first picture of her and dad. She is the smaller one and she drew her boots on her feet (that is the pokey thing coming off of her body - LOL!).

I want to be...

I've been hearing this a lot lately! Alayna is always telling me something new that she wants to be when she grows up..."I want to be an Artist like Grandpa."
Alayna has never been into drawing or coloring until last week. This is Grandma's birthday drawing - it is Grandma, Alayna, and a little black alien.

Here first drawing...Grandpa. She totally surprised me the other day by saying she wanted to be an artist like Grandpa - so the first drawing is a picture of him.

This is just an "odd" pictures thrown in of everyone on the mini-trampoline and lovin' it!

"I want to be a hair-doer when I grow-up" - by the time Alayna was done, Coby was dripping wet - what a good sport because she loves to practice.

Alayna also told me yesterday, "I want to drive a fire truck when I grow-up and drive really fast to the fire and put the fire out with the water." ...hehe that's my princess!

Swimmin' the Winter Blues Away!

We took the kids swimming in January because we were all sick of not being outside due to the frigid temperatures. The kids had a blast. We laughed, played, and swam so hard until we were worn out. We were excited to see the fitness center did winter swimming lessons, so we signed Alayna up for swimming lessons and she starts next week. She is thrilled!!

Winter Palooza

There was a big winter carnival at the Expo Center and since we had cousins over, we all headed over for a day of fun. The kids got to shoot a paintball gun, play in a ton of inflatables, get their faces painted, and meet all kinds of fun characters.

The ugly Stepsisters from Cinderella.

Of course Alayna didn't want to have a butterfly or a unicorn painted on her face - she chose the pirate...at least they didn't paint a beard on her. She loved having her face painted (this was the first time) - and can't wait to do it again!