The Fourth

We spent our 4th of July up in Springerville, AZ - it was my first time there for the fourth and I can't wait to go back. It was an awesome fireworks show in a perfect small town setting. They set off the fireworks at the airport and we got there early meaning we got an awesome spot for the show. We took pictures, listened to music and played games until the show started at dark.

(wait - mom and dad both smiling. in a picture. at the same time. normally. it's a total miracle)

My 22 week belly!

Greer

We were SO lucky to be able to spend all last week up in Greer with our families.

The weather was perfect...

it sprinkled every day for an hour or so to cool the day off then went right back to normal and sunny for us to play outside.

We did lots of puzzles...

...and lots of fishing...

...and lots of eating...

...and picnicing...

...and hiking...

...and lots of spoiling Atticus...

...and lots of playing games, card tricks, laughing, late night movie watching, staying up too late fun.

Father's Day

If you ask Benson, he will tell you - I suck at surprises. I blame it on my mom and grandma. None of us can contain our excitement about presents long enough to wait until the actual day of the occasion to give them. Most of the time I get Benson a present I am begging him to open it 3 days early.

This little quirk of mine paid off this year and made Father's day that much better since I contained all of my excitement about his gift (and the fact that I had even gotten him a gift) until the actual day - meaning he was actually surprised when he woke up to this:

I made him a "New Dad's Survival Kit" complete with necessities such as:

a beard trimmer

binkies

chewy caramels

and a collection of some of our favorite childhood books for him to read to our baby girl.

Since our little girly has taken to waking me up at the crack of dawn, I also had time to make a simple breakfast of some of his favorite things before he was awake enough to know what was going on.

First Father's day = Success.

I hope he enjoyed it while it lasted, since we'll have an actual real life baby from now on, I think his presents will consist of framed pictures/handprints/footprints and kid-made cards. Woo hoo!

Half Way There!

We're officially over the half way mark in the baby growing department over here. I am still pretty calm about the whole thing, once and a while reality (aka panic) sets in when I realize how much we have left to do before this little lady gets here but overall I am just so excited! It's still so weird to think I have a little human growing in my belly (even though it now resembles a basketball)

(me at 18 weeks - 3 weeks ago)

I am feeling her move a lot more often and a lot stronger. It's nice to have the reassurance that this is actually happening - most of the time it feels so surreal. I can't wait to see what she looks like

I've only been shopping once (go me!) and started a nice little collection of clothes for her.

As for me I've actually been feeling pretty great. I get tired early, hot easily and my back starts aching half way through the day (oh and that heartburn that never goes away) but other than that I have felt great! I haven't had any crazy cravings so far except I always want something icy and fruity - something like a Rita's - which I've been lucky enough to have twice in the past week thanks to awesome ladies in my life who understand my deep need for such perfection.

Does anyone have about $40 grand they want to loan me? Because I'm all ready to open up a Rita's of my own. You'll all appreciate it - I promise.

Graduation (x3)

May was the month for graduations! Benson was first with his graduation from ASU! This was SO exciting for the both of us since it means more time together and more time to work on our house - both of which have been awesome!

My grandpa saw a similar cake to this one and decided Benson needed one for his big accomplishment.

Benson's sister Brittany also graduated with her LPN and his little sister Kourtney graduated from Mesa High. She is the ninth of nine kids to graduate from Mesa High as well as the third generation on both sides of the family! She was also in the top 20 over her class so it was definitely an exciting time! It was fun to have most of the family in town so we could all hang out and celebrate with her.










(Three Generations!)