Update after 2 years!

Well, it's time to post again. Update: We've added Steele to our family. Wow, that's a longggg time since I've posted!

Cole:This year Cole was part of the 3 Blind Mice for Halloween. Great costume thanks to his mother who still doesn't sew. Cole just took a test in school that he had to know all the states and capitals in the WORLD. No joke. I don't think I've ever felt smarter myself because I'm the one quizzing him. Cole loves getting 100% on things. He's pretty diligent in his schoolwork. I'm really proud of him. I don't think I was ever like him (well, I take that back-I was until high school). What does he want for Christmas? No clothes (which he is getting) and basketball shoes (which he got early). He is really for the break and to just "chill". Cole is on a B.B. team that Taylor is coaching. He is doing awesome. They made him point and his confidence has grown. He made the "A" team but the put him on the "B" team so Taylor could coach that team. His friends are on the "A" team but Cole plays now a ton more than he probably would of on the A team. He absolutely loves B.B. (which makes his mom happy).Cole's flag football team is undefeated for the 3rd year in a row.



Riley: We just had the birthday Bash of the year! First, it started with having a sleepover with 2 Dayton cousins. We went and saw Christmas lights and watched a movie then in the morning we went to the beauty school and the girls got up-do's and had their nails painted. Then, on Tuesday evening we had 14 girls over + Breann (a pretty teenager) + cool cuz Holly and went sledding followed by games & pizza at the school gym followed by brownie sundaes at Riley's home. I'm tired just typing this. Riley is all about the party. And Boy! Was it ever! Oh yes, since the last time I've blogged, Riley got baptized! She got baptized with her 5 Dayton girl cousins. We call them the "Fabulous Five". It was such a wonderful event. Riley was definitely ready. Before she was baptized, if she did something wrong, she would say, "Satan made me do it". I didn't have the heart to tell her "No, he didnt!" But now with the Holy Ghost she is doing great! Also, Riley got her ears pierced with her dear cousin Katelyn. Wow-I obviously had a week moment. She loves them and I made it clear I would not help her. It grosses me out. But she's doing it and loves her Aunt Allison who provides her with beautiful earrings. allison is soooo with it. She makes jewelry.

Andie: Andie was Sheer Kahn for Halloween-not a tiger-Sheer KAHHHN.Andie definitely loves witches and goblins and mummies and monsters. But she's starting to develop a softer side. She's starting to love to dress like a princess. (which is making Riley so happy!) She told me the other day, "I'm Rapunzel and I'm beautiful!" She still loves to watch movies - preferable ones that have monsters in them (or action). She is so excited for Santa to come to our home. I have a feeling this is going to be the year of Andie at Christmas. Andie loves going to nursery. There is only one other girl there but Lilly is leaving nursery in January. Andie is the only child in our ward her age! There is one other girl and Steele but their both illegal Aliens (Steele isn't supposed to be in there until Feb but they let them in because the leaders are in love with him). Andie loves her friends. We don't have any close by so we have to drive to their homes. We have a playdate once a week and she just loves it. Andie likes pink and likes to play with Riley's things when Riley is at school. andie is still smarter than a whip. I'm continuously surprised at what comes out of her mouth.





Steele: Steele is 16 months old and hits a lot and throws things a lot. He is a terrible sleeper at night. Most nights I'm up from 1 to 4:30 a.m. - not an exaggeration - just take a look at me and you know I'm telling the truth. But the kid is always, always, always happy. He loves being with him mom. Especially if I'm holding him. He runs around like a mad man in sacrament mtg, spitting cracker crumbs at people and laughing. He throws his bottle of milk at the teacher (hitting the podium) in Gospel Doctrine and looks at me and belly laughs. (That is when the primary president graciously offered to let Steele go to nursery early). He loves to point his finger and gibber gabber. If you gibber gabber at him he looks at you amazed as if you get his language and does it more more intensely. He hates being in the grocery cart and he loves Andie to bits. The feeling is mutual with Andie. They are definitely little buddies. Just today in nursery the leader says to me (who is a 65 yr. old man), "Most kids this age don't like this but STeele LOVES it!" He proceeds to lift steele high up into the air until he touched the ceiling and then drops him instantly-catching him close to the ground. Steele was giggling so hard it just sounded like gurgling.
Taylor and I are plugging along. We love living in this home. We love having the Bensons so close. We love that the Miller's had a "Landlord Appreciation Dinner" for us. That was so thoughtful of them. We've had a rough couple of months with our rentals so it couldn't of come at a better time. We love Taylor's calling at BYU. I've learned how to cook for 60 kids on a $1 per kid budget (that includes all the paper products also!) Taylor had an interview with a company that he would really like to work for. We should hear back by the beginning of January. They really liked him so we're keeping our fingers crossed.