A day in Tunica

We went down to Tunica with Chatwins to see a hot air balloon festival but it was to windy so they did not have them up. So we decided to walk along the riverpark trail and it was perfect.  It was fun to see all the different colors of leaves and the weather was awesome.  Bret took the cool pictures of the riverboat and scenery. 

Lauren's Baby Shower

Becca and I had a baby shower for Lauren.  It turned out really well I thought.  We had food, people came, Becca had a fun game, Lauren opened presents and we sat around and chatted.  Lauren got some great presents and we had a good time together. Now we just have to wait for baby Graham.  I can't wait to meet the cute little guy!

Walmart Riverboart Cruise

Fall Pictures

More Fall Pictures

Mustache Aftermath

After the Halloween Party I took Benson's mustache off and it left a red mark.  It was pretty bad I thought that it might still be there even after sleeping but luckily it was gone by morning so he did not have a mustache for church.  The mustache was awesome, I thought Benson would  have pulled it off within seconds but it stayed on until I took it off after the party.

Church Halloween Party

Our Ward had a Halloween Party.  They had dinner (chili and cornbread), dancing, haunted house, scary tunnel, cake walk, costume parade and also people decorated rooms or doors and passed out candy. We helped decorate the gym for the party so we were there most of the day.  Benson dressed up as a little sailor and Audrey our cute neighbor was a sailor girl so I had to get a picture of them together.  It was a lot of fun, I am glad we went. 

Park

On one fine Saturday we took Benson to the Park to play.  It was his first time in a swing and he loved it.  Lots of the parks around us do not have swings.  The weather was perfect so it was fun to be outside.  Benson is still too little to really enjoy the park he just crawls around looking for things to put in his mouth. 

Zoo

We went to the zoo with Becca and Jackson the other day. It was a quick trip to fill up our long day with an activity since we were without husbands!  The weather was beyond nice and we had a very enjoyable time seeing all the animals. Thanks Becca!

Trouble

Benson is beginning to pull himself up to everything.  It started with the bathtub and now its the coffee table and entertainment center.  Benson is getting so busy he will not hold still at all while I attempt to change his diaper.  The other night I started the bath water then took Benson to the living room to change his diaper and take off his clothes and he bolted as soon as I put him down and army crawled himself back to the bathroom as fast as he could. He is getting way to smart and wants to do everything his way already.

Yeah for Bret

Bret does it again.  He once again received the Basic Science Award!  He works really hard at getting good grades but he is also blessed to be able to comprehend things so quickly.  I am very proud of him and the success he has had throughout his schooling.  You make us proud.  Keep up the good work Bret!  We love you! 

I am OBSESSED!

Is he just not the cutest thing ever!  We were at the park and I had my camera so I did a little photoshoot with Benson. I just can not get enough of this kid (when he is happy).  I just have to keep squeezin those cheeks, kissin that face, and tickling his belly.  He is eight months old and on the move!  He is acting more and more like his daddy everyday if you do not believe, check out very top left picture again. haha

Petting Zoo

The Mid-South fair is going on so we went to check it out with the Chatwins.  On free day of course (except for parking).  They had a cute little petting zoo that we enjoyed.  Benson liked sticking his fingers in and touching the animals at first but he must of gotten to much nibbling on his little fingers because after awhile he just held on tight to me.  It's fun to see him start to explore and be more aware of what is going on around him.  Other than the petting zoo and my free walgreens bag there were only rides and a few food stands.  It was nice to get out and enjoy the good weather while we have it.  Thanks Chatwins for driving and taking pictures! 

Nashville

This was our first stop in Nashville.  We toured the Plantation and learned that horse racing started out big in Tennessee not Kentucky.  We toured the house and walked around.  It was really cool to see. 

After this we went to Lane Motor Museum where the guys walked around forever looking at all the little and unique cars.  It was fun to see the cars but I could walk through and read everything in less than half the time it took the guys to.  It worked out well though because there was a little kid place that Benson could roll around and play with cars, so he was in heaven to not be strapped in to some kind of seat. I did not get any pictures of this place though sorry.  You can look it up and see all the cars if you are interested. 

We checked into our hotel ordered some pizza and then Bret and his parents went to the Grand Ole Opry.  They saw the Riders in the Sky and a few other performers.  They said that it was fun and cool to see.  Earl did not want to go but I think he thought it was okay in the end.  




GREENVILLE 
We woke up early and drove out to Greenville for church.  It was such an awesome ward and it was really fun to see where Bret served his mission and the people he got to meet while he was there.  We went to dinner at some of Bret's friends and had a really enjoyable time getting to know them.  We drove from there to Lexington. 

Keeneland

We stopped by the Keeneland racetrack in Lexington.  It was pretty much empty except for the 5th Grade field trips. Horse racing is part of there financial learning in Kentucky.  It worked out perfect because it was free to walk around and we stopped and talked to the tour guides in between the groups of kids.  The horse in the upper picture was trained and had all the surgeries to be a racing horse but did not make the cut so there was almost a million dollars spent on him and then the owner just gave him away to the guy to show off to the tours and round up other horses.  I was surprised at all the money that was spent on horses and all the surgeries they do so they can supposedly breathe better.  It was a pretty track and they also had a lot of stables.  

Shaker Village

The last thing we did in Lexington was the shaker village.  We were not going to go but we had some extra time so we did.  I am really glad we went, this was one of my favorite things we did on the trip.  The drive out there was really pretty as well.  There were a lot of different buildings filled with historical stuff as well as people dressed in that time period clothing who told about the history as well as answered all of our questions. 

Mammoth Caves

           Our first stop once we reached Bowling Green was Mammoth Caves.  I am glad that we made it there safely. I was driving and I almost got us in a major accident.  I went to turn the car around in a little gravel looped-Te-loop when the diesel behind me wanted to go in the same place.  I hurried to get out of his way and Bret said I was going to get the car stuck, so in the panic of getting out of the diesels way and trying not to get the car stuck I did not see the pickup coming up behind us that swerved into the other lane to not hit us than swerved back to not hit the other car in oncoming traffic.  Thank goodness for the observant pickup driver!  I would also like to add that I only saw one other car besides those over the 15min I had been driving through the park.  It was odd that on the bare highway we were all there in that instance.
            Bret and I had been to the Caves before and Bret wanted to take a little break so we sent Earl and Roxanne on the tour and we took a little hike and then a little nap at the lodge.  Earl and Roxanne really liked the tour and got lucky to be in a small group. 

Corvette Factory and Museum

In Bowling Green we visited the Corvette Factory and Museum.  Benson and I were not able to see the Factory because you have to be seven or older and someone had to watch Benson.  So we found some shade while the rest did the tour.  They came out with smiles on there faces.  They said it was pretty cool to see how it all works.  We then went over to the museum.  I thought it was pretty cool to see all the different models and years of the cars but I went through it a lot faster than Earl and Bret. I don't know or care to know too much about cars.  Bret said he always thought that the basic Corvette was pretty sweet but now that he knows all the upgrades and stuff about the high end ones he doesn't find the cheaper ones that cool anymore. 

Nashville Again

On our way back home we stopped again in Nashville to tour the Grand Ole Opry Hotel.  It was pretty amazing with huge indoor gardens. The hotel was huge as well filled with large buildings inside along with a river and so much more.  It was pretty cool to walk around and even gardener Earl was pretty impressed. 

Happy Anniversary

I cant believe that I have been married for 4 whole years. Time goes by so fast.  I am so lucky to be married to such an amazing Man!  Bret is my best friend and I am looking forward to spending the rest of eternity with him.  

Cousins

Six Months Old

It is crazy how fast this baby is growing and changing!  He is the best baby ever, I am such a lucky Mom to have it so easy.  He weighs 17.3 pounds and is 27 inches long.  He can roll, scoot, and sit pretty well.  He loves to pull my hair, pinch, and squirm.  He is a very busy boy.  He now sleeps through the night.  He is very happy and is always making us smile.  He rarely cries. He makes tons of noises and squeals like a little girl.  He loves his Daddy and soaks up any attention that Bret gives him.  One of Bensons favorite things to do with Bret is to sing songs with him while he plays the guitar.  

Rash

Benson got a pretty bad rash that lasted five days.  It was on his arms and legs.  It would get better in one area and then worse in the other and kept changing.   I called the Dr. and he said to give him some benadryl which seemed to help.   Tuesday the day I was taking him to the dr. for his six month check up the rash disappeared.  I was happy it was gone but yet I wished the Dr. could have seen it to tell me what might have caused it.  I took the camera to show him the pictures but I don't think he has the best vision because he held the camera really far away from his face and said it could be bug bites.  I knew that was not the case.  Next time I will take him into the dr. right away.  Hopefully there will not be a next time though. 

7 peaks

While we were in Utah we got to go to 7 peaks with the Williams.  It was a lot of fun to play in the water and go down the slides.  I made it a goal to go on every slide which I did minus one that did not look like it was worth the wait.  My sidekick Dallen agreed that it was not all that great.  So I still think my mission was accomplished. 

Utah Trip July 2012

City Creek

Lava Hot Springs

Benson loves being outside

My Dad practicing his diving skills

Dallen doing flips

Princess Benson

It is all fun and games until someone gets hurt

Four stitches

We had a grand trip to Lava Hot Springs.  We stayed in a little cottage house, played cards, went to the pool, played frisbee golf, went for walks, played ultimate frisbee, the boys went golfing, and floated the river, Camron flipped on the river and had to get stitches, we saw the geyser in Soda Springs along with the carbonated water hole, ate good food and enjoyed each others company.  I especially loved watching all my brothers playing with Benson!  They all will make great Dads.