this one's for dad

Sometimes I forget to take pictures. I wonder where I get that from (mom)... so there is not a single picture on my camera of the wilson siblings here. I can assure you that it did happen. And it was so fun to see them and hang out. The things that did make it on my camera are as follows:

Poor boy had an ear infection that lasted 5 weeks. He was miserable, so he got a treat at the pharmacy.

one day riley had a break during lunch so we went to an asian buffet. Benson loved the chopsticks and wateremelon

One Saturday in November we ventured to Arlington National Cemetery. It was amazing. The grass was green, the trees were colorful and the sky was white. We learned a lot and really enjoyed being there.  The rolling hills of headstones is really impressive. 

This is the view from the hill in Arlington, across the bridge is Lincoln memorial.

The Kennedy grave and eternal flame

Tomb of the unknown soldier and changing of the guard.

There is always a guard there. ALWAYS. the ceremony is really neat. I went once on the Big Trip in 1996, and the only thing I remember is a large crowd of sweating people. This time I understood a lot more and actually enjoyed it :)

Oh how Benson loves applesauce...

benson took his first steps a few days ago. so we took a picture of him that day, though he wouldn't stand for it...

This past weekend we went the the Washington D.C. temple to see the lights and nativities. So fun! Above is Justin/Erin/Bennett/Elsie

This was my favorite nativity. 

Then we came back and opened Benson's birthday presents. We won't be here on his actual birthday so instead of bringing them we opened them here. He really enjoyed it, I think! Can't believe he is almost one..

Then. Last night the saddest thing happened. We were getting ready to watch the first presidency Christmas devotional when we looked out our back window and saw this:

Her/his poor leg was injured and she/he was limping. It is christmas and she was all alone and injured. Break a mother's heart. We aren't supposed to feed the animals that come through but I felt just terrible. 

Next week Benson and I will be in utah! What a fun time it will be. Dad, I hope you appreciate the update :)

No more monkey's jumping on the bed

This post is going to be a bunch of random things. I apologize. Let's go back in time to three weeks ago, my mom was on a flight to Maryland, actually she was on a layover in NC when she got a call from me.  Benson had been playing in the dining room and had face planted- causing large crocodile tears and a lot of screaming.  His nose was bleeding (no visible cuts) and immediately the bridge of his nose was bruised. I didn't know what to do! Do I take him to the hospital? Apparently the answer is no. Baby's can't break their nose I guess.  After some tylenol he was as good as new. Except the bruises that lingered under his eyes and across his nose.
My mom finally landed and we went to pick her up! Man, was she a sight for sore eyes.  I had been so excited to see her that I hadn't really prepared anything for us to do.  We quickly made plans and the next day found ourselves at the National Zoo.

Aren't they cute?

We had a nice day, the weather was PERFECT. The trees were changing and it was crisp. Oh so nice.  The next day we went downtown and ate delicious food at "We the pizza".  Delicious. Really. Then we found the Old Post Office Pavilion which was extremely disappointing, especially for mom.  So we ditched it and explored the American history museum- which was fascinating.  Benson was a champ! He loves riding around and seeing new things. 

We found the first car that mom owned! It was pretty cute.

On Thursday we went to the Powell's in Delaware- which I already posted about.  They were so kind and served us some amazing french dip sandwiches. Mmmmmm.

On Friday- poor little Benson woke up so ill.  He had developed a runny nose during the week but he woke up completely delirious.  Thank heavens mom was there to help.  He had never been sick before and we just didn't know what to do! it was a rough few days for benson.  He has never cuddled so much in his life- which I must say was very nice.  He has since forgotten those ways. 

We were still able to do a few more fun things.  Mom pushed Riley and I out the door for a date. A mucho needed date. We went to Union Station for dinner and explored the stamp museum.

Cute, right?

Then Benson started feeling better:

Poor guy refused to eat or drink anything for days. The next week he was diagnosed with a double ear infection.  I think he is started to feel much better now. 

Before all of this even happened we bought this chair off craigslist. we LOVE it. twenty dollars!

A few days after mom left (she doesn't know this but I cried), the wilson's came! Brandon, Chelsie, Kalen and Jenell all flew out to celebrate an early Christmas.  It was really fun to have almost everyone together.  Surprisingly none of them or the children were injured. I would call that successful. I only took three pictures the whole weekend- pathetic. 

So this is what happens when I let Kalen push the stroller.

 

On the last day we went to the Dulles Air and Space museum. It was massive and had lots of planes. This is Benson in front of a space shuttle!

Benson and Elsie. Cute.

Last story. yesterday at the park benson fell and cut the inside of his upper lip. I so wish I had become a nurse- it would be so helpful in scenarios like this. It was bleeding a lot, which I know is not uncommon, but we couldn't get it to stop. After a quick (LONG) trip to the ER we learned that they could do nothing.  Something that every mother got the memo on, except me. Someone should write a book on this stuff. Since then benson has reopened the cut twice, pulled a fan on himself and fallen countless times. I guess blood will be frequent in my future. 

this is halloween

Benson celebrated his first halloween in style. Lumberjack style. 

He even won an award at the ward trunk-or-treat.  I wish I had a picture or video of him walking in the parade. We brought a cart that he can walk behind and he joined all the kids. It was pretty hilarious.

Mom was in town and came to the trunk or treat, and then on actual halloween we went to the Powell's home in Delaware! We had a great time and ate some delicious french dip sandwiches :) Thanks Jennifer! 

Cousins!

It was so much fun to have some visitors this past week!  Jake, Kelli and Hadley came by for a few days. What a treat! Benson adored Hadley... he just showed his affection by grabbing her face. Cute, right?

They flew in late Tuesday night. That was a long day of waiting! I got to pick them up from the airport. It was so fun to see my sister again! On Wednesday we took the metro downtown and checked out the spy museum (we won't discuss the govt shutdown and how every single thing in DC is run by the fed, so nothing was open). It was pretty neat.  We also ate lunch at the Shake Shack- a personal favorite.  Though I will say, very few places downtown accommodate strollers. The spy museum doesn't allow them but they provided baby carriers. Benson weighs 22 pounds. So yea, that was fun. I have no pictures of this day :(

On Thursday we drove downtown to drive by the memorials.  It rained the entire time they were here so they didn't get the normal DC visit, but they will next time, right guys?  Then we went to Eastern Market and ate our lunches and then checked out this cool bookstore. It is unreal! A man turned his rowhome into a bookstore and there are books everywhere. Behold:

It made me nervous thinking how unorganized, yet organized it was- if that makes sense!  The last picture is the bathroom- where the foreign language books are kept.  It was nuts.

Benson and Hadley took a bath.  They splashed each other until their hearts were content!

We already miss them and can't wait to see them again!!