All Summer Long

Our trip to Utah was fabulous. Many thanks to everyone who helped us have such a good time. We spent a wonderful four weeks surrounded by family and friends. We feel completely spoiled and are really sad it is over.  I didn't realize how sad until I wrote that.  It is nice to be back home but I think I could have stayed there enjoying the summer forever.
Oh well.  Lots happened, so let's talk about it all!

Pictures are in no particular order

Right before we left we found this darling kitchen set for TEN bucks! Deal.

At BWI there is a big walkway lined with rocking chairs and you can sit and watch airplanes take off and land. That was a lot of fun for Benson.

About 7 hours after we landed, Riley Serafine came home from serving a mission in Sierra Leone! This is the outfit he brought home for mom and I tried it on. Flattering, amirite?

We went to Wheeler Farm with Dad, Brad/Mandy, Jake/Kelli and Kate & kids. The sheep had babies THAT MORNING! They were so adorable.

Cute Claire.

For Mother's Day, Kelli, Jake and Kate made this giant yard scrabble for my Mom. It is so fun! We played several times and really enjoyed it.

We made it up to the cabin twice! The first time with Jake, Kelli and Kate. The second with kalen and Jenell.  These pictures are from the later. Riley and I hiked up on the horse trail and will never do it again. We took a wrong turn and ended up in a sketchy situation.  

Ysma is Riley's dog from high school. Thanks Kalen and Jenell for taking such good care of her! 

Benson and Hads are such good buddies. They were tuckered out from shopping.

Too late into our trip we discovered this gem. A reservoir in Herriman.  We went twice. In two days.  

Dad took Benson and I out for a ride. It was very relaxing...

The night before Benson and I flew home.  Of course they both have their hands in their mouths. 

At Karalyn's baby shower. So fun!

I got together with my friends from college. Somehow we all wore denim shirts and black pants. Who wore it best?? jk.

We set up a projector in the basement and made popcorn. The girls were so cute and made everyone movie tickets and took food orders.  We all piled on the air mattresses and enjoyed 'Enchanted'

I'm so glad we did this. For Father's Day us ladies took Dad out to breakfast. We went to The Egg & I.  It was delicious and so fun!

Annie and Benson. Sunday best.

Hanging out in the backyard. We did a lot of this.

I got to celebrate my birthday in Utah. I woke up, went running (without a stroller!), had a delicious breakfast in bed, went to the aquarium, ate at Chick-fil-a, then had bacon wrapped chicken for dessert. And as if that weren't enough I got to spend the whole day with my family who all lovingly gave me gifts and jello cake. A wonderful birthday to say the least. 

4th of July cousins. 

The four of us did the Freedom Run in provo. We got up pretty early and I'm still not sure if Brad enjoyed himself :)

West Jordan Stampede! 

Howdy Hadley!

See you all soon!

Post-Comp fun

Last week Riley took his "comps" which are his first year comprehensive exams and they determine his future in the program. Intense, right?  He has worked extremely hard all year and especially hard this past month. Despite both of us coming down with really bad colds, we think they went fairly well- he won't get results for several weeks, which means that we get to have some much needed/deserved fun!  

We started things off at the Air and Space Museum with Benson. Benson looooved it! He kept pointing at the planes and saying "dada"- I'm thinking he was showing Riley all the planes. But we can't be too sure. 

That night our really great friends played with Benson while we went out to dinner. We enjoyed a fun place called Franklin's. It has a fun general store and toy store attached.  So we ate and then looked and played. It was so nice to be out having fun! 

The pictures are in no order... sorry about that.

Benson loves his stuffed animals! Panda, Duck and the character from the Foot Book

He is really good at lining up his cars...

We went to Storyville in Baltimore and Benson was drawn to the cars and trucks..

Father's Day breakfast in Bed-- Benson made himself comfortable and enjoyed some bacon.

Benson loves being wrapped up in his blanket after he wakes up. He was so nice and wanted Mr. Foot wrapped up. I asked him to stand still so I could take a picture, and he did but he wouldn't smile. 

As we were leaving to pick up Riley one day he just wouldn't leave the stairs.

It was a BEAUTIFUL day on the mall.

Air and Space

We love having Benson around. He adds so much life to our family.  He is growing so fast and gets more and more fun. We can't wait to see our family so they can see how much he has grown since Christmas!

shame on me

I'm not entirely sure where the past two months have gone. April FLEW by, and I never thought May would end. But it did and suddenly we are 4 days into June. I mentioned to Riley that June is my favorite month- and I think that is true. School ends, it is warm to do everything but not roasting and you have the whole summer to look forward to. This summer will be great. Riley takes his exams in 1 1/2 weeks. Pray for him, please! After that we are headed to Utah to greet Riley Serafine as he arrives home from Sierra Leone.  We are pretty excited.  Benson probably more than anyone. He can't wait to see his cousins!

I have tons of pictures on my phone and while looking through them I realized they are all of Benson doing something, but more often than not that something was not all that exciting. For example:

Benson playing in a crib with a friend.

Ok- these ones will be kept forever - doesn't he look so big?

Benson on an Easter Egg hunt

Benson and Riley at Maryland Day

Benson eating corn on the cob

Benson posing at the National Arboretum

Benson playing with his shadow

Benson swimming

Benson about to go down a slide.