The Nelsons Come to Oregon

Yep, this post is about something that took place 2 months ago.  There might be a few of those coming up.  Bare with me.  Oregon was a GREAT time and we had lots of fun experiences, but coming back to Utah seriously threw me for a loop.  So, we are going to be telling you all about what happened to us two months ago!

Mid June we had a visit from my sister, Kristen, and her family.  It was the first time for Benson to meet Nolan, Aiden and Regan.  It was such a fun few days.  I felt bad that I had to work most of the days they were there, but I still got to spend time with them and it was a lot of fun!  We got to eat yummy food at La Perla and walk around the cute shops in downtown Salem. We went to the coast and the free aquarium (long drive, short time at the beach, sorry guys!).  We also went to the drive in movie, which was so much fun.  It was Aiden and Regan's (and I guess Benson's) first time at the drive in and such a fun thing to share with them.  We had a full few days and we are so glad the Nelsons made the trip.  

Hanging with Uncle Nolan for the first time

I have LOVED those beautiful blue eyes since he was born!  I cannot believe Aiden is already 10!

Aiden and Regan LOVED DJ, like could not get enough of her.  She is pretty lovable, so it wasn't hard to understand.

Ben teaching Regan to box

Playing peek-a-boo.  These 2 are 10 years apart almost to the day but Benson loves his cousin Aiden.

My favorite view in the car

Cousins

haha, maybe not so happy about this one.

Regan, Kristen, Aiden and Benson at the carousel at Riverfront

Out for sushi

Another family picture at the beach (this time it was Newport)

Benson's first time with his feet in the water.

It was way too cold!

Archie and DJ hung out with us and the Nelsons as well.

Me and my boy

Oregon was a blast and it was fun to share it with the Nelsons.

7 Months

7 Months Old!  How does that even happen?  

Beyond the obvious of finalization and the sealing, this month has brought with it many changes and exciting things.  We finally started giving Benson solids.  We started out with avocado and then some rice cereal and have just let it evolve from there.  For the first couple of weeks he could have taken it or left it, but lately he LOVES eating.  He likes sweet potatoes the best so far.  It is hard to feed him though because he cannot sit still.  He is trying to look everywhere and grab anything in his path at all times.  He got his first 2 teeth this month, the bottom front ones.  His first one he got July 15th.  He is starting to scoot and getting so close to crawling.  He has started to scream.  He screams when he's happy, mad, tired, excited..you name it.  He LOVES Archie the dog, even though Archie is not such a fan of him.  He has started sleeping through the night and sleeps so well in his crib.  He has totally fallen into an amazing nap/eating/sleeping schedule. Thanks to that life has calmed down for the whole family.  Benson is such a sweet, sweet baby.  He is calm and barely ever fusses or cries.  We took him swimming for the first time in Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's pool.  He didn't cry, he didn't smile.  He just kind of acted like it was nothing new.  As my brother in law said, "he is probably the most chill baby ever".  We figure its the islander coming out in him.    His fun personality is showing more and more.  He loves his daddy and laughs much more with Ben than me, but he LOVES his momma.  He has started wanting me around all the time and cries if I leave the room.  (I kind of love that).  He continues to light up our lives more than we could possibly imagine!  

First step into the pool

push ups anyone?  

first time eating solids

on hands and knees for the first time

He finally started feeding himself

loves being up high on daddy's shoulders

First time in a shopping cart.  He loved it until we went over a bump and he hit his head against the back.  Ya, not so much love after that.

Making new friends (usually girls for some reason)

Someday these two will be best buddies

He is PURE JOY!

Father's Day

So, now I need to get back to all of the posts that I never posted because of the craziness that was this last month.

First things first, I feel like a horrible wife!  This was Ben's FIRST official fathers day and I haven't even blogged about it.  For the record, he did have a pretty great day.  Benson and I went out shopping the day before and spoiled him with lots of fun gifts.  Sadly, I didn't take a picture of any of them.  We sent Ben on a scavenger hunt to find them, so i got video...but no pictures.  He got a new Blu Ray, a new shirt, the family got Oregon Beavers clothing, he got basketball shorts and a nice card.  I think there was more but now that it has been so long I honestly cannot recall.  I know, I am horrible!

I am not sure there is any way to really explain what an amazing dad Ben is.  One of the main reasons I wanted to marry Ben was because I knew he would be an amazing father.  Here we are six years later and he proves me right daily.  From the second he held Benson in his arms, he has been completely in love.  He sings to him, plays the guitar with him, reads to him, plays with him, talks to him, holds him, changes him, gets up with him in the night and just completely and totally adores him.  I am one lucky woman to have such a great man for a husband and Benson is one lucky little boy.  He could not have asked for a better daddy!

His first moment as a daddy!

Sierra and her sisters adored Ben

Just havin a chat

Our little family on Father's Day 2012

Ben and his son :)

Happy Fathers Day!  I cannot wait to celebrate many more with you!

Love you babe!!!

Blessed

"Every member of the church of Christ having children is to bring them unto the elders before the church, who are to lay their hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless them in his name." D&C 20:70.

Sunday, July 15th, 2012 was Benson's blessing day in church.  His daddy had the opportunity to hold him and give him a name that he would officially be known on the records of the church and also to give him a priesthood blessing.  This is an honor for a father and something I know Ben was looking forward to.  Ben stood in a circle with 12 of our closest male family members and friends holding Benson in his hands and blessed him to know and understand the sacrifice and love that got him here.  He talked of the healing that he had brought in his entering our family and of the happiness and closeness he had brought.  He mentioned that Benson would be blessed to remember the feelings he had felt in the temple the day before.  He talked of him someday holding the priesthood himself.  One thing that I loved that was said in the blessing was that Benson would know me, his mother, and that he would cherish me. :) The blessing was short and sweet, but the spirit was strong.  They came back and sat down next to me and Ben leaned over to me and said "It's done, it's all done".  What a relief!  Since the day we were chosen to be Benson's parents, we have looked forward to his birth, then placement day, then being able to come home to Utah, then finalization, his sealing and his blessing.  This was it!!!  Now we just get to look forward to being a family and moving forward with everyday life.

We are so blessed with so many family members and loved ones that came to participate in and support us in this special day.  Ben's parents and siblings drove all the way from Oregon to be there and then provided all of the food after the blessing.  They stood by the stove practically the whole afternoon feeding everyone.  Our house was packed with so many people.  When my niece Avery walked into the house she turned to her mom and said, "How does EVERYONE know Benson?".  It truly did feel like that.  He is one loved little boy and that day was just a glimpse of the people who love him, who have been hoping and praying for this day, and who were finally there together to celebrate our forever family.  Thank you!

We missed Kristen and Nolan and their family, but lucky for us they came into town the next week.