Lexington - Misc. pictures

Once again, I'm slacking on the blog. Sam's been on vacation and I haven't been on the computer much at all. Here are the last of the Lexington trip pictures.


Nate and Ben getting ready to open gifts for their birthdays. They are one day apart.
The three bigger boys waiting patiently

Aunt Jen and Memom with Ben and Jack

Memom made a vanilla cake for Ben since he didn't like the chocolate one I made. It went a little better.

Jack and Nicholas loved having icing all over their mouth. According to them, it was the funniest thing in the world.

Nicholas

Madison, Ben and Keightley watching the other kids play outside.

I had forgotten...

I had forgot how hard it is to have a pre-toddler. Ben wants to eat dog food, get into the toilet, eat landscaping dirt and rocks. He's also at a stage where playing with anything BUT a toy is much more fun. These days, I'm worn out after breakfast!

Lexington - Ben Loves Keightley

. . . or maybe I should say, he loves to bother Keightley. Keightley is settled down with his bone to chew and here comes Ben. This entire exchange between them was so cute.

Getting on his level a little better -makes for a better view

Back to watching closely and this is where Keightley had enough of baby stalking.

Ben watching Keightley move to the other side of the living room. What to do...what to do...

Keep stalking the dog of course.

Aaahhhh. This is a good spot, too.

A Jack Story

Thursday night I had a neighbor and her two boys over for pizza. Sam was working late and her husband was out of town. We do this often. The boys are always so busy. The house was understandably a mess with toys, dishes from dinner and I was exhausted. Sam calls around 8pm to tell me he's finally on his way home. I have Ben in bed and I start cleaning up while we're on the phone. I casually say to Sam, "I've got a huge mess to clean up." Jack is snuggled on the couch in his pj's with a snack - watchin' a show before bed. He heard me on the phone, gets up and puts his snack in the kitchen and comes in the living room and starts to help me clean. I was so taken back by it and kept thanking him and praising him. He said, "we're a team!", just so grown-up like and as if he wouldn't have it any other way. He's so sweet. He even asked me, "what else needs done?". Ahhh, what a guy.

Fast forward three hours and he throws up all over his bedroom floor. I love parenthood.

Lexington - Monkey Joe's

We have a Monkey Joe's here in Illinois but we have never been. I had this vision of a dirty jumping place that was germ-infested (but that is not why we haven't been. I mean we've been to plenty of germ-infested McDonald's play land's out of pure convenience). My fantasy could not have been more wrong. Monkey Joe's was clean and well organized. I loved it. They even advertise what type of sanitizer they use to clean the jumpers. I was impressed - being the germ-a-phobe that I am.

There's even an area for little jumpers. There was a constant challenge keeping the over 3 year crowd out, but they have referee's for that.
Aunt Neen and the boys in line.
Ben was fine if he was close to me. He seldom ventured too far.

Jack and Madison

Madison in action

Memom taking a turn with Ben.

Jack climbing the big ladder.

Lauren had a blast. This girl can have a good time wherever she is.

Nicholas and Jack jumping and clearly having too much fun.

More jumping.

Chit-chatting and holding Ben since he was missing his nap.

Lauren and Ben sitting and watching all the other under-3-year-olds.

More of Lauren and Ben.

Getting our shoes on to head home.

Lexington - Annual Spring Break Trip

Playing at Aunt Neen's:

We spent alot of time at Aunt Neen's house. She did a bunch of home-cooking and we played there during the days as well. Nicholas, Nathaniel and Jack were three peas-in-a-pod. Ben explored most of the time and favored Memom as he knows her the best. Separation anxiety seems to be in full-effect for him since hitting 12-months. He warmed up to everyone eventually-especially Madison and Lauren.



Memom made all the grandchildren an afghan (excluding Ben since he doesn't have a big-boy room yet). This is Nicholas with his afghan. They were all beautiful and so special.

The swords are styrofoam; they were very popular. The Nerf basketball was also a favorite of everyone.

Memom and Ben at Neen's.

Exploring . . .

A battle is abreast!

These chairs are just my size.

On our way back to Memom's house!

Easter Sunday

I got a couple of fantastic pictures of Sam, Jack and Ben Easter morning. However, in the best ones, Sam had his bluetooth on his ear. This one is pretty good, too.

These "dressy" shorts that Jack's wearing are semi-famous at First Baptist of O'Fallon. As we were leaving church, Sam was carrying Ben and Jack was holding my hand. Doh-tee-doh-ing along and I look down and Jack's shorts are around shins and he was oblivious. I don't know how since he could hardly move his legs. People passing by were cracking up. Sam and I were laughing so hard and Jack joined in and laughed at himself. I was cryin'.

Me with the boys. I love Ben's hat and tie.

Jack-in-the-box

I just loved these pictures. I had been in the kitchen getting dinner ready and walked in to find them playing so well and 'Jack in-the-box'. I think he climbed in to keep Ben from getting certain toys. Cute none-the-less.