Just some stuff.

Keaton gets board sometimes waiting to pick up Ben and Sam from school. So I have a few things he likes to do that keep him entertained. I guess the DVD player isn't all that exciting anymore or he forgets to bring a movie along to watch. So his new thing is my camera phone. We try to find new ways to take silly pictures and videos of my little NOT camera shy Keaton.

Last weekend the hospital had a retreat in Omaha. The boys and I went swimming at the hotel while Bret had boring meetings to attend. It was just Keaton and Sam this trip. My mothering responsibilities are getting so easy. At times. Ben was on another winter scout camp, and Amber was in Cedar Rapids on a Jazz Band trip. It was weird just to have two kids again. In the hotel room everyone had their own bed.....except me ;)

We had a good time at the hotel and when Bret was done, we went to Cabalas, and NFM. (Nebraska Furniture Mart) I found the cutest chairs for my library! They come in two weeks! I'm SO excited. I was also looking for a chair for my bedroom but didn't find what I was looking for. I have a picture in my head of what I want and didn't quite find it. We found some great deck furniture for our deck in the back, but decided it could wait until it gets past the chance of snow. Which will be what............mid April????

Amber always wanted a little sister. She got her wish for a few minutes. That was as long as she could get Sam to wear this wig. Amber had a few friends over. They were doing a skit for a Spanish class project. Anyway, I'm glad I only have one girl. You get a bunch of them together and they were so loud!

Ben, Master of Ceremonies

I know I should be working on my seminary lesson, but, I'm a little burnt out on that right now. So I'm updating my blog.
Ben had been called to be the President of the Deacons Quorum. We had our Court of Honor for the scouts last week and Ben was the Master of Ceremonies. He did a great job!!!
Ben advanced to the level of Second class, and here he is getting his handshake from his Dad,

Also a hug from his mom! I'm not sure he liked getting a hug from me in front of all the other boys. I guess it has started.

Ben was a natural, and I was worried that people wouldn't be able to hear or understand him. But I didn't need to worry. He did great! Lots of people commented on how much more confident Ben is becoming and really coming out of his shell.

I had to put this in. This is Dallon Bendorf. He's a freshman. I just thought the comparison of him and Ben was very obvious! They are only 2 years apart! I'm hoping, and so does Ben, that this is the year he "turns into a man." He says he's tired of talking like a girl!

We love him so much and oh so pleased with him and the young man he is turning out to be.

Cookie baking with Keaton

Keaton asked if we could make cookies one day after school. I hadn't baked since before Christmas so thought why not. I can control myself right? I've been trying to really watch my eating. Especially trying to stay away from the sugar! But who can resist those big brown eyes! Keaton was very helpful with putting in all the ingredients and working the mixer. He loved pouring in the chocolate chips. The ones that fell on the counter he got to eat, and he said there were too many in the bowl so he had a few of those too.

His giraffe got to help as well, keeping an eye on things and even getting to taste some cookie dough. I stayed out of it!!! It helped having a piece of gum in my mouth :)

He was very careful and put just the right amount of dough in the right place. I had to fix them a little bit.

The finished product! Keaton was very good at telling me when the timer was going off so we could pull the cookies out of the oven. It was hard to wait for them to cool a little.

Finally having his cookie!!

New additions

Last week we had two new arrivals come to our animal family. This is Ivy. She was only a half a day old when I took this picture. It amazed me how soon they were able to get up and start walking! This is Gally. She is a few days older than Ivy. She is actually a twin, but the other one didn't survive. It was a boy, so that was sad. But Gally is doing just great!

We are very excited to have them, just wish it would've been closer to spring so we wouldn't have to worry about them freezing to death in this below zero weather. We did put up a heat lamp for them and it didn't take them long to figure out that it's warmer under that than anywhere else. They are lots of fun to watch and are starting to play with each other. Mostly head butting.