Ben's Four year old photo's

Tonight I finally got a chance to do a little photo shoot of Ben.  He was really cute and told me he only wanted to take three pictures.  Of course I got a lot more than that.  Benjamin is growing up so fast.  He loves playing with friends.  When he says his prayers at night he always includes his best friend and next door neighbor Brigham.  He loves the color blue, and also Captain America.  He has a Captain America cup and refuses to drink out of anything else.  I think I need to pick up a few more of those at Walmart.  His favorite foods are fruit loops, and chicken nuggets.  He is a picky eater, but I'm hoping it's a phase that he will outgrow.  His favorite imaginary game is to pretend to play "Narnia" he likes to pretend he is peter and he says over and over again "For Narnia" and raises his sword in the air.  We love you so much Ben your bright smile makes our home such a happy place. 

Memorial Day 2013

We enjoyed a really wonderful Memorial day today.  We took the kids to visit a few of the grave sites of their great-grandparents.  We visited both of Dan's Grandmother's graves, and also my Grandma and Grandpa's graves.  The two older kids really got into talking about the lives of their Great grandparents.  I showed the kids their family tree which has photo's of their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents.  It's interesting to see the kids get excited about their ancestors.  Kate and Kirk even had memories of my Grandma Black.  She died just a little over a year ago at age 99.  They can remember visiting her on Christmas and how she always had cookies, and treats for them.  There's an overwhelming spirit at the cemeteries.  I immediately felt like we were on sacred ground.  We are so connected to our ancestors, the lives that they lived effect ours for good.  Because of their sacrifices, courage, conviction, and hard work; we have the blessings that we enjoy to today.  It is really special to see so many pay tribute to those who have past on.  I feel like Memorial day is such an important Holiday.  I read in the paper that the the beginnings of this holiday actually date back to the civil war era.  So many people lost loved one's in the war.  There was more death of American soldier's who died in that one war than all of the other wars America has fought in combine.  That gives you an idea for the depth of grief our nation was going through at that time.  A thank you goes out to all of the brave men and women who serve so fearlessly in the armed forces.  I have two sister's and a sister in-law's who's husbands serve us in the Army, and Air Force.  I'm so grateful for your service that you provide to our country.  I saw a sign today that read "Freedom isn't Free".  So much blood has been spilt for our freedoms, and yet our nation still stands as a beacon of freedom, prosperity.  God Bless America!  

                                                  The future of America remembering the past

 After visiting the graves, we went and swam at Dan's parents house, and grilled chicken and hotdogs for dinner.  First swim of the year!  The kids loved every second, we couldn't get them to come out of the pool.  Jence isn't in any of the photo's because he was taking a nap at the time.  Sadly he missed out on the swimming.