Our Sweet Penny Passes Away :(

 

Penny had stopped eating well the week before Benson's birthday. We thought at first that maybe she was getting sick of it so we would try other foods or soak hers in chicken broth, but she would finally eat and then throw it all up. We couldn't get her into a vet appointment for a few days. We finally got an appointment and thought that they would find a partial blockage and fix her and she would be good for a few more years. After all, she was not even 10 years old. When we took her to the vet to do some x-rays and blood work they found tumors around her intestines and heart and her liver was failing. She was in lots of pain and there was nothing we could do to help her at that point. We brought Penny home to say our goodbyes for a few hours and Cade took her back to the vet to be put down. 

It was an extremely hard day. I was sad to not have her for a few more years. The last year was extremely hard on me and I wasn't the best dog owner. I was having extreme guilt and regret. Reese and Cade were having the hardest time as they are the biggest dog lovers and gave her the most time and love and attention. 

Penny was truly an amazing dog, friend and companion. She always gave her love so freely. She was so well behaved and an amazing addition to our family. Penny will truly be missed!!!

Benson's Finally ONE!!! Hallelujah!

 

We made it!!! We actually survived Benson's first year of life! Poor guy was in so much pain and discomfort for at least 9-10 months of life. We are so very grateful for God's goodness in giving us strength and moments of sleep and joy during those very difficult months. 

I am very happy to say that Benson is sleeping through the night and is such a happy, happy baby today!! He is such a joy to our family and is the cutest little toddler! 

At the doctors appointment we found out he is 99% for height and 75% for weight. He looks much older than he is. Maybe he will be taller than Dad someday! Just last week he started walking (at 13 months old). He is such a tall boy and has preferred crawling over walking. 

Some things Benson loves is baths, the pool (playing in water of any sort), sucking down baby food packets, homemade popsicles, being in mom's arms, pulling out everything he can out of cupboards, playing outside on the slide or swing or seeing the animals in the backyard. He also enjoys going for walks and does pretty well in car rides. He does not, however, like strangers to touch him or hold him. He is good with people smiling and talking to him but if you try to touch him, those smiles are GONE! He is getting super, super busy and wants to get down and explore now. Church has become very difficult the last few Sunday's with Cade on the stand. We do the best we can. 

We love our cute Benny-Boy and don't know what we would do without him in our family!

His actual Birthday opening gifts and eating cake. Cade and I literally bought him one thing, haha. We got him a nice pair of shoes for walking. We knew Granparents and aunts would buy him all the boy things :). And he actually did pretty well with his cake. At least much better than most of his sisters. He loved the strawberries on it most. 

Camp up AF Canyon

 

I LOVE CAMPING AND BEING IN THE OUTDOORS WITH MY FAMILY!!!!! Can I emphasize that enough :)?? This time we took Bryan and Jennie up AF canyon with us to Timpooneke Campground. I have come to love that campground so much. 

The kids played so well in the wilderness together. I love the memories- playing card games, getting dirty, going on nature walks, eating junk food and breathing in fresh air. It's super fun! Unfortunately (and fortunately hahaha) Benson got an ear infection the week before and was up screaming every night so I slept over the first night with the oldest 4 girls and Cade stayed the 2nd night. Overall it was VERY exciting at the prospect of being camping with no babies and toddlers someday. I will be camping a LOT more often! 

Lucy's Dance Recital

 Lucy took a dance class with her good friend Evie this past year. She had a good time- mostly just doing something with a friend. It was fun to go to her recital. And Grandma Close happened to be in town and could come with us.