Spring Break Staycation

 Our original plan for Spring Break was to camp at a KOA campground and go to Bryce Canyon and Escalante National Forest. However, after Benson STILL not sleeping through the night and thinking about warming bottles and staying up all night while camping and Cade's job being insanely busy...we decided to change our plans and have fun partying here at home!

We first went to Thanksgiving Point Farm with Jeneane and Kenzi and Madi Waite. The girls had fun with animals and then we went to Zupas for lunch. 

Then we went to Airborne- a trampoline park in PG and Jane had never been happier. She was totally in her element. 

Reese and Kenzie had a fun Mom-daughter date at the mall. Reese was so excited to ride these mobile animals :). 

We spent some time at Aunt B's Barn in PG. It's an indoor petting zoo. I think the girls loved the tiny animals more than the cow, alpaca and mini horse. The favorites were the mouse, baby bunny and the ferrets. 

We tried a new ice cream place with Dad called "Handel's" and it is SO good. But they definitely don't do child portions :). 

Cade took the older girls on a hike and they had a great time. I stayed back with sick babies. 

One of the things the girls were looking MOST forward to during the spring break was our version of "Foodtastic"--a food competition on Disney+ that is super fun to watch. Our theme was Moana. We got in teams of 2 and had a bunch of food supplies to create a scene from the movie. We had a great time!

Lastly, we went bowling as a family. Cade and I realized the girls said they have "never been bowling in their life". Emma and Reese we've taken a few times but it's been so many years so it was good to introduce them to it again. 

We had a great time just spending time as a family! Staycations are sometimes even better than going somewhere far. Time with family is precious. 

Benson 9 Months

 By 9 months old Benson had started sleeping through the night. More nights than not! He would still wake up screaming some nights for no reason but we finally got to the point of getting some good nights rest. By 10 months we could say he was finally sleeping through the night!!! Wahoo!

Benson loves getting around. He started army crawling around 8 months old. He loves getting around and crawling all over the house. He still likes taking 2 naps during the day and sleeping not as long as wed like through the night...but hey! He is sleeping through the night now. 

Benson is about 50% for weight and 95% for height. He is tall like his daddy! He likes to eat but especially likes sucking down packets. We tried new formula two different times because of the CRAZY formula shortage but didn't do well with either one. One made his bum super red and raw and bleeding and the other made him uncomfortable and scream all night long. So we went back to Nutramigen and stocked up on tiny containers that I found at Smiths and hope that carries us to 12 months (fingers crossed). 

He really is such a happy, content little boy. If he is fed and is allowed to roam the home, he is as happy as can be. He loves his sisters but is very weary of strangers. He will smile at them as long as mom and dad are holding him. We love Benson and are so happy he is where he is and not several months ago :). 

Poor guy deals with really bad eczema and we haven't found a cream/lotion that helps. He doesn't seem too bothered but looks like it hurts and itches bad. 

Visiting Daddy at work (in the basement). Unfortunately Daddy doesn't work downstairs anymore since this new position. We miss him being here but it was fun while it lasted!

Lamb of God Choir

 This year I had the chance to rehearse on Sunday evenings and perform in a production of Rob Garder's Lamb of God. One of my favorite musical productions of the life of Christ. It was a great opportunity and I hope to be able to do it again. I was rehearsing two years ago but the week before performances is when the entire world shut down with Covid-19. I am grateful for the spiritual boost I get during things like this. I love sharing my love and testimony of the Savior with others through music. As my kids get older I hope to have more opportunities to do so. 

Cade's Uncle Johnny Passing

 Cade's uncle Johnny Hughes passed away in March. He had been battling prostate and liver cancer for years and was just put on hospice in the middle of the month. The family decided to invite extended family over to say goodbye since he likely didn't have many days left to live. They thought that would be a great celebration of life instead of doing a funeral. I am glad Cade was able to go say goodbye and be with family for that short weekend because 4 days later, Johnny passed away. My memories with him were always good. He loved to laugh and joke and give hugs while holding a beer in his hand. He loved his family and his brothers. It's crazy that our aunts and uncles are in that older age where we need to take advantage of the time we get with them. We will pray for Aunt Virginia during this hard time and change in life. Maybe someday we will get to share our testimonies of eternal families. I am very grateful for the knowledge of Heavenly Fathers plan for us.