Helpers

Looks like I'm out of a job. Ben & Lauren are going to do the laundry from now on.

They love doing this! I'll pull out these pics and remind them of this when they are teenagers and dont' want to help:)

Fun Weekend!

We had a fun filled weekend with Doug, Marie, & Emma! Of course all 4 kids had to take a bath together. Ben didn't like it, we kept telling him he should enjoy it, it'll be the only time in his life he'll be in the bath with 3 girls!
Ben was very happy to see Pa and kind of wanted him all to himself. Miss Emma was excited to see Pa as well. She's pretty much happy to see everyone, she is one happy little lady!
Dinner time was crazy! On Saturday night there were 6 kids. We fed them first then put on a show so the adults could actually talk and enjoy dinner!

We ventured down to Pike Place. It was sunny and beautiful out but chilly!

Lauren liked looking at (and touching) the seafood.

Happy Girl with her daddy!

Can't miss a photo op on the pig!

The Stephens family on the pig.

Playing hide and seek at the park. Gee- where oh where could Lauren be? She hides here every single time we play!

All the kids hanging out on the couch with Doug!

Lauren & Haley look so cute together. They had just been "swimming".

Ben looks like he's about to make a move on Miss Sydney! Can't blame him, she's pretty cute.

Lauren & Hads stayed up super late both nights. The parents were all talking and ignoring them so they headed to the living room and read. Pretty cute.

Thanks for coming to visit Doug, Marie, & Emma! We can't wait for your next visit.

Darling little boy!

Ben wants to do EVERYTHING Lauren does these days. If she wears a clip, he wears a clip.

Easter Bunny!

All the kids getting ready to go egg hunting on Bob & B-Z's fun Easter party!
Lauren was a champ at egg hunting! She had so much fun.

How cute is Hadley in that coat? I am thinking of stealing it from her for myself...if only it was a bit bigger!

Lauren was all over the place, egg hunting is serious business!

An action shot of Ben finding an egg! Go Ben!

Showing me his loot!

As soon as the Easter Bunny made an apperance Lauren got really scared and clung to daddy for dear life.

She kept her distance but was brave enough to get in arms reach so she could get her bunny gift. A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!

Lauren was so tired she came home, put on her comfy clothes (swim trunks) and fell asleep on the trampoline! The poor girl didn't feel so well as the day went on, apparently Reese's decided to put wheat flour in their baby bunnies this year!

What a fun Easter! Lauren said to us, "Most kids don't get this much stuff on Easter, I am the luckiest kid ever". Glad she realizes it:)

Easter in Bellingham

Oma & Opa gave Lauren & Ben their Easter basket a little early so they could enjoy it all weekend. Lauren loves closing her eyes for surprises, Ben was confused what all the fuss was about.
I love how Lauren was SO excited when she sees this basket! Everything was a hit, especially the Diego & Dora dvd.
Ben loved everything too!

When they snuggle up like this, I melt.

Lauren was helping Ben look out the window while at dinner. She was pointing out the dog on the street to him (that someone tied to a pole while they were at a bar, poor dog!). Thank goodness Ben has her to show him everything, not sure how he'd get by without her!

Then she decided he felt warm so she was feeling him to make sure he didn't have a fever:)

Enjoying some choc choc (as Ben says).

Lauren was pretty excited when she woke up! The Easter bunny got her all sorts of things she'd been wanting. Believe it or not, she actually wanted this Barbie (probably because we got it for Hadley for her birthday).

Ben got a cute new hat with a shark on it (one of his favorite things lately), his own eagle binoculars to match Lauren's, and a new "choo choo"! We had a great time. Lauren was sad that we couldn't got back to Bellingham for dinner tonight! If only it were that close.

Easter Fun!

Lauren was SO excited when an Easter package came in the mail from cousin Emma.
Ben is finally getting the hang of the present opening thing!

Candy!

Swim suits & toys! Wow- Emma is the most thoughtful and generous 1 year old we know. Thanks for always being so sweet to us Miss Emma. We can't wait to see you in less than a week!

xoxo Lauren & Ben

Field Trip!

Lauren was sick earlier in the week and missed her class field trip to the pet store. We decided to go on our field trip to the pet store with Hadley and Ben!
Lauren telling us some fun fact about the fish:)

The mice! Lauren kept saying, "Nana- this is what you are scared of!"

Ben kept trying to open the cages, but of course he was also scared of the animals if they moved too much.

Our little class on their field trip:)

Sleepover!

Lauren & Hadley had their first, real, "Just for Fun" sleepover on Thursday night! And fun it was! First we enjoyed a little dinner. Every time Hadley looked away Lauren stole her broccoli off her plate so she could eat it. And when I sat down to eat my steak & mash potatoes and Hads said, "Aunt Val you forgot to get me steak & potatoes" Apparently mac n cheese & hot dogs don't cut it with her!
We had a little wild & crazy play on the stairs with Benny!

Then enjoyed some fun time playing with the capsules that foam animals come out of. Thanks Auntie Meg for sending over this fun activity!

Ben of course had to get in on the fun!

Wouldn't be a sleepover without Ice Cream Sundaes!

Of course we needed a group shot, especially since we all had matching jammies on!

We had a rousing game of Memory.

Then settled in for a viewing of Toy Story!

Poor Miss Hads, had a little fall, which upset her a bit and caused her to puke just a little bit. We both changed, then settled in for more movie time...but fell asleep within 10 minutes!

Night Night!

At 3:30 AM I heard Hadley doing puzzles and reading books to herself. At 4 AM I heard Lauren say, "Come on Hads, I'll show you the way" and she brought Hads into our room. Lauren says, "Mom, Hads just isn't really tired so she was playing with my toys." So Hads got to see how Lauren spends the 2nd half of most of her nights, on the floor by my bed.

They both slept there until 7:30. All in all I'd say the first sleepover was a success- Lauren is already talking about next time:)