Birthday Week

Everyone needs a whole week to celebrate their birthday right? Benjamin started his birthday week with an impromptu party at Hallmark, of course. There were balloons, a present, story time, and a bunch of Benjamin's favorite people.

He doesnt look very excited in this picture but trust me he was.

Reading books with Grandma

Reading more books with Jessica

After storytime Mrs. Linda came in with a surprise for Ben.

Adorable little fireman!!

The morning of his birthday we met Abigail, Colin and Joel at the mall to ride the carousel.

After we came home and had a nap Benjamin helped mommy frost the cupcakes. He's such a good helper ;-)

Later Grandma Burley, Uncle Will and Aunt Rachel came over for a few presents and cupcakes.

YUM!!

On Sunday Jennifer and Leigh came up for more cake, presents, and play time with Royleigh and Elizabeth. Tony was also home for spring break.

Reading books with his cousin.

Three very adorable children!

Blowing out his candles all by himself!

The past year has flown by! My baby boy is no longer a baby:-( He is growing up to be a handsome little man! It still amazes me how much he has learned and continues to learn. He has become a little parrot and repeats anything anyone says. He can also narrate all of Finding Nemo and Up. So if you havent seen either of those movies, don't come watch them at our house... he'll spoil all the good parts ;-D Cars seem to be the only toys that matter at the moment. He spends the day seeing how many he can carry, then gets really upset when they fall out of his arms.

Although I definitely understand why they call them "terrible twos" I also think this age is a lot of fun! I still can't imagine my life without this amazing little guy. I can't wait for all of the new adventures in store for the coming next year.

While everyone else in Hampton Roads was excited about the big snow storm Benjamin was recovering from a virus. And the last few days of it were definitely the worst! I think that children get sick every so often just to remind us how wonderful they are when they are not... Benjamin has been sick only a few times and I am very thankful! I'm not quite sure how my parents survived with me having constant ear infections as a child. I guess that's why they're crazy (just kidding!) ;-D

Kimber was glued to Ben's side while he was under the weather. My lap was quite full with a baby and a dog.

We did manage to get out a play in the snow a few times. It took us probably 20 min to get ready each time we went out.

Pushing snow down the slide with Grandpa

Making his first snowman

A little help from Uncle Will

I tried to used the kiddie pool as a sled... all he wanted was water in the pool.

Whoa....

Only 4 months 1 week and 2 days to go!!! How did that happen!? First Thanksgiving came, before i knew it Christmas had come and gone, next Benjamin will be turning TWO, and then the wedding!! Let the craziness begin!

Anyway, here are some pictures from Christmas time. Sorry they are so late...

Benjamin wasnt anymore impressed with Santa this year than he was last year

Decorating the gingerbread train

Opening his stocking, Kimber is always close by just in case there is food involved...

I love my little family!

My Boys

I have finally started to adapt to the nocturnal lifestyle, which seems to be required for my new job. We are there til midnight or 1 AM most nights. Its also been hard trying to get things done during the day before going to work at night. Slowly but surely I am getting used to it. I'm just so thankful to finally be working! :-D

Anyway! Benjamin, Kimber and I finally got out of this house this morning. We took a trip to the park, just me and my boys!

Enjoying the swing! Poor Kimber really wanted to get in the swing too.

Silly boy :-)


Waiting patiently for Ben to throw something

Benjamin and Kimber couldn't be more perfect for each other. They have the same personality, which gets them both into trouble sometimes.... It is so fun to watch them grow and discover things together. I love my boys!!

November was a crazy month for us. First was my 21st birthday which was wonderful! The same day I also accepted a job at Bed Bath and Beyond. Ive been working there now for 2 weeks and it is going very well!

After my birthday it seemed like I was taking dogs to the vet everyday for one reason or another. Kimber had his first ear infection :-( and Gabe some how managed to tear a muscle in his knee and will be having surgery later this month to repair it. Thankfully I am also still working at the Vet Hospital so Gabe can have his surgery which could have been $3,000+ for considerably less. Yay for employee discounts!!! He has been limping around pretty pathetically and is soaking up all the sympathy he can get.


Tony was home for about 4 days for Thanksgiving. As usual we were busy the whole time, but still manage to squeeze in a fun date! (everyone should see "Blindside" its an awesome movie!) Benjamin may have actually spent more time with Tony than I did since I worked til midnight some of the days he was home. They had alot of fun together, Ben has been pretty upset since he left. At least we only have to wait a couple of weeks til we get to see him again.

Meet the Newest Member of Our Family

Christmas came early for the Howland, soon to be Burley, family. Benjamin, Tony and I were given an adorable 1o week old puppy by my good friend Ashley. She saved him from a nasty pound in Kentucky and thought Ben needed a puppy to grow up with. I was a little unsure at first but I figured we could give him a chance and see how it goes. He has been such a good puppy! Hasnt even had an accident in the house! I know now that i've said that im sure he will... I couldn't have asked for a better puppy for Ben. They love each other so much!! Ben likes to read him books, take him on walks around the living room, and watch him eat.

Another awesome thing about Kimber, he looks almost exactly like Gabe. He wont grow to be as big but he's definitely his mini me. Their white markings are in almost the exact same places and they even act alike! Which could be scary... lets hope he has a few more brain cells than Gabe.

Riding home from a check up at the vet.

He's been christened... Ben dropped half of his yogurt on his head

Since they were both covered in yogurt this seemed like the easiest solution

Gabe and his mini me

Thank you Ashley for giving us such an amazing gift. He couldn't be more perfect! :-D

Halloween

We started off this Halloween season by going to the Hallelujah Harvest at church. Ben picked up the concept of holding out his bag to get candy very quickly!

No Parking?!?!

Sharing his horse with Blake

Grandma and Grandpa took a quick break from volunteering to see this adorable little cowboy

"What? Im not sneaking candy..."

Riding the horse! (sorry the camera wasn't working properly)

Halloween night I took Benjamin to the Burley's to trick or treat, we ended up staying there and had a lot of fun!

"Whoa! Grandpa did you know there's candy in here! Why are you giving it away?!"

Hangin out candy with Grandma and Grandpa!

Passing out some candy

Have some candy Grandpa!

Here are some more pictures of my little cowboy taken last week.

Modern cowboys ride tricycles...right?