Airport restaurant

We went to the airport restaurant in Benton. It is a neat place. We ate outside, even though it was a bit WARM. But we were easily distracted by watching the planes and they have a playground to play on while we waited for our food. 

SO excited to watch the plane take off!

Pretty standard...Noah stands up in his high chair..but this time, with good reason.

To watch a 'pay' = plane!

The food is good too! Christian was especially impressed with basket the fries came in :)

He's an observant one.

After we had finished eating, we were treated by this last plane that went up...and then swooped down in front of us to let off this smokey-like substance the whole way of the runway and went back up. 

And to further the excitement for the night..

we stopped at Twisted Cow on the way home for dessert!

Christian said, "I just can't believe we get to go to Twisted Cows!! I am so excited, I just LOVE Twisted Cows!!"

It was a good night :)

Christians comments

Phrases and/or comments Christian has said in the last several months:

Right as I get home from work..Christian greets me with "Mama!! I don't have a diaper on..or undies on...I'm going cammmmando!"

Just before bed, Noah was running up and down the hallway. Christian pipes up and tells him, "Noah...you're going faster than your little body can carry ya."

"I have a hankerin' for...."

"Well practically...."

"For instance..."

"What in the dickens..." "That really scared the dickens out of me!" "That hurt like the dickens!"

"That's incredible..."

"You better check yourself....before you wreck yourself." He came out to the laundry room one day while I was loading the washer, tilted his head to the side with a smile...and said this. I nearly busted out laughing...simply because I know he learned it from us saying it to him when he gets out of line with his attitude and sassiness. (We had to have a talk about appropriate usage of this. He is not to use this, even as a lighthearted phrase anywhere other than home.)

"You're unbelievable mommy!" (He was referencing something off of the Planes movie..however, it sounded like a sassy comeback. When he was talked to from Ben about it..he seemed genuinely innocent, as if it was a compliment. It's all in how you phrase it whether it's a good thing or not I suppose.)

Talking to Ben..he was telling him about a character he saw on Cartoon Network (he must have seen at Grandma's house). He said, "have you ever seen the character Mr. Biscuit?? He is so silly. He is on the Cartoon 'Nerwerk'." Ben asked if meant Cartoon Network. "No, Cartoon 'Nerwerk'." (followed by a long pause) "That word really tripped me up Daddy. It's Cartoon Net-Work."

"I'd rather...." (this phrase is used by FAR the most!)

"I have somethin' to tell ya...." (another phrase used A LOT!!! This is usually when he's said something that he already knows the answer to...ie 'can I have a piece of gum' or 'can we go to Grandma's house'. It is not usually something to TELL me, rather he is just trying to come up with a different way of being able to ASK for something he know he can't have right at this time!)

"Somethin' stinks! Somethin' stinks SUPER bad!" (the kid has a serious scent detector!! I guess God gave some of us better smellers than others...it's not necessarily a gift...but I must say, I understand his issue of having to endure certain scents!)

When referencing time..he is usually very extreme. It is usually, "I haven't done that in about a year mommy!" (when in reality it was one, MAYBE  two days)

He had been wanting to paint something on wood lately. I bought a wooden bird for him to paint..and he was so excited to do it. "OH Mommy...this is SO friendly of you to let me paint!"

"I just love you so much. I love you more than a show or movie. I love you more than my cars. I love you more than my legos."
(these are not all given as examples at one given time..but at random times he will say "I love you SO much" followed by an example of just HOW much he means. I must say, it makes my heart so full of joy when he gives his own example...because I KNOW just how much those things are important to him!)

There are so many more conversations that I can simply not remember...but they are crazy funny sometimes. He talks like an old man. And it isn't always what he's saying..but the way he says is just pretty funny.

Words he still says in his own way:
"Gruined" = ruined
"Bracktfast" = breakfast...there is definitely a hard T in the middle
"Critchen" = Christian
"Andies" = undies
"Root Beard" = root beer

We never know when you're going to repeat something you may have picked up along the way..it can be an hour later...or MONTHS...

 You keep us on our toes, Christian. That is for sure!

Cancun

The long awaited vacation has arrived.

Ben and I have been planning a vacation like this for quite sometime. When we got married, we honeymooned in Arkansas, which was lovely...but we said for our 5 year anniversary we'd like to go to  the beach. Five years was last year...but we decided it would be fun to go with a group of friends..and it worked for various reasons for the trip to happen this year! We bought our tickets in December...prior to knowing there was going to be a little being inside of me...but no worries...we still went, and LOVED it!

We went with three other couples..the Buzzards, the Masons, and the Yoders.

Lot of laughter and good times were had!

This was the first time since our honeymoon we have been on any form of vacation by ourselves. I don't really call serving as MYF sponsors at the youth convention a "vacation". It was very different not having the boys with us...and as I missed them..I was able to truly relax and enjoy the time away! They were in good hands with Grandpa and Grandma..having the time of their lives :)

We stayed at an all exclusive resort at Maroma Beach. It was lovely. We were waited on by such nice people...and given these wonderful cold, damp, good smelling washcloths to cool ourselves off while sitting by the beach/pool...and fed food whenever we wanted...and had no major agenda other than to relax. And that it what we did.

 I took naps in the afternoon on the beach. Naps! Ahhh...it was lovely.

We alternated between the pool and the beach. Overall, we were in the pool more.

This was at the seafood restaurant one evening.

One afternoon, while we all were napping...we were the only ones out by the beach. It started to get overcast, so we thought we would go to Playa del Carmen. We didn't maybe realize how far it was...it ended up being QUITE a bit of a walk. We walked to the main highway (which was probably a 30 minute walk, via a jungle-like scenery AND feeling of humid-ness)...then we "caught" a bus that was heading in that direction...which dropped us off again along the highway, and we walked to the center of the town...I don't even know how many blocks that was...a lot. We went to a few of the stores...got what we wanted, and then it was time to head back. I was more than a little concerned our friends would think we just vanished..seeings that we didn't tell them we were going..and I thought we were going to be back in like an hour! We walked, and walked, and walked.....thank God Ben speaks Spanish. We were told, a couple blocks this way to the bus station (make that 6 blocks)...then at the bus station, "this isn't what you need...you need the van...a couple blocks this way" (make that several more blocks)...then at the vans that had VERY AUTHENTIC citizens literally hanging out of them they said, "no, not these...you need the other vans..a couple blocks that way"..it was at this point, I was done! I told Ben, I don't care how much a taxi costs, if I see one, we are getting it!!! Well, of course, as we walked ONE more block, we saw the right van that was supposed to take us. And they pile the people in until they are full! Luckily, there was a nice young man that was sitting next to Ben and he told the driver where we wanted off. It was funny how it took about 25 minutes to get down there...and only 15 or so to get back! We walked the final stretch to the hotel...ahhhh....but wait, we locked our key inside our room :( It was an experience!

It all worked out, and within an hour we were dressed and ready for supper.

We went to bed right after supper...we didn't get finished until 10 or so. And after another FULL night sleep..ahhhh...I was up early enough for the sunrise. So we walked down to the beach to watch it!

We ate breakfast (I always got a crepe with fruit) :).... and then relaxed by the pool. 

I normally would not have been awake that early, but it was nice just to rest whenever.

This was the "swimout pool" outside of our rooms. All 4 of our rooms were next to each other, so we shared this pool. It was quite handy. 

On Saturday, our last day there, the chefs from all the restaurants bring out food to the pool area. (There was a poolside grill that had buffet style food that we got every other day) It was pretty neat to see them all go around with their various foods..and the one got in the water on a kayak to serve mini cheeseburger sliders.

The group!

Our last evening we ate at the Japanese place, where they make the food in front of you. It was our favorite.

 We had such a good time.

I am a lucky lady to get to go with this guy! 

I'm sure we won't go on another trip like this in quite some time...but it was sure fun while it lasted.

And I am so thankful for Mom and Dad...for watching the boys, so we could have a peace of mind in just going and completely relaxing!!

Adios Cancun :)

Christian [5 Years Old]

Christian at 5 Years Old...

You are 3 ft 7 1/2 inches tall...and weigh 38 lbs.

You wear size 4-5 in shirts...and can still fit into 18 month shorts (but they are too short!), so you wear 3T shorts. However, in pants you need 5T for the length. You are thin and long!!

Your favorite toys to play with are:

cars, monster trucks, the cardboard brick blocks, planes, Legos, silly putty, a shovel (to dig in the dirt), strings to "hook" things up with, and pulleys/levers.

Your favorite movies:

Cars, Planes, Fire & Rescue Planes, Frozen

You do not like anything remotely scary...or even knowing the "bad/sad" parts bothers you..

so we don't watch very many.

Your favorite shows:

Paw Patrol (at Grandma's house), Pocoyo, and a variety of PBS shows (it is a treat to get to watch "shows")

Things you like to play outside:

Swing, ride your bike, dig in the dirt/sand, soccer, and find worms

Things you like to play inside:

Wii (you LOVE when you get to do this), kinetic sand, paint

Foods you like (this list is way easier than the foods you dislike!):

Hamburgers (plain, ketchup ONLY!!), french fries, frozen stick yogurt, flat pancakes, MLC (you named this for meat-lettuce-chip) sandwich, pizza, haystacks, meatballs, baked oatmeal, carrots, apples, pineapple, grapes, corn on cob (although not consistent), Grandma's noodles, and CEREAL (you usually change your "favorite" about every other month).

Names:

You refer to yourself as "Critchen". 

You know how to spell your first name by yourself. Somehow your nickname is "Squirt" and you've decided we all have nicknames. Daddy= Oool' Daddy (said in a southern way) Mama= Snookem's Noah= Twinkle Toes

Your personality:

You are very strong willed, and have an incredible amount of determination. I am hoping one day this really proves to be a beneficial trait. Currently, this makes our role as parents a bit challenging in certain areas. You are very opinionated on certain topics: clothing and food are the hardest ones.

You KNOW what you want to wear, and if it is "fancy" for no reason, that is a problem (according to you)! You have recently gotten better about picking your own "fancy" clothes out for church and/or other events we explain require more than play clothes...but other times it is a STRUGGLE to get you to cooperate. Sometimes the things you pick out, are not necessarily what I would call "matching"...you often put a striped shirt with plaid shorts that don't have the same colors...but you give it a solid effort..so we let it go for certain things. And for several weeks, you decided it was "fancy" to wear your cowboy boots with your dress shorts to church...I never did argue with this one...I actually think you look kinda cute like this.

As far as food goes..you are just pretty picky. It is one of those things I am hopeful you will grow out of...and probably one day I will be saying how you eat everything in the house. We are not there yet. To even get you to "try" a bite of something new is a big ordeal most of the time. I must say, in the last couple months you have been somewhat better...so perhaps as a five year old, your taste buds will mature..or your attitude about trying it at least. 

You are also very sweet. You are sensitive. You take things literally and believe what people tell you. You give the best "good morning hugs" to me and greet Daddy when he comes home with a very excited "DADDY!!!!" accompanied by a running hug! When someone is hurt, you are sympathetic and want to kiss it to make it feel better...or are quick to get one of "your super cool bandaids" if it involves bleeding. If an adult asks to have one of your treats (i.e. candy or food that is extra special) you usually willingly offer them some, even though they are usually kidding. You even do this with Noah..which surprises me every time...because you LOVE your sweets! You are very expressive with your thanks for gifts, especially at Christmas and your birthday. It is so fun to watch. However,  you said so innocently, "would anyone else like to give me a present?" after opening several gifts on your birthday. Maybe being humble isn't always your forte...but you are fairly quick to recognize the correction of saying thank you or not expecting something when its a gift. You are a very good big brother. The expected arguments and conversations happen routinely...but you truly love your brother(s). Lately, you want to hold Noah...which he isn't always so keen of. And you talk often of how you will love and hold the baby brother when he comes. You like to feel him move and talk to my belly.

You are smart. (I am certainly biased.) Your vocabulary never ceases to amaze me in how you put together sentences or make sense of words in a way an old man does. You have a crazy good memory...almost too good. And equally, crazy good hearing. Conversations can take place that are should be above your interest level...and you maybe don't chime in right away...but hours or days later will bring up the conversation you overheard and talk about it. We have been reading chapter books lately, and you love them. You have a good imagination and are an active listener, asking appropriate questions so you stay engaged. Along with this, you LOVE when Grandpa and Daddy tell you stories at bedtime. You remember them...and talk about them days/months later. You are teaching yourself how to spell things out. We have not encouraged much in the way of doing this, so you won't be bored during preschool...but you are good at sounding things out yourself, and ask questions. Obviously, we don't avoid the questions...but it is impressive how you instinctively have done this over the summer. You like guidance, as far as instructions when it comes to building with Legos...but you can build and create some pretty neat things using other toys. You really like to use pulleys, some invented by you..and others are made with that intention. You are also good at singing...and again you have a good memory with songs. You also have an opinion on what kind of music we listen to...it changes, but you have an opinion. I particularly enjoy watching you "bust a move" when rhythmic songs come on...its hilarious.

You are a child of God. I love how you love to hear Bible stories. And like with other stories..you remember them. You know about Jesus, you know that He came and died on the cross for us...and you know that one day when you die you will go to Heaven and meet Him there. I know you know this, because you have told me. It gave me a very odd feeling the first time you brought up, "when I die" I will go to Heaven conversation. I obviously would be completely crushed if this happened...but to know you have an understanding of Jesus and why He came to this Earth is pretty remarkable. Listening to your "child-like faith" talk and questions is my devotion most days..as it challenges me to understand my faith better.

You are an amazing five year old Christian. I am certain you make this world a better place by being in it. Your smile and laughter is truly contagious. "I love you all the way up to space!!" (as you often tell me) and then some. Thank you for being the boy you are. I am so grateful to be your mama!

It's Birthday Day!

Happy Birthday Christian!

Five years old...my goodness.

For his birthday, I asked him what he would like for breakfast...he excitedly responded with, "Rice Krispies!!" (He really knows how to go all out...but he does love cereal!) Instead, Grandpa surprised us with donuts..so that was a special treat :)

I had asked him if he wanted to some friends over to play for his birthday...he named, Owen.

They had quite the time together!

They played soccer. Noah was the goalie.

A mighty cute goalie. (that lasted for about 30 seconds)

They just played and played...and talked and talked.

Lunch time...

And of course dessert...left over ice-cream "worm cake".

He went to Grandpa and Grandma's to swim in the afternoon.

When they brought him back, Grandpa put up a birthday present for him...a pulley for his tree house!

Then Grandpa and Grandma H., Sam, Great Grandpa and Grandma Hershberger, and Great Grandpa John came over for supper.

We had haystacks..a favorite of Christian's.

Rice Krispie Treats were his request for dessert instead of a real cake!

 With Grandpa and Grandma H.

With the Grand Grandparents

Giving his birthday thank you hugs!

Trying out his new ball and glove with Uncle Sam.

Phil and Ben up in the tree house.

A few more final throws before the party was over.

We had a very full day Christian. I just can't hardly believe you are 5 already.

You are a very special boy, and we are so blessed to have you as our son.

Hope you have an awesome next year :)

Deck [finished]

Ben completed the deck.

The long step is in place...the concrete that was was the formerly known back door step is covered..it got sanded..and then stained!

He stained it two different colors. A lighter stain for the main part, the boards that ran horizontal...and a darker stain for the ones that ran vertical. I really like the look.

Ta-da!! 

Another job well done Ben!