Dennis and Jen Benjamin

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Don & Jenny's visit our house!

Thursday evening through Tuesday morning, Don, Jenny & girls stayed at our house. We had a wonderful time with them. Luckily for us, it was Labor Day weekend, so we had Monday off to spend with them too. We kept quite busy, Thursday evening Ava and I went to the park, we chatted, had a campfire and chatted some more. Friday evening we went to supper with them and some other friends and had another campfire. Saturday, we went to the air museum in McMinnville to see an IMAX show, to the market and then us girls went to the mall so I could get Ava her late birthday present. Sunday, we spent the day at Boring another wonderful day. Monday we hung out at home and Jenny & I got a pedicure! We had Pedginski's over for supper and then visited for most of the evening. We really enjoyed having our friends stay with us for a long time!

Dennis and Ava being silly

Jaina wanted to be a part of the action

Taking time to stop and smell the roses on the way to the park

Ava loves to swing!

On the teeter totter

Sliding

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Don & Jenny's visit - convention

We are so happy that Don, Jenny & their adorable girls came to visit us. They flew in on August 21st and I picked them up from the airport. When Ava saw me, she ran with open arms, jumped into my arms and said very loudly "Jen, I missed you!!!" I think there were lots of smiles on faces around us. We drove out to Boring convention and were there for the rest of the week. Wonderful days there. Jenny's birthday was Sunday of convention so of course we had to have a little celebration! Here are some pictures from convention this year:

Jaina and her sweet, mischievous smile!

I love this picture. It sort of shows Jaina's busy-ness. She is constantly moving. So many pictures that I took of her were blurry because of her constant movement. She certainly keeps those around her on their toes ...

Dennis holding Ava

Dennis holding Ava at Boring 2 years ago. She was 2 in this picture!

Ava is levitating!

She's going higher!

Happy 30th birthday, Jenny! So happy we could celebrate with you!

The small gathering for Jenny's party.

Sweet Jaina again!

I love this picture of Ava. As you'll see in the next several pictures of her that I post, she is constantly posing. These sweet girls of our friends have brought us so much joy and laughter in the past couple of weeks. We are thankful for our wonderful friends!

Brice and Danielle Cloyd's wedding!

Saturday, August 10th, Dennis and I headed to Grants Pass for Brice and Danielle Cloyd's wedding. We had a great time during our short time there. When we got into Grants Pass it was pouring rain so hard that we wanted to buy some rain gear at Wal Mart. We got absolutely soaked going from our car into the store! Once we returned to our car - I realized that I had forgotten to get some items so had to brave the rain again! We then went to dinner with some good friends and hurriedly got ready for the wedding. Their wedding was an evening one - and beautiful! The weather cleared up and it was really nice watching two exchange vows with one another. We spent the night in Grants Pass Saturday night and headed home on Sunday. It was a quick trip but very nice trip.

Brice the handsome groom

Danielle with her dad

Danielle looked radiant this day!

I think this was right after Danielle pointed at Brice and said "I can't wait to have kids with you." - a hilarious moment from their ceremony

Of course a picture of the kiss

The cake and cupcakes

The menu

Decorating their car - lots of balloons.

Brice & Danielle, it was awesome to witness your wedding day. We hope that your marriage is one full of love, laughter and good times. Even through the difficult times, remember back to this day and the love you had for each other.

A side note: I made their wedding presents. I had a lot of fun making these - anyone want to place a custom order?

Mr. and Mrs. Pillows

A close up of the Mr. and Mrs. pillows. I think that I need to make some for our bed!

Monday, August 5, 2013

Saisha Kate Jones

This past weekend, Dennis and I went to Boise to meet our new niece, Saisha. When I knew that Eric & Lenora were expecting a girl, I was excited. When we received the text message at 1:45 am announcing her arrival, then another text with a picture attached at 2:16 am - I knew I loved her. And when I got to see her and hold her for the first time - well, I cannot describe how much love I have for this little, tiny, helpless, adorable, precious niece of mine. Both Dennis and I were so enthralled by her ... it was so super hard to come home. I'll try to limit the pictures I post ... I took over 100! :)

Dennis and Saisha talking

She's so tiny in D's arms

Jon & Tamara came by for a visit

Yawn! All this attention is exhausting!

Cute newborn face

Even Jon got to hold her!

My turn to talk with Saisha!

TOES!

Another cute newborn facial expression

Dennis holding Saisha on Sunday

Lloyd loves his grand-daughter!

Saisha's first family photo with everyone in the Lloyd & Jenny family there! Looking forward to more!

Saisha, I am looking forward to watching you grow. I am excited that you are in our family and sure hope that you have a love for ice cream, shopping, and talking to your Auntie Jen a lot! I love you so much already.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

August Already?

I simply cannot believe that it is August already. When I said that I hoped July would just fly by - I didn't mean for it to go as fast as it did. It seems like it was JUST 4th of July and now July is over! However, August is going to be full of time spent with some wonderful friends, fellowship and provide beautiful memories! I cannot wait!

August 2-4 will find us in Boise, ID meeting, holding and spoiling our first niece. I am so excited to be an Auntie and even more excited to have a niece. I know I would have (and will) love nephews ... however I am looking forward already to girl talks, shopping trips, etc when beautiful Saisha gets older!

August 9-11 will find us in Grants Pass, OR witnessing vows between two of our friends. I don't remember the last time we were at a wedding. It will be very nice and I am looking forward to a night in a hotel room!

August 16-18 will find us in Mt. Vernon, WA for a weekend of convention. It'll be nice to get back up to Milltown and see people up there, family included that we know.

August 21st our wonderful friends Don, Jenny, Ava & Jaina will fly into Portland and we will get to see them again!!! It's been a while and we are both looking forward so much to seeing them!

August 21-25 we'll be at Boring convention. And, Jenny's birthday is then too! We'll have fun celebrating!

Then August 29-Sept 3rd we'll have Don, Jenny, Ava & Jaina with us here in our house. They have never been INSIDE our house before, but they have gotten to peek in the windows. They moved before we got the keys!

During our time with them, I am planning on taking Ava to the Build-A-Bear workshop for her late birthday present from us. Jenny and I are planning on getting a pedicure, we'll have camp fires, smores, wonderful chats, laughs and make memories that will last a lifetime!

Between now and August 21st - I have several projects to work on - make some things / toys for Ava & Jaina that'll hopefully keep them somewhat occupied during meetings - make Jenny's birthday present - bake cookies (somehow that one has just slipped my mind for the past month) ...

I'm sure that in September I will have loads of pictures to post on my blog - but I think for now, I am going to sign off until then.

Happy August and hope yours is great - I know ours will be!