Happy Birthday Benson!

My little guy turned one this week! We had a little party for him the following weekend, but on his actual birthday I wanted him devour a little cupcake and open a present. Benson wasn't feeling well, but I was bound and determined to get that photo with cake smeared all over his face. So...I set to work. And when the big moment came...it was a disaster. We tried everything--putting a taste of it in his mouth, smashing the cake with his hand, but he would have none of it. So...I decided to give up on the photo for that day because I was sure I could get it that weekend. But, the weekend party came and again he refused the cake--I was so sad.

I was telling a wise friend of mine about my birthday photo sadness. She is a 70-year old lady and she said that when I am her age flipping through photo albums I won't give much thought to the picture perfect moments, but it's the ones with the stories behind them that will be most meaningful to me. I feel better about Benson's first birthday! Thanks Sister French!

So here are our meaningful moments! Benson took very little part in destroying this cupcake.

And again at the weekend party, he simply stared with disgust!

But, the party was fun! There are 3 other families in our ward that have little ones born within just a few days of Benson so we did a joint birthday. Look at their cute little onesies with their names on the back--and the matching bibs!

Dan found his hidden talent--balloon art!

Benson's 1st Christmas!

We spent Christmas with the Foster's this year in Dallas! We had the whole family together (except Russ)! It was great fun!

Benson wasn't the biggest fan of Santa! In fact--he was terrified. Poor kid!

But, the older guys seemed to get along with Santa better!Christmas morning with his cousin Cierra.

All the cousins on Christmas morning! Benny doesn't want to be grouped with the girls. Bowling after Tricia returned home from her mission! Welcome home Tricia!

December

For Christmas card photos we put the digital camera on a card table in our backyard and set it to the timer setting. :) I wouldn't recommend this method! Benson found something interesting to look at in every direction, except towards the camera! We were finally able to get 1 picture with him looking in the right direction! This was the best we could come up with! I'll have someone take our photos next year! But do notice the tiny smidgen of snow on the fence--I thought it very appropriate to take advantage of the only day it snowed all year for our Christmas card photo! A Baptist church in the area puts on a drive-thru live re-enactment of the life of Christ at Christmas time. It was really good! They gave us hot chocolate and a candy cane at the entrance and we turned our radios to the station playing live music within the church. The cutest part was when the children's choir finished their song a little boy said loud and clear into the microphone, "Can I go to the bathroom yet?" I don't think they meant to put that on the radio! :) As we entered we were given a CD narrating the scenes. They started with Isaiah prophesying of Christ and went all the way through to His Ascension. They even had real Zebras and Camels, and the Guards to Bethlehem drove between the cars on horses. Really well done!

Happy 3rd Anniversary to us! Dan loves me--he told me in blocks! I love him too!

Fun Times

We have had two months of play! They started with Dan's work trip to Africa, which gave me an excuse to go play in Ohio with my mom and dad. I had two weeks of tutelage by the project queen! It was great fun!


Then a couple weeks later for Thanksgiving, my parents came to see our new home in Houston! Grandma and Grandpa Erickson came down too! It was wonderful! We went sightseeing around Houston and showed them our stomping ground.



Then we went to San Antonio for a couple days. We saw several of the missions, including the Alamo. They had a boat parade along the River Walk to kick-off the Christmas season that was really cool.

Restaurant we ate at in San Antonio. Check out all the Christmas lights on the ceiling!