Dear Pregnant Lisa,

Please stop swelling. If you could avoid gaining any more weight, I would also appreciate it. It would make Postpartum Lisa so happy. Also if you could make time go faster, that would be great.

Thanks,
A very tired mom who just returned from a crazy 3 day road trip to California and can't feel her legs because they are so numb and swollen she wants to die.

Benson is 4?!

(My boys racing on their bikes . . . Benson got the Spiderman bike and helmet for his birthday. Keith is riding his old tricycle. Can you believe he fits on that thing?)

I still can hardly stand the fact that my little Benson is four years old already. After attending my little brother's farewell (even though they aren't farewells anymore), I dread my little man growing up even more. Even Kindergarten scares me to death. I just want him to stay home and snuggle me forever.

Benson is so much fun. He is a very sweet boy. He is very polite. He tells me at least 10 times a day that he loves me. He loves his little brother and can't wait for his next little brother to come. He wants to name the new baby Tiger or Elephant. He never ever stops talking and his dad is his hero. He loves birthdays and was so excited that it was his turn to have a birthday. He is a little fish in the swimming pool and loves to dive to the bottom of the pool for toys. He loves golfing with his dad and brother. He can now buckle himself into his seat, write a "B", ride a bike with training wheels, do a flip on the beanbag chair in our basement, and he is trying to be reverent in Sunbeams. I am so grateful he was my firstborn. He is a great first child and leader to our family. I know he will be a good example for his little brothers.

We had a fish out of water party for Benson. Basically we played water games, ate a fish cake (Benson requested I make a fish cake), ate "fish sandwiches" and had a grand old time with 10 four and five year olds. I was so grateful that some moms stayed. And that my sister Mari was so helpful (she was the photographer, among other things). Keith too. Especially considering that I get tired just getting up from a chair. Here are some pictures of the festivities that are out of order, but I am much too tired to care.

Eating the cake with their fingers.

The struggling fish cake.

So happy to be four.

Water balloon chaos.

The star of the show.

Water guns!

We went to dinner and the arcade that night to celebrate as a family. I didn't take any pictures, but we had a blast. We love you Benson. You are such a good boy.

Interruption of Vacation Posts . . .

The rest of our trip pictures didn't transfer correctly from Keith's computer to mine, and I keep forgetting to get them . . . so hopefully I don't complete forget what happened during the Washington part of our trip.

Also, my current camera is having some technical difficulties, so any pictures from my Benson's 4 year old Birthday Bash are stored on my sister's camera who has the cord to upload them at her house.

So, here is a pictureless and boring post that only I will care about most likely.

1. Today is our six year wedding anniversary. It is the first anniversary of the actual date, Friday the 13th. Life with Keith is so good. I love that guy. I would choose him over and over again.

2. Benson turned four on Tuesday. Apparently once you turn four, you are allowed to speak in a whiny voice. I wish someone had warned me.

3. Benson really is the best kid on the planet, how could I complain about him? But whining . . . why?

4. I am about 28 or so weeks pregnant. To be honest, I quit keeping track because it just makes me mad that it isn't happening fast enough.

5. I am sooooo not ready to have another baby and yet dying to have him come at the same time. Nothing about his room is organized, which makes me feel like a real loser and I know I need to do it soon because the energy levels are draining fast.

6. I literally haven't craved a thing this pregnancy. And when I think about this baby boy I feel happy. I am hoping this means that this baby will be happy.

7. I really wish Keith and I could agree on a name.

8. I think my butt thinks that it is pregnant. It is the same size as my watermelon belly.

9. My dr. appointments are every two weeks now. I love this stage, it makes you actually feel like the baby is going to come out at some point.

10. When pulling out old baby clothes, I found a bib and started bawling. Am I really going to have to feed another child baby food? Griffin is only 2 1/2 and I feel like I am starting over.

11. I love the summer but am craving September something fierce. I think September is the best month.

12. The worst part about being pregnant is going to church and being asked every week if I am due yet. I know I am HUGE, but seriously I still have at least 2 1/2 months.

13. My brother's mission farewell is this weekend. He was 13 when we got married. I am so excited to see him go. Is that weird? It just feels like time and the example he will set for the three little boys at my home is priceless. I can't wait to write to him every week.

So, 13 random nothings for Friday the 13th. Off to celebrate my marriage accomplishments! Keith's parents took us to lunch today, to celebrate me joining their family! Isn't that the cutest thing you have ever heard?

Oregon Coast Adventures

We did not bring a stroller with us on this vacation, we figured we would buy a cheap one instead of hauling around one more thing. Instead, we scored and after exploring Seaside Beach, we found this beauty folded on the side of the road.

We were pretty stoked about our free stroller! It came in pretty handy exploring the crazy busy streets of Seattle. Anyway . . . my parents, brother and sister were going to join us in Oregon that night, but we had a day to explore . . . so we decided to hike.

We hiked a beautiful trail down to Ozwald Beach where we found some awesome tide pools and saw some awesome surfers who all drove Subarus. We felt out of place.

The boys got tired on the hike back, so Keith gave them a ride. I was already carrying a baby, so he opted to hold the other two.

We let the boys ride the Carousel at least 10 times. They loved it.

Soon, my family arrived and the crazy stuff began. Marianne and I had fun burying Matthew in the sand. Ella and Sophie got sick just before the trip, so Wendy and the girls didn't get to come. :( We were pretty happy that Matty came. He is the cutest kid.

Speaking of cute kids? I want to zoom in on this kids face in this picture and make wallpaper. Man, what a gorgeous kiddo eh?

This boy steered clear of the water almost the entire time. It was very very cold. He decided he liked it our last 15 minutes at the beach. I don't blame him, I thought sitting at the beach eating doritos sounded like more fun too.

Benson loved putting on his red wetsuit and frolicking in the waves with Matt. He loved playing in the water. I loved watching him, he is such a fun soon to be 4-year-old.

The only thing that would have made the trip better is if it had gotten about 60 degrees. It was freezing.

We tried several attempts at family photos while at the beach. I am not sure we got a good one, but we got some funny ones.

My cutie pie boys.

Keith grabbing the belly!

I love Benson's face in this picture.

This one may be my favorite.

We sure had fun at the Coast, I think I will spare you the details of my nervous breakdown and just leave you with happy thoughts of our trip.