Bennett is 9!

We had the best time celebrating Bennett this week.

The boys were home on his birthday because it was a teacher work day, and Michael was home because of some his annual meeting in Dallas the next day, so it just felt like the stars aligned for us to have a Bennett day! He always has cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and we had tacos at Torchy's for lunch. Michael made him sourdough bread bowls for dinner to go with some clam chowder. We really don't know why clams are so involved with our birthdays around here.

Conference weekend was great. The trim in Westin and Bennett's room is done and their furniture is all moved back in -- such a milestone! It felt so good to put at least one room back together upstairs. Michael left for Dallas on Saturday and will be home on Monday night. We had a really nice conference weekend at home together.

Ran out of sticky notes, so my planning had to happen with painters tape.
Doesn't feel as professional.

Battens up!

Furniture back in and at this point I just wanted to throw all their stuff away and keep it this clean forever...

Preschool pumpkin patch field trip with Asher.
I love watching kids pick a pumpkin. So sweet.

He loved the hay ride.

The animals at the patch were a big hit,
especially the pigs.

This pumpkin blew Asher's mind.

Birthday cinnamon rolls!
Bennett is pretty consistent with this birthday breakfast order :)

We love this guy so much.

Torchy's for birthday lunch.
Felt so lucky to have a teacher work-day and dad off on Bennett's birthday!
Just felt like a Bennett-day holiday.

Blankets and word bowl snacks ready for conference.

Daily stops for dandelion gifts.

I love when all 5 of us come on the walk.

Conference playdough

Westin could have any seat in the house and he picks right in front of me haha.
I love that he loves us.

Such cute guys!

Tucking in a Halloween guy for bed :)

Camden is SIX

 We spent the final few days of Miner time playing games, going to the Aquarium, seeing Tanya and Gracie, and just having fun watching the cousins be all together. I was getting nostalgic looking at big sweet Jaren and tiny Isaac and Annie and just thinking how crazy it is to see little babies become big, wonderful people. These cousins are lucky to have the examples they have and what I really love about family is that age has now impact on the friendships and connections. The big cousins are so sweet to the little cousins. I just love them all so much.

 We made it home in time to get settled back in, and go to Coyote Ridge for a fun ranger talk about wolves. The city volunteers that run those talks are always so sweet and the boys love them. Especially when s'mores are involved!

On Saturday, we woke up with a SIX-YEAR-OLD Camden! How can it be! He has been SO excited for his birthday. And the day was the most birthday-filled day he could have, with it landing on a summer Saturday.

French toast and sausage on the Blackstone for breakfast. Games and playing. Steamed mussels and crab legs for lunch (his request). A trip downtown with mom and dad to spend some birthday money at the toy store. Pizza at the pool with the Baileys, Schmidts, Behunins, and Gregorys. A lemon cake made by Westin.

Just a good, good day.

We love Camden so much. He says the FUNNIEST things that catch us off guard all the time. He brings the good time to our good times. He remembers everyone's name and is so people-focused. He's super smart and teaching him to read has been really fun -- he's just kind of a textbook learner, where Westin and Bennett both learned to read very differently in their own way. He has been the sweetest big brother to Asher and he loves babies and toddlers. He lives to be outside on the street with the neighborhood crew and cannot wait until it's time for him to go to Shepardson with the big bros for Kindergarten.

Camden is a wonderful soul, and I'm beyond grateful he's ours.

Sweet little Isaac!
Babies change way too fast. I just soak up my visits with them.

The crew at the aquarium.

Camden loves Annie's age, he's so cute with toddlers.
He's always telling me how cute they are and funny things they say or do.

Penguins foreeeever.

Like I said, big cousins little cousins -- so cute.

Hungry Hungry Hippos, a classic.

Twin sunglasses!
My dad had been admiring Michael's sunglasses for a while and we all went in on a pair for him for Christmas. He feels pretty cool in them and he should :) haha such a cute guy.

Adults made it out for dinner one night and that was a highlight.

Oreos and milk after family pictures -- we're not above bribing the children.

We tried some skipping trend that supposedly gives you good candid photos but we'll never know if that's true because we failed at it and laughed sooooo much instead.

In his road trip element.

We did a ranger talk and s'mores night out at coyote ridge where we learned all about wolves.
It made me extra motivated to get out to Yellowstone soon and try to see some!

Ready for that birthday morning!

Camden is SIX, how!?

A summer Saturday birthday is a pretty good deal.
Fly High was first on his list.

Steamed mussels and crab legs for lunch,
because our boys are so funny and for some reason they think that's a birthday meal.

They totally love it. Well, 3/4... Westin was grateful for the side of parmesan pasta :) 

Camden got some birthday money from Grandma and Grandpa and wanted to go downtown to pick out a new stuffed animal. Initially he thought he wanted a horse, but then he saw...

...this guy! Wolfie had to come home with us and he's very loved.

Then we headed to the pool for a party and quite a few friends were able to come by and eat pizza and cake with us.

Such a sweet guy. Goofy, thoughtful, compassionate.
Fun, considerate, smart. Helpful, discerning, turning a little stubborn.
He's just so great.

Watching Anthon's farewell talk!
We were all wishing we were in La Canada that day. We love him so much.

Westin memorized all the summer scriptures for Doctrine and Covenants and earned his BIG cookie.
He's such a pro at memorization.