Ben is Eight!

                                     Ben reading his birthday books and Kira still in her pjs!

                                   Beginning the excavation (it took over an hour for all of us)

                                                I think Ben was happy about his cake!

                                            The group, which included two neighbors.

                       This picture turned out fantastic and I was just snapping pictures in the dark!

                                           See how huge those marshmallows were?

                                   My nativity scene hair clips above and Snow White below

I'm so excited that my oldest is 8! I had no idea how difficult it would be to get him baptized! He had his Bishop interview a couple weeks ago and was approved (Phew)! But, he won't be baptized until December 18th at 6pm! So, I have lots of time to prepare? Yes, I am a little bitter. I had no idea how much time you had to give people in order to have a baptism! I mean, really, everyone knew he was turning 8, it wasn't a surprise or anything. I just assumed (wrongly, of course) that having a small ward would make it easier to get baptized! Now, I've learned my lesson, so I will know for Kira to get her approved a month and a half in advance and have it planned for a little closer to her birthday! Anyway, on to the good! Ben did fantastic in his Animal Thanksgiving Play, he said his line right on time! It's on youtube under "ilovemeinekinder" if you want to see it! At my doctor's appointment I found I had regained the five pounds that had magically disappeared the last time! I think their scale is weird, but that's my opinion! The kids were super excited to only have two days of school this week. What am I saying, we were ALL excited to only have two days of school this week! I got so much done in my time off! I was actually worried I was nesting with all I got done! I am now ready for this baby girl to come (after Finals)! I am packed, she's packed (though I've had weird dreams, so I also packed a little boy outfit, just in case). The car seat is washed and ready to use. The swing now has batteries. I have a plan to move all the furniture in the living room, so we have room for a tree and the swing. Just in case she happens to come before Christmas (I can hope, right?). I made tons of fun bows/hair clips, finished the Laudies' presents, and finished up Cecilia's blanket.  I even sold some stuff to an old friend!  I am excited for her to see what I made this week!  We enjoyed Thanksgiving with Mandy who drove all the way here. What a sweetheart! And then we enjoyed Ben's birthday. We excavated a T-Rex skeleton and then we went out and bought his favorite foods and got his hair cut! He did fantastic! I was sad about his cake, since they didn't have any cool cakes and I really didn't feel like cooking one myself! Then I forgot candles too! Ben didn't mind pretending to blow out the candles! Yesterday we got the vans cleaned along with the main floor of the house. And the kids got to roast marshmallows and hot dogs. They had a blast! Scott is such a great dad! Also on the good news front, Leah is talking pretty well!  She says, "mamaw, papaw, hi, bye, bubbles, poopies, blankie, happy, juice, ease (for please), mine, no..."  I'm very excited!  It cracks me up when she dances and when she "begs."  Now if only I can continue to keep this baby in my rapidly growing belly until after Finals!