love having cousins!

Our kids love their cousins! It's great that a lot of them are so close too. Every week we have a "sister lunch" and all the kids get so excited to play with their cousins (minus Donovan and Jackson who are bummed they are in school and miss all the fun). Our kids also can't wait for their summer trips to Virginia so they can see more of their cousins. I'm happy that our kids will always have good, fun, friends growing up. Right now our cousin count is 5, soon to be 6 (congratulations Brooke!) on the Marshall side and 11, soon to be 12 (are you still denying it Jill?) on the Bentley side. And the best part is that they are all close in age. Anyway, that was my rant on how much I love that our kids have lots of great cousins. I don't have any pictures of all the kids together, but my sister Kelly sent me a few from our last birthday party


This is Cambri and Nina cruising in Beckett's sweet ride.

One of the things Donovan loves most is playing video games with Jackson. Here is Donovan, Jackson, Nina, Howie and Asher.

I thought this was a funny picture of Asher. Kelly is taking this as a sign that Asher isn't ready to be potty trained. For those of you who were wondering, that is his little toilet seat!

I just liked this picture of Nina.

Score one for the boys

We had our ultrasound today and found out that we're having another boy. I have to admit, Matt and I were both a little disappointed! I am very glad I have a few more months to soak it all in and feel more excited about another boy. He was pretty cute during the ultrasound (as cute as those can be) sticking out his tongue, sucking his thumb etc. It's fun to know what to prepare for. We will start pulling out all the boy clothes and getting things ready, maybe even buy a few new things to help boost the excitement!

No more pictures

Sadly, we are without a camera until we can replace the one that was STOLEN from our house. Yes, we have joined the club of people who have had their house broken into. So here's the story:
Yesterday I was at my sister's house when I noticed I had a flat tire. I don't know how to change a flat tire so I called Matt and he came over after school to try to fix it (thanks Adam for fixing it) but ended up taking us home. I walked into the house and noticed that our backdoor was wide open. I thought that was a little weird because we never leave it open (especially when it's 15 degrees out) so I walked a little closer to check it out when I saw tons of glass all over the floor. Our backdoor had a glass window thing on the top half. Someone tried to pry the door open with a shovel, but ended up breaking the glass to get in. Then they totally trashed our bedroom, dumping out all the drawers and leaving papers and clothes everywhere. They took our digital camera, my jewelry, Matt's birthday money, our passports and my high school State Basketball ring. At least that's all we think they took. Everything else looked undisturbed. It stinks thinking about it!!!! So anyway, until we get our tax return or something, I won't have any pictures to post. Sad! But that's the short of the story!

119 nights and counting

It has been 119 nights in a row that I have been woken up at least one time by at least one child. Do you know when this count started? Seriously, the night after we found out that we were having another baby. I appreciate the kids trying to help prepare us for the sleepless nights of a new baby, but come on! A few of my personal favorites:
Howie - (the main culprit who wakes up 1-3 times a night crying that he's cold since his covers fell off him. He doesn't think he can pull them back up by himself) Anyway, after waking up 2 times already one night, I hear him again, this time crying for chocolate, over and over again. The other night he started crying for cupcakes. These sweet dreams are killing me.
Donovan - earlier this month yelling "mommy" every 2 hours. When I went in his room, each time he told me I forgot to get him water for his coughs. When I told him thank you for helping me get ready for the new baby, he said, "I didn't do anything to help you yet."
Nina - last night starts yelling/crying "throw up". Sure enough, I go in and for the 3rd night in a row, she is completely covered in puke. Hair, clothes, wall, carpet, crib, blankets - all soaked. Gross, I know. So I give her a bath, change her sheets, scrub walls and crib, put her blankets and pj's in the washer, put her in new pj's and get ready to put her back in bed when she throws up again all over her clean clothes. An hour later I get back in bed.

And to think, I probably have another year of interrupted sleep headed my way. Can't wait!

The Guitar Hero Band

It looks like we found the new activity of choice for all the brothers-in-law. Zach and Kelly introduced it to the rest and it was an instant hit. I thought I had a picture of Zach, but I guess I was wrong. Sorry Zach, those sunglasses your were wearing were awesome though. Matt is the shameless lead singer and those who know him will find this an appropriate fit. Ben and Zach are excellent on the guitar and Adam carried the band on the drums. They were hilarious! Sadly, the video I took came out way too dark. I'm sure I'll get a chance to record them again.

Ice Fishing

So I had to go ice fishing again before the end of winter break. Headed up to a place called Antero Reservoir where some big trout were reportedly being caught. First fish of the day I hooked into was also the biggest of the day. It was 16 inches and a stout 2 lbs. Trout fillets for dinner were very yummy. The ice auger Janelle got me for Christmas was a perfect gift. If anyone wants to go ice fishing with me let me know and I'll take you out. Enjoy the pics!

Through the hole and onto the ice.

Had to bring this one home to show the kids and eat for dinner.

Pink meat was very tasty.