September

Catch up time again! September seems so long ago. A month of big changes! We were getting settled in with our new baby after all our help had left, and at the same time, getting ready to move. 

A few weeks after Bennett was born, Rob received an opportunity for a new job in University Place with our good friend Nathan Otto. We spent a few weeks trying to decide whether to accept it or not. We were nervous about a lot of things, and wary of making such a big change right after having a baby. But, the timing was good; our lease was ending at the end of September and the owner of our house was selling, so we were going to have to move either way. We ultimately decided to take the risk and move to University Place! (The move was only about 40 minutes away from our old house, but we wanted to live close to his new job since he has long lunch breaks to come home for).

So, September was an awkward "transition" month, with Rob commuting and being gone long hours and me slowly packing and cleaning our house. We managed to do some fun things in the midst of it all, though! Here are some pictures.

We finally went to Northwest Trek in Eatonville. The boys loved the tram ride and seeing all the bears and bison and other Northwest animals!

Checking out the owl in the window of that little barn

Tiny Bennett liked this little outing

Tram ride

One night while I was talking on the phone, Collin came into our room and made our bed for us, and was SO excited to see our surprised reactions! He did this a few nights in a row and was so proud.

Elliott and Bennett

This was my favorite little church outfit for him! Two people gave him this same outfit at his baby shower (Kari and Sam) and he was perfect in it!

Hanging out

Snuggle time with Truman and Elliott. I think I took this picture to show Diana how much we love this quilt she made for us! It's our favorite.

Swaddled newborn

Collin turned 5! We filled his room with balloons, and then I woke up in the morning to the sound of him popping them with a thumb tack. He was really excited to pop all those balloons, so I guess they served their purpose!

Last balloon popped!

He insisted that he wouldn't be 5 until he blew out five candles. So, we added candles to his chocolate chip waffles with chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and sprinkles. Birthday breakfast of champions. After he blew out the candles and I told him he was 5 now, he looked down and said, "Oh, I'm too big for this shirt now."

Elliott was very distraught when I then gave him his waffle without a candle and "Happy Birthday" song. So, he got one too. Collin didn't mind sharing his spotlight.

Even though Rob was at work, he left clues for a birthday treasure hunt for the boys to do! 

Treasure found!

He chose Lego brownies for his birthday treat that evening! This boy loves Legos!

Legos, puzzles, and art stuff. . . all this kids needs.

Sweet Bennett smiles

Just a little snapshot memory of my daily life. 

Getting out of this bed of snuggly children in the morning is the hardest thing ever!

Our boys' first trip to Krispy Kreme in Tacoma one day when we went searching for a house. Little did we know this would be the first of many Krispy Kreme trips!

Bennett and Aurora

Moving adventures to follow!

August

 (But first a few July pre-Bennett pictures I forgot to post!)

Rob took the boys on a Father/Son campout at the field behind our Stake Center. He said they all had lots of fun sleeping in the tent and eating breakfast in the morning!

Morning pajama snuggles are the best.

Grandma and Grandpa came with Lindsey and her kids the week before Bennett was born. We went to the zoo together, went to a movie, and went swimming at their motel. I took no pictures except these ones of the silly string fight they had in the backyard. 

And now on to August after Bennett came home from the hospital!

We were so spoiled to have family visiting the first three weeks home from the hospital. We still can't believe that my sisters and parents were willing to travel to help take care of us all. They made us food (better than anything I usually make!), let me get out of the house, let me sleep, and helped with the big boys who were a little extra crazy with everything going on. It really made our first few weeks home a lot easier, and helped me to focus on Bennett. 

If I can end up getting Lindsey's pictures of her family while they were here, I'll add them. I didn't take many when Danielle or my parents were here either. I don't know what I would have done without help those first weeks. Bennett had a couple of appointments, I was recovering and spending a lot of time nursing, and Lindsey, then Danielle, then my parents pretty much took care of everything else. I was also really glad the boys got a chance to spend time with their aunts, grandparents, and some cousins. It was also nice that the boys got to get out a few times. Danielle took them to a movie one day, my parents took them to a beach and the Children's Museum, along with some park trips. Another highlight from when my parents were here was the chance for Rob and I to go on dates almost every night! We brought Bennett of course, but he pretty much slept the whole time. We went to Red Robin one night, walked around the mall and got a Cinnabon one night, and went to Yeti Yogurt another night. At Yeti, when we went to pay, the cashier told us that the woman who had just left had bought us a $10 gift card, for being "new parents." :) So nice!

Matching stripes

We got to see Meagan and Spencer before they flew out! 

Danielle was the baby whisperer.

Collin asked to hold Bennett whenever he got the chance.

Tummy time for everyone

Truman and Bennett

I don't remember what it was that I put on top of the fridge that Elliott wanted, but I was amused by his determination in trying to get it. 

Dogpile! (I think that's Elliott on the bottom)

This baby is just the sweetest! He has been an amazing nighttime sleeper since day one, and hardly cries.

Bennett was blessed by Rob on August 23rd. It was a special day and a wonderful blessing. We were glad so many family members and friends were able to come for it! In the circle were Bennett's dad, Grandpa Grothaus, Grandpa Grimmer, Uncle Reuben, Great Uncle Ron Berg, Nathan Otto, and Matt McMullin, and Trevor Dyer from the bishopric.

Our family with G&G Grimmer

Grimmers and Ottos

With Reuben, Dana, and baby cousin Sam

Beautiful baby boy

First family picture

G&G Grothaus

After blessing day, eveyone left and we started our first week without help. We kept things simple, didn't really make plans to go anywhere, and enjoyed getting back into real life with our new baby.

Collin is such a great helper. I took this picture one day when I asked him to sit by Bennett while I took a quick shower. He pulled up a chair and watched him the whole time. He takes his protective big brother role seriously and just adores Bennett!

Rob turned the big 30 on August 27th! He worked all day, but we celebrated in the evening with homemade biscuits and gravy for dinner and a key lime coconut cake that the boys helped me decorate. 

C,E,T

Truman and Bennett

Had to use up Rob's birthday coupon to Cold Stone! These three sure love ice cream.