Harvest time

It's harvest time yet again, I can't believe it is upon us!  I have to say, I love this time of year; the smell in the air and how family seems to come together!  It brings back the memories of my childhood on my grandparents almond ranch and the great family dinners at the end of the day!  Family is a word that is dear to my heart and what your family needs you do, what ever that might be; and this time of the year Papa needs workers.  I have a whole brood of workers waiting to be trained up the ways of the ranch!  Aidan was all over it this year, racking up a storm and Uncle Larry said he drove the tractor all by himself!  Ethan on the other hand was also wanting to help, just not as proficient at the driving and racking; but he insisted he was, "a work man"!

Uncle Matt and Aunty Brooke brought Caleb, Cora, and Adelaide and you had so much fun with your cousins! shile we were in the orchard Ethan and Cora were playing with branches and you told Cora that she, "had to do it like a cowboy", as you twirled it around like a lasso. The boys were all over harvest and the girls were as well but they got side tracked by playing house, and exploring the cows and pasture. When Adalaide needed a break Aidan walked her in to the house like a good older cousin.  He told me later that he danced with her and spun her around in circles to the music of the portable piano of Grammies'.

By the end of the day Ethan's shirt said it all, they were all dirt magnets, covered in dirt and dust from head to toe; but oh the fun in getting that dirty!  I was pretty impressed with the munchkins and convinced that it would only be a few years until Papa really did have a new work crew.  Uncle Larry said that Aidan drove a whole row all by himslef and even turned the corner without a hitch.  And as for Ethan, he was all questions on his ride with Uncle Larry, he had to know how everything worked and what everything was; too cute!  Love, Love, Love Harvest!!!!

One, Two, Three Strikes You're Out!

It was a beautiful night for a ball game, and this year we got to take all three munchkins to the Ag Night Grizzlies game.  It was Ethan's first baseball game and he was beyond excited, and to top it off we got to sit with our cousins.  I think that Ethan would have been happy with the whole row in front of us.  He climbed down there and proceeded to explore and climb into each seat in the row, so proud every time he propped himself into the seat.  So cute!

Mikyla was attached to Cora, or was it Cora who was attached to Mikyla; I'm not sure but they were inseperatable, holding hands and having the best time.  When the cotten candy man came around she HAD to have some but after some convincing an ice cream cone was as good of a substitute as any.  We were having so much fun and before we knew it, it was 8:30 and we still hadn't rode any of the rides.  Oh, didn't I mention they have added a bunch of fair rides to one side of the park.

Aidan wasn't having anything to do with the normal mary-go-round, that was, "for babies!"  He wanted a spn on the faris wheel, so after waiting in line for what seemed like forever we were on.  Daddy, me the three munchkins and Cora.  Let me preface this with the fact that I am not afraid of hieghts but this ride had opening on either side of where we sat which seemed like they were just waiting for one of the little ones to fall out.  Needless to say, I was nervous beyond belief and it was probably because of this that the ride seemed to go on forever.  With every move that one of the kids made my heart skipped a beat!!!  We will NOT be doing that ride again, no discussion needed.  Even with the heart palpitations it was a great night with Uncle Matt, Aunty Brooke and the cousins, bring on the ball games!

Another Excuse For Love!

Happy Valentine's Day for the Beenes!  Some cynical people would say that this holiday is generated by the greeting card industry.  But really, it should be a reminder to spread the joy in your heart every day.  That feeling when you held your baby in your arms for the first time, when you bite into that perfect bite of chocolate cheesecake, that kiss on your wedding day knowing your could repeat it for a lifetime.  I need to remember that love should be shared year round, everyday, and never forget how precious it is to have.

Well, getting ready for this glorious day was important for Aidan.  You had a project from school to make a Valentine's box, and oh what a box it was.  It took me giving you some ideas, secretly I think I was more excited about the craft project than you were, but we made a great robot box.  You then got crack a lacking on your Valentines for all your classmates.  I love my little organizer, you are so funny to watch and see your mind working.  Everything has it's purpose and place with you, it makes me smile to see that little bit of Mommy coming out in you.

Working hard on those Valentines.

"Feed Me Valentines" Aidan's finished box!

This morning you got heart shaped pancakes for breakfast, and you found some Valentine's goodies left for you from Grandma and Nono and Mommy and Daddy, and a lovely card from Grammy and Papa.  We had a coffee klatch date at Miss Katie's house and Valentines for Jenna and Laura.  Aidan was so upset, as he always is when we go to Laura's house, but he complained even more today.  He heard me say that Mikyla wasn't going to get to have a snack at Laura's house without finishing her breakfast.  Aidan said, " That is sooo not fair, you get to have snacks too!  I never get to do anything fun."  I couldn't tell you if he realized that he was going to have a big Valentine's Day party at school with candy, cookies and all sorts of goodies.  Sometimes I think that it's just the idea of being left out of someone else's fun that makes us forget about the fun that will be coming our way!

Mikyla, Ethan, and Laura had to wait an extra long time to enjoy that oh so exciting snack (miniature cupcake with pink frosting) because Jenna was late in arriving.  The waiting was more than they could handle and at last had to have the cupcakes without the third musketeer.  But once Jenna arrived the playing was so much more fun, I love seeing the way that you three girls play together; built in best friends!

Laura, Jenna, Mikyla, and Ethan in their Valentine's best.

My Baby is Three!!!

I can not believe that three years have gone by since my last little munchkin came into this world.  I will never forget that day, and truly the best Valentine's present ever since he got to come home on Valentine's Day.  You have changed so much in those three years, and you have the cutest personality.  Right now you say "my" instead of "I", so it's, "My a good boy Mommy", or "My promise Mommy" or my favorite, "My big boy", and that you are.  I love our time together when the other two are at school and you're truly Mamma's boy, we have so much fun!  And I have to remind myself it's not going to last forever, so I really have to eat you up while you still will let me.  But I secretly hope that, in private, you always will let me snuggle and be my cuddle bug!

Caleb almost 5, Aidan 6 1/2yr, Ethan 3yr.

Cora 3yr., Mikyla almost 5, Adelaide almost 2.

Today was the day we celebrated you and the day we were blessed with you from God.  You wanted Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and since Mommy always tries to deliver...that's what you got!  I made a great cake, that you got the biggest kick out of.  When you saw it you said, "Ohhh wow!  What that say?"  And I said, "Ethan", your response was, "That's me!" as you pointed to yourself.  It was too cute!

You were so excited to have your cousins come to celebrate with you.  When I told you they were coming you asked, "Adelaide?"  You just love her so much and right now, unfortunately, she wants nothing to do with you; but I'm sure that will change.  You could hardly wait for ice cream and cake and loved blowing out the candles.  You actually tried to blow the candles farthest away from you before the closer ones, so we helped you out so you didn't catch your shirt on fire.  You were so tired from all the fun you were out like a light when everyone finally left, but all the fun before hand was worth it.

Mommy and Daddy celebrating with our little guy.



Snow White and Prince Charming!



Grandma and Nono with the birthday boy.

Cora and Ethan playing on the slide.

Loves with his Papa

Giving loves to G.G.

Adelaide, Grammy, and Ethan.