Backyard Tragedy...

The "thorn in my flesh".... or our flesh... our backyard!! So.... plans don't always happen the way you envision... and that's exactly what has happened to us! In the spring we had about 15 inches of rain over the course of 48 hours... and so you can imagine what that did to our low-lying backyard... washed it away! So ... 3 weeks ago we had 2 loads of dirt brought in to begin our grass seeding project again. Well... that following week we had another downpour and to our disbelief our backyard was washed away again... leaving a canyon of dirt! Our boys have been in heaven playing in the giant mudpit with their tractors and shovels. We're hoping to try again at this project this weekend with NO rain in the forcast!! Oh the lessons of patience that the Lord is teaching us!!

Emmy's art project...

Hmmm.... the boys were "sharing" with Emmy while they were painting and using markers. Love it!

Swim lessons

We were so blessed to find a local girl to take the boys to for swim lessons!! The boys had a GREAT time and learned a lot too!!

Gavin turns 3!!!

Party... Party.... Party!!! And that's just what we did!! We had some WONDERFUL friends to come and celebrate this special day with Gavin. Gavin wanted a hotwheel cake this year... so... mommy did her best. :) We played in the sprinkler, water guns and of course on our new playset! Thank you to all of our dear friends that made this day special for our Gavin!

Oh... and just in case you don't recognize the last picture... it's Greenlantern!!! :)

Our feather friends...

About 3 weeks ago we began to notice more visitors from our feather friends from the lake... 2 female wood ducks to be exact. They have both chosen the Bengtson house to begin their journey into motherhood.... or duckhood. :) So... we've anxiously been watching and waiting for the 17 chicks to hatch. After much research... or really non at all... our neighbor told us that the eggs will incubate for about 28 days and then she will march them back down to the lake. SO.... with that said... we should have one exciting 4th of July week!!

The new additon.... Bengtson Playhouse!!!

 So it begins... 2 hours of seperating the wood

 Nathan is thrilled to be putting this together when it's a brisk 90 degrees out :)

 Gavin "helping" :)

Oh... it is FINALLY finished!!! For those of you who have endured the project of putting together your own playhouse/swingset for your kiddos you understand what I mean by FINALLY!! :) When they say it will take 30hrs... they aren't kidding! So after about 3 weekends and a few weekday nights here and there... the BEST daddy in the world finally finished it!! And boy are we enjoying it!!!

Gavin

The life of the Bengtson party... or the character to either make you smile or grit your teeth... our little Gavin. What a blessing this little man is to our family! June 8, 2008 this little man came to us 3 weeks early and with little warning... LITTLE warning... and hasn't stopped since. He is one ball of energy, very imaginative and creative! Such an amazing heart he has been given by God. He LOVES people... and everyone he meets love him! In just a few short days he will be turning 3... can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for this little man the next 3 years! Love you dearly Gavin!!

" Helping" Daddy build...

 Gavin's choice of Sunday attire for church...

 Making a masterpiece...

Our beautiful blue eyed boy!

Fun in the Sun!!

Oh... where has the time gone!! Emmy Kate is already 8 months and just learned how to crawl! What a joy she is and SUCH an asset to this Bengtson crew! Her brothers are just smitten by her... and very protective too. This chic is gonna have a tough time finding a prom date in about 16 years if it's up to her bros! ;-) What fun it is to have both sons and a daughter!! My special blessings!

Fishing!!!

Oh yes.... it's nearing summertime... and that means one thing for the Bengtson crew... FISHING!! :-) We are so fortunate to live near a "lake" ... we call it very nice "ponds." ... none the less.. there's fishing to be had! We had our dear friends the Brooks over to grill out and take the girls fishing. It was Lizzie, Chloe and Phoebe's first time to ever go fishing... and both Lizzie and Chloe caught one!!! It was SOOOO exciting!!

A trip to the zoo...

Last Friday my great friend Kris and I ventured to the St. Louis zoo with ALL 6 kiddos... ALL under the age of 5! :) ALL of the kids did Great and we had a Great time looking at all of the animals topped off by a train ride. :) What a FUN day and wonderful memories made!