Josh's Graduation

Josh graduated!

He technically finished in December 2012, but the ceremony took place in May 2013. He officially has his bachelor's degree in accounting. We are so proud of him and his hard work!

The ceremony took place at Coastal Carolina's football stadium. Chandler, Dad, Hunter, and I were able to watch him receive his diploma. Chandler was very well behaved and even waited until right after Daddy walked before having a poopy explosion. (Side note: why does this happen all the time?! Diapers just can't contain it!) So I got to spend the next little while in the bathroom stripping off all his clothes, cleaning him up, and putting on another outfit. 

After the ceremony, we took a walk on Coastal's beautiful campus and took a few snapshots to commemorate the occasion. 

Unfortunately, Josh only gets one semester off before hitting the books again for grad school. Next graduation: 2014!

Lindsey, Makenzie, and Tanner Come to Visit

Towards the end of May, Lindsey and her kids came to visit and meet Chandler for the first time!

This is Lindsey's first nephew and Makenzie and Tanner's first cousin on the Brown side. It was so fun to have us all together! The kids all loved each other. Chandler loved tracking them and when they would come talk to him. Makenzie would always come up to him and say "Hey, little guy!" or "Hey, little buddy!" Tanner has this adorable way of talking with random pauses, so he would say things like "Baby so.....cute" and "Baby....passie!" and then stick Chandler's passie in his mouth. Then when I told him Chandler was hungry he would say "Baby....cheese!" LOVED having them together.

And, as always, it was so fun to have Lindsey around. I wish soooo bad that they lived here. We were sad we didn't get to see all the Bells (poor Nick had to stay behind and work) but we had a great time and we will get to see them all at Christmas!

One of the greatest things about Myrtle Beach in the summertime is that the activities here are fun for both the adults and the kids.

On one of the days we went to the aquarium. The kids loved the fish (at least the real ones...Tanner was terrified of the man dressed in a shark costume that was walking around. He would always make us got he opposite direction of where the shark was. The real sharks, however, he was good with...). Even Chandler was mesmerized by the tanks of fish.

On another day, we headed over to the beach. We could not have asked for more perfect weather; not too hot, not too cold. The water was freezing, but that didn't stop Kenz. Uncle Jordan took Kenzie around and helped her catch little minnows in a bucket and I helped her gather some clams. At the end of the day, we put a few of the fish in a water bottle and brought them home. They died a day later and we got rid of them hoping Kenzie wouldn't notice, but of course she asked me later on "Where are my fish?" Poor Kenzie.

On another night, we rode the SkyWheel (yes, I know, we do this a lot...) and then walked around on the boardwalk.

Later in the week, we went to Medieval Times! Tanner got kind of bored, Makenzie loved the horses but not the sword fighting, and Chandler actually loved the whole thing.

Also, not pictured, we swam in my parent's pool, went to the flea market, ate at River City Cafe, and did some shopping and went to WonderWorks. (And the reason Josh, Dad, Hunter, and Halston are pictured a little less than the rest of us is because of work and school). Then on Sunday, we took a few pictures after church. I have more pictures to come, but I have to get them from Lindsey or Mom first!

Chandler the Water Baby

We couldn't wait on summertime to take Chandler swimming, so we took him to the indoor pool a few times for his first swims. I was expecting him to scream, but he absolutely loved it!

We pull him around and he'll kick his little legs like crazy. 

We're so excited that he took to the water so well, it means we will be able to have tons of fun this summer!

Chandler's Baby Blessing

Chandler received his baby blessing in our home ward on May 5th! It was such a wonderful day. To start with, Chandler was able to wear a blessing outfit that has been passed around on the Benson side. I love that he was able to wear something with meaning (thanks again, Kimberly!). And he looked ridiculously cute in it, too.

Josh blessed him and my Dad, Jordan, Blaine Liljenquist, Dave Nelson, Steve Davis, and Brian Goss stood in the circle with him. 

The blessing was beautiful! I want Chandler to be able to reflect on it through his life, so this is for him:

Chandler, you were told that you are a choice son of your Heavenly Father and that you came through a faithful lineage, with ancestors who sacrificed for you so that you could have the blessing of the gospel. You were blessed to have the ability to gain a testimony of Jesus Christ and His Church. You were also told that happiness comes through obedience and that you are blessed with an obedient spirit! You were admonished to strive to choose the right and serve others throughout your life. You were also blessed to grow strong and healthy, to have the opportunity and means to reach your full potential, and to remember where you came from. You were counseled to marry someone worthy of the temple, to be sealed, and to create your own family.

What wonderful counsel and promises! Your Daddy and I are going to do everything in our power to help you realize your full potential, little one. We love you so much.