Just darling!

Aly is such a happy baby. This is her general disposition. Ben doesn't like when I put bows on her but I think she is adorable.

Soccer Camp

Kate and Spencer had fun at another year of soccer camp. She and Spencer were in the same Kindergarten class.

Little funny face

Although baby smiles are funny looking they are so adorable. Aly is a
complete joy to have in our lives. Aly, I love you.

Future law student

Madi LOVES wearing my BYU LAW tshirt. We let her use it as pajamas
last night. It is so darn cute - plus I think she'd make a fine
attorney, if I say so myself!

Aly's first modeling session

Of course, it is no surprise that Kimberly (www.tiltphotography.com/blog) captured many darling images of our new little Aly. She is so talented. Here are just a few of the adorable pictures that Kimberly took of Aly on her one week birthday! THANK YOU KIMBERLY!

First Pictures of Alyson Rose

When we started this blog a few years ago we guessed that the day would come that the blog's address, http://www.benandkimplus3.blogspot.com/, would need to be changed, and it has indeed come. With the arrival of Alyson Rose, or Aly, as we call her, we've changed the blog to BenandKimPlus4. While we are not 100% sure that we are done, we are pretty confident that this blog address will last us some time.

Here are some snapshots of Aly from the hospital. There will be more to come when I have more of the following--time, sleep, energy, motivation, uninterrupted creativity, etc., . . . you get the idea.

We are all doing well as we adjust to our "new normal." Aly is beautiful and sweet. Dylan adores her. Kate is glad to have another sister and Madi occasionally gives her kisses and not-so-gentle pats on the heads. It is great to have Ben home to help out. I am getting spoiled having him around.

Our Silly Girl

Madi is definitely THREE! She is funny, spirited, sassy, silly, imaginative, sweet, independent, spontaneous, and uninhibited. Here are a few pictures capturing her silly side. A reindeer princess dress-up outfit!

Not to be outdone by cheerleader princess, of course!

And here is Madi at Target while Ben and I were doing some shopping for the new baby. Madi, on her own initiative, found these chairs and stools and created a lounge chair out them. Ben turned to me and said something about how she is just like her mommy and that I must have been the source of her sun-worshipping skills. :-)

Kate's hard lesson

Despite many warnings from Ben and I and a few growls from Jessie the dreaded day we'd feared came on Saturday. Kate got bit. She had been climbing on Jessie and pulling on her ears when it happened. Jessie warned Kate to stop by growling twice but it she'd finally had enough. It was so sad to see Kate's beautiful face like that. A quick drive to the doctor and six stitches later we were back home. The plastic surgeon said it will likely heal well and with the help of Mederma, it will not be too visible. It was tough to see how we couldn't save Kate from the consequences of her choice even with all of our warnings. This parenthood thing is challenging. Hopefully this is a lesson she'll not have to re-learn.

Love to Ski

The kids love skiing!  Dylan and Kate are both becoming good little skiers. 

Braces? Already?!

Dylan got braces (phase 1, the orthodontist calls it) today! He was so excited. After two months of wearing an expander in the roof of his mouth he was eager to get his braces on and especially excited to choose the color of the bands.

BEFORE...DURING...
AFTER...

It makes him look so much older than 8 1/2 years old! What a handsome boy!

An Intense Monopoly Game

After a two day intense Monopoly game between Dylan and Ben. Properties bought and sold for half the value. Tax assessments, jail time for both. At one point dad was hanging on with no more than $50 in the bank. Dylan thought he had it in the bag this morning when we started again. Dad made a major comeback and imposed steady major building projects. This one was a real barn burner folks! Dylan was a good sport in the end after having to hand dad the sum of his holdings.

Art with Heart Dance Concert

Kate was featured in a photo in the local newspaper this morning. Last night she danced in her first dance team performance. She is on the "Mini Starburst" team and absolutely loves it. She is quite a performer. A friend commented that she was one of the only girls her age her really could stay on beat. It was so fun to watch her. Dylan asked her today, "Did you get embarrassed at all being up on the stage?" Kate looked at him like that was a ridiculous question and replied, " Noooo...absolutely not!" It was so funny coming from a 5 (soon to be 6) year old. Kate was even more smitten with the whole evening's excitement when she realized, "Isn't this the stage that they dance the Nutcracker on?" Clara is one the I can blame for starting all this. She fell in love when she saw Clara dance in the Nutcracker. As luck would have it, her Christmas performance number is a ballet piece that is choregraphed to the Sugar Plum Fairies number from the Nutcracker. And then to make things even more amazing to her sweet 5 year old heart her Jazz teacher played the music for their next number and it is from the musical "Pinkalicious"--Kate absolutely favorite children's story! What more could she ask for!

"BenandKimPlus3" is soon to become ... 4!

We are thrilled to learn that we will be welcoming another baby girl to the family. She should make her arrival at the end of February. Dylan is bummed that it isn't a brother but since he will likely get to share a room with this new bundle of joy he figures that eventually he will like her.

First Day of School 2009

Dylan started 3rd Grade today and Kate started Kindergarten! I can't believe how the time flies. Kate has been ready for school for a couple years now so it only seemed natural for her to go to real school, not preschool, finally! She was so excited. No tears here. They both started at a new school this year and that was the only nerves we were all feeling. But it went well and they both made friends on the first day so that is a relief for everyone...kids and mom!

Kim and Jeff's Wedding

Our much loved babysitter and friend, Kim got married today and the kids were all in her wedding. It was a magical day for Kate especially, who looked at Kim as a princess admires her queen. She was nearly speechless every time Kim came near her in her gorgeous wedding gown. Kate was thrilled to be greeted by Kim as she exited the temple with Jeff. We love Kim and and are so happy for the two of them.

Stinson Beach Trip

My mom, Sandy, has dreamed for years of returning with her own children and grandchildren to Stinson Beach, CA, where she vacationed as a child at her grandparents' home. This year it
finally happened. We enjoyed a home-exchange near the beach and the kids loved taking in the ocean air, playing with Jessie on the beach and digging in the sand. Dylan, Kate, Savannah and even I (Kim), put on a wetsuit and headed out into to cold Pacific waters for some boogey boarding. It was a blast! CALIFORNIA is so awesome! It was great for us natives to be back for a visit and even better to introduce the Golden State to our children.



e