This weekend we decided to hit up Old Mine Ranch and let Hallie and Kyle experience a little bit of farm life. We went with our friends the Wendorff’s and had fun (although I think we payed too much).

I think the best part was seeing Ben in his “element”. He grew up on a farm and dreams of having our kids grow up on one as well. I really want a lot of land for them to run around and play on but I’m doubting my ability to milk a cow. 🙂 I guess as long as there is a mall close by.

I have to admit that I have a lot more pictures of Hallie when she was a baby than I do of Kyle. Poor kid! It’s not that I don’t take pictures of him it’s just that I went overboard on Hallie. I’ve heard friends say that with each new child you have less pictures. So far I’ve proven that true. Sad I know. I do love him just as much as his sister, but I’m too busy feeding him and then chasing his sister to pull out the camera and catch his cute face digitally. 🙂

I love my little chubs! He has been in so much pain the poor little man. He has reflux really bad and was inconsolable very day. He couldn’t sleep because he was in pain and he would constantly arch his back and spit up. It was pretty bad. Every now and then we would get a glimpse into his personality and discover that he really was calm and happy. He would try so hard you could tell. Darn reflux! After going to the doctors multiple times, increasing the amount of medicine he was on and our families fasting and praying for him we got the miracle we were asking for. He can now be happy like he was trying so hard to be before. He still has episodes where he is in a lot of pain but overall he is leaps and bounds above where he used to be. He now sleeps in his own bed and is getting better every night (knock on wood). He smiles a ton, especially at his crazy sister who he thinks is a rockstar! It’s the cutest thing for me as a mom to watch. I’m glad he loves her already, but then again who doesn’t love her. 🙂

I’m so grateful for a God who hears and answers our prayers. Having two babies in a row with such bad reflux has made me on edge. I’m not as good as the people who never ask “why”. I admit I did. The past two months have been really hard for our little family but things are looking up and I’m extremely grateful. Ohh how blessed I truly am!

This past weekend we went to Breezy Point Beach in Maryland with our good friends/cousins the Gelvins. This beach appealed to us because it was only an hour away and it had a net to keep out the jelly fish. As you can see by the pictures it was beautiful clear water. YEAH RIGHT. But hey it’s the beach and we aren’t picky. It was such a wonderful day! It combined Hallie’s two favorite things: the beach and her friend Gabe. 🙂

Working hard to bring the water to the sand for a sand castle.

Just look at Hallie’s face. She LOVES the water!

Chasing Gabe and throwing sticks in the water then waiting for them to washed ashore.

The new Mr. Crane chillin on the beach with mom.

My new favorite photo. Seriously she is the cutest! This is her first taste of rootbeer. She tried some of Ben’s and never gave the can back. 🙂

Gabe is by far Hallie’s favorite person! She asks for him daily and is at her happiest around him.

Proof that I went too.

Until next summer…beach save us a spot. 🙂

Ben’s cousins came in town for the Boise State vs. Virginia Tech football game. It was the first game of the season and it was held at FedEx field. Ben’s cousin is a super fan and bought us tickets and shirts. We were excited to go for a couple of reasons: we love college football, it was going to be a HUGE game, we had never been to FedEx field (where the Redskins play), and last but not least to get a date night away from both kids.

The place was packed! Around 89,600 people were there. Most of which were Virginia Tech fans and drunk. 🙂 It took over an hour to just get in the field. We felt like cattle. Once we got inside we found our seats-3rd row from the top! lol They actually were good seats because we could see everything. We spent most of the game on our feet. We started losing our voices about 15 minutes into the game so we spent the rest of the night TRYING to conserve our voices and just clap. 🙂

One great highlight of the game was getting beer thrown on us. A fan a few rows down got excited after Boise scored a touchdown and threw his hands in the air while holding a cup of beer. We were lucky enough to get showered in the sweet smelling stuff! Thank you drunk guy a few rows down! 🙂

As I sat there cheering and looking around me I was reminded of my college days. I LOVED college and have so many amazing memories. I reminisced a little and thought how funny it was that I still feel young and Ben and I both still  look like college students but yet we have two kids waiting for us at home. 🙂 Just a reminder that I’m getting old. lol

Boise State ended up winning and the crowd was quiet as we went back to our car. haha the big talkers of VT didn’t have so much to cheer about after the game. We had so much fun and were so grateful that Lydon and Tawny took us. Thanks again you guys!! We loved having you visit. (Maybe one day we will make it to Oregon).

Let’s see do my kids look alike?!

YEP!

I love my 2 little lovers!

I said Goodbye to this handsome boy:

And I went here:

I met this lady:

And then I saw him again: (AWKWARD!)

I had an amazing 4 week experience:

Then got on an airplane:

And flew here:

I can’t believe it has been 5 years since I became a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  The 4 weeks I spent at the Missionary Training Center were full of learning, teaching and a lot of laughs. The 18 months that followed in Washington D.C. was life changing and unforgettable. Cheers to serving God and helping teach His word to the world!