The Bennison Family: February 2011

Andrew's Dedication

Sunday, January 30 we took part in our church's Parent-Baby Dedication service. We were able to commit before the church, our friends and family our intent to raise Andrew in a Christ-centered home.

We had friends and family over to our house after the service for lunch.

Leta, Larry and Andrew.

Leta, Larry, Chris Russel, Alison Bachtel, Matt Young, Eyla Horning, Jason Horning, Cherilyn Horning.

Alison Bachtel and Chris Russell with Bailey Horning.

Kathy and Andrew.

Mommy and Daddy playing with Andrew after everyone had gone home.

Andrew, we love you so much and pray every day that you would come to know the Lord as your personal savior at an early age, and that He would help us to lead you in His ways.

On December 27th, my maternity leave was over and I started back at work. It was a VERY hard adjustment (hard to not be with Andrew all of the time, hard to be working night shifts again--Andrew has been sleeping very well at night so I wasn't used to being up during the night!), but I'm doing better now. Benny is able to work from home and stay with him during the day while I sleep, so we're very thankful to not have to pay for childcare at the present time. We are continuing to pray for Benny's job search (for a head coaching position at a university...please pray with us!) which would allow me to work a little bit less. We are completely trusting in the Lord's timing!

Here are some pics from January!

Andrew and Matty (our neighbor/one of the AU soccer players) right after Andrew's nap.

January 4th: Andrew is 3 months old!

He loves being on his tummy!

A fun little Mizzou outfit Andrew got from my Mom.

Kathy came in town for a night so that Benny and I could have a date night!

After waking up one afternoon, I found my men here:

(PRECIOUS!)

Smiling and laughing with Daddy before dinner.

Relaxing with Daddy

Reading with Mommy

We are LOVING having Andrew in our lives!!!

Christmas 2010

(Yes...I realize that it is almost Valentine's Day and I am just now posting Christmas pics... :)

In mid-December, we went to see Santa at the Castleton Mall. Notice Owen's (in Jess's arms) excitement for the event. Meanwhile, Aden is calmly telling Santa his wishes for Christmas. Priceless.

Aden giving Andrew silly faces.

Benny, Andrew and I celebrated our Christmas together on Wednesday the 22nd before driving over to Lafayette to be with Benny's family. We started some of our own little traditions with Andrew this year. We made Kanakuk Coffee Cake, read Andrew the Christmas Story from his little children's Bible, talked about why we give gifts to eachother in the first place, and then opened presents. I know he understood and soaked up every word and each detail of the morning. :)

In Lafayette, Benny with his Dad and Andrew. Such a proud Grandpa! (Andrew is the first grandchild on BOTH sides of the family!)

We opened presents with Benny's dad (Larry), his wife Leta and Benny's brothers (Shaun and Kyle) on Christmas Eve morning.
Shaun, Kyle and Benny.

The boys had ordered a hat rack for Larry and Leta but it was going to be on back order until late February, so they created a little make-shift one (kinda makes ya think of the Garfield Christmas movie, doesn't it?)