Duke Ryan Forbes

And coming in May 2012, Duke Ryan Forbes. It's official we are having another boy!!!

Christmas 2011

This holiday season Ben had his Christmas musical and Christmas party at school. Mommy and Daddy were so proud of his singing! It is truly a blessing that he attends a Christian school and can sing "Away in a Manger" and pray before his Christmas snack. Here are just a few of the pictures we took.

Praying before snack.

Waiting for snack.......

Still praying.

Waiting to sing, he really did sing! Doesn't he look handsome with his tie?

Veteran's Day

Last Thursday, Andy came up to St. Thomas (where Ben and I go to school) and read books to Ben's class and spoke to all of the 3rd grade. I was so proud of him. But, as proud as I was I think Ben was even more proud! He was smiling ear to ear when his daddy came. Andy said that he got teary eyed reading to Ben's class looking at Ben. It was a very special day! We are very proud of our veteran!

Proud soldier and Daddy!

Look at how attentive they are!

Now he is teaching them to salute!

Ben's class

My class.

Halloween 2011

Star Wars' Trooper and Winnie-the-Pooh

Sam was on a mission for candy!

Then I guess so was Ben.

Ok, so this is a funny story. This is one of my students dressed up as "Mrs. Forbes!"

And in Miami I have brain-washed them enough to cheer for the Cowboys!!!

Disney Take 100

Where do I begin about our trip to Disney for the 4th time this year? First of all, the Forbes' family wants to say a big, "THANK YOU!" to Teeta and Dave. Teeta and Dave invited us along for an all expense paid trip to Disney. We had such a BLAST! During the month of October Disney World has a party called Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween. It was so much fun to attend such a special event with Teeta and Dave. Unfortunately, Daddy couldn't come, he had to work.

The boat ride to Magic Kingdom.

Main Street, Magic Kingdom.

Teacups!
(Mommy doesn't like these.)

Sam has become obsessed with Winnie-the-Pooh, so this was quite the highlight!

As a bonus Tigger too!

Dumbo is a must!

We love to ride the horses, too!

Sambo the brave!

Waiting for the 3D show.

It's a Small World After All....

Winnie-the-Pooh at the fireworks!

After a long night at Magic Kingdom, we headed out to Sea World the next day. It was so much fun! (Although I think Teeta had the most fun here!)

Petting the Sting Rays!

Even Sambo did, but not Mommy!

The AMAZING dolphin show!

Ben's ABSOLUTE favorite, the penguins!

First Day of Schools

Today was the first day of school for Ben at St. Thomas Episcopal School, where Mommy now teaches. Ben is so excited to be at the same school as Mommy where she is right upstairs! We decided to hold Ben back since he is a summer baby, so he began Jr. Pre-K today. I was clearly more concerned than he was, as we left the room he had his head down coloring and didn't even notice we had left! The teacher stopped me in the hallway and told me she "LOVED Ben!" That he was very attentive and followed directions very well. We are so proud of our big boy! Attending St. Thomas means he wears a uniform and will go to chapel twice a week! YEAH! Praise God for such an awesome opportunity He has given our family!

How cute is he in the uniform?!

We were all eager for the doors to open!

His lead teacher Mrs. Sturtzer, she's awesome!

See?! Already hard at work and not a care in the world! Go Big Ben!

Sam started his first day of school today too, at Ben's old school. I unfortunately could not make it there, but according to Daddy and Gammy he wouldn't have noticed even if I was there. We already knew several people in the class, and Sam was ready to play. I am so excited for my sweet baby to start school. He will be going to school 3 days a week from 9-1pm.

Walking up to school with Gammy.

He loves to wear his Thomas backpack!

Playing with our friend Charlie!

Playing with his teacher Ms. Ingrid.

Austin Visit

When we left Oklahoma we headed straight for Austin, Texas to visit our friends the Trimbles. Our kids are 4, 3, 2, and 1. It was a house full, but it was WONDERFUL. Our trip was cut short due to Amanda's daughter got sick. Even though our time was limited we made some great memories!

Peyton had a crush on Ben!

I can't believe they all sat down long enough for me to take a picture!

We went to play at a bounce house and they had a BLAST!

At first they were scared, but they LOVED the slide!

What is a trip to Texas without going to Dickie's?

Ben's REAL Birthday

I know I have already written a post about Ben's party, but his real birthday, July 4th, we celebrated in Stillwater, OK. Ben woke up and Mommy and Mimi had decorated Mimi's kitchen and had star shaped donuts! Ben was disappointed the night before when we went to see fireworks and he could not get his face painted. (Mimi told me it was free, but it wasn't.) BUT the awesome Mimi that she is went out and bought face-paint for her grandson and painted his face! AFTER staying awake until 12:30am to make his cake. Then after face painting we went outside to write birthday greetings in chalk on the driveway. Once it finally cooled off we went to some friends' house and celebrated the 4th and Ben's birthday with hot dogs and cake! All and all it was a wonderful day! Happy Birthday to the most amazing 4 year old, Benjamin Gage! Seriously, where has the time gone??!!!

Mommy gets the first kiss!

Donut face!

Mimi at work!

He was so happy!

Even though it was 100 degrees outside, we still weathered the heat!

Mimi was also out there writing Happy Birthday to Ben!

Happy Birthday Ben!

May all his wishes come true!