Rachel and Ben's Engagement

Ben and Rachel got engaged in vail. I'll let them tell the story...

According to Rachel:

My side of the story is simple: I got a surprise visitor (Ben) to my favorite place in the world (Vail). He asked me to marry him in a beautiful chapel on the mountain, and I said “yes” as fast as I could!

According to Ben:

My original plan was to propose at the Auburn/MissouriSEC Football Championship Game in Atlanta at half-time surrounded by both Auburn’s and Missouri’s marching band and all of it broadcasted on the jumbo-tron and national TV.  Instead, I chose to propose in a quiet, quaint chapel in the mountains of Colorado where Rachel loves to seek peace and solitude.  Smart decision.  Rachel was in Colorado with her family (who were all in on the secret) for Christmas break and unbeknownst to her, I flew out there Saturday morning, December 21.  Her family distracted her at one ski resort while I hung around another nearby resort town.  The “bait” was for all the Lundeens to have a nice family dinner that Saturday evening and to stop by the special chapel beforehand for pictures.  As Rachel walked in, there I was standing at the altar with a big grin on my face and yes, sweating as usual.  After some private, alone time together, we were greeted outside of the chapel by her family with sparklers and champagne.  It all happened just as I had planned it! 

Jackson Hole

We had a great trip to Jackson Hole in January with kiersten, cam, and Jenny. They spoiled us and kept Liam at night so we could sleep. It was amazing. 

They got tons of snow while we were there. Liam loves the snow and has seen tons of it!

Jenny always the multitasker. We got pedicures one day.

They even let us ski one day. I wore all kiersten's clothes and gear. Jackson Hole is hard mountain! I felt like I could fall with every turn.

We ate waffles at the top of the tram.

Cheered on auburn in the national championship. Unfortunately it didn't go our way. 

We played lots of games all week and enjoyed the relaxation

Liam and I snow shoed in Teton national park. We went 3 miles and he did great!

Just a great time to spend with my aunt and cousins!

Liam- 18 Months

18 months! Holy cow. Liam is so so fun! He's a super good little boy and goes with the flow. At his doctor's appointment he was in the 70% on everything. His little body caught up with his head. :)

Liam eats a healthier version of everything we eat. He has lots of eggs, waffles (wa wa), beans, strawberries, berries, mango smoothies, tortilla, his current favorite is bananas (nananana) on repeat.

He sleeps from 7:30-7:30 or 8. Praise Jesus. He goes down easily ( nigh nigh) and sometimes cries around midnight but usually falls back to sleep within minutes. He sleeps in a sleep sack with his light up frog. We do a bath then play a little in his room and FaceTime with Mimi and grand daddy then to bed. We're trying to get to 1 nap but he usually takes two 45 min snoozes. I can't get past that 45 min mark. 

He has lots of words now and has a new one or more every day. Some I can think of are banana (nanna), apple, a version of Cheerios, nigh nigh, mama, dada, Mimi, dachie for sachie, Kiki for kiersten, wawat for water, milk, ight for light (those are still favorites), lots of animal noises like ruff ruff, quack, etc, bath, hat (obsessed with those), car, and many more. 

His loves music and his favorite song is I'm bring home a baby bumble bee. He does the motions then has a version of ouch he stung me. I melt every time. Can do motions for the wheels on the bus, itsy bitsy spider, patacake. For the spider he holds on finger and twists it. I also love it when he makes his L for patacake.

The boy loves life outside. We recently had a ice storm and he would just stand by the door and point. He gives great hugs on demand and loves to kiss and hug Colby. Colby tolerates him ok most days.

 I LOVE being this precious baby's mom and thank The Lord every day for him. I'll say it again...he is such a joy.