The Quest to Clean out and Declutter.

I've been trying to purge our house of overly expired products so that they don't move with us. We were eating frozen "wedding food" for 4 years after our wedding and my mom asked me the other day if we were still eating it because I've been trying to clear the old stuff out of our freezer and cupboards. (The "back of the freezer smoothies" were quite the adventure with possible breast milk contaminated carrots... Those followed the "back of the cupboard krispies" we fed the missionaries which were quite tasty). No, we don't have any wedding food left, but there is turkey from Thanksgiving 3 or 4 years ago... I'm thinking it will end up in the garbage... and the Ramen noodles that we were told were rancid 3 years ago by a house sitter and haven't been touched since. I am running out of time to use up the 2002 salad dressings which will surely move with us.

I did have a triumph today though. The attached photos are of lotion that has followed me from Colorado, two locations in Texas, to Nebraska. I'm thinking I've had the stuff since early high school by the 01/97 expiration date. I finally ran out of the "Vani Cream" in the pickle jar and came upon this stuff. I've been especially (as Ryan calls it:) "freakish" about washing my hands 20+ times a day (I think I've always been that way though) and have to put thick lotion and socks on my hands over night (especially in the winter) or they crack and bleed.
I haven't found my next purging project yet, but it's probably the giant bag of unshelled peanuts that hasn't been touched in a year or two. I'm not sure if they're rancid, but haven't been in a hurry to find out.

Christmas Extravaganza!

We started letting Benjamin open presents a week before Christmas because we and his grandparents went overboard this year. The finger paint opened on the 23rd was a flop. It was returned to the store yesterday. (I probably wouldn't have known Benjamin was so against the finger paint had it not been opened independently. He tried to put it back in the wrapping paper and told me he needed a different present and then was really sad when I wouldn't give him one. I explained that he was a really blessed little boy to be getting so many presents and he should be grateful for what he had.) I have a recipe for homemade finger paint, so I'll try it out on him in a few months.

Benjamin really wanted Luigi and the Ferrari matchbox cars from the Disney "Cars" movie when we were at the BX. (I'm thinking we already own about $100 of matchbox "Cars". It really adds up...) I was wary of buying them after getting him so many presents, but then Ryan reminded me that the cars could be an exchange for the finger paint. We do need to start getting him things he really likes instead of things we think he would like. I was thinking we should get Benjamin a tricycle for his 3rd Birthday, but now I'm thinking he'd really like a Fisher Price camera a whole lot better.


Benjamin just made me watch the attached video ~10 times and is still begging to watch it again. Hopefully this is a teaching moment. It does make me laugh when he grumbles about not getting what he wants. He started doing that about a month ago.

New Christmas Eve Tradition

Benjamin got the "Little People Inn" this year to finish off his Little People Nativity set. We "acted out" the Nativity story using it on Christmas eve. Hopefully in the following years it will go much smoother. Benjamin kept running off with the Holy Family during it.

We had the missionaries from our congregation over for dinner. We got them Offutt AFB hats because we figured with 2 Christmases in Nebraska someone had surely already given them Husker corn cob hats.

Christmas Party at Great-Grandma Hoffman's

Benjamin and I went to the Christmas Party at Bethany Lutheran Home today for Grandma. We were running late and Benjamin fell asleep in the car because it was during normal nap time. It was kind of nice because then he was really mellow. They painted Grandma's nails and curled her hair. She looked great for being 90! I can't tell if I look old or if Grandma looks young because they always seem surprised to find out that I'm her granddaughter and Benjamin is her great grandson.

Benjamin was impressed with the mini cheesecakes. He refused to try the eggnog.

It was freezing today (the high was 4 degrees) so we were hunkered in at home the rest of the day. I don't like cold winters!

A New House

I'm not quite sure if it's good that Ryan is as impetuous as I am!!! We've been looking at houses for the last couple of years and almost listed ours last summer, but didn't get around to it. I've been watching a house for a couple of weeks and saw the price drop. I set up an appointment for us to go see it on Friday evening. By Saturday afternoon, we had made an offer. They countered and we accepted after looking at it again last night (Monday). If the inspection and everything else goes well, we'll be closing on January 9th.


The house is in Fontenelle forest where deer and other wildlife are known to wander. (I've heard a guy went bow hunting in his back yard and got arrested). It's a 1.5 Story with a walkout basement.

The deck has as much square footage as the main floor of our current house. It will take Ryan all summer to refinish! (I doesn't look like it will need it for a while though). Benjamin was impressed by the wild turkey and raccoon tracks in the snow in the back yard. The yard has two wooden play sets and a sand box.

The front door is on the left of the photo. We'll have to put netting on the railing when the new baby starts to crawl or add slats to it. On the very top right of the photo, is the balcony from the office that is attached to the master bedroom. Last night, I was impressed to discover the built-in ironing board in the wall of the office. There is a laundry chute and we'll have to teach the kids that nothing but laundry goes in there. It would be horrible to have to clean cat guts out of the bottom or have a cat stuck in it!!!

Benjamin has already picked out his bedroom. It has a horse mural on the wall. We'll probably have the boys share a room and make the other room a play room until they get older (and/or we have more kids).

The upstairs full bath has a fish motif which Benjamin liked. I think the realtor asked if the sellers would leave the soap dish etc. for us.

Master Bedroom. It has a partial walk-in closet and a 3/4 bath with double sinks, tile floor, granite counter top, and ceramic shower.

Living Room.

Dining room. I am a bit sad the house doesn't have an un-carpeted eating area, but we can eventually put a wood floor in the dining room.
Kitchen and Family Room. To the left is the garage, a half bath, and a mud room with nice built in shelves.

Corian or granite counter tops would have been exquisite, but I love the kitchen nonetheless.

The basement has a large rec room, bedroom, laundry room with an attached 3/4 bath. The linoleum is 80s and the carpet isn't that nice, so the basement is really the only thing that could be fixed up more.

So that's the house. It's one that we hope to be living in for the next 20 years.

Family Photos

We went and got family photos taken today. Benjamin is sick with the stomach flu Ryan and I had on Monday and I was tempted to cancel, but it would have been the 3rd time rescheduling so we decided just to go. For Benjamin being sick, he sure has a lot of energy.Benjamin was doing this weird squinting thing in almost all the photos so we didn't have a lot of choices out of the 71 pictures they took. The one I've included is the one that ended up on the wall in our living room. I don't want to spoil the one going out with our Christmas letter (which I WILL get out this year... I only mailed ~10% of last year's... Not to mention Benjamin's 1 and 2 year old photos!) The other photo has my pregnant belly in it.

Free Pizza!

Last night Ryan took Benjamin on a Father/Son outing (not a date so I've been told)... to Pizza Hut. The local library has a reading program where children earn a free pizza once a month by reading or being read to. The reading goals seem pretty low to me because 64 books is the maximum and we can do that in about a week, including reading full Richard Scary books during that time. Apparently we read a lot (probably about 2 hours a day).

We had two coupons so Ryan got a free pizza too. I guess the Pizza Hut employees felt sorry for them when Benjamin kept asking where their pizza was and so they gave them an order of free bread sticks too. We're blessed and people are so nice!

It was a full outing because when Ryan and Benjamin got home they played a few games of Gran Tourismo on Ryan's old PS1. Benjamin runs the car in circles and at some point, Ryan tried to push him to the finish line. Then they raced as a "team". I almost ruined it for them when Ryan told me that their racing team won and I said "there aren't teams in that game, how does that work?"... I wonder if Benjamin will feel shorted when he gets a little older and finds out that daddy was just having him hold an inactive controller.

Halloween 2008!

We've had 4 Halloween events this year and Benjamin refused to wear a costume for the first 3. He and I went to the party at the local library last Friday. Ryan wasn't able to go because he got a phone call 10 minutes before we were leaving that he had arrange help for someone moving in the morning. We were warned when he became EQP (a big job at church) this would happen, but I didn't realize it would start so soon (within the first week). There aren't any photos because I couldn't chase Benjamin and take photos at the same time (He was quite manic that evening) and he refused to put on the Skeleton costume I bought for him the day after Halloween last year. We think he's scared of it, but aren't quite sure if that's the only problem.


As you can see, Benjamin was the only Bradley kid who wouldn't put his/her costume on for the photo at the get-together we had on Monday.

This was the church Halloween party on Wednesday. Still no costume. I did get a bit of green face paint on him, but "bit" is the operative word.

Benjamin and I went to the "Big Red Barn" in Bennington today with a few of the Bradley girls. He wouldn't sit down for the picture.

One of Benjamin's favorite parts was the "Corn Pool" more like "Corn Box"... only in Nebraska?!?!He also really enjoyed the "Hay Rack Ride" (more like "Wagon Ride") because we were pulled by a tractor.

This was the pumpkin we picked out. It was 21 lbs. We didn't have time to carve it tonight so we might tomorrow before I cook it and the one my parents bought.

Benjamin enjoyed the deer swing, but that was the closest thing to an animal he liked. He was scared of the llamas and only spent a couple minutes in the petting zoo (mostly chasing the chickens). Ryan thinks Benjamin is scared of animals because of the time he took him to a pet shop and set Benjamin in the pen with all the little yapping jumping puppies. Poor kid.

Benjamin with Lily on the teeter-totter. He seemed enjoyed it more than the girls.

We finally gave up on the skeleton costume and asked Benjamin if he wanted to be an LDS missionary tonight (because it would be an easy costume to throw together) when Ryan took him out trick-or-treating. Benjamin loved the idea and left his "costume" in-tact while they were out. He's a trooper because Ryan made him carry his treat bucket the whole time (including up two big hills) and they were out for quite a while. His bucket was full when they got home. It makes me just a little guilty to eat Benjamin's candy considering how hard he worked for it. The Elders (real missionaries) called tonight and I told them Benjamin didn't get any doors slammed in his face this evening. They said they need to bring him with them next time they go door to door.

It's a BOY!

We had the "big" ultrasound today and it was very obvious that we are having a baby boy. Everything looked good and the baby appears to be active and healthy.

Benjamin was asking for a baby sister, so hopefully over the next three months he'll change his mind and decide that having a brother is okay too. We're excited and now don't have to figure out a girl name because we had already decided on a boy name.

I can't believe I'll be in my 3rd trimester next week, but I am quite uncomfortable... 3 more months of this! I thought it was funny the ultrasound tech made me empty my bladder because it was squishing the baby into one spot.

Spontaneous Road Trip

Last night we drove to St. Joseph, Missouri and stayed the night in my parents' new RV. My mom had forgotten her garment bag when they were here last week and when we figured out they'd be stopping for the night about 2 hours away we decided to make the trip. We were supposed to have the missionaries over for dinner, but one of them was sick so they canceled. It took us 1.5 hours to pack up and we didn't leave here until after 7 p.m. and took a detour through Plattsmouth because we didn't know the bridge was out still (even though Benjamin said it was!) We arrived at the RV after 9 p.m. and Benjamin woke up when Ryan tried to get him out of the car. He didn't go back to sleep until after 11 p.m. (M&Ms and cookies probably didn't help the situation). We started a game of "Ticket to Ride" while Grandpa tried to get him to bed... but Benjamin's a Mama's boy when it comes to lights-out, so I had to give my hand over to my dad. I put him in a position to win, but I'm not sure what happened. It was after midnight that we went to bed with the sound of drums in the background (it was quite an interesting RV park my parents had stopped at). We woke up at 6 a.m. to Benjamin's bright-eyed and busy self; he was so excited to be in the RV. We headed for home around 9 because Ryan had an 11:30 meeting for church. It was a short, unexpected trip, but it was nice to see my parents again and Benjamin enjoyed another RV adventure. We took pictures with my mom's camera and I'll upload them as soon as she e-mails them.

Here's the photos:

A Toad in the Road

Benjamin and I went to the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center this morning with the Bradley Girls. I had to take a photo of Benjamin with the frog statue in the entry area because it looks just like an illustration in one of his Thomas books (A Crack in the Track). The proportions are even correct.

The book is rather silly (and not one of my favorites) because the passengers on "Bertie Bus" have to unload because there's a toad in the road. Why don't they just boot the toad off the road? Anyway, as you can see from the photo, Benjamin is quite the climber.
This is what happens when Benjamin refuses to take a nap. He falls asleep like clock-work around 6 p.m. at the dinner table with fork in hand. He's trying to give up naps completely and I haven't found a good solution yet. Yesterday he fell asleep "reading" to himself. It didn't work today.

Thomas Train!

"Uncle Matt, Aunt Marla sent Benjamin BIG surprise". Benjamin is quite the parrot and repeated that phrase for the 2 hours he played with Thomas when we pulled the set out. He still occasionally repeats it.

Matt and Marla were so awesome and sent us Maxwell's Thomas set on permanent loan. It's crazy how expensive Thomas pieces are. We are so grateful!!!

Originally we were going to give Benjamin the set piecemeal, but it was raining and Benjamin had a cold so I couldn't take him to the Early Childhood Center where they have a big Thomas set as promised, so I decided to pull it all out.

He loves it. Like I said, he played for 2 hours straight ALL by himself. (I do think it would be a problem if he weren't solo b/c I don't foresee him sharing Thomas well with another 2 year old... it has been a problem at the ECC and He doesn't even share it with Daddy too well).

Thanks again M&M&M&M!

Benjamin Discovers the Ice Cream Truck

Benjamin can always count on Good ol' Gram. We were having our weekly dinner with the Lewis Family when Benjamin wanted to go outside and "drive" Gram's car. The ice cream truck just happened to drive by and guess who got an ice cream cone?

I'm not sure if I had been the one outside Benjamin would have gotten the ice cream. Well okay, he probably would have, but I did read a good idea in the "Tightwad Gazette" the other night. When the ice cream truck shows up, have drum sticks or ice cream sandwiches on hand in the freezer. Pull one out and let them eat it outside. It's just as good and 2-3 times cheaper. The only problem is I don't think we could keep that stuff "on hand".
Benjamin enjoyed his treat immensely. Thanks Gram!

Grandma has Arrived

My parents brought Grandma Hoffman (my dad's mom) to live here. Once she gets settled in, I think it will be a good move for her. The place is in Council Bluffs, IA about 25 minutes from where we live. It is called Bethany Lutheran Home (she was surprised to be living in a place associated with Lutherans... I don't think they've tried to "save" her yet.) The staff seems really nice and it is clean. Grandma did try to work the system. They didn't know she could walk for the first 2 days she was there. They hid her wheel chair for a day or two and now she's walking again.

Benjamin especially liked the fountain in the courtyard and got soaked. Fall is already in the air, so we probably won't be spending much time outside. I plan to visit her at least twice a week.

Grandma and Grandpa's New RV

Benjamin had a great adventure spending two nights with Grandma and Grandpa in their RV at the base lake. This is the only photo with him and the RV.
He was excited about the boat dock and of course the Gator.
There were lots of walks with Grandma (and Grandpa) too.

Bradley 2nd Birthday Party

The "Bradley Girls" (and Benjamin) have all turned two! The party was late this year because all of our summers have been crazily busy. Benjamin didn't nap yet again. He looks exhausted in this photo.

We drew names for gifts and Catherine (4th girl from left) gave Benjamin a Fire Truck. Benjamin liked it so much he refused to share so it had to go straight out to the car. Most of the girls got finger paint. Benjamin could have used some finger paint too... We'll have to get him some for Christmas.

Trip to Colorado

Benjamin and I spent 2 weeks in Colorado. Ryan was there with us for the first weekend. My brother Matt and his family were there too which was so nice because it's the first time we've all been together in a long time.

The Trlica's (my mom's old college roommate's family) came up for a "Birthday" Celebration.
Benjamin slept through dinner because he refused to nap earlier. He must be my son because he loves corn on the cob!!!
I didn't collect any raspberries because Benjamin would eat them as quick as I could pick them. Raspberries are the only way we got him to stand still for this photo! Benjamin had definite ideas about who should (or should not) be touching the Corvette. The battery isn't working in the Corvette... So Grandma and Grandpa bought...

...an ATV. Benjamin was very adept at driving it and spent hours on the thing. We had it inside for part of the time and he avoided furniture quite well. It only goes 2 mph, but it would have been nice if it had gone in reverse too. I did have qualms about him not getting any exercise while on it, but he runs around enough that it probably doesn't matter.

Matt and I visiting with Grandma Hoffman. Benjamin is in character in the background pulling around a wagon.
We're not quite sure how Maxwell got the front row on the Tiny Town Train!

The train's steam bursts were kind of loud and scary.

Benjamin and Maxwell in a Tiny Town House.

Benjamin liked to have Miraim comb his hair.

On the trail at "Flying J" Ranch. Grandma is so funny!

Elk on "Lester Lane". What wonderful wildlife! To whom it may concern: Please don't sell the cabin!!!!

Lunch at Coney Island Hot Dog Stand. It seems to be doing well even after moving to Bailey from Aspen Park. Benjamin really liked the water wheel in the back and playing with the gravel in the picnic area.

Waiting for the city bus at Cold Springs to take Maxwell and Matt to the airport. The bus was 20 minutes late so we ended up driving them there after all. Benjamin was sad he didn't get to ride the bus or go into the airport.