Banana puffs

Ben tried his first "solid" this past weekend, banana puffs. They are crunchy banana-flavored things that become mushy when they get wet. Not very appetizing for us but Ben seems to enjoy them. He hasn't actually eaten any yet, only 1 or 2 have made it into his mouth and they ended up falling out with the drool. He keeps trying though!

Happy Fathers Day!

Here Dad, let me help you open this card.

I don't think these are for me to play with quite yet....

Ben's favorite napping buddy!

What a lucky boy to have such a wonderful Grandpa and fantastic Daddy!

I love my Grandpa!

My Dad's the best!

What a beautiful day we had in MN to celebrate Fathers Day! Dad, Mom, and Ben started out the day visiting Fort Snelling with Grandma Colleen, Uncle Mike, and cousins Jake and Sam. We stopped for lunch at Olive Garden before heading home. Ben got to take a nap with Dad and Grandpa while watching the US Open Golf Tournament during the afternoon while Mom and Grandma planted some more flowers. Grandma Colleen came over for dinner before Ben had his usual Sunday evening bath. Then it was off to bed for the little guy. All in all, it was a great, relaxing day. Grandpa got a new laser guide for his table saw and a new book and Dad got a power washer and weed wacker. We hope everyone had an opportunity to relax this weekend and enjoy the father figures in their lives!

Jumping, jumping, jumping

Hey Mom - what's for dinner?

Dancing, dancing, dancing

I'm so happy it's finally warm enough to wear shorts!

Are you really cooking Mom?  Usually Dad does dinner...

Ben loves to stand, jump, kick - anything to move his legs.  We have his jumper hanging in the pantry door in our kitchen and he loves to be it in when we are working in the kitchen.  He's such a happy baby!

We had Ben baptized last Sunday.  I promise to have pictures up this weekend from the baptism and party - they are on my mom's camera and I have not had a chance to download any pictures from her yet.  Thanks for your patience!!

Learning to sit

Making "motorboat" sounds at Mom, also loves to do that when eating.

Interesting toy

Tipping over - may need some help Mom!

Oops - tipped over again. This toy looks good from this angle too I suppose...

What a facinating book Grandma made me and it tastes so good!

Ben has been experimenting with sitting on his own. It's quite fun to watch - he does pretty good for a while then just seems to tip over with no warning. So far he's only received one bad bump on the head when he fell over at daycare into one of the other babies. He has also become a pro at tummy time, especially when he has a good book to read (or eat)!

Working in the yard

Ben in his new summer hat

We have a birds nest in our dwarf lilac tree - mama bird isn't too fond of the big brown dog...

Our two new apple trees - a prairie fire crab apple tree and a snow blossom crab apple tree(I think that is what its called)

Chris digging a hole for one of the spruce trees - Bella tried to plant her tennis ball in the hole too. She is hoping maybe a tennis ball tree would grow for her.

We got back from our fabulous trip to Oregon safe and sound. We were reunited with our animals after we picked them up from their "vacations" and the house is getting back to normal. Chris has been working hard out in the yard planting some new trees and re-arranging part of the sprinkler system we put in last summer. My wonderful cousin Wade helped Chris plant two apple trees on Tuesday (actually Chris helped Wade - he is the expert in trees...) and Chris planted three spruce trees today. Slowly but surely the yard is coming together. Ben and I went to Baby Boot Camp while Chris worked in the yard, it was good to get a good workout in again and the weather was great for being outside. We will be turning our attention to getting the house ready for my parents visit and Ben's baptism this weekend.

A post from Grandma and Grandpa

Please read to me Grandma.

I love this part!

Grandpa, what nice dinosaurs they have in Oregon!

How does this thing work Grandma?

Bet you can't suck your toes like me Grandma!!

Grandma, Grandpa said I could pick your flowers - is that OK?

What a cool toy Grandpa, when do I get one of these?

Let me take you for a ride Grandpa!

Ronni and Chris are in Seattle for a much needed few days alone and we have been entrusted to care for Mr. Benjamin while they are away. What a treat for us! We think he's the most beautiful baby in the world and a true blessing to both of us. He's just so good all the time. He hardly ever fusses and is full of big smiles all the time. He makes our hearts sing! I can see a lot of his mommy in him - his easy disposition and affection. He's going to be tall and thin like his daddy. (A terrific combination.)

It's been a LONG time since we've had a little one in our house and neither Grandpa or I slept very well wondering if we would hear Benjamin if he woke in the night. I jumped up at 4:00 a.m. to check on him and found him sleeping well in his crib. At least he got in a good night's rest!

We love watching him explore his world and try to figure things out. He loves his hands and when they're not in his mouth or trying to put a toy in his mouth, he examines them carefully. He's so curious and isn't frightened by noises. He studies everything patiently. I think he's going to be very smart (as you would expect a proud Grandma to say).

We're also very proud of Chris and Ronni. They're a wonderful team and are providing Benjamin with a loving and secure environment. We'll be sad to see them return to MN, but know that we'll see them all in a week for Benjamin's baptism.

At The Coast

Hanging out in the trailer with Grandpa and Dad

Grandpa is so funny!

At the beach with Mom and Dad

Love the ocean!

Dad and Ben were just chasing seagulls!

Pulling in a big catch..

This is a lot of work!

Our big catch - dinner will be on the table soon!

Sea lions in the bay we were crabbing in - they are so cute!

In Oregon, people go to the coast. It's similar to saying we're going to the lake, up north, to the beach, ect. My parents got their new Airstream travel trailer all hooked up Monday morning and we headed west. We stayed at a state park in Nehalem, OR right next to the beach. The weather cooperated relatively well, we even had sun on Tuesday! Ben got to see the Pacific Ocean for the first time, he now has seen 2 different oceans in his little life!! Mom, Dad, and Grandpa went crabbing on Tuesday and got the record catch of the day at the marina - 3 crabs! They made for a tasty dinner with some steak that night. Chris tried crab for the first time, he thought it was "OK". It was a great mini-vacation, my parents trailer is beautiful and comfortable for the 5 of us. Chris and I are headed to Seattle tomorrow for a little honeymoon. Ben is staying with Grandma and Grandpa and I'm not sure who is more excited - Mom and Dad to be getting away alone for a night or Grandma and Grandpa to get Ben alone for a night!