At the park with Mom and Dad

That's Dad on the monkey bars

and here's Mom trying it out!

A post from Ben:

I took Mom and Dad to the park on Sunday. Mom had been out of town all week at something called a Convention. I missed her a lot but Dad took very good care of me. I thought they could use some time out of the house and I heard about this great park up by Otsego City Hall. Word on the street is that it has some pretty cool play eqiupment. Mom and Dad even tried a few things out - they were so funny! Being outside tired Mom out so I had to cuddle her when we got home so she could take a nap. I may have fell asleep for a while too...Mom and I like to nap together!

The Sippy Cup

Look at my new toy Mom!

There's something inside this thing...

reminds me of my bottle...


I think this end goes in my mouth...

WOW - what an amazing taste! Quite refreshing on a hot summer day!

We gave Ben some apple juice in a sippy cup this weekend - he thinks its a great new toy that is fun to bang against things and throw on the floor. Bella also thinks its a new toy that has a great flavor to it. Bella is quickly becoming Ben's best friend at meal time as she is learning that Ben sometimes leaves a little treat for her in his hands or on his face if Mom or Dad doesn't do a good job of cleaning him up! Here are some pictures of Ben and one of his first encounters with the sippy cup.

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.