Ashlyn's 1st Birthday Party

Ben and the Birthday Girl - What you got there?

Here - let me give you a drink!

One of Ashlyn's presents - Ben thought he'd take it for a spin.
He loves to swing!

Ben went to his "girlfriend" Ashlyn's 1st Birthday Party last weekend. Dad had to work from home this weekend so we were unable to go up to Grand Rapids like we had planned. It's hard to believe that we will be celebrating Ben's 1st Birthday in a few short months!

I wanted to send a message to my parents who are currently enjoying themselves on a two week Alaskan vacation. We miss talking to you everyday and hope you are having a great time. Benjamin can't wait to see both of you at the end of August - he has so many new things to show you!! We love you!

Swimming with Mom!

Mom, this water is cold!

This looks a little more sturdy than floating in water Mom, why don't you let me stand up here?

Practicing our "jumps"!

Here are some more pictures of Ben's swimming class - this time with Mom in the pool!

Look what I can do now!

We found Ben sitting up in his crib one morning, he had found his blanket and his pacifier and was just hanging out waiting for Mom and/or Dad to come and get him. That night when we put him to bed he was a little fussy and didn't want to go to sleep quite yet. After we let him try to go to sleep on his own for a little while we went back in his room to check on him and found him standing up in the crib. He's learning to pull himself up on more and more things everyday. He loves to stand and has a neat trick that Grandma Sharon started teaching him back in May called Stand Up, Sit Down. I hold his hands and he stands when you say Stand Up and sits when you say Sit Down - so cute!!

Swimming Lessons

Hey Dad - don't let go!

Floating on the raft

Taking the plunge!

What can I get my hands on....?

What is going on here?

Whoa - slow down Dad!

Ben started a two week Introduction to Water class at the Elk River Jr. High Pool. He's in the Minnow class - 6-18 month babies. He wasn't too sure about the pool experience the first day but he seems to be warming up to it a little more. We work on getting him to feel comfortable in the water and learning how to float and kick his legs. He likes to float around on the kick boards and splash the water with his hands!

Mom mowed the lawn!

Mom - I think the lawn looks great!

I love this Baby Beach Band - maybe I can line up some gigs...

Got my monkey outfit on - looking good!

Not sure I understand this dog's obsession with tennis balls - it's pretty gross after she's had it in her mouth for a while. Stay away from my toys Bella!

I decided to try my hand at lawn-mowing last week. Chris had no problem getting out a chair for himself and a blanket for Ben to sit back and watch me work. It's a bit more of a workout than I thought but I managed to get it done in a reasonable amount of time. My lines weren't exactly straight but overall I thought I did a pretty decent job! Definitely not going to take this job over from Chris on a regular basis however...

Date Night

Ashlyn - I have a funny joke to tell you!

I thought it was funny!

Mom just bought this toy home - can you show me how to use it?

Let me know when you're done, I'd like to take a spin on this bike.

I'm so excited you're here!!

Ashlyn had her toes painted and her cute outfit on - Dad dressed Ben and even put baby lotion on so he would smell good!

I know its been a while again - I've been in the midst of volleyball camps for the past two weeks and just have not had the time (nor the energy!) to sit down and put some new pictures up. We have also been busy with activities for Ben - he finished up his summer session of Kindermusik, starting Intro to Water classes, continues to go with and help Mom (physically and mentally!) at Baby Boot Camp, and just hanging out at home with Mom, Dad, Bella, and Gaby. We've also had some friends and family over for dinner a few nights. My cousin Becky, her husband Derek, and their two kids Sophie and Ella came over to grill and ended up watching a pretty severe thunderstorm pass through. We had a beautiful rainbow after though! Jason and his daughter Ashlyn (Ben's "girlfriend") came for dinner last weekend. Ben shared his toys nicely and the two enjoyed showing off their "skills" to each other. Ashlyn is just starting to walk and Ben is just starting to crawl. Ben still has no concept of other kids personal space and just loves to get his hands on Ashlyn!

More pictures from the 4th of July

Ready to go in the lake - neither Mom nor Ben look too sure about this!

This isn't so bad...

Ben looks like a old pro at driving - hanging his arm out the window, hand on the steering wheel, checking out what's going on ahead of him!

Cool dude hanging out at the lake

Sleepy dude taking a nap in the lake. He actually fell asleep in his floating car!

Bella will chase anything - this is her fetching a plastic water bottle!

Lots of dogs at the cabin - this is Gus, who belongs to Becky & Derek. He's very tolerant of children and doesn't mind being "tasted" by Ben!

Ben loves dogs - we are trying to teach him to pet "nicely" and not grab but sometimes he gets so excited he can't help himself.

Ben and cousin Ella playing together. I have a feeling that Ben and Ella are going to be good friends and get into lots of trouble together!