Looking good after a bath!

Ben in his robe and slippers

Lookin' good!

Heading down the hallway

and into the bath - Dad, can I take another bath?

Time to go downstairs!

Dad let Ben cruise around his in robe after a bath one morning...he thought he was the coolest kid in the neighborhood!

Ben's First Birthday - Part II

Opening the first present

Love the Little People!

New pajamas from Great Auntie Joan!

More interested in the paper Mom!

Ben and his "girlfriend" Ashlyn sitting on his new basketball hoop.

Here are some more pictures of the party!

Ben's First Birthday - Part I

I made one of Ben's cakes - we got another small one from Byerlys for him to eat and destroy!

Singing to the birthday boy!

He went for the frosting first

and seemed to enjoy it...

a lot!

We celebrated Ben's first birthday on December 15th (actual b-day December 18th) with some friends and family and Ben's first taste of cake! He had a pretty good time, he really enjoyed playing with the little kids and is starting to get the hang of opening presents - just in time for Christmas!

Ben's 1st Haircut

At Snip-its with Mom

Big boy in the haircut chair ready to go!

Not too sure about this anymore....

Here, let me help you!

Almost done - this puzzle sure is tasty!

It was time for our little baby to take a big step into toddlerhood as his hair was getting a little too long for Mom and Dad. Ben had his first official hiarcut on Saturday and literally grew up a little right before our eyes. The stylist warned us that he would look older and less baby-ish whe she was done and she was completely right. Ben looks like a little boy now instaed of Mom's little baby and it did make me cry a bit. He did very well and sat as still as a almost-1 year old can. He even "helped" comb his hair for her!

Friday Night Gopher Volleyball game

Hi Ella - what are you doing?

Sophie and Ella - look over there!!

Ella still doesn't seem to want to look at the camera!

Ben went to the NCAA 1st Round Volleyball game with Dad, Mom's cousin Becky and her husband Derek, and their two kids Sophie and Ella. The Gophers won to advance to the 2nd Round and Ben had a great time playing with his cousins. Unfortunately, the Gopher Volleyball Team's season ended Saturday night at they lost to Iowa State in 4 games. The only positive to come from that lose is that Mom is now done traveling for a while and will get to spend a lot more time with Dad and Ben!!

The Amazing Cat Wrestler AKA Benjamin!

I spy a kitty...

Kitty still seems unaware of my plan...

Oops, kitty trys to get away....unsuccessfully.

I want to cuddle you kitty!

Whether you like it or not!

Cat wrestling is a little-known but emerging sport in which you attempt to overpower an unsuspecting feline and cuddle it against its will. It helps immensely if the above-mentioned feline has no claws and there is a parent and/or grandparent nearby to intervene with one or both parties takes the game a little too far.

Kindermusik

Hi Ryan - what do you have?

I'm so excited to see you!

Storytime with Dad


I love the egg shakers - I have some of these at home too!

Playtime with Dad

Ben has been going to Kindermusik classes once a week since he was about 6 weeks old. He has really grown to like it quite a bit and has been with the same group of kids. He gets very excited at time and wants to "tackle" some of his friends but he is learning to reign that somewhat. Dad plays his Kindermusik CD at home a lot and I think he is actually develpoing some rythm which is good considering he inherited non of that from his parents.