Rainy Day

We had a couple very rainy days last week, so we had to get creative! I took a bunch of photos this day because there was really nothing better to do!


Logan's egg-carton lunch. My mom used to make these for us sometimes and I needed a good distraction and a way to get Logan to eat something. It worked!

Logan's new love is photography. He walks around with his little camera all day and takes photos of everything! I wonder where he learned that?!

Good thing Bennett is used to getting his picture taken!

"Cheeeeeeese, Benn-enn!", says Logan!

Yummy cookies! We decided to bake! Logan wasn't too excited about it until he got to dump all the ingredients together and watch the mixer go!

Logan isn't very into have his photo taken since he has found his love for being BEHIND the camera. :) We made the best batch of cookies I've ever made...they turned out just right.

By the end of this day inside, we got pretty silly!

After the rain, we got to see a beautiful rainbow. We could see the whole arch - it was awesome! Logan was really into it and now thinks he should see a rainbow everyday!

Projects with Daddy

Logan loves tools and sure loves to help John with any project around the house. Watering trees, washing cars, building things, and hanging pictures are all part of Logan's repertoire! I think I'm going to have house of boys who take after their Dad: handy!

Logan took some serious hits with his hammer!

Building the new shelf for Logan's room

Like father, like son!

7 weeks!

Bennett was seven weeks on Friday! He is now smiling and cooing constantly - its our favorite thing! Logan keeps falling deeper in love with Bennett, now understanding that he needs to be gentle and loving all the time. Logan especially loves it when Bennett looks at him and watches him do things. We think Bennett is quite entertained by his older brother!

Bennett is still sleeping a lot of the day. He's so cute and peaceful! He's an awesome sleeper at night, so he's beginning to have a few more hours a day when he's more alert.

He likes to snuggle in on the couch by us.

He's B-I-G! Bennett is so long - just like Logan! He has outgrown so many outfits already, first outgrowing the feet, then outgrowing the length.

Little Choo-Choo

On Sunday, July 26, we asked Baggie to come over to spend the afternoon with us. Grandpa Bob was out of town, so we thought it would be fun for her to come ride the little train with us! We went to Carson Park, near our house, for a train ride on the quarter-ton steam engine at the Chippewa Valley Museum. The train only runs Memorial Day-Labor Day on Sunday afternoons, so we've been waiting for the perfect day!

Logan and Baggie waiting at the station. Doesn't Logan look BIG?

"Here comes...!", says Logan


Stoaking the coals...

Logan in the covered car with Baggie...

then Logan decided he wanted Mommy in the car with him, so Baggie rode in another car with Bennett!

"Fun!"

After our fun train ride, Baggie treated us to ice cream. What a fun afternoon! Thanks, Baggie!

When we got home, Logan had to catch up on his correspondence. Ha ha!

Glitch

Hi friends! Our home computer had a glitch this week and ever went back to normal. So...it will be a while before our next blog post, but I'll do my best to keep updated! I already have lots of photos to share from this week, so keep a look-out!

23 Months and 6 Years

On July 17th, Logan turned 23 months! The big #2 is almost here! I can't believe it! Logan is such a big boy: talking in sentences now, learning new words and surprising us with his language skills everyday, jumping, climbing, and becoming more outgoing all the time. On July 19th, John and I celebrated our 6th anniversary! Oh my, how life has changed in just six years! We both decided life is the best its ever been - we are so blessed each and every day to have each other and our boys.

We got to spend our anniversary just enjoying our time together as a family after John was at camp the week before. We were in Stillwater, so we took a trip out to St. Paul to see Disney's "A Christmas Carol" Amtrak train that was in town on its nationwide tour. Logan loves trains and John heard about this promotional Disney train all decked out for Christmas, so we had to take Logan to see!

The train!

John and Logan on one of the stops on board the train where you could morph your face to look like Scrooge. I'm not sure Logan liked it - a little scary for such a young child!

This was my favorite part! Outside the train they had snow machines! It was like soap suds or something blowing in the air and it really looked like snow! Snow in July!

After the train expedition, we headed back to Stillwater for our friend William's birthday party at Teddy Bear Park (our favorite!). Will's birthday is just three weeks before Logan's, so we've really had our families growing along the same timeline. Mike and Sarah also have Grace, their daughter who is about 5 months old. We met at the park for pizza and yummy cupcakes and, of course, playtime! It was a great evening and a great chance to catch up with friends!

Will and his mom, Sarah blowing out candles. Happy Birthday William!


The little boat was s big hit - Logan and Will could have sat in there all night. The funniest part is that they sat right next to each other! So cute! In this photo Will has his shoes off...Logan must have decided that looked pretty cool because he had to take his off then, too!


Logan went down the supertall twirly slide all by himself!


The dads did a good job of wrangling the big kids while the moms chatted and tended to the babies!

I was taking pictures and Will pointed to me and said "CHEESE!" and gave this cute smile, so, of course I took his orders and snapped a photo! What a cute birthday boy!

Six Weeks Already?!

Six Weeks Old!

Bennett is cooing, giggling, smiling...and yes, still sleeping a lot! He loves to make eye contact, grasp onto our fingers, clothes, and mommy's hair. He also is starting to react when he hears our voices! I can't believe its been six weeks already! He's wearing 3 month clothes and filling them out nicely...another big healthy boy in this family.

Tummy time at 6 weeks

Last Week

The boys and I spent last week in Stillwater with family while John went to Young Life camp in Michigan for the week with campers. Chippewa Valley Young Life took over 30 kids to Timberwolf Lake (where John, Logan, and I spent the month of July last summer) for the best week of their life! They had a great time!

The boys and I had a great time, too! I didn't feel like I could do a week on my own with the two boys, so we appreciated all the help! We were busy! Our outings included Como Zoo, Underwater World, Central Park, downtown Stillwater...the list goes on! It was so helpful to have so many willing arms to hug the boys all week! Since I have lots of great photos to share, this post will be a little long and disorganized...enjoy!

Snuggling with my boys is my favorite thing.

Swinging is one of Logan's all time favorite things to do!


Playing ball is Logan's #1 favorite. Any time he can swing something to hit a ball, he is happy! Baseball, golf, and hockey are all pretty common past times.


Logan even got a little help from the pro! Andrew was over one day to help Logan with his swing. Andrew is playing for the St. Paul Saints this year!

Bennett became "Papa's boy". My mom is pretty busy when Logan is around because he wants her to do everything with him, so that opens up Papa for some time with Bennett. My dad took lots of days off work, so we were lucky to spend tons of time together. I think Nana enjoyed her special time holding Bennett when she could get it! Logan sure keeps her busy..."Nana, Nana, Nana, Nana!". My parents both were impressed by what a good baby Bennett is all the time!

Logan's first bonfire!

Cooking up s'mores! Logan sure liked the grahams and chocolate, but wasn't too sure about the gooey marshmallows.


Auntie Ali with Bennett!

Kyle and Ali are doing so great and keep really busy with work, friends, sports, and family. It was so much fun to see them! After a quick round of baseball, Logan had to have a nap because he was having a minor meltdown. But, they got some good time with Bennett!

At the Como Zoo, Logan loves the show with Sparky the Seal. He talks about it all the time! He also really loves the Merry-Go-Round. He could have stayed on his horse all day. It was such a joy to ride with him and just see the excitement on his face the whole time!


We had a picnic at Como Park before heading home for our afternoon naps!


Logan and I went for a swim one afternoon in the hot tub. The water temp was cool, so it felt refreshing!


The boys in their matching jammies from Nana!


One day it was rainy so my mom and I took Logan to Central Park in Woodbury. They have an indoor play area for kids, so it was fun to check it out! Logan liked it - especially the boat and the bugs in the water. He could spend hours looking at bugs! I just can't believe this photo - when did my baby become such a big boy?! Bennett just snoozed the whole time! Commotion sure doesn't bother this boy!


We get pretty spoiled when Papa makes his famous pancakes for breakfast...Logan LOVES them! In fact, Logan wakes up at Papa and Nana's house and says, "Pancakes?".


Logan also had his first corn on the cob - it was a huge hit!


Nana holding the boys! Its an armful!


Usually, if Nana is holding Bennett, then Logan is pretty jealous. But, sometimes he just wants to join in!

Underwater World at the MOA was a lot of fun! Logan loved looking at the fish, watching them swim right over his head. He also loved the moving walkway through the exhibits - it was a little distracting! Logan even touched a stingray and a crab in the touch pools!


Turtle ride? We went to the Rainforest Cafe for a quick lunch after our UW tour. It was quite a spectacle at the Rainforest Cafe. Logan was a little unsure of all the activity...maybe he'll like it more when he's a bit older.


Bennett's first bottle! Eating like a champ! I got to spend some time out by myself - my first time leaving Bennett! It was great! Logan was never much for the bottle, but I think Bennett is a little more easy-going. Phew!


Amy works 4 day weeks, so we also got to spend some great time with her! She sure has fun with the boys and Logan loves to wait for her to get home from work when she's gone! My parents babysat the boys so Amy and I could go out for a nice dinner one night and even run a few errands the next day. It was great to have some time with Amy!

Playing in the water on hot days! Logan is not the most adventuresome - he sometimes doesn't even like to get wet...it can cause a major meltdown!


But Logan always loves the park. Papa took Logan to the park several times during the week. Logan was so proud of climbing this ladder - he talked about it all week!


Sleepy Bennett was lucky to have so many people around to hold him. I often feel bad when I'm home alone with the boys and can't hold Bennett as much as I would like. Last week was a special treat to know he was getting so many good cuddles!


Papa and Nana with both boys! I was a little afraid that we had worn them out, but my mom said she would miss us and my dad made sure we know they loved having us and we're welcome again anytime. Wow - I don't know where they find the enegy to keep up, but it was a great week! Thanks for having us...now REST UP!