Another Milestone

Tomorrow we will mark Bennett's first birthday!  I honestly don't know where the time has gone.  We've been so busy keeping up with the boys that this year has passed in an instant.  What a wonderful year it has been.  The transition from one child to two children was great for us - Bennett has been such a joy from day one!  He is such a little ham: always smiling, flirting, cuddling, and cooing.  He really has been a perfect baby.

I suppose I will have to stop referring to him as "the baby" soon...not yet, but soon.  I'm convinced Bennett's first word is "Mama".  He sure does say it a lot to me (or to get my attention!)...we'll see if it continues.  Bennett is going to walk on his own any day!  He LOVES to walk holding our hands or pushing anything that will move.  He also loves to climb and recently mastered the stairs.

Bennett wants to do everything Logan does - I hesitated buying any new toys for Bennett for his birthday because he is happy to play with whatever Logan plays with.  They are starting to play together more and more.  They have certain games they love to play - especially playing in Logan's room and climbing around on his big bed on the floor.

Once again, we will be driving for the first birthday!  As a mom, I seem to feel the need to celebrate the first year and because we won't really have a party, I sent out these photos of Bennett (click here to see Logan's bday announcement) and hope that you will think of him on his big day!

Very Special Visitors

We were sooooo lucky yesterday to have some very special visitors!  My cousin, Jody, and her husband Tadd are in town from North Dakota.  They are spending some time away from their beautiful twin girls and took an afternoon to spend with us in Eau Claire.  The boys LOVED them both!  It was such a fun day!

Bennett was completely smitten!  From the moment Tadd walked in, Bennett couldn't get enough!  He really LOVED Tadd - and Jody, too!

Logan also had a fun time showing off.  He was talking up a storm, dancing around, and showing all his toys.  Jody and Tadd remarked that Logan was really not shy at all.  When they arrived, he said, "You were here when I was a really really really tiny baby!"  I had been talking to him about when Jody and Tadd were in Eau Claire the last time, Logan was only five weeks old.  We've seen them many times since, but never in EC!  Thanks for making the trip!

This time last year...

Thinking back to this time last year has so many emotions for us.  We were so excited to meet our new baby (and find out if it would be a boy or a girl!); we were so busy finishing up projects around home before the new arrival; we were wondering what life would be like as our family of three grew to a family of four.

Our neighbor took these photos one night, just a couple days before Bennett was born.  She couldn't believe we were out playing frisbee...well, she couldn't believe I was out playing frisbee!  Its amazing: Logan looks so little (and I look so big!).  Logan has grown up to be such a great big brother and a big boy in just one year.  Our family of four is so wonderful and life is so rich.  We really had no idea the dimension Bennett would add to our life.  We're so thankful for our beautiful boys!

The Children's Farm 5

Our last day at The Children's Farm on Monday, May 24th.  I am just now getting around to posting photos...its been a little crazy lately!  We were sad to have our farm class end, but we are so thankful we were able to experience it!  It was so wonderful for Logan and his confidence and independence really grew during the four weeks we were in class.

The Children's Farm is only a little more than five minutes from my parents' house, so it was perfect to drop Bennett off and head to the farm with Logan.  Bennett got to have some special time with Nana while we were at the farm.  We were always back to the house for dinner and baths.  Then each week we got to see Papa and Amy before we headed home in the car - both boys would fall asleep for the drive after a busy day.

There was a special new feed bucket full of grain for the piglets!  Logan wanted to be sure to feed the pigs and hens on the last day.  After a month, he knew just what to do and was very independent.

Logan with the hens.

Having a conversation with the calf:

Logan: "Hey big guy!"

Calf: "Moooooooo!"

Logan: "Are you hungry? Do you want me to get some food or are you just drinking your baby bottle still?"

Seriously!  It was so cute!  Logan really befriended the animals and grew to love them and know them well.

Of course we had to rake some hay for the horses Felicia and Midnight.  Logan loved those wheelbarrows so much.  I'd love to get one for him!

It was blistering hot so they had some great activities set up to keep the kids cool.  This water table was a big hit!  

There was also a big group painting set up on the side of the barn, in the shade.  Logan left his mark.

He hadn't sat on the tractor...until now.

Look at all the activity in the garden!  The garden was a little shaded by the trees, so it was a good spot to be out of the sun.  Logan always loved being in the garden.

Checking on the beans we planted earlier...

Digging, of course!

I got this sweet picture of a grandfather/grandson who were in our class.  Unfortunately, they left early because of the heat and I was not able to get their email address to send the photo.  I thought this was so cute.

We explored in the sandbox (also in the shade!).  Logan just loves playing in here.  He even rescued a few spiders (yikes!).

The zip line!  Logan did a great job trying, but he wasn't quite able to hold himself up.  When he is older, he will love this!  Maybe we will get to take another class at the farm.  If not with Logan, I hope to go back for the same experience with Bennett when he is old enough!  

Our Great Weekend

Here's the boys...just lounging in the baby pool: representing how we spent most of our great holiday weekend!  The weather was amazing and we took full advantage of our time together by playing outside, eating picnic lunches, catching up on outside projects, and taking walks.

We put the slide into the pool...Logan is a little big for the slide, but he still enjoys it!

Bennett was content to sit at the top (with Mom as a spotter, of course!)

Sunday evening we took Logan to enjoy his first shave-ice.  YUM - so perfect on a hot day!  All he could say was "DE-LISH!"  That was a lot of sugar, so it took a while for Logan to fall asleep that night (totally worth it, though!).  Look at that blue tongue!  Logan was hoping it would stay.  He asked me the next morning: "Mom, is my tongue still blue?"

Bennett tried some, too...it was a little too sweet for him, I think.  He had fun just hanging out in his stroller!

We also hit the Memorial Day parade with our patriotic little boys!

Both waving their flags!  What fun!

Sun and Water Fun

With weather like this, we've been enjoying the outdoors!  The boys LOVE water play the most!  I love that they are both old enough to enjoy playing in the water on hot days...its going to be a GREAT summer!

Bennett checking out the trees.

Kisses for Daddy.  So sweet.

Fireman Logan!

Bennett likes to follow...

Gettin' wet!

So much fun with a bucket!

Uncle Scott!

Scott was here to spend some of the weekend with us after coming to golf in the YL golf tournament again this year.  We had a great time!  Its so nice of him to take time out of his life (and away from Jessica) to come support John at this event.  Logan had a blast with Uncle Scott!  He really loved having him around. Bennett, too - he was perfectly happy to be snuggled by Scott.  Thanks for a great visit and for making the special trip!  Bring Jessica next time!  :)

Playing baseball

Scott couldn't believe Logan didn't have a baseball glove yet...

So, he bought one for him.  Thanks, Scott!

The big boys playing baseball

Logan learning how to catch!