Monday, November 30, 2009

Leaves

Last weekend we raked the leaves in our front yard. Ben was quite the helper.



And while he did manage to help get SOME leaves in the bag...



I think more ended up scattered throughout the yard when Daddy wasn't looking.



Regardless, he is a big helper in our book and we'll always be willing to let him try his best!


Friday, November 27, 2009

Ben's First Train Sighting

As you are already aware, Ben has somewhat of an obsession with trains. Today I joined Nana and Grandpa at the Harpers Ferry train station for Ben's first true experience around a real live train.



Ben waited patiently... we weren't sure if or when the train would come through.



And we waited some more.



And then we heard the train whistles, and Grandpa and Ben went to check out the passenger train as it pulled into the station.




Ben even got a wave from the conductor!





And then he waved goodbye as the train left towards the tunnel...



It was a great time, and a wonderful first experience for Ben!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

The boys and I joined my family up in West Virginia for Thanksgiving this year. Ben enjoyed some male bonding.


And then snuggled up with... is that a bagel?


Bribery was made to both boys in the form of Doodlebops on DVD so Mommy and Daddy could get some peace and quiet.


Hope you and your families enjoyed a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Preschool Pals

Ben has been enjoying preschool and has adjusted wonderfully. He literally forgets who I am when we enter the room. Here is a photo that my friend Melissa caught of her son and close pal, Owen, walking Ben home from school last week. It is quite nice having the preschool just a block away!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Happy Birthday Owen!

Today our buddy Owen turns two! Happy birthday big boy!!

Family Farm Time

Yesterday Grandmom & Pop-Pop arrived and we took a quick trip to Frying Pan with the boys.
As always, Ben's favorite part of the farm was riding and examining the tractors.
And of course, boys will be boys...
And loving brothers!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Is AJ the next MJ?

AJ has lots of 'things'. Well one of his 'things' is hanging his tongue outside his mouth. Seth likes to make a comparison to Michael Jordan's tongue 'thing'. If only AJ were that athletic.



Saturday, November 14, 2009

Sibling Rivalry

Mommy & Daddy are going to the MD/VT game today. Who will win?



Monday, November 9, 2009

Winefest 09

Last weekend I was busy snapping lots of photos! Saturday I joined my mom on a wine tour of VA that my brother had put together. It was a lot of fun! Here are some photos of the event!



Bad idea #1. Bad idea #2 was putting the unfinished cigar in my purse. But hey, I got a free glass of wine out of it, so who could argue with that!


Don't they make an adorable couple?!


Me & my Mom!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Happy Drool Day!

Happy Friday everyone! Last weekend AJ cut his first two teeth!! That doesn't meant the drool is any less abundant today though!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Bag Lady... errr, I mean Baby

AJ seems to have quite an obsession with the diaper bags we use to throw out his dirty diapers in. It started with us letting him hold one while we changed his diaper to distract him from thrashing violently.


Well, it seems to have turned into somewhat of a security item for him. He likes to hold it... in good times...



and in bad...



For play times...



And bath time too!



If it weren't for the suffocation hazard I'm sure he'd love to take this to bed with him. And don't worry, we monitor him closely whenever he's 'playing' with one of these for that exact reason!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Halloween Fun!

This past weekend was jam packed full of fun! Ben started out his Saturday at Little Kickers. (Seth has been taking Ben to soccer for a few weeks now, he seems to 'get' enough to kick the ball but that is as far as he gets). Here is a video I took on his first day back in September.

I then whisked Ben over to a little Munchkin Halloween Party, hosted by Owen & Reed. I attempted at making Popcorn Balls which really just resulted in Corn Syrup being stuck all over the kitchen. Ben made himself comfortable as usual by hoarding all of Owen's toys. Here is a great photo that sums up the morning in a nutshell!

While I had the opportunity, I dressed the boys up for a quick photo shoot before dinner. Ben wore the most fitting outfit for him these days, and AJ was cooperative enough to put on a costume we borrowed from Owen. I figured I would have less of a chance of Ben taking a shot at AJ if he were wearing something pleasing to his eye (which, by the way, Ben did snuggle the costume earlier in the week whenever he had the chance).







Then Uncle Jon & Aunt Cori came over to join the fun and take Ben Trick or Treating! While it was raining when we left the house, it managed to clear up before we got to the end of the 2nd house.



The perfect ending to the night was a trip to Chipotle. Jon may be their #1 fan and convinced me to don a tin foil hat (made especially by Seth) to get myself a free Burrito! Even Ben seemed amused by my crown!



Lastly, we told Ben the story of the 'Great Pumpkin' who would surprise him Sunday morning with a present, in exchange for all his candy (which Mommy & Daddy would secretly eat). It was our way of minimizing the meltdowns when all his candy disappeared since he can't eat most of it anyway.