Here are just a few pictures of Ben from our trip to northern Arizona to see my mom. We kept busy while we were there helping my mom move in. Ben got to play with his cousins and his Aunt and Uncle.

Kindle Case

Check it out! This is my most recent sewing project and by the far the most difficult one I have tackled so far (still a beginner, after all). It is a Kindle Case. I got the pattern from www.modabakeshop.com (the bookkeeper post).Obviously, I did not do the flower part, but I can always add it later if I feel like it. I did put my own twist on it by putting magnets on the inside of the fabric, at the corners of the cover, to help keep the cover closed. I love how functional it is. Now I can put my kindle in my purse or diaper bag without it getting beat up! It did not come out as prefect as I would have liked, but for a beginner I think it came out pretty good! Now to make a cover for my laptop!

labor day weekend

Labor Day weekend was super busy! We went camping Friday and Saturday night with some friends. It was so fun! We hung out by the campfire, played volleyball, frisbee, catch. It was a long day Saturday and Ben got super dirty. We were all super tired by the end. We also got visited by a racoon two nights in a row. The second night it was brave enough to come out while we were all still awake and by the fire. The boys chased it off.
Sunday and Monday we got to spend time with Corey's Dad. Ben got to see his grandpa from CT for the first time! We also went out to eat as a family to Native New Yorker. Corey loves their wings.

Me, Corey, Ben, and Grandpa

Ben and Corey playing football
Ben trying to grab the shovel from Corey
Matt chillin
Ben, the outdoorsman

Ben, Me, and Corey out for a walk in the woods

Aquarium

On Saturday Corey, Ben, and I went to the small SeaLife Aquarium in Tempe. It was also Ben's first outing in his new forward facing car seat. He really like being able to see Mom and Dad in the car! Ben really enjoyed looking at all the fish and sea creatures. They had some small sharks and the biggest crabs I have ever seen! They even had starfish you could touch.There is one spot where you walk through a tunnel inside onw of the aquarium tanks so you can see fish below and all around you. Ben was afraid to walk right on the tunnel at first, since it looks like there is no floor, but then he was captivated by all the fish swimming around him. It was cool to go check it out, since we had never been. I got us two tickets for $5 through Groupon, for that price it was worth it. But, I don't know if I would ever pay the door ticket price of $18 per person. It is not a huge aquarium.
After the aquarium, we went to Red Robin for dinner. Ben shared my clucks and fries with me and all 3 of us shared a milkshake. Yum!


Sitting with Dad in the restaurant.
A pic with Mom and the fishes!

He is getting so big!

Ben is One

Ben playing with one of his birthday gifts
Ben opening birthday gifts (with Dad's help)
Ben sampling some birthday cake with Dad
Ben with Mom
Ben looking at his birthday cake.

Ben turned one year old today. I cannot believe it has already been a year! Time has gone by so fast. I am blessed to have such a wonderful little boy in my life. He is so fun! Today he went to the doctor for his one year check up and he weighs 22 pounds! He is in the 50percentile for height and weight so he is perfect!

He is such a lucky boy that he got two birthday parties. We celebrated with Corey's mom and her family on Saturday (the top two pics are from then) and today he ate the cake that I made him. As you can tell, he loved it. I don't give him treats like ever, so he was really enjoying that cake!

He got a lot of wonderful gifts. We got him a kiddie pool with some pool toys so he can stay cool in the summer heat. From other family members he got some clothes, toys, and books. He is such a happy little baby and so loved by his family near and far.

The worst part about his birthday was that he and I both have colds, but we still had a fun day despite our sniffles.

Love you Ben! Happy Birthday!

Yosemite/Sequioa/Vegas Vacation

Here are pictures from my family's vacation. Some are from the pool in Vegas, others are from the Sequioa Forest, and some are from Yosemite. I hiked half-dome with the cables down. There is a picture of me with my two sisters at the top of half dome.

May Day

Ben is seeming less and less like a little baby each day. He does a lot of baby talk. He has learned that if he does not want or like the food on his high chair, he can hand it to the dog. Or, even better, he will try to hand it to me. He is very curious and has a lot of energy. He certainly tires me out. Below, there are pics of Ben with his dad, and him playing witht he dog's water bowl