Trail'in

The summer is great for outdoor fun, and this summer, we're all about riding bikes. After Ben's birthday we can all go together. The kids squish together in the trailor and are usually pretty nice together. We sometimes ride to a playground in the area, or if it's been a long ride we'll get ice cream cones!



This was Ben's first time riding. He looks alittle apprehensive, but once daddy started swerving all over Ben loved it(he doesn't love the helmet so much though!) Hannah really likes having someone to keep her company in the back, she fills in Ben on what's going on and let's us know how he's doing.

Ben's First Birthday!

My babies are growing up so fast, a year already! Ben had a good birthday, despite the bad cold (which we found out today is bronchitis) and a little crankiness. Aunt Juls was here to celebrate with us, and we all had fun.



This was Ben's big gift, and Hannah's favorite too!


He really liked the little cars from Aunt Steph, Uncle Brian, and Evy.



Seeing the cake.



Touching the cake.



Finally eating the cake! It was a glorious moment for him.




The end of the day and the birthday boy is all partied out.

Thanks to all the family and friends for the cards and gifts, we appreciate them all.

I Wish ...

We've been having some great weather for playing, working and learning outside. Dry, sunny and 70 degrees with a cool breeze. Hannah and I have been taking time to explore the outdoors.

In our half acre lot we have many interesting plants and animals; squirrels, rabbits, moles and a groundhog, cardinals, blue jays, robins, woodpeckers, nut trees, maple trees, willows, birch and cherry, flowering pear, shrubs, ferns and dandelions... just to name a few.

I also taught her a couple of ways to make wishes. One evening we laid on the grass looking straight up through the breaks in the trees, waiting for the first star to appear. She already knew the whole "Star light, star bright" poem.

Then I showed her a dandelion clock and told her to close her eyes and think of a very special wish; but not to tell me because then it wouldn't come true.


When she opened her eyes I told her to take a deep breath and blow as hard as she could.


She never told me her wish, but I think I can guess what it was because it came true... "I wish Mommy and Daddy's back yard was full of pretty yellow flowers."

Swim Class

Doesn't Hannah look adorable in her swim suit! A lot of you have been asking how swim class is going, so here is a little update. Hannah has a lot of fun, and is learning how to listen to a teacher, but she is nowhere near knowing hom to swim. She holds on to the edge quite well, and kicks her feet. She does a back float, and even jumps in (without holding on to the teachers hands) at the end. So, we'll keep coming and she'll get it eventually.



One morning last week Hannah decided she wanted to be a ballerina. So I dressed her up in a ballerina dress from Aunt Patty, her ballerina shoes from Aunt Juls, and I put her hair in a ballerina bun. She did ballerina twirls all morning long.



Ben has big news this week. A tooth suddenly appeared. I wouldn't have noticed if he hadn't of bit my nose! So now he gets to enjoy those yummy biter biscuits, and a bath afterward!