New Day

Ben is working overtime trying to get this walking thing down. He wants to practice all the time, so we are hunchbacks shuffling around the house holding onto his little hands.

Late yesterday afternoon we were sitting out on the porch and there were six butterflies in our yard dancing in the air, Ben watched them in delight and amazement and we watched him with the same emotions. Parenting can be demanding and exhausting, but it's the source of so many moments of pure beauty and joy.

Mr. Personality

Everyone enjoys watching Beemer's personality emerge. He is laid back, he loves people, and he is smart. Sometimes he uses these traits for good and sometimes he drives his mom crazy. Ben is learning how to "work it" and manages to get people at his beck and call instantly. We went up to the mountains yesterday for some cooler weather and fresh air. He had our waitress at lunch smitten within seconds and managed to get the whole restaurant staff cooing and offering up treats for "the baby." The fun has just begun....

Boys of Summer

It is still hot and humid. It hasn't stopped us from having plenty of summer fun. The 118th Old Soldiers Reunion Parade was last week- the parade route goes along our street. It caps off a week of activities, concerts and fried food centered on the downtown square. We were excited to have our good friend Ajacia win the Little Miss Reunion Pageant, her mom Unitra is Ben's caretaker at the nursery at church.

We had friends over to grill out and watch the parade. The parade includes bands, reenactors, floats and every beauty queen in the county. The tanks lined up right in front of our house and we gave all the soldiers lemonade. Those moments just don't happen in Southern California!

Last weekend Leah went to Buffalo, NY for a weekend of wedding activities for her dear friend Lauren. It was Mark's first weekend solo (no church lady help!) with Ben. They survived boys weekend and welcomed Leah home with VERY open arms. Mark nearly skipped out the door to work on Monday morning.

Ten Months

It's hot and humid. We have been having record setting high temperatures this past week that pretty much leave you housebound with the AC chugging 24/7 and all of us going a little stir crazy. We are so thankful for the indoor swimming pool at the Y! Ben is babbling up a storm, has four teeth, wants to feed himself everything, still loves his drum (see pic of Mark) and is quite the little charmer. He loves the camera and is starting to pose whenever he sees the flash- wonder where that trait came from??