Father's Day and More!

This weekend we celebrated Father's Day at home with our family of three. Benjamin was super excited to love on his Daddy all day long. He couldn't wait to give his special card and gift to him...

Will spent his first Father's Day with a yummy breakfast, church, a nice long run (Yes, Will runs miles and miles in this Texas heat. Crazy, right!?! Guess nothing compares to Iraq!), playing with Benjamin, grilling out steaks, and some nice cold beers. We are so thankful and blessed to have him in our lives. I feel like I hit the jack pot and love him more today than ever before!

Benjamin loves his Daddy time!

Benjamin is one lucky kid and is blessed with two amazing Grandfathers.

Boots came over for a visit yesterday and brought a very special gift with him. Boots! How appropriate that Benjamin's Boots gave him his first pair of custom boots! They are super tiny and something Benjamin will have forever.

Here is Boots and Benjamin with his fancy boots.

They are currently being displayed in Ben's room until he grows into them. I am sure they will be covered in mud in no time! :) Thanks Boots!!

Happy Father's Day to Pop! Benjamin loves his Pop so much and so does his Mommy. He is such a special, special man in our lives. We love his advice, his company, his humor, his playful spirit... and his lake house. :) We love being loved by Pop!!

Last weekend Will and I took our church friends out to "Tonk Nation" (the Schmid Ranch) for a yummy lunch and ranch fun. The husbands went kayaking down the river while the wives stayed back and swam with the babies. Benjamin had never been in the pool and wasn't too sure about it.

I think he liked laying out better than being in the pool. He looks so big in this picture! Love him. After some pool fun he was exhausted. Nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby.

Benjamin and I went to Mckinney for a few nights last week. Aunt Amanda and Uncle Brian were in Canada so Benjamin got to spend lots of time with his favorite buddy Luke. Here they are "reading."

Love this picture.

(Note: Their heads touching. Love it.)

Benjamin played with his Uncle Rett...

and learned some life lessons from Uncle Grant.

Someone is turning 5 MONTHS this Thursday! Stay tuned for good update...

Slumber Partayy!!

Benjamin couldn't contain his excitement...

LUKE WAS COMING TO SLEEPOVER!!

Without hesitation, Luke walked right in and gave his favorite cousin a big old kiss. Luke does the cutest thing to Benjamin every time he see him. He stand directly in his face and says (in a country accent) "hi ben. hi. hi ben. hi..." over and over again.

Tula also came for the day to give some Tula love.

Here is Benjamin cuddling with one of his favorite ladies.

Luke's turn for some Tula love.

Luke had fun playing 'soldier' with Uncle Will's hat.

So serious. :)

Benjamin had fun laughing with Aunt Amanda.

After Tula left, Amanda and I took the boys to get a slushy. Luke has a pair of cool frog glasses and wanted us to wear them. It is funny to think Amanda and I will embarrass the heck out of Luke and Ben someday with our lack of coolness. Till then, we will enjoy being the apple of their eyes.

We attempted to have a photo shoot with the boys and it proved to be unsuccessful. Out of 35 pictures this was the best shot we got.

Luke loved playing with Benjamin and all of his old toys. It's crazy how amazing Luke's memory is. He knows how to work every toy that has ever touched his hands.

Thanks Luke for letting us borrow all of your fun toys!

When Amanda and I are together we like to switch kids. I will take Luke and she will take Benjamin. It is so wonderful and such a nice change of pace. I am so blessed to get to experience motherhood with my sister and best friend. We always have so much fun when we are together!

While Luke helped me with dinner...

Amanda read books to Benjamin.

Luke is such a good helper. :) (Note: The forceful left hand grabbing Ben.)

Dear Luke,

You are my best friend. Come back soon. I love having slumber parties with you and Aunt Amanda. I can't wait for us to be big enough to sleep together on a big pallet. I miss you already.

Love, Benjamin

Benjamin Loves...

Benjamin loves...

Benjamin loves being a STUD!

Thanks Auntie E for my super cute outfit.

Benjamin loves AUNTIE E and MOLLY! They came to see us this week and he had so much fun staring at them. He isn't use to dark hair and I could tell it was so facinating to him. They are both such special ladies in my life and I know will grow to be for Benjamin. :)

Benjamin loves FOOD!

Milk. Cereal. Green Beans. Squash. Sweet Potatoes.

This kids eats like there is no tomorrow. I keep telling him that no one is going to take it away but he just isn't listening.

In between each bite of delicious baby food I get this face...

Benjamin loves SLEEPING ON HIS SIDE!

Will and I are big time side sleepers and it's looking like our little man is too. Sometimes I look at him sleeping and my little four month babe looks more like a big kid.

Benjamin loves BATHTIME!

Every night he enjoys a warm, bubbly bath filled with songs and kicking with his Daddy.

Benjamin loves KISSES!

From Daddy...

and Mommy. :)

Benjamin loves HANK!

Over the past week he has really started to notice our dog Hank. He laughs and laughs at any movement Hank makes.

Hank is so sweet and loves Ben. He is really ready for Ben to be big enough to play.

Note: Notice the dog toy Hank brought over for Ben to throw.

Benjamin loves HIS DADDY!

They already have such a special bond and I can't wait to see it grow.

Ben enjoys relaxing with his Daddy...

Talking with his Daddy...

And cuddling with his Daddy.

So much love between these two.

My cup runneth over.

Loving Life at the Lake

This past weekend we were loving life at the lake!

It is our home away from home, our little piece of heaven, our safe place.

We start everyday with fresh brewed coffee on the porch. Nothing beats watching the lake early in the morning talking with my favorite people. Ahh... I miss the lake already.

Ben enjoyed sitting on his Pop's lap is his cute jammies.

He has really discovered his hands and LOVES playing with them.

After breakfast, Ben enjoyed a little playground fun with his Uncle Brian, Luke, and Daddy. Pop made sure the playground was complete this lake trip and the kids had so much fun on it. Currently all Ben can do is swing BUT boy did he have fun! Thanks Pop for working so hard! Cutest toddler I know. Melt my heart. Benjamin loving the swing!

Ben made the rounds all weekend long.

He loved laughing with Uncle Rett...

Pondering life with Uncle Brian...

Kisses from Tula...

Playing with Pop...

Pop. You pushed me too far.

Ok people. Enough with the being passed...

I want my Mommy! :)

Ben (and Sophie) loved lounging in the hammock on the pier.

It is the first time Ben has gotten hot and I love his rosie cheeks in this picture.

The weekend was a filled with great food, tons of laughs, and many great memories. Ben was clearly worn out...

We can't wait to go back!