Happenings of the summer

Where did the summer go!?  How is it September already!?

We have been a busy family this summer from traveling to surgery to family visits and more!  Here is a picture over-view of our summer from May to August.

Grammy and Baba came out for a visit and baseball game at the end of May.  Benjamin sat on my lap, watching the game and playing with my ticket, for the entire 7 innings we were there! 

A picture?  Come on!  I'm trying to watch the game!

Ok, enough with the pictures.  You are cutting in to my time to play ball!

Benjamin got his first "big boy" hair cut.  Daddy pulled out the clippers!

It was not fun but don't I look cute?

We enjoyed some delicious new recipes.  Ben is wearing zucchini and summer squash casserole.

I think it looks great, don't you?

Aaron and I took a day to celebrate 5 years of marriage by going to Kennywood, a theme park in Pittsburgh.  We got to celebrate early since roller coasters are usually not suggested during post-surgery recovery.

Happy 5 years to my darling husband.

Memorial Day weekend was spent running through Grandma Jen and Grandpa Jim's house with Aunt Cece, Uncle Cal, Great-Grandma Karen, and Great-Grandpa George.  Ben was not a fan of the sprinklers but did enjoy rearranging Grandma Jen's cupboard.

Daddy, that water tried to get me!

If you are pleased, it was all my idea.  If you are not, I blame it on Grandpa George.

*Please note Mamma standing in the background preparing for a dog to baby collision.

We also stopped by Nana and Bupa/Pupa's house.  Ben is still trying to figure out what Grandpa Mike will be named.  We are pretty sure Aboo is no longer in the running.

It's tough work being spoiled by all these grandparents in one weekend but I am up for the task!

As you know, Aaron had surgery on June 1.  Benjamin was able to visit him in the hospital after a couple days and did a great job not touching too many things.  We are so grateful for all the help from family and friends who watched Benjamin, brought us meals, gave us encouragement, and lifted up prayers.

Now, I think if I just untangle this wire, we can break you out of here!

I got to spend lots of fun time with Nana and Bupa!

Nana and Bupa took me to the park a lot when they were here. The tick-tack-toe blocks were my favorite!

I was sooooo happy when Daddy came home and could read my Noisy Trucks book with me.

Grammy stayed with us after Daddy came home. She brought bubbles and lots of kisses!

Aunt Tia and Mamma took me to the Children's Museum for a special play day.

On the day of our 5th wedding anniversary, Aaron, Benjamin, and I went to see the Detroit Tigers play the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC park.  Benjamin did a great job again!

Happy to help my Mamma and Daddy celebrate getting married.

We were happy to take advantage of a cooler June day to take a family trip to the zoo while Aaron was off work still recovering.  The change of scenery was just want we needed.

"Rawr!"

Quick, let's hurry to see the polar bear!

Benjamin discovered a new favorite reading spot.  Yup, his yellow ducky bath.

It has just the right amount of support and quack.

For the 4th of July week, we drove to Grand Rapids to visit with Aaron's family and visit Western Michigan University and some of our old stomping grounds.  I'll do another post on this trip, which was tons of fun!

Took a break from all the fun to get a 4 generation picture.

Fight, Broncos!  Fight!

July 14th brought the Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma 2nd annual 5K walk/run.  My best friend from school (I've known her since 6th grade!) flew up from Arizona to run in memory of her sweet mom.

This is my "ready to walk" face. Daddy pushed me in the stroller the entire time only 6 weeks after surgery.

So happy Beth flew in!!!

After things calmed down after the surgery and visitors and race, Benjamin was content to return to his usual habits. 

I prefer to be surrounded with, and sit on, good material, especially if it has a squishy cover.

We drove back to Michigan at the end of September to pick up Aunt Cece and bring her back to Pittsburgh to spend a week with us.  While we were in Michigan, we met up with some friends, saw Aunt Cece and Uncle Cal in a musical, and went to "The Park."

Oh man, I can't believe we wore the same thing. I thought you were going to wear the green shirt.

Nana was so happy to show me "The Park" and it was everything she said it was!

I helped Grandpa Jim accomplish his 1 1/2 year goal: to give me ice cream!

Look Grandma Jen, I can use a fork. She's impressed.

Waiting with Daddy for Aunt Cece to head back to Pittsburgh.

 Big stuff happened while Aunt Cece was with us: reading, 18 month well visit, playing with a monkey. 

Stats (7/23/2012):
Height: 34 1/2 in (+14 inches  since birth, 96 percentile)
Weight: 23 lb, 13 oz (+16 lb, 6 oz since birth, 22 percentile)
Head circumference: 49 cm (+11 cm since 1 mo, 82 percentile)

We were focused.

It's cool, he's with me.

Sorry teen-age Ben but this is big news!  Ben also started to learn to use the potty!  He wants nothing to do with reading or singing while waiting to go.  He only wants to talk about one thing: the potty.

Pah-ee!

In early August, we headed back to the Children's Museum for some Mamma-Ben time.

Just trying to get a feel of what it will be like in 15 years. *Mamma screams internally*

Buttons.  Must. Touch. Buttons.

I see you checking out these trains but I think you should keep your eyes to yourself.

I <3 trains

While I wasn't watching, my baby boy turned in to a toddler.

I'm big enough to get all those things on the table you thought you were putting out of reach.  hehe.

*Mamma's heart just melted*

Funny story: Standing outside his door after nap time, I heard monkey noises.  When I walked in, this is what I found.

"Ah! Ah! Ah!"

I didn't want to wait until kindergarten to ride the school bus.

Hi, my name is Aaron Jr.

At the end of August, we traveled to Long Lake near Traverse City, Michigan with Nana, Bupa, Uncle Erich (Ick), Aunt Michelle (Shell), Great-Grandma Judy (Jujee-yes-more), and Great-Grandpa Bob (Bob-Bob).  Aaron and I were able to revisit some areas that have fond memories from when he lived there, including the spot where he proposed.  This trip will also need its own post because we had such a wonderful time!

Ew, are they kissing again?

Family picture at the end of our fun week.

We have had a wonderful summer but are ready for the cool fall temperatures, jeans, and sweat shirts.  I tried to get Benjamin started on some games so we'll have something to do through winter.  We're working on it...

Mamma, you said "king me." Does this mean I win again?

We hope you had a great summer filled with lots of adventures!