Playing the Snow!

Ben loves crawling around the driveway in the snow


Ben immersed in snow with his favorite guy :)


So excited!


Watch me Papa!


Ugh...if I could only crawl over this big berm...

Today we went outside with Ben and played in the snow. We went sledding down our driveway for the 1st time and it is really fun! Ben is going to love it when he gets bigger!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Family :)


4 Generations - Don, Jim, Brent and Benjamin


Riding the rocking horse


Mr. T helped Ben on the rocking horse and followed him up and down the stairs many times!


Barb and Leonard - family friends

We had 2 Thanksgivings this year... one with Brent's dad's side of the family at his grandparents house (I think there was over 25 people there!) and then one at Brent's parent's house. Ben napped the whole time we were eating at the 2nd thanksgiving so it worked out perfect! He got his first try of pumpkin pie - which he LOVED and also turkey which he likes too.
I am incredibly grateful to be surrounded by family even if it is only through marriage... it makes spending the holidays without my family a little more bearable. But maybe, just maybe my parents will be able to come out for Christmas next year! How great would that be??? Just wonderful!!! :)

Happy Boy

Taking his buddy Ebbee for a ride on the pony


Trying out his snowsuit for the first time

Benjamin is One!

Eating his 1st ever "sweet treat" a gluten free cupcake. He wasn't too impressed but seemed to like the icing alright and squishing it through his hands. :)


Ben's monkey costume at his Halloween themed birthday party.


The little guests: Ellie as a pumpkin, Brady as a little devil and Mallory as a bee. Jack was also there as The Hulk but ditched his costume pretty quick so he could play better!

We had such a fun time celebrating Ben's 1st birthday especially since my mom and sister were able to be there.
I can't believe our little guy is one already!!!! Where has the time gone??? He is so much fun right now. It's exciting to watch him explore and see what he thinks is interesting. He is getting fairly close to walking (I think) so we are looking forward to that too. This Christmas should be a blast because he will love tearing into all the presents - whether they are his or not!

Our trip to New England...

Littleton, NH in front of the library and Pollyanna statue


Neat houses...






Covered bridge in Vermont


Another covered bridge - Bath, VT


Yet another covered bridge - Stillwater, VT


The Ben and Jerry Ice Cream Factory - Ben loved playing in the crunchy leaves!


Love this picture!


Ben and his momma - I got peanut butter chocolate and Brent got strawberry ice cream - yummy!


We were looking for a waterfall but couldn't find it so we took pictures in the leaves instead! (By Stowe, VT)


Love those leaves!!!




Look at those leaves!!!


Along Lake Winnipesaukee, NH at a "senic spot"


Checking out the lake




Crawling in the sand


Beautiful leaves at the Canterbury Shaker Village


Family shot


More leaves...


One of the houses at the Village


The residence house at Canterbury - this was one of the best days - it was pretty warm and the leaves at the village were so beautiful. Ben got to crawl around a lot which he loved.


The Gorge along the Kancamungus Highway in NH


A serene lake right behind the Gorge


Windy Ridge Orchard


Ben loved eating his own apple!


A waterfall in NH along the highway


I believe this was a police station or court house in NH but we thought it was neat


Ben seeing the Atlantic ocean for the 1st time - Bath, Maine
It was pretty windy out there!


Crawling in the Atlantic sand :)


Portland Headlight - Portland, Maine


We let Ben crawl on the grass at the Headlight even though there was a sign that said "Keep off grass" - we figured he's a baby so what damage could he do? :)


Portland Headlight


Happy boy in the car - Ben was pretty content in the car but definitly had his grumpy moments!


Another covered bridge in Vermont


Eating an apple from the orchard...


Boston


Checking out the cabinets at the Marriott Residence Inn


Boston


A really cool church - I forget what it is called...


Another really cool church...


Ben loved this fountain. If it was warm he could have crawled through it!


And the whole reason we made the trip...Jason and Caroline's wedding!!! Jason and Brent have been friends since grade school, were college roommates freshman year at CSU and Jason was a groomsman at our wedding.
My aunt Barbara, cousin Tara and cousin Ella made the 4 hour trek from New Jersey to watch Ben for us so we could go to the wedding. It was so great to see them and they had fun meeting Ben for the first time.
The wedding was beautiful and the reception was great - so much yummy food!!!