A Perfect day

/>

Today was a day that I can only describe as a day that filled my heart with joy and huge amounts of gratitude! We met Auntie Grace at the Zoo and had the best time, the most gorgeous day, low 80 degree weather and of course, one of our favorite people to get to spend the day with! The best part was now Benjamin is at the age that he can see and observe the animals and really enjoy being at the Zoo! It's going to be such fun being Members now! Afterward, my guy slept on the way home and for a few minutes at home until his very best friend, and mine too, came over for an afternoon of outdoor activities with sprinklers, chalk and anything else they could get their sweet little hands on. Ahhhhh....I love my life. My boy just had a bath where I washed chalk, sand, dirt, grime and sunscreen off his beautiful body, I know that
meant it was a good day!

Doggy Door

Benjamin's new favorite thing is going IN and OUT Lucy's doggy door...see the progression!

Mimick

When I just sneezed Ben copied me...it was hysterical (maybe you have to be here)?! He coughs if James ever coughs. He's just our little parrot. Tonight I told him to say hi to his Grandpa on the phone, right away he said "Hi Pa...pa" It was precious! This was after he made me laugh at the store by (almost) screaming "Buh Bye, See ya" to EVERYONE as we were leaving....I am raising a very sincere, very kind, very loving and very attention seeking young man and I could not adore him one ounce more!

Affectionate boy

I know that one day Ben won't be doing this so I thought I would blog it and maybe I will be able to remember how full my heart feels right at this very moment. My Son is so snuggly, particularly right after the bath when I wrap him up in a towel and hold him, he puts his head on my chest and we both just breathe in the feeling of contentment. At that moment I feel as though I could hold him forever, feeling his little body pressed against me. He is also a big kisser, he loves to purse his lips up and kiss us, on the arm, shoulder, neck, cheek, wherever! He's just such a little lovebug, a sweet, wonderful lovebug!

Ben's favorite place on EARTH!

We got to go to the Children's Museum today WITH JAMES because he's on furlough this week so he was finally able to see what all the hype is about! Ben loved playing hard and we loved watching him smile and squeal with delight! There were a couple of times I wasn't sure who was having more fun, Ben or James...as you can see from the picture of him playing with one of the cool ball mazes. We were also lucky to go this time of year, there was a maze made of hay which I thought was pretty cool. Now, it's just about time for all of us to take a nap, we're tuckered out from all the fun!

Our first day at the park...in quite sometime!

The weather was amazingly gorgeous today so we decided to head on over to the park near our house and luckily Daddy was home from work and joined us! It was so much fun to see Ben enjoy the swing and slide and amazing how just before Summer(we've been cooped up for a few months now-but it's OVER), a few months ago, he wasn't as capable of doing as many things (the stairs) on his own! Now we are REALLY looking forward to being Phoenicians in the Fall and on into the Winter! Many more park days ahead....

Chocolate pudding and playtime!

Geoff and Amy's Wedding

What a lovely night we had getting to be part of the celebration of James' college (and beyond) buddy's wedding. The energy was so full of love, it brought tears to my eyes over and over.

Mt. Humphrey's hike

Well, we did it again! Dougie and I hiked to Humphrey's Peak (12,637 ft.) on the gorgeous fall afternoon of Oct. 1st. It was harder and way more intense than 6 years ago, climbing over boulders and having the cold wind hit our faces was nothing compared to coming down at dusk/dark and then hearing the noise of an animal in the forest. After carefully coming down we then held hands and ran back through the forest to the open meadow. Last time we did this hike it took us 6 hours, less stopping for pictures and lazily eating snacks and lunch and chatting to other folks who made it to the peak, also we went in the Summer and the sun sets later. Although I can't move today it was quite an adventure, exhilarating and absolutely gorgeous!