Unca' Dave Came to Visit

On Sunday we found out that Uncle Dave was coming to visit on Tuesday. Dave has been pretty hands on with his little nephew. Playing toys and rescuing from the high chair when Mommy couldn't get there fast enough! Dave also found his childhood favorite book... 'Cars and Trucks and Things that Go'. He sat and read/looked at that book for a good half hour!

Trouble Makers

Yesterday Ben's friend Hunter came over to play and they were both being so funny. They are both sitting up now so we were able to snap a few funny ones. Hunter is a talker, roller, and mover while Ben is a sitter and watcher. It's funny to see these two in action! (Ben 7 mos. 2 Wks. & Hunter 5 mos. 1 Wk.)

Hunter is talking loudly and Ben doesn't quite know what to make of it.

I love this picture.

I wanna touch the buttons.

They are so hands on!

Solar Eclipse

On the evening of the solar eclipse we trooped on down to the neighborhood park and parked a blanket by a tree and waited for a grand eclipse. We really didn't go prepared with crazy glasses or anything to view the sun/moon but, we did get to see little crescent shaped shadows on us and Nick tried to snap a picture of the sun. If you look close at it you can tell it's a little misshapen. It was fun though and it was a nice night for it!

Look close you can see it!

Crazy crescent shadows all over me!

Having a good time.

Like Father Like Son

Of course you have to take pictures when the boys in your house match!! Thanks again Grampa Dave for the shirt... just about grown out of it now.

Hammock with Dad

A few nights after we returned from Portland I caught a few shots of Ben and Dad sitting in the hammock. It was really cute them playing with a little leaf and Ben being so interested in the detail of it.

Great Grandparent Greetings

On Monday Nick, Gramma, and Ben went over to go say a quick hello to Great Gramma & Great Grampa. One thing I was worried about before we took this Oregon trip was that Ben was going to cry every time someone came too close that he didn't know. He sure proved me wrong not once did he ever get upset with anyone or with anywhere we went. He's such an angel baby. I just hope stranger danger won't be an issue for him ever.

Lily Billy Bing Bong

Ben got to meet Lily for the 2nd time in his life. But, probably doesn't remember her when he was 2 months old. They are almost about the same height... but not for long.

Mother's Day #1

This Mother's Day was my official first Mother's Day. Last year I was pregnant and was told 'Happy Mother's Day' but, I didn't really count that. This year it actually means something! Being needed by a little person is so rewarding and trying at times but, I am so glad there are days that we get to honor our mothers (and fathers). Now I get it... now I know how special it is to have your kids by you on this day.

We started mother's day... well I started mother's day by feeling crappy. I got a sore throat and stayed home from church. After that Nick's parents made a nice little picnic lunch out back full of BBQ ribs, potato salad and Kimmy's special fruit salad. It was so nice to just lounge on the blanket or in my case a piece of paper (inside joke). After naps that evening we hopped on over to my parents house for a salmon feast. It was nice... once again fresh air out back with a blanket and a dog. Couldn't get much better than that!

Lovin' Mr. Bear

Me and My Dad

Classic. Never gets old.

'I heart Gramma'

Playing with my truck

Sitting with Unca' Dave

That Lily just needed a soft landing

Gramma & Ben

Group shot

Forgot to add this one...

Beach Bum Ben

The Saturday before Mother's Day Nick and I wanted to take Ben to Cannon Beach for his first beach trip. We wanted to have the Gramma's and Grampa's come as well and of course his Auntie Kimmy. He was a trooper with all the bright warm sun the coast was having that day. He got to see all the sites and even stick his pigs in a warm pool and in the sand a bit. He got to watch Gramma's dog run up and down the beach with Daddy and get lifted way high by Grampa. It was a good day and to top it all off we ate at Mo's! Good ending to a fun filled day.

The Merriss Three

Ben and Daddy

Goonies Rock

Touchin' sand for the first time.

Nick running with Lilly Billy Bing Bong.

Posing with Gramma

And Gramma & Grampa

Found a warm spot to dip.

Ben & Mommy

Getting a boost from Gramps.

And the sea mist rolls in