Pumpkin Patch First Timer

Yesterday we decided to take Ben to the pumpkin patch. We didn't really have a preference as to where we went, we just needed to get little Ben a little pumpkin. So Nick found a place that had a free tractor ride and tons of pumpkins. So we went there and I think it was the greatest little patch ever! Ben seemed to be in little boy heaven when he saw the tractor pulling all the kids. Then the local tourist train came to a stop when we were there to let off more people and we got some good shots with a choo choo up close! Pretty neat! I think we'll go back there next year!

No quite sure yet of all the orange.

Still in shock from so much orange!

That's a pretty good stem.

Sitting in a big boy chair!

Pointing to the tractor

Couldn't get him to look at the camera... only the tractor.

Still looking at the tractor.

Wow! A choo choo!

Choo choo and tractor! Little boy heaven.

My favorite boys.

1st Birthday Party - Sacramento Style!

Yesterday we celebrated Ben's birthday yet again here in Sacramento. We had decided to keep the 'Monster Mash Bash' theme the same as we did in Portland. We had a bunch of Ben's friends here to help us celebrate his first year and to ring in the 2nd year! We had a great time and I think Ben did too. He wasn't too fond of his monster cake my Mom made him in Portland unfortunately, so I decided to just do a simple cupcake and cover it in Cheerios... done. He actually seemed to enjoy that. He picked off all the Cheerios and didn't try the cupcake at all. Oh well next year probably!

Birthday Boy!

This last Thursday was Ben's 1st birthday! Unfortunately I woke up sick that morning with the flu so I wasn't able to kiss and love on my little man at all that day but, that evening I started to feel a little better and we gave Ben his birthday gift from us. He has recently been SO into cars and trucks so we decided that a nice big steel Tonka truck would be the best thing for him! That way he can go outside and play with it in the dirt and rocks. He seemed to love it, he makes a little spitting noise whenever he drives it around.

1st Birthday Party - Portland Style!

We went up to Portland for the weekend prior to Ben's 1st birthday to celebrate with family and friends. We had a great time and Ben had a lot of fun being able to see his Portland buddies (Jake, Thomas, and Cousin Henry). Ben had a good time opening up gifts and digging into his cake... well I dug he picked out the good pieces! All in all it was a fun day and I know he enjoyed it!

Hair Cutting Time

The week before his birthday we decided it was time that the almost one year old get a haircut. He was starting to get some serious ear-bangs. So away we went to find the right place for a first cut. I wanted to find a place that had little cars and such that Ben could sit in. Not that it mattered much he cried the whole time! He got a trim and a sticker and when we got out to the parking lot we decided it was time to turn around the car seat as well. He was a much happier boy on the way home that day!

Driving the fire truck!

We've Got A Climber!

So... Ben has been trying to climb up onto the couch for a few weeks now. Just couldn't quite figure out how to do it. Well today he figured it out and he climbed up twice! On the second go I decided to take pictures since this was a milestone! Yikes... now I really have to watch him. Not only on one level but, on two!!

Thinking about his strategy

Workin' it

Almost

Try try again

Last smile for the road... I'm going to do it Mom.

Almost...

Just about...

Oh boy.

And he's up!

Not really wanting to pose... really wanting the iphone cord.

Not only the cord but, wanting to climb higher!

NO WAY! I put my foot down. One level a day please.

I made it Mom.