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

Painting for the Grammas!

The week prior to Mother's Day Nick and I decided to have Ben do some finger painting for the Gramma's. I thought it would be messier than it was. We just taped off ' I heart Gramma' and let him go to town... with a little encouragement he finally did. The Grammas ended up loving their first art work from their first grandson!

Reading with Dad

After bath most nights we are able to read him a few stories before he falls apart and needs to sleep. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is one of our favorites right now.

Alfalfa

We're in the tub again and yes we just couldn't help ourselves!

Bubbles in the Tub

The other night we had given Ben a bath in the tub but, it was his first night sitting the the tub without the cushy recliner we usually have him in! He seemed to like it okay especially with all the bubbles and bath toys! He's growing up so fast and it's just so fun to watch!