Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny found us.
And this is what Benjamin looked like when he found the chocolate bunny in his basket.

Fire Engine

Our preschool went to the fire station last week. We had a great time exploring the fire engines and even got a ride around the block. Benjamin was in heaven. I was surprised that he didn't want to go down the pole. He did want to suit up and stay with the fire chief. Life is good.

California

We just came home from sunny California. We had a wonderful time visiting my brother Kenneth and his family. Kenneth has 3 children and adding Ben to the mix was stressful at times (i.e. 4 children 5 and under) but we had a grand time.

We were hoping to help Kenneth and Heidi as he was having his 4th round of Chemotherapy. Kenneth was diagnosed around Christmas time with Lymphoma. It has been a difficult time for him and his family. We were lucky to go and visit. We really wanted to look for ways to help. Unfortunately Benjamin developed a cough and miserable "cold" on our way out and I found myself worried about what we were exposing their family too. We did go to an urgent care facility and got an antibiotic but I think that Ben had something viral as he didn't respond to the antibiotic the way he normally does.

Nonetheless we have some wonderful pictures and great memories. I am so thankful for Kenneth and his example to us. He has been an example of faith in times of trial and in the tender moments I find myself so amazed at the depth of his character. I am so grateful that he is my brother. I love him!

Here are some of our favorite shots of our trip. Of course we had to ride the trolley.



Some lazy sea lions were a hit with the kids.

A view of the Golden Gate.

Daddy and Ben playing frisbee in the back yard.
How would it be to have a orange tree in the back yard.

This was a cool teeter-totter that the kids loved at a park within walking distance from Kenneth's home.

This spinner made Ben dizzy but he loved it.
Joseph reading to all the children.
This picture was taken at the toy train exhibit at the redwood state park that we went to on Friday. The train had all kinds of characters on and around it. We even found Manny the Mammoth.

Joseph - solid as a redwood!

Our favorite outing was to the beach. We went to Santa Cruz and the view was breathtaking. The kids loved frolicking in the sand and getting their little legs wet. Ben says it was his favorite part of the trip.







Look at those dirty happy faces.
We came home to rain on Saturday night and a winter storm warning that accurately predicted today's 18 inches of snow.
We are missing the sunny skies of Sunnyvale and Kenneth, Heidi, Emma, Arianna, and Grant -man.

Builder workshop

Tonight we went to a builder's workshop at the school. Benjamin loved using the hammer and creating his snowman. Unfortunately I couldn't get him to smile for the camera.

the chase

This video is a few months old but so reminiscent of what happens when Daddy comes home from work. The "chase" ensues followed by lots of squealing, laughing, calls for Daddy to chase, and once in a while a request for mommy to get involved.

Museum

Three weeks ago we went to the Science Center in Ithaca. It was lovely. We had a grand time. Hopefully we'll be able to make time often this year as Benjamin really enjoyed exploring. Here are some pictures of the water / duck play area.

Winter fun

For Christmas we all got Snow-shoes this year. We have loved owning them. Unfortunately it has been really cold and we haven't gone out as much as I would like. Last week we braved the elements and frolicked in the back yard and field behind our house. Benjamin did really well traipsing through the snow.
This is a picture of the igloo that Joseph carved out. It has two openings and Ben can crawl right through.

While we were in Boise we build this snow family. Benjamin named them snow mommy, snow daddy and you guessed it....snow Benjamin.

Christmas Pageant

Benjamin was a cow in the Christmas pageant at the church. We thought that he looked adorable.

He tolerated Santa this year. It was a means to an end - He wanted that candy cane.

We went to Boise for Thanksgiving and had a lovely time. This picture was taken on the way home. It was in DC after a long day of flying. Joseph tied Benjamin to the chair. He thought it was great!
Check out the cute back-pack! He carried all of his toys himself.

Our dragon

For Halloween Benjamin wanted to be a dragon. I found this costume at a yard sale and it has really been a hit. The first two pictures were from Halloween and the last just a few weeks ago when we dined with Bob the Builder.

Benjamin is quick to say that he is a friendly dragon.