I took Ben out to the Parkview Park this morning. It is finally open, so we had to go check it out on this beautiful day! Ben had so much fun "discovering" all the fun toys to play with there. He found a car and wanted to go for a ride. Watch out! Ben's behind the wheel! :) He liked pushing these pieces up and letting them fall back down. Tic-tac-toe anyone? Climbing into the lion's mouth (not something I ever imagined typing :) ). There's a little amphitheatre by the water. We walked over to check it out. Ben liked watching for birds flying over the water.

My family came to visit from Saturday-Sunday morning. It was nice that it didn't rain. It feels like it has rained all week. We were able to get outside and let Ben run around, so that was nice. Ben, my mom, and my brother Matt...being a ham for the camera as usual. My brother Jacob making Ben laugh. Posing for a brother sister picture. Getting in a little action on the Wii. My dad even played! Not my mom though...maybe next time. :) Ben showing Curt some rocks that he found outside. Every time we go out he just wants to round up as many rocks as he can. My mom opening her mother's day present from us. Everyone ready to eat some chocolate fondue...YUM!

Ben watching me mix some things in a bowl for strawberry pretzel jello...yum! Getting ready to add the cool whip. What a great helper! :) The best part about helping in the kitchen...tasting the food. I let Ben have the cool whip left on the cover. He was hesitant at first, but soon realized it tastes good! Yum Yum! (Or in the words of Ben...Num Num!)

Ben had his 18 month appt today and he did a great job. He cried when he was being examined and getting his shots, but otherwise he calmed right down. While waiting for the doctor, he was happy playing with the dinosaurs in the room. He even pointed out all of the dinosaur pictures on the walls to us. He was 27 lbs 11 oz (74%) and 34 inches (90%). He is a big boy!

Benjamin has started climbing up on the couch by himself. I'm not too excited about this development, as I can predict future injuries from falling off of it! Today he climbed up there, threw the pillows on the floor, and settled in to watch Handy Manny.

Friday afternoon we headed up to Cadillac to spend the weekend with Curt's family. We had a few birthdays to celebrate and were looking forward to some warm weather. Earlier in the week it said sun and 80's but by Friday that was changed to rain and 40's. So, we spent the weekend indoors, but still had a great time visiting with everyone. It is around a 4+ hour drive, so we get a little bored at times. Ben's holding Curt's basketball and staring into space. That's probably the same look we all had on our faces about halfway through the drive. Friday was the only good weather day. I got a picture of Ben, his Aunt Molly, and cousins on the swing outside. Peyton with some of his presents. He loves Thomas trains and was very excited to start playing with them. Ben having some fun with the tissue paper. His cousins took turns throwing it into his face. Katie getting ready to open her presents. Curt's mom and dad Curt's dad getting a turn to open his pres...

While we were at the zoo today, Ben was really excited to see the goats. He was smiling so big while he was petting them. I didn't get his face in the picture, but he is loving the goat! This goat got a little too close (nuzzling on him) and Ben had enough of that! His expression in this picture is priceless...he wants the goat to get out of his personal space. He started crying after this and I had to carry him around by the goats. He did not want them to get too close. The goat was probably just looking for a snack...and no he did not snack on Ben. :)