Ben is walking!

Ben has been walking for a few weeks now, really taking his first "step" at 9 1/2 months, but by 10 months, he can cruise 5-10 steps in a row! It is so fun watching him keep balance and take little steps. Here is a video I finally caught of him walking. Sorry it is sideways... :)

Pre-Christmas Fun!

The next posts come in a series --- our best family Christmas ever! Below are pictures of 'pre-Christmas', including some early December snow (it was a warm Christmas after it melted!), decorating the tree, and putting Ben in his Santa costume!

Meeting Santa at Macy's

Yes, meeting Santa was very traumatic for me. Even though Santa was AMAZING, and so very kind and gentle, it was still hard for me to get over the shock of sitting on his lap. I did eventually calm down enough for a real picture, though.

Before that, Oma, Daddy, Mommy and I went through the 'Day in the Life of an Elf', which showed all the amazing things the elves do at the North Pole. It was so neat, the adults couldn't ever get me to look at the camera.... :)

a face-off with Santa.....

SANTA WON.

Ben's First Thanksgiving

Ben had a very fun first Thanksgiving ---- so fun we forgot to take a ton of pictures! We spent Thanksgiving day watching the Packers win and having great food and family time at Grandma and Grandpa Marsos with all the family, and then we went off to the farm. It was sad for Mommy, because they had to clean out the farmhouse for people to rent, and nobody wanted to say goodbye to all the memories we've had as a family there. With some tears and good wishes, we all packed up boxes and said goodbye....

and then had a phenomenal Thanksgiving meal with Great Grandma Bernie and clan.

Also, Uncle Rob and Aunt Heather came and visited us during the holidays! It was so fun to see them. They went with Mommy and Daddy to a football game, and spent a lot of time cuddling with me too.... :) So fun to see you guys!

Ben's First Halloween!

Ok, but seriously --- even if these photos below ARE from late August, don't you think they are relevant for a Halloween post? can you believe the size of the spider web that was in front of our house? It was absolutely breathtaking, to be honest. And that Mama Spider was determined --- when the wind knocked her web down, she put it back up!!

And on to Ben. This is a few days before Halloween, as we were checking out his new coat (Thanks Owen!) and awesome boots that Mommy found.

At our neighbors, the Rogers house..... Benjamin seems appropriately scared.

And introducing .... Benjamin, our little Bernese Mountain Dog!!!

Oh, he was a DARLING!

Giving Greta a kiss. How cute is that!!?!

On our way out for our first Trick-Or-Treating Trek as a family :)

And.... asleep by the time we got to Grandma and Grandpa Marsos.

But at least the Grandmas got to see each other! Ben was so lucky that Grandma Oma (mommy's mom) went with us all on our first Halloween. TOO fun!!

We all just love this pic.... the berner face peaking out the side

When we got home to hand out candy to our neighborhood kids, the dogs loved having another 'dog' around!

and RIP to Eddy, our spider that lived about the shower.

(again, just felt appropriate for a Halloween post)

Trip to Idaho in late October!

Whew! After a LONG day of traveling with Mommy, Daddy, Uncle Jon, Aunt Jenny, Grandpa, and Owen and Eden, we finally made it to Bonner's Ferry Idaho! We didn't arrive at Uncle Matt and Aunt Mel's house until 2 am their time (4am our time), so we all had a big adjustment the next day. But we had SOOOO much fun playing with Katherine and Wesley, and the rest of the crew. In fact, so much fun that the pictures Mommy took were mostly of us kids - she didn't get the adults ever in the pictures! But you'll see from below that 4 days with the whole family was the BEST EVER, and I loved how much my older cousins took care of me.

Owen sat behind me on the plane, and all the adults expended a lot of energy entertaining us. Eden just slept most of the time :)

After staying up much of the night, I was having a tough time staying asleep so finally Mommy and I just cuddled in bed and slept together for the rest of the night. We haven't done that for many many months, and although it happened because I wasn't feeling great, I think Mommy secretly loved it.

This was the closest pic we got with Uncle Jon.... you can see his leg!

Grandma Oma got us these fun Halloween shirts

BATH TIME!!!!

Wesley and I spent this morning playing

Eden smiling at Daddy and me!

Katherine and Mommy went horseback riding through the mountains and saw elk!! Mommy was so happy that she got to share that with Katherine. (this picture not only shows their boots, but also SILLY Grandpa in the background....)

Wesley and I had a special bond....

kisses

and hugs

and sharing and play time.

Grandpa and BEAUTIFUL Eden!

Owen loved being outside with the dog, but when he was inside, we played a lot side by side!

Getting ready for the ultimate rivalry ---

PACKERS VS VIKINGS !!!

The house was split .... (Grandpa, Mommy and I represented the Green and Gold, and the rest wore purple)

Our Happy Family!

And the Packers won!!

Finally, Grandpa with all his boys :)

We all had so much fun together. Katherine is the best big cousin ever - she helps take care of all of us and loves holding the babies. Wesley is a lover - he cuddles and soothes. Owen is full of energy, and wants to be on the run all the time! Eden is so sweet and gentle, just happy as can me. And me? I just enjoy all the chaos and noise, taking everything and everyone in. I think we are all lucky to have such an amazing family!!