Rock the Cradle with Emma and Avery

We have been so happy to have made some awesome new friends!!  Ben has been in a gymnastics class with his new friends, Emma and Avery, and it has been so lucky for us that both their parents have become friends of ours as well!  We really look forward to more play dates and times out and about, and this was our first get-together outside of Subway or gymnastics :)

We went to "Rock the Cradle" which is a MPR (The Current) sponsored festival for kids and families a the Minneapolis Institute for Art and the Children's Theater Company.  First, we met for brunch, and then headed over to the fun!

Ben and Emma holding hands outside the cafe.  Ben was hamming it up for the camera!

Ben's FIRST bus ride!  He was talking about this for days after the event.  SO exciting for him!

Avery, Ben and Emma.  

First we went to a dance room (see the kids dancing below!) and then we checked out story time. 

So Ben and Emma went to a place where the played pretend-guitars, and their jam session was broadcast on the big screen in front of all the families!  What a hoot.

And a video of the 3 dancing.  a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e!

Ben's Baptism

Ben was (finally) baptized on March 17, 2013, also St. Patrick's Day!  We decided to do it at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, and Ben was baptized at the same time as Chloe Kellum and Jack Abeln.  We really loved the service, and the Pastor who baptized Ben was amazing.  We feel so blessed that the Lord is looking down on our son!  And Ben did an amazing job.

Getting ready.... Ben wearing his Thomas the Train pjs that he loves!

His adorable outfit.... he wore a green tie in honor of St. Patrick's Day!

Ben was a ham for this picture.  He was just so happy to run around with his cousins!

THE ACTUAL BAPTISM

(Thank you, Charlie, for getting such great pictures!)

Ben's sponsors/godparents are Kim and Paul.  

This white blanket is the same blanket that I (Anne) and my brothers were all baptized in.  It is so special in our family, and we wanted Ben to share in that.

His cross with his name on it, from Auntie Kim and Uncle Paul

Once again, Great Grandma Bernie, we were so happy that you came to help us celebrate Ben's baptism.  We love the cross you got him, and the fact that you wrote on the back and we will always have it!

And Ben really really loves his Auntie Linda!  She picked up Grandma in a snowstorm to make the trip for Ben' baptism.  thank you, it was so special to share this with you! 

We are so happy to have had such a special baptism for Ben.  Ben is so happy every night to thank God for everyone he loves, and it has become a more meaningful prayer time.  I think the books he received for his baptism has also helped him sort out what Jesus and faith means, and has helped him grow.  Patrick and I are also growing as we strive to explain more to him and help him understand all the amazing things that come with having faith, and loving one another.  

Ben's 2nd Birthday!

We celebrated Ben's 2nd baseball-themed birthday at his gymnastic school, Gleason's Gymnastic School. It was SUCH a blast. Sasha and Sasha were the teachers, and they did such a nice job of getting all the kids involved and playing and having fun!  The wonderful kids who came to celebrate with Ben:  Owen and Eden; Griffin and Elli; Peri and Chloe; Emma and Jack; Elijah; Joni; Avery and Seth; Allie, Katie, and Jack; and of courseall of Ben's grandparents, and Great Grandma Bernie, and Aunt Michelle.

Even the adults got in the pit..... There is Grandpa Scott trying to make his way through.  It isn't as easy as it looks!!

Even though this is a blurry picture, Sasha bounced all the kids up in the air and caught them.  It was very fun for most.  Even I (Anne) helped with a few of the shyer kids that I knew well.  Imagine a pregnant lady bouncing kids around :)

These next 2 pictures are of the cakes that Oma made.  I asked her for baseball-themed cake, and she way outdid herself.  People at the party asked where I bought the cakes from!!  Thank you Oma --- they were amazing!!!

Ben was just SO happy.  It was so much fun.

Ben's favorite present was a hockey stick from Aunt Kim and Uncle Paul.  After he opened that, he couldn't put it down (and hasn't since!)

At home after the party, and the kids were cuddling.  So cute.  We were so fortunate to have Jenny and the kids up for the whole weekend.  It really made it a fabulous birthday for Ben!!

And we LOVE you Great Grandma Bernie.  So happy you could make it!!!!

Thank you to everyone for helping make Ben's birthday so amazing.  He still talks about his 'baseball party', and remembers all the fun times.