Realizing we haven't updated this in far too long, I thought I'd put out a quick update on what we've been up to lately...
Summer is here, so this family of teachers is ecstatic! Granted, Andy is still working (summer school), but he's home by 1pm every day and only works Monday through Thursday. This means we have a very busy summer schedule; it seems we've gone non-stop since our last day of work. That night we went to graduation at O-M and have just kept going since!
Ben and Alex are wonderful. Ben is in his glory as tractor show season is upon us. We have gone to two and have one more coming next weekend. Last weekend was the show in Millport that raises money for the MDA, and yesterday was the Two Cylinder Expo (all John Deere) show in Canandaigua. In both cases Ben managed to charm his way into getting to sit on a variety of tractors (shocker!). He also tried his first ever pedal tractor pulls. He moved the sled an inch the first time (I actually think it may have been less and they rounded up - he couldn't get any traction). Yesterday he got it to go 2 and an eighth, and probably could have gone farther if he could have reached the pedals a little better. He had fun!
Alex is now 11 months old and getting into everything. He's infatuated with crawling up the stairs, pulling himself up on the furniture and trying to eat everything he sees. He's not really "couch surfing" too much yet, but I don't think it will be long before he's doing that, too. He crawls very well, more or less abandoning the odd creeping method he had early on. He's got lots of teeth, which he loves to use to bite anyone he comes into contact with whenever he thinks it will help him climb on them. Actually, he seems to do it to me much more than anyone else! He loves to give high fives and has a whole plethora of fun noises that he loves to make.
We have a full summer ahead, including trips to see friends in Virginia and my parents' campsite in Canada. I've started running (well, I shouldn't exxagerate. I'm attempting to run, and spending a lot of the time walking - it's a work in progress) and we're hoping to start bike riding as a family. A trip to Watkins Glen in May showed us how much Ben loves hiking (as long as there are waterfalls as incentive), so we're hoping to hit some state parks, too. It's only the second week of July and I already feel like the summer's booked! Of course Alex has his big first birthday on 8/8 and Ben turns four a short 15 days later, so there will be parties to arrange. We're hoping to go with Andy's dad and his family to a car show and amusement park in PA toward the end of August. Life is busy, but good.
Before I sign off, here are a few photos of our summer so far...
Ben learns how to mini golf.
Summer is here, so this family of teachers is ecstatic! Granted, Andy is still working (summer school), but he's home by 1pm every day and only works Monday through Thursday. This means we have a very busy summer schedule; it seems we've gone non-stop since our last day of work. That night we went to graduation at O-M and have just kept going since!
Ben and Alex are wonderful. Ben is in his glory as tractor show season is upon us. We have gone to two and have one more coming next weekend. Last weekend was the show in Millport that raises money for the MDA, and yesterday was the Two Cylinder Expo (all John Deere) show in Canandaigua. In both cases Ben managed to charm his way into getting to sit on a variety of tractors (shocker!). He also tried his first ever pedal tractor pulls. He moved the sled an inch the first time (I actually think it may have been less and they rounded up - he couldn't get any traction). Yesterday he got it to go 2 and an eighth, and probably could have gone farther if he could have reached the pedals a little better. He had fun!
Alex is now 11 months old and getting into everything. He's infatuated with crawling up the stairs, pulling himself up on the furniture and trying to eat everything he sees. He's not really "couch surfing" too much yet, but I don't think it will be long before he's doing that, too. He crawls very well, more or less abandoning the odd creeping method he had early on. He's got lots of teeth, which he loves to use to bite anyone he comes into contact with whenever he thinks it will help him climb on them. Actually, he seems to do it to me much more than anyone else! He loves to give high fives and has a whole plethora of fun noises that he loves to make.
We have a full summer ahead, including trips to see friends in Virginia and my parents' campsite in Canada. I've started running (well, I shouldn't exxagerate. I'm attempting to run, and spending a lot of the time walking - it's a work in progress) and we're hoping to start bike riding as a family. A trip to Watkins Glen in May showed us how much Ben loves hiking (as long as there are waterfalls as incentive), so we're hoping to hit some state parks, too. It's only the second week of July and I already feel like the summer's booked! Of course Alex has his big first birthday on 8/8 and Ben turns four a short 15 days later, so there will be parties to arrange. We're hoping to go with Andy's dad and his family to a car show and amusement park in PA toward the end of August. Life is busy, but good.
Before I sign off, here are a few photos of our summer so far...
Ben learns how to mini golf.
Love that face!!
I love it when they fall asleep in interesting ways.
Alex plays in the grass at Grandma and Grandpa Roder's.
Water Babies!
Ben rides the two seated Farmall. I had asked the guy if could get in the wagon and he told Ben to come up next to him!
Alex says, "Mommy! Stop making dinner. Feed me!!!"
Ben can finally ride his John Deere bike.
Ben with a Lindeman Crawler Tractor - just like his Halloween costume!
The super excited face was a common site during the Two Cylinder Expo...
Alex tries some stunt man moves.