Ben and The Wii

Ben playing Shawn White Snowboarding with Daddy
Ben preparing to jump

This is too cute not to share...we got the Wii from my parents for Christmas and Ben just loves doing it with us. At first he always wanted to step on the Fit board when we were on it so we had to create Ben his own board (his Aqua doodle folded in half). As soon as we get out the Board he will say "Mommy I want my Aqua doodle" and he puts it right by the board. He will attempt to do just about everything we do...Yoga, Strength, and of course Snowboarding :) It is so cute that some times I can't even concentrate while I am doing it! He has actually used the real board too and he loves playing the penguin game on the Fit. Greg and I were so impressed the first time we put him on the board when it is registering your weight it shows you your center of balance...Ben was right on the center the whole time...shows you how good of posture we all HAD as kids :)

A Wintery Weekend

The "Kids Tables" at Aunt Carol and Uncle Gordon's House
Ben helping sweep the ice for skating
Jeff and Michael skating

Doug with the girls...Kylah is an impressive ice skater :)

Greg taking Ben and Colton for a snowmobile ride

Family Photo Opportunity

Ben sledding with Mommy

Two weekends ago Jeff, Jess, Michael, and Andrew drove up from Tennessee so that the boys could enjoy the snow. We were so excited that they decided to make the drive that we all packed our snow gear up and headed to the lake for the weekend. On Saturday the kids mostly helped the dad's clear a spot for a skating rink and then the older kids (Michael, Kylah, and Emma) skated around with some of the dads. They also took a few rides on the snowmobile :) Saturday was the coldest day...maybe 10 degrees without windchill, so the activities were some what limited. On Sunday we had breakfast together and then we packed the kids up and drove to the Country Club to do some sledding...Ben had a great time, he took one spill in the snow (face first) but once I put my scarf around his face to keep it warm he still had a blast :) He even went down the big hill on his belly all by himself...Greg right behind him so we wouldn't have another face plant :) The hardest part about sledding with a toddler is that they want to be carried back up the hill...I obviously wasn't up for that task but with all the people there someone was always willing to help. We had a great time...I think everyone was exhausted by Sunday night...tons of activities and lots of cold, fresh air. It is always nice when all the cousins in Greg's family get together...there was only a handful that were there that weekend and there were A LOT of kids! Ben always has such a blast and it is fun for me to watch him run around and play with the big kids...he just thinks Michael is a riot and does pretty much whatever he does. The Guilds left Monday morning and it was actually snowing when they got to TN but of course within a few days they were back to playing outside...and as for us Northerners, we just keep getting the snow and cold.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Ben leaving his cookies and carrots for Santa
Ben must have been good this year...tree looks pretty with presents
Ben painting at his new table from Santa
Family Pic: Gpa D, Gma D, Great-Gma, and Us
Ben hanging out with his cousin, Sam

Lila chillin' with her Grandpa Bob

What a nice Christmas we had this year. On Christmas Eve, we met my parents and Grandma, and Greg's parents and Grandpa at Olive Garden for dinner. Ben was hamming it up and loving all the Grandparents attention. Then we came home and got Ben ready for bed and waited for Santa to come. Ben was up around 715-730 and was very excited to see if Santa ate his cookies! He was so cute and almost shy when he saw all of the things Santa had left for him. He did a great job opening his presents and certain things had to be opened right away (we had to hide the paints from him so he would keep opening his gifts) His biggest gift was his craft table from Santa and he has truly enjoyed it. Now he has a place to color, paint, do stickers, and play dough...and it is just his size. We ate our traditional Christmas morning breakfast (a delicious egg bake) and then got ready and went to my parents house. Santa had stopped there too and left Ben lots of good things! We stayed there until about 4 and then went to Greg's parents house for the large Abbott Gathering and dinner. As always, the dinner was great and all of us had a fun time hanging out. Ben was asleep by 8! All and all the day was relaxing and joyful. Greg had the rest of the time off so we got some things done around our house and enjoyed just hanging around together.

We hosted New Years at our house and we had a nice time with our friends...Ben didn't make it any where near staying up til midnight but that is fine with me. 2009 brings many joys to our families and friends this year with MANY new babies on the way and a couple of weddings too! We can not wait to meet all of the little ones...especially our new little one! Ben is becoming such a little boy (trouble and all!) But I can't wait to see how he grows and changes this year and watch him become a Big Brother! He is the joy of our lives and now we are just adding to that joy!

Abbott Family Christmas

Our House with the 14 inches of snow on Sat. morning
The kids opening their presents
"Dad?, is this one for me?"
Ben testing out the girls tool kit
Kylah posing with her new tool kit from Grandpa
Sam chillin' after opening presents

Kylah and Emma on their new toy from their Daddy

This past Saturday we celebrated Christmas with Greg's side of the family. This is the second year we have celebrated Christmas early with them because Greg's mom hosts the big family get together on Christmas Day and our Christmas always got pushed to late in the evening which doesn't work too well with a bunch of little kids. It is a nice way to do it since the family is continuing to grow and it gives us all some quality time together during this wonderful season! We all went to church together for the Christmas Program and then relaxed during the afternoon while Ben took a nap. We enjoyed a nice Mexican fiesta for dinner (we are all a little sick of turkey still) and as soon as dinner was over we headed to the tree to start opening presents. The kids of course are hilarious and so excited...Ben could have opened every one's presents if you would have let him! Ben got a lot of nice things and of course now we are starting to run out of room at our house but that's okay :)

Celebrating Christmas with children is so much fun...there is nothing like it. Ben walks around all day singing "You better watch out, you better not pout, Santa Claus is Coming to Town!" He knows just about every word to that song and he can't wait for Santa to come down the chimney...Daddy had to clean it because Ben was concerned Santa would get dirty! All of the snow we have been getting really makes you in the spirit too! We know at this point we will definitley have a White Christmas!

Congratulations Papa D!

Ben with his Papa D

This past Friday was my dad's last day of work and now he is an official retiree! He has worked hard for his entire life and now he finally gets to sit back and relax. Officially he is still on vacation, using up the last days he had but Jan. 5 will make it the real thing. Ben and I are hoping we get to see a little more of my dad during the week and maybe I can even have a little break here and there with his help. I am sure he will pick up some type of part-time job some place in town to keep himself busy but nothing like he was doing. He was a huge asset at the company he worked at and will be missed greatly but he left with all smiles! Congratulations again Dad!

Baby Number 2

Proud Future Big Brother making Christmas Cookies
Baby #2 at 8 weeks...such a little peanut
Baby #2 at 12 weeks...amazing the difference between 8 &12

Well, it's true as most of you already know...Ben is going to be a big brother! We are super excited and Ben keeps telling us he wants a Baby Sister, he sometimes says Baby Brother and then adds "and a sister too!" He is only getting one at a time so he will have to be happy with which ever it is, right! My due date is June 15, which will be a nice change from the fall baby that Ben was. This time having an almost 3 year old is going to be work all on its own, so with it being summer at least Ben will be able to be outside and burn off some energy. I am just starting my 2 trimester and I have been feeling really good (besides the nasty stomach bug last weekend) sometimes I forget I am even pregnant but then I notice my ever expanding waistline! I am definitely popping out faster this time...which I hear is normal, as long as the pace slows down as it should. We got Ben a Big Brother '09 shirt when we found out and unfortunately he is going to outgrow it before the baby even gets here in June. We will just have to get our use out of this one and get him a new one before the baby comes!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Posing with our Christmas Tree
Ben standing on the frozen lake
Daddy and Ben on the lake

Ben and Uncle Danny "skiing and doing butt bombers"

Thanksgiving is always a nice time to reflect on what is important in our lives and what we are thankful for. We all have so much to be thankful for, even with the hard times everyone is facing right now. I am thankful for my loving husband and adorable little son. I am thankful that both of my parents are healthy and living. I am thankful that I can still spend time with my 90 year old grandmother. I am thankful for my extended family and Greg's parents and his brothers, their wives and my nieces and nephew. I am also thankful for all of the things I take for granted every day. As much as no one likes going through the stresses of hard times, it also gives us a chance to look at what we DO have and embrace those things and those people.

This year on Thanksgiving Day we spent the day at my parents house. It was small and relaxing...with lots of great food. It was my Grandma, Mom, Dad, Greg, Ben and I. We ate a little later in the evening around 530 but it was nice because none of us were hungry and snacking after dinner. My mom did a great job on the turkey, stuffing, and potatoes. And this year I got to try making a few new dishes. The food was wonderful and the company too.

On Friday, we cut down our Christmas tree. Danny and Nichole came with us and cut down theirs too. We also invited Jocelyn and Emma along and Ben liked having Emma with us. They already had their tree up so they didn't get one. This is the first year we actually picked out a skinny Christmas tree. We were a little worried about it being next to the fireplace but it is just the perfect size and it looks great all decorated. Friday evening we ate a Thanksgiving meal with all of Greg's immediate family.

Saturday was pretty relaxing, but Ben talked Uncle Danny and Daddy into taking him out on the ice. He was a riot to watch and he made Uncle Danny ski with him and then Ben would fall and do Butt Bombers! He is at a great age and his imagination is just hilarious. We came home on Saturday afternoon and decorated our tree. Ben was a great helper and we only had to move a few of the decorations Ben put on...of course all in the same spot!

Tennessee Visit

Ben and Andrew in the cave at the Aquarium
Ben deciding whether or not to touch the stingrays and sharks
Cool pic of large shark at the aquarium
Michael, Andrew and Ben playing on the "tractor"
Michael and Ben's favorite past time together!

About a month ago we took the plunge and made the long trip south to Tennessee to visit with The Guild Family. Ben and I have not been down there since the November before so it had been a while since Ben has made such a long car trip. He actually did really well...the roughest patch was just before he was falling asleep for the night, but once he finally was out he slept the rest of the way and even transferred fine into Jeff and Jess's house. As always we had a great trip it went by way too fast but the boys had a great time together. Ben finally got to rough house with some boys and him and Michael fed off of each other the entire time...it must be a first born thing...but once they got started they couldn't stop laughing. We were able to celebrate Jess's 30th while we were there. On Saturday night, once the kids were in bed, Jess's sister came over to babysit and the four of us went out to eat and as a surprise to Jess, their friends had all gotten sitters too and met us, then we hit the Comedy Club. It was a great time and we were so happy to be a part of it! Sunday was our big trip to the aquarium and it was a blast. Ben had so much fun and still talks about seeing the sharks. Ben definitely had a good time "at Tennessee" as he says it and asks just about every day if we can go to Michael and Andrew's house. We drove home on Monday morning (with a stop at Sonic first!) and came home to about 2 inches of snow...YUCK! Can't wait until our next visit!

Happy Halloween...again and again and again!

The Neighborhood Group at the Pumpkin Patch
Ben-Our Silly, Blue Monster

Ben and his best buddy Shrek

Mommy, Ben, and Daddy passing out candy

Ben and Maddy getting ready for Trick or Treating

Ben and Daddy with the Camels at the Zoo Boo in South Bend, IN

Ben, Max, Havanna, and Nevaeh getting ready for zoo boo

This year Ben got a ton of use out of his Halloween Costume. First, we went to Spicers Orchard with the Neighbors like we do every year...this year we had two new additions:Josie and Hayden. The kids had a blast and enjoyed the cider and donuts (the parents too!) After we were all full from donuts we let the kids go the the large playground, they are at such a fun age!

The second time Ben was able to wear his costume was when we were in Berrien Springs visiting some friends. The zoo in South Bend, Indiana was doing a Zoo Boo and we decided since it was such a beautiful day we should go. Ben got lots of good practice saying Trick or Treat and of course checking out all of the animals was a huge bonus too!

And finally, on Halloween , Ben was able to put his costume on one more time and walk around the neighborhood collecting enough candy to last us a year. He had so much fun and did a really great job...I had to remind him at every house to say Trick or Treat loud enough for the people to hear him...it was actually pretty cute because some times he would just yell it as loud as he could! He carried his pumpkin almost the whole way (at least until it got to heavy for him to lift it up for more candy) :) He is definitely to the age where I look forward to Halloween and seeing him all dressed up and acting like such a big kid!

2 Year Stats

Ben had his wellness checkup the day after his 2nd Birthday...he is still doing great! He was 38 inches tall (still off the charts) and weighed 30.0 lbs (he only gained about 1/2 lb since last visit at 18 months) which is finally showing us he might be tall and lean after all. For a while Greg and I were wondering where he was getting his stockiness from...both of us were bean poles as kids :) He talks pretty much none stop...his newest phrase is Mommy/Daddy watch this! Then he waits for the appropriate response....Wow! or Cool Buddy! If he doesn't get a response he continues to do it until he gets one. He loves Cider Mills...if you ask him if he wants to go he always says...Yeah...goats and donuts! Today he told me he wanted to go bye bye to see the goats and donuts...what a memory! He is doing okay with the transition to the toddler bed...some nights better then others but usually about 1 time a night one of us has to take him back to his own bed and wait for him to go back to sleep. I am hoping this will continue to get easier and soon he will stay in his own room the whole night!

It's been awhile!

Sorry for such the long delay between posts...this fall has just been absolutely crazy for us. Between all the birthdays, new babies, and weddings, I just feel like the weeks are flying by and I just haven't taken the time to sit down and update. A lot has happened since the last post:

• Emma's 4th Birthday Party





• Ben received his first haircut...just a trim so he didn't look like such a wild man (a little bitter sweet)





• Ben picked apples for the first time and even got to take a wagon/tractor ride





• Kailer turned 1





• Ben's Great-Grandma turned 90!!!





• Ben turned 2 and had 2 wonderful birthday parties





• Ben now sleeps in a toddler bed...he climbed out of the crib 2 times in a row (conveniently the same night the pediatrician asked if he had done that yet...crazy, huh?)





• The Guilds came up to Howell and stayed for a long weekend

We have been so busy lately but with a bunch of great things. This weekend Greg is in a wedding and then after that we should be some what relaxed for a while.

Emma and her Princess Castle Cake

All the Abbott Grandkids

The 1st haircut...he was such a good boy

Look how handsome!

After all the hard work of picking apples

Kailer digging in to her Birthday cake

Getting ready to blow out the candles

Opening birthday presents

Eating Shrek cupcakes at his 2nd Birthday Party

Trying to open the pinata

The 3 newest cousins on the Abbott side: Kendall, Sam, and Lila

Ben peeking out of the fort

Jeff and Greg took the boys to Castaway Cafe...the moms shopped :)

Andrew, Ben, and Michael

Ben and Andrew playing on the train