THE TRAVELING GARDNERS

As I was just day dreaming of all the Christmas presents I want to give, and would like to receive...I came upon these adorable house shoes. I heard about them on Martha Stewart. Benjamin told me he wants them. I just might have to pass the message along to Santa.... available at - www.pokkadots.com

Way back in 2003, when Dan and I first met....... we discovered a fact about our childhoods. We were both accident prone and klutzy! To this day Dan and I tend to fall, and stub our toes more than others. When finding out that we would have a baby, we thought that both of our "klutziness" would equal out to a perfectly UN-klutzy baby. Boy - were we wrong. Benjamin is a wild one. He loves to crawl and ram his head in to anything that he can. And he isn't dumb...he is determined. When in his crib, he likes to think he can break free by head butting his wooden crib. Just yesterday we had to lower the crib to the last notch. I walked in the nursery to find him standing up, looking down over the crib....just scheming of ways to escape. When sitting down on his bottom, he will get so excited, and rock back and forth. He will wail his arms all around like he is trying to fly. This sometimes leading to a tip over. And today I thought our precious angel was sleeping during nap tim...

Look at my handsome men! Notice that Ben is standing? He can now pull himself up and stand with support!

Turkey bowl...Dan's favorite part of Thanksgiving. Four different wards got together to play some football. Not a big turn out...but the guys still had fun! Benjamin and I tagged along to cheer on Daddy. Are you ready for some football? Benjamin in the cutest turkey day outfit ever! Judy - LOVE IT!!!! Dan played quarterback for some of the game, and did great! Action caught on film. Men and their football game - serious business people. A sideways shot of the game. Ben kept pulling on the camera leash as I was taking the picture. It actually turned out a pretty cool picture. Ben and I went for a walk part of the time. Ben is licking his lips as I told him about Thanksgiving, and all the food to come. The big, beautiful tree that shaded Ben and I from the sun. We (of course) did some cloud watching. Close up on mommy and Ben.

Today was such a relaxing and fun day. We started off with watching Dan play some football. We then went home cooked some food, and watched some football, along with the Macy's Day Parade. After getting cleaned up, we then headed upstairs to our neighbors Ed and Michelle's. Dan was extra excited because, Dan and Ed were able to watch the second football game on Ed's new big screen Plasma TV. Joining us were our downstairs neighbors who just moved in across from us. The husband is a serious vegetarian. So when he and his wife arrived, I had to be politically correct and say Happy Thanksgiving. As opposed to Happy Turkey Day. So to all you vegetarians.....Happy Tofurki Day! Earlier in the day at our house we prepared some yummy food. (Brenda- notice the apron???) Straight from Turkey Bowl - Leah working on her yammies. Thanks Mom for the recipe. They really turned out great! Meanwhile in the living room - Ben is enjoying his Mohawk and jump a roo. Dan, Ben, and Leah - Not...

Day before Thanksgiving Service project. Dan, Benjamin, and I went to help out those who were less fortunate. Members of our church donated food, and we put that food together and delivered it to needy families. Good times. That box looks heavy Dan. Use your legs....not your back. ;) Sarah (one of Ben's babysitters) giving the peace sign. "Serious" service planning going on. A free and wonderful baby sitter helping out with Ben. Thank you sister McKay!!!! "Who me? I didn't do anything...I'm innocent!" Keep it up guys! Good job! The factory line...... We have been blessed by so much kindness from our ward (church congregation) - they have been like family here in Hawaii. It was nice to give back some love.

Congratulations Kevin and Steph! We are so very happy for you. Welcome to the world little tiny one! We wish we were there to celebrate your new arrival! Enjoy your peace and quiet...as much as possible! Steph hours before the big event! Jell-O!!! Little smiles melt my heart

Yes, as Megan says - Ben is right up there with princess Di and being the most photographed person in the world. But, I just can't help it. He's soooo cute. And I LOVE to take pictures! But the main reason that I take all these pictures, is so Grandma's and Aunts who miss Ben can still see him. So here are some more pictures of the many faces of Benjamin. I also like to take pictures as I seem him changing. One day his hair is red, and now it's blonde! Enjoy! " Happy feet" Ben - Lately he loves to kick his feet like he is swimming. Bath time can get very wet! "Wanting to stand" Ben "Learning to crawl" Ben "Preppy" Ben "Too cute for words" Ben...Brenda love the fishing hat! "Chief Stinky bottom" Ben And last but not least..... "Mohawk Ben"....Dan wants to gel Benjamin's hair like this for Thanksgiving! Happy Holidays!

Sunday afternoon we were just hanging around the house after church. We decided to take some family photos. We have been trying to get a good family photo for Christmas cards. But, as you can see it is impossible to get Ben to look at the camera when mommy is more interesting to look at. :) Ben as he is trying to crawl to us. I love his eyes in this picture. Ben is trying to stand with the help of daddy. He is so ready to grow up. Our handsome little boy. " Mommy and Ben" - Dan had me hold Ben for a picture, and he couldn't get over how Ben big is. Seriously he is almost half the length of me! 8 months people!!!! And all we feed him is formula and Gerber stage 2 foods...not miracle grow...and yet he continues to grow....a lot! Family photo time! Ben has had enough...this photo shoot is done.