Family Campout

I am very very late on this post.  But for the 4th year in a row, we had all the nieces and nephews camp out in the backyard.  It is always a lot of fun!  This year we started off the evening with an "Amazing Race" around the neighborhood.  The kids were split into 2 teams and they had to follow riddles/clues around the neighborhood until they made it to the final destination.  They had a blast and Pat and I were quickly awakened to the fact that it is hard to keep track of 14 children that are racing at all diff speeds.  But once we instituted the "team chain" rule meaning all kids on a team had to hold hands and link like a chain, then we were good to go.  They were only as fast as their weakest link:)  Livi and Critter cruised along in the wagon and Benny in the stroller. We had to add a third tent this year as the family is a growin' so the girls got their very own tent for the first time.  I love that all of these kiddos are all so close. They really love hanging out with each other.
  

Signing off until next year.

Paper or Plastic

3rd Annual Vineyard Harvest

We had the 3rd annual vineyard harvest yesterday.  The rain held off until the picking was done so it was perfect picking weather.  There were three times the amount of grapes that dad was expecting and he had a ton of family and friends there to help.  The colors were starting to bloom and it was fun to be in the great outdoors during such a beautiful time of year.  There was no shortage of food or polka music as the grandmas were DJing the event.  I think we will be eating cheesy potatoes for weeks.  Wine and cheesy potatoes pair well together right?? 

Thumbs up for the 2011 Harvest.

Family Vacation

We had a fun, long weekend up north with my family.  The cabin that we rented was perfect for us.  It had a very flat yard that walked out to the sandy shoreline and the water was crystal clear and shallow for more than 100 yards out.  It was perfect for playing in the water but it made it a challenge to get the boat in to the dock. 

Before Pat got up there, I had to drive the boat.  Driving the boat is not somethimg I usually do....that is Pat's domain:)  And I freaked myself out that I was going to hit bottom with the motor so my lil' sis jumped overboard and pulled us the 100 yards in to shore

....and then she continued to remind me of that heroic act for the rest of the weekend:)  Bennett got lots of quality time with Grandma and Grandpa Grape and Aunt Carlee and the weekend was made complete when we were all able to see Elvis live at the resort.  Who knew he was still alive and well and hanging out in Northern MN.

I did not snap many photos during our trip but here area few from the weekend.

 

Can We Say BedHead?

Lawn Mowing

When Pat is mowing, Bennett takes position right at the window.  He just stands there and watches and occasionally points and looks at me, as if to tell me that Pat is mowing. 

Someday when mowing the lawn is his job, I will remind him of these days when he stood by the window dreaming of the day when he could join in on the fun. 

Better Late than Never

I thought I was going to have to go to Kindergarten with Bennett just to hold his cup.

At 11 months he still would not hold his own bottle.

At 12 months he could not hold his own sippy.

At 13 months he still did not seem to understand the concept of "tipping it up" to get the milk.

And now at nearly 14 months the Angels are rejoicing because he is HOLDING HIS OWN CUP. 

I feel like I was just given an extra set of hands. 

Multi-tasking will now take on a whole new meaning.

This Momma is singing a song of praise.  Better late than never!