Christmas Day.

First things first we went to see if Santa had come.


Before we could open the presents we had to fuel up.


Then we put our santa hats on and started opening the gifts.

Ben loved opening presents. Even presents that weren't his!

Ben must have been a really good boy because he got a lot of gifts.




Even Chien was a good doggie for the year. (Although I disagree. :) )

Christmas Eve

We went to Mass on Christmas Eve.

Ben said, "Look at those poinsettia's!!!!!"


We went to the same Church that Katrina and I got married in almost 5 years ago. Ben was just a little angel flying around in Heaven then.




The KatrinaRun side of the family. We are missing one fiance who is coming into town a little bit later.


Merry Christmas to All! and to all a good night.

What a long strange trip!

So the family drove down to Florida for Christmas with KatrinaRun's family.

Chien and Ben were the best of friends in the back seat.

They played and napped together the whole way back.


We stopped halfway back to visit with my parents in Tennesse and to catch a few winks.


Ben loved the skiing santa toy.


Mamma Kay also had her rocking chair from when she was baby. (Sometime in the 60's I think.)

Ben really loved it!.


Finally we made it to Florida where Ben got to see all the relatives on KatrinaRun's side.

Early Christmas

As we are going to be with Katrina's family on Christmas day we had Christmas part 1 with some of my family.

Cousin dog Cooper eagerly awaited any crumbs that might fall.



Ben was super excited to wear his new sweater.

He really got into the present opening with Mommy.

Even the dogs get presents at this Christmas.

Benjamin loves to go over to his cousins so he can wrestle.

Happy Birthday

We want to wish a happy birthday to the Great Gandy who turned 85 on Saturday.

Ho Ho Ho

The Christmas cards are out so I thought I would post some of the candidates for the picture.

Enjoy!!!



 

Ben's 10 Month Check-Up

Ben had his 10 month check up today - all is well and he is developing right on target. He weighed in at 22 pounds and was 29 inches long - not as much of a growth spurt as last time, but growing still. He had his blood drawn out of his toe and it was like he didn't even notice what was going on. The nurse was trying to squeeze blood out of his toe, but he didn't mind. She even had to prick him twice, and he acted like nothing had happened. He sure made it a a lot easier on us by being such a good boy!

Christmas Dinner.

Ben's school had all the familes in for a Holiday meal. It was great! Ben thought so too.

Arts and Crafts

The first of many arts and crafts brought home from school!

Its a foot turkey. His feet already are a good bit bigger.

 

Extremes

A week ago Ben was napping on the beach in 75 degree weather.

This is what we came home to.

 

Christmas Time is Here!

Time to Trim the tree.

 

Went to the beach.

Ben went to the beach in Naples with his Great Grandma. As you can see he can now stand with some support very easily.

 

Happy 60th Anniversary!

We were in Naples over the holiday to help Great Nana and Great Patch celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

Here is the happy couple doing their first (of the night) dance.

We got Ben to sit still long enough to pose for a picture with the great grand parents.

Thanksgiving

I am going to post some more pictures tonight, but I thought I would point you to the complete collection of photos taken.

Here is one cute shot of Ben munching on his appetizers prior to Thanksgiving meal

I was going to do all this last night, but I had to sit in for a thrilling 4 hour driver safety class. Some one should have told me they ticket in that neighborhood.

Bubble Bath

Ben took his first Bubble Bath the other night.



Apparently Bubbles are delicious.

Cousins or Twins!?!??

Ben spent a Saturday with Cousin Caroline. They had a great time!!! Even though Caroline was a little suspicious.


Caroline is 3 months older then Ben. She is a little taller, but Ben has the "doughboy" thing going.

Election Day!

Ben went to vote today. He wouldn't tell us who he voted for.

Chien and Ben

Ben and Chien are getting more and more comfortable with each other. We let them both play on the floor now, but we have to watch carefully. (Mostly just so Ben doesn't pull out the dogs whiskers.)


Like all Baby's Ben just LOVES to play with anything he is not supposed to have. Here he decides he wants to order pay-per-view. (probably wrestling)

Chien is really cute around Ben. When Ben is upset he likes to come and try to kiss him. I guess thats what he would do with a puppy too.

College Friends

Two of Katherine's friends from ND came to visit for the weekend and go to the ND game.

Supposedly this was his first time to ever hold a baby. I think he is a natural.

Halloween 2

Ben got to wear his costume to school for Halloween.

Once everyone got dressed up


They went on a parade around the Motorola campus.


Later that night we went over to MomiDomi's for a little chili and some trick or treating. After such a busy day Aunt and Nephew crashed pretty quick on the La-Z-Boy