Our Ella is 2!

To our beautiful, funny, stubborn, and sweet little girl:  We love your personality, you make us laugh and smile and we love to see you growing into your own little self! 

We love.....

how you laugh when you find things funny and then say "That funny!"

how you've started to say "That Awesome!"

that Minnie Mouse is your favorite right now and you call her Minnie Moo Mouse!

how you pretend to be asleep sometimes after a car ride, but we know you're not because of that small grin you can hide.

your cute little dimple!

We even love your tendancy to say no to anything we offer you, just to be able to speak your own mind.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Happy 5th Birthday Ben!

Wow, how time flies!  I remember when Ben was born wondering what he'd look like and be like when he was 5.  The time is now here and we sure couldn't wish for a better son.  How blessed we are! 

Happy 5th Birthday to our wonderful little boy!  We sure love you!

Eating an ice cream cone....

is apparently a "learned" skill.

Memorial Day 2011

Fun at Ox Lake!

First pontoon ride of the year!

The new sandbox - what a hit!

Kid size Anirondak's - too cute!

Double trouble!

"I caught you a delicious bass"

Bathtime with a friend is always more fun.

Campfire and smores...the best!

That's a keeper!

Being silly on the beaver damn!

Just Because....

Bathtime Fun

MOA "Firsts"

Ben's favorite place to go these days is Mall of America.  He begs, and begs, and even prays about getting to go to the MOA. (He's even informed us that when he gets bigger he is going to work at the Mall of America - although we'll have to drive him there since he doesn't know how to drive or how to get there.  I guess he's really thought it out!)

It had been awhile since we had been there, it was a rainy day, so we decided to suprise Ben with a trip.  Both kids got to experience a few "firsts" that day.

Ella's 1st time on rides:



First Ride!




Riding the Big Rig with her brother.

 We also went through the Mirror Maze they have on the third floor for the first time.  That was very cool!




Where do we go!?




Which one is the REAL Ben?



Ben is also big enough now to go on the BIG Rollercoaster for the very first time - wow, was he brave!



Can you see them?





Just a little big nervous.



Ben can't wait to go back again!

Happy Easter 2011!

Decorating eggs!

 On the hunt!



Ella caught on quick!




Found one!



Easter morning!  Ella was such an expert at finding eggs after the hunt the day before that she was the first one to spy an egg Easter morning.



The Easter Bunny came!




How did he get one up here?!



Our little bunnies!



Let's Ski!

We took Ben skiing for his very first time today!  We headed out to Hyland Hills, rented Ben some ski's and got out on the hills!  He did great!  He REALLY wanted to take a ride up the hill, and wanted to take the cool jumps that he saw some skiiers and snowboarders doing.  We told him he's not quite ready for the jumps, but we did take one ride up the lift before we headed home.   We had so much fun that it "almost" makes me look forward to next winter!

Assume the position!





Riding up the conveyer belt - so much easier than a tow rope!



At the top of the "Mountain!"  Ben was so excited to
get to take the ride up!



What great family fun!







Ben's "ski face" - heading down the Blue run!
 He's not afraid of the hill! 

 





All done!  Look at how cute he is!



End of day treat - well earned!

At the end of the day Ben said "It wasn't that fun, because I didn't get to do any jumps." Maybe next year Ben!

Puppy and Kitty

Our adorable puppy and kitty!