Sight-Seeing in Connecticut

On Tuesday we went for drive through the Connecticut country-side. The northwestern part of the state is a lot of mountains, woods, and really old houses. We stopped at two covered bridges, a waterfall and a sculpture artist's. We just happened across the sculpture garden. The artist had all these large animals and dancers and other things in the yard. He let us walk around and it was really nice because he had even plowed paths around the garden, which was needed since the blizzard had dumped about 15-1

Me and My Mommy

Ben decided he wanted to do a little photo shoot with mommy the other day. He was really into taking pictures, which was a little surprising.

Here Fishy Fishy Fishy

Last Sunday we went for a drive up to the infamous river in Connecticut where Adam and the boys going fishing every(ish) year. Ben got to see the fish hatchery where they raise all the trout that are released into the river. It was the beginning of the NE blizzard, so it was starting to get cold and windy. But Ben was determined to see the fish!

Christmas in Connecticut

We spent Ben's second Christmas in Connecticut with Adam's family. Christmas Eve was spent with his mom's extended family. And Christmas day was spent at Great Grandma's house

A group shot on Christmas Eve

Ben and his buddy Oliver

It was a long day of travel and partying!

Christmas morning wearing his new choo-choo shirt with a hood!

A fun puzzle from Uncle Paul!

A color explosion Glow Dome from Great Grandma!

A new truck from Aunt Gwen, along with a fun bowling game!

Fun magnetic building set from Uncle Jay!Chuck the Truck sets from Aunt Lily!

And we are missing a picture of the barking slinky dog (from Toy Story) flashlight from Aunt Annie, Uncle Billy, Erin, Lauren and David! We'll have to get a picture of that tomorrow and update :)

Early Christmas

We celebrated an early Christmas at home last Wednesday. Adam had just gotten home from Japan and we were leaving for Connecticut the next day, so we decided to open presents from my family and the three of us before we left.

Our pretty Christmas tree that Ben more or less left untouched

The Computer from Aunt Sarah

The tent and tunnel from Miss Elaine and Mr Donald

The Zoo from Mommy and Daddy

Mr. Garbage Man

Ben is exploring career options. First it was UPS man, now it's garbage man.

Just Call Me Mr. UPS Man

This video is from a few weeks ago. Ben and I had just gotten home when the door bell rang. Ben ran to the door yelling 'Pizza!' (hmmm, maybe we eat too much pizza), but it was actually the UPS man delivering Christmas presents! Ben then decided to practice his box stacking skills and build some muscle.

Yup, I Pick My Battles

Ben did not want to change out of his jammies this morning. Nope, he was having none of it. So, I decided to just pick my battles and instead of wrestling an alligator, I let him go to daycare in his pajamas. Luckily his boots fit over them!

Don't Worry, I'll Keep It Warm

Don't worry Daddy, I'll keep your side warm while you're gone. Ben will make sure to keep Daddy's side of the bed well used while he is in Japan for the next 10 days.

I'll Fix It

Ben helped Daddy get the Christmas tree straight yesterday. I guess it's not a bad idea - he does fit under the tree well. He had to touch each one of the set screws and wiggle the tree a bit just to make sure it was good before he could come out from under it.

Me and My Daddy

A New Favorite Chair

Ben's new favorite chair to watch his animals (aka Planet Earth).

Well, We Tried

Well, we tried to go see Santa, but Ben ended up wanting nothing to do with him. We went to Bass Pro Shop this week to see Santa and had about a 45 minute wait. We were able to walk around the store and see the fishies and the ice fishing shanties and boats before we had to stand in line for about 20 minutes. They have a lot of activities set up for the kids, so Adam stood in line, while Ben and I colored, played with remote control trucks and looked at the decorations. And then Ben spotted this Power Wheels 4-wheeler, and that's all he wanted to do was ride it and play on it. Right before we got up to see Santa, Ben was saying, "Santa, go see Santa" but, alas, when we actually got up there to sit on Santa's lap, he screamed and would have nothing to do with him. So I said forget it. If we get a chance, maybe we'll try again, but oh well. So we get in the car to leave and this in the conversation:
Ben: 'Santa, go see Santa'
Me: 'You didn't want to see Santa, remember'
Ben: 'Why'
Me: 'I don't know why. You're the one that screamed and wouldn't go near him'
Ben: 'Oh. Go see Santa? Santa. Go see Santa'
Me: 'But you didn't want to see Santa'
Ben: 'Why'
Me: 'I don't know why. Why didn't you want to see Santa'
Ben: 'Don't know'
Ugh! Should have had Santa sit on the Power Wheels...