Camping and Puppies and Stuff.

Yes, I am a terrible blogger. Now that that's out of the way.... We went camping over Labor Day weekend and I need to post pictures or my mom will snatch me bald-headed. We love the fact that we can drive for a few hours and see pine trees, lakes and elk! In fact, the last morning we were there, I woke up in the wee hours of the A.M. to.... ummm...use the facilities and I startled a herd of elk just across the meadow. It was really great! Benjamin was the head gate-opener and even scored a buck from a couple on and ATV, enterprising young man that he is.

Here he is taking a walk with Grandma Judd.

There are more pictures but Sean didn't download them and I don't want to go look for his camera right now.

In other news, we have a new addition to our family. His name is Bodhi ( BO-DEE), short for Bodhisattva. Google it. Or watch the movie Point Break. He is a little sweetheart and has us wrapped around his paw. He is very smart and is doing well with potty training. I was a little skeptical at first but he is now my little buddy. He loves it when Ben gets home from school and there is much kissing and frolicking.

Kidergarten, here we come!

This will be a photo-heavy post so beware! Sean was able to go in late today so that he and I could drop Ben off together. I appreciated that because I got a little choked up when we left the classroom. He is, afterall, my one and only baby boy. He found his seat and got right to work as Miss Lin had a worksheet ready for him to do. Once he settled into his seat, I could tell that he wanted his parents to skidaddle so we did after a hug and a kiss. *sniff*. We are very proud of him and we know that he will be the best Kindergartener ever! We love you Ben!

Cheerios - breakfast of Champions. (actually I think that's Wheaties)

All slicked up and ready to go. We are not sure why he has adopted the peace sign lately.

Rear view (the backpack with legs)

One last hurrah before school!

It's official!

This is where Ben will sit while he expands his cranium.

Getting right to work!

Ghetto Booty

This is what Ben came in to show me the other morning.....
Not sure what all is in there. He doesn't really eat enough to justify this sudden booty-ness!

Squigglies

This may not be for the squeamish but we had a ball making them. I saw this on a blog and can't remember which one. You take turkey kielbasa (or any other type of link or hot dog) and cut it into thick slices. Break some spaghetti in half and start poking them into the slices. Boil a big pot of water and toss 'em in. When the spaghetti is tender, your Squigglies are done. Ben prefers them "naked" but I suspect they would be great with sauce. They are just as much fun to make as they are to eat. Give them a try!

Melting.......

We have been experiencing some phenominal heat here in the last couple of weeks. We purchased a pool for Ben a few months ago in anticipation of said heat. The problem is that the temperature of the pool by afternoon is not conducive to cooling off per se. However, he enjoys splashing around despite the fact that his bathwater is more refreshing. Sean and I have been known to take a dip occsionally. We have decided our next home will have an in-ground pool.

We are hoping to get some of the monsoon moisture everyone "down south" is bragging about. You know who you are. In the six months we have lived here, it has rained approximately three times and only when we are asleep. So not fair!

A little conversation...

I wonder if this is what my husband hears when I am talking to him sometimes?

Random

We are getting requests for photos and quotes from grandparents, aunts and uncles so here goes:

ME: Ben, how did I get so lucky to have a sweet boy like you?

BEN: 'Cause you and Jesus worked as a team to build my bones. (then looks at me like, DUH.)

I'm not sure why he left Sean and Heavenly Father out of the equation but I'm sure they both understand.

After overhearing a heated conversation between Ben and, well, Ben, about one of his toys not working properly:

ME: Ben, did you try _____________________? (Insert helpful MOM advice here)

BEN: (Insert 5-yr old dirty look here) I TRIED THAT, YES, AND THANK YOU.

Here are a few photos from our recent San Diego/Seaworld trip. If you run your mouse over the photos, you will be able to view the captions. Your choice.

Hammer Time?