Sloane - 17 1/2 months

Sloane, or as Bennett has nicknamed her "Sloanie Bolonie", just amazes us everyday.  It is so fun to see her BIG personality come alive.  She is happy (most of the time) and she is LOUD.  Her vocabulary is expanding rapidly.  Some new words: cheers, cheese, bee, tree, B, Papa, Grandpa, cookie, night night, bottle, dog, cat, bows, open, off, on, baby.  I often find her looking at books and pointing things out she recognizes.  She loves to dance and sing.  She looooves water, is an OCD hand washer (hmmm like me?) and eats anything you put in front of her.  She is such a cuddle bug.  I must get a million hugs a day and she hugs pretty much everyone she sees.  Sloane runs everywhere and likes to jump up and down when she gets excited.  Her balance at 17 months is crazy.  She's run down our step driveway full speed numerous times without a fall.  There is no fear in this girl.  I love that she is super girly with her bows, dolls and purses, but loves to play in the dirt and run around with her brother and his friends.    This picture below pretty much sums up our Sloanie, pretty dress and bow with greasy hair (after a lotion mishap).  BTW - it took me a week to get it all out.  :)

Happy 4th Birthday Bennett!

Bennett is 4! I feel like every year I'm asking myself where did the time go?  Another year has passed and we couldn't be more proud of the little man Bennett has become.  Three was rough for us - the adjustment of having a new baby sister, pushing our buttons, not listening, talking back, normal toddler behavior stuff I guess, but I feel like he has matured so much over the past few months.  I so enjoy him and his positive, endless energy.  No one in this world makes me laugh like Bennett does, I love that.  He is smart, extremely witty, kind, sensitive, bossy, has lots of friends, loves school, has an incredible imagination, loves sports, is still a picky, picky eater, protective of his sister, and has the best one liners you've ever heard.  I always tell people Bennett is mentally exhausting.  He doesn't stop talking, asking questions and keeps me on my toes.   I swear he was a king in his past life and I'm here to be his servant.  :)  He is one special, special boy who has changed my life for the better each and every day.  

I asked Bennett some questions about his favorite things:

Favorite Color - Orange

Favorite Number - 5

Favorite Food - Mac-n-Cheese and Quesadillas

Favorite Time at School - Snack time & recess

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor - Chocolate

Favorite SuperHero - Batman

Favorite thing to do with Mommy - Go to Gym Class

Favorite thing to do with Daddy - Plant 'stuff'

Nature Camp

B attended a week long nature camp with his best buddy, Nico.  The camp was at a park in RWC for 3.5 hours each day and run by the Parks and Rec.  There were about 15 kids (mostly boys) and high school kids ran it.  The little campers went on hikes, played in a creek, did lots of art and science projects and much more.  B came home filthy and exhausted every day so I think camp was a success.

Boys Weekend

While Sloane and I were in Oregon for girls weekend, Justin took B up to Tahoe for some boy bonding time.  They went fishing, kayaking, horse back riding, mini golfing, swimming, played baseball, and much more.  Justin is such a good Daddy!  B told me his favorite part of the weekend was playing baseball with Daddy and that he ate two grilled cheeses in one day.  I love that kid!

 Enjoying some beach time.

 Meet Cappy, B's pony.  The first thing he told me was that she was a "nice girl". 

 Fishing on Donner Lake with Daddy.  

 Throwing rocks on the beach at Sunnyside.

 Dinner on the deck at Sunnyside.

He was very proud of the fact that he got to row.

Girls Weekend

Sloane and I just returned from a special girls weekend in Oregon.  We visited some of my dear friends and spent lots of quality time with my family.  It was so nice to have some 1-1 time with my spunky, sweet little girl and I think everyone enjoyed seeing how much she has grown.  

 The two squirts - they play so well together.  

 Brady and Sloane loved dunking their arms down in Papa's watering cans.

 An early morning trip to Farmer's Market.  Sloane just wanted to run everywhere.

 Auntie Val and Brady joined us at the market.  I can't believe how much Brady has grown since we saw him last month.

 She found a bench to sit on.

 Helping Papa pick out flowers.  Check out her little hot pink salt water sandals.  I got them shopping downtown with Fin on Friday.  Reminded me of when I was little!  Oh, I love having a girl to shop for.  :)

 Handsome Brady.

 They found some cones and loved moving them around.

 Curly hair and straight, fine hair.

 Playing in a big cardboard box with Great Aunt Peg.

 Silly Peg!

Look how tall Carterman is!  He starts 1st grade this fall.  Time sure flies.

 Kennedy cracks me up!

 The Phelan boyz having fun.

Eagle Crest 2012j

What a fun week in Eagle Crest!  We took lots of walks, hikes, bike rides, spent time at the pools, and saw lots of deer, bunnies and chipmunks.  Justin got to golf 3 times and I enjoyed a massage and facial with my Mama.  We loved spending a few days with Auntie Val, Uncle Mark, Aunt Peg and cousin Brady. Uncle Kyle drove over to see us one night which was a fun treat.  Can't wait for our trip next year!

 Silly girl

 Sweet Brady

She loves the bath.

Cuddles with Papa.

Learning to golf.

Uncle Mark teaching B the ropes.

Notice the tongue out - such concentration.

Taking a stroll in the wagon.

She has the cutest personality!

Feeding the horses.

Eating corn on the cob - her favorite!

Dancing with Uncle Kyle.

Thanks for the chair Aunt Peg!

We went to feed the ducks but it was a total windstorm so we had to abort after a few minutes.  The weather wasn't the greatest....

Stuffing her mouth with a veggie chip.

The grillin man.

Two fawn taking a rest under our deck.

We went shopping in Sisters one afternoon.