Portagers in Tucson

Grandma and Grandpa Perry visited this weekend from Michigan. Though VERY hot, we were able to enjoy a great time. We ate (a lot), played and splashed around with Ben in the pool briefly. Many many pictures of his latest antics were taken by the paparazzi (I mean my mom). Ben is continuing to do new things: he loves to stand and is starting to cruise a bit around furniture, he continues to try to talk (still mostly babbling with a few squeals here and there), and he ABSOLUTELY loves to eat. His new favorite foods are anything he can feed himself-especially cheese!!- and chunky/smooth combos. The newest foods he enjoys a lot are mango and avocado. I expect we aren't too far from the walking, though I would be happy if he held off JUST a bit longer.

We are gearing up for the big move next month (UGH packing!), and hope you all are planning your visit to Napa soon! While we are excited, we will miss these...

A beautiful Arizona sunset!

Now for the little big one:
Happy in my big boy carseat

Big boy at Gymboree music class

Mommy & Ben playing at Gymboree

Freetos out to dinner

Hanging out with my Granna and Grandpa Ben

Check out my new ride!

Having an important conversation with George...

I can feed MYSELF Mommy!

Winding down after a long day

Excuses, excuses...

We have been crazed around here-finishing up the rental details for next year, beginning to pack for our big move, and trying to tie up loose ends in general. Phew-we are exhausted. Not to mention Brian had been traveling for work and Mommy has been running around like a chicken with her head cut off. Needless to say-delinquent on posting-I get it.

Here are some funny pictures of Ben-you will notice in the following a striking resemblance to his father's 80s hair flip too...
Check out this do-compliments of sunscreen and chlorineAnd a few more...
Rockin some pretty small PJs

Are you staring at my butt? Oh, just the monkey
A big day for the Freetos:
Happy first Father's Day Daddy!

A few live action clips-we are pretty sure we don't always encourage the most stellar behavior, but he is a pretty fun kid. Fancy toys be gone-all we need to entertain ourselves is a sippy cup, a highchair, and a plastic egg...

Around the house

Benjamin was exposed to chicken pox recently, so we have not been having many great adventures the last week and a half, and have been on "pox watch." Nothing yet, so we are keeping our fingers crossed!

Here is some of the latest and greatest from our "adventures" in our apartment.

The following display of cuteness is brought to you by the letter "C"
And his friend "P" too (albeit a backwards "P")


And, now a moment of silence for our friend, Mr. Frog, who took quite a beating this week.

A Visit to Napa

Well...so much for a post every day. We just got back from California, on a trip house-hunting for our next big move. We looked at several lovely properties and should have a decision on a place soon. No matter which spot we choose, there will be PLENTY of room for guests, so start planning your trips to Napa now.

Benjamin enjoyed the trip, for the most part. We started in LA, and he did not love it there, especially the hotel room and their small Pack N'Play. Needless to say, Brian and I were pretty tired for those 2 days. We had a great time with Auntie Jill and her friends and there was a great bridal shower at her friend Laurie's beautiful home in Marina del Rey. Then off to Napa, and Ben had a BLAST! He was crawling everywhere, pulling himself up on anything he could grab, and enjoying time in his new "playroom"-a fun igloo tent from Ikea. He seems at home in Northern CA, which is good, since we will be there permanently (?) soon.

Do we have everything we need Mommy?

Showing off my toothy grin in my new tent

Out to lunch at Brix with Grandpa Dave

Ben finds the luggage tags-hours of fun waiting for our flight home

What Mommy?! I am busy

Here is a little clip of Benjamin's shenanigans in the kitchen-pulling up on and talking to the stool provided several days worth of fun for Ben (& laughs for all of us)