... and then came Benjamin!

On Thursday mornings Benjamin gets to come with me to school!

Mommy got us matching outfits for our first day to go together.

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Benjamin was mostly just excited about pushing around his monkey backpack.

My First Day of School

I was so excited for my first day of "school" this year!

I couldn't wait to see all of my friends again ...

and use my new backpack and lunch box!

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I was happy, so happy that

I couldn't stop dancing!

I love school!

Catching up on NC

So, we spent a week in North Carolina with the C family!

We had a wonderful time & the kids played together really well!

We enjoyed visiting a Safari Zoo (see the baby monkey below)

and the Raleigh Children's Museum

as well as enjoying the park and the trampoline in their backyard!

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Here are a few snapshots of our trip ... soon!

Family Photo

Helllllooooo Out There!

Hello Everyone,

So sorry that we have been AWOL lately!

We will be back on track in no time.

Just wanted to let you all know that we haven't forgotten you out there in cyberspace!

Week 1: Trick & Treat

Each week from now to Christmastime Mommy & I are going to do one "trick" and one "treat" together.

The "trick" will be a crafty activity of some sort, & the "treat" will be a fun dessert that we make together.

So, without delay ... here is week one!

Treat: Loaded Pumpkin Bars

These were so yummy we gobbled them up. I managed to get a picture of the last one before they were all gone! They have everything ... yummy pumpkin & cream cheese filling & a topping of nuts & chocolate chips!

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Trick: Owl & Pumpkin Thumb-print Signs

- We used our thumbs to make pumpkins & add the wings onto these owls that we cut out of fun patterned paper.

We had so much fun making these & getting our fingers messy in the paint!

Tune in next week: button greeting cards & autumn apple tarts

Sweet Newborn Cuddliness

One surprise of our trip, is that we got to see Grandma!

Her flight was delayed, so we got to see her too!

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This is just a peak at a few professional pics of the family ...

They are so cute, I couldn't resist sharing a few with you!

How cute is this?

This one is my favorite ...

don't you just want to kiss those smiley cheeks?

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We miss you Joy, Joel, Caleb, Anya, & Daniel!

Thanks for a wonderful time!

Birthday Bash - 5 Ways

Since we don't usually get to celebrate our birthdays with our cousins ...

and they don't usually get to celebrate with us ...

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When we kids came upstairs on the last night together the grown-ups had decorated

for a surprise birthday party for all 5 of us!

We were so surprised & excited!

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We got to celebrate all of our birthdays together!

We had an Oreo ice cream cake & a present for each cousin!

Mommy & Daddy got Caleb a new boat lego set!

Uncle Joel & Aunt Joy got me cars: Lightening McQueen, Mater, and Francesco!

Mommy & Daddy got Anya some new beach toys & furniture for her doll house!

Uncle Joel & Aunt Joy got Benjamin a truck that goes by itself

& 4 new story books!

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We also got Daniel a present for his "birth-day" ...

He was asleep for the party,

but I'm sure he will like his wooden

push-toy seal that flaps his flippers!

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We think it should be a tradition!

Grumpy Old Troll

On one of our walks we discovered a Grumpy Old Troll living under a bridge.

He told Anya she couldn't cross.

I tried to come & help her, but he said he was going to gobble us both up!

Luckily, Caleb knew what to do ...

he announced that he was the daddy Billy Goat Gruff...

& head butted the troll out of the way!

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In & Out

We just got back from a great visit with our cousins.

We had a fun mix of going to cool places

& just hanging out at home.

We enjoyed several trips to different beaches.

We picked wild blackberries ...

(I was cold, so I am wearing Mommy's jacket).

We also hung out at home relaxin'

& enjoying all the fun toys ...

or the toy box in Benjamin's case.

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Of course, the best part was spending time together ...

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... and making sweet memories!

Kissin' Cousins: Meeting Baby Daniel

Hangin' with Baby Daniel ...

and his proud big sister!

Stack of kissin' cousins ...

& having fun at Green Lake!

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more photos to come ...