Take Me Out to the Ballgame... and more!

Abner Group, Mike's company, makes it to a Mariner's game yearly so we took the boys with us this time. Jake was very excited to watch a baseball game. Ben was clueless but he clapped when everyone else clapped and danced to the music. Here we are, boys paying close attention while Mike and I smile at the camera.

Jake was determined to catch a ball. I found this one of those heart breaking moments as a mother because he was so excited to "play" baseball and didn't understand that we were just watching. There was no way a foul ball was going to be hit where we were sitting but Jake had his glove out and ready anyway. Dad and Jake took a walk later to the lower levels so they could check out more of the action up close.

Ben and Dad goofing around at the game.

Earlier in the week, my dear friend Rachel came to visit. Jake loves babies and was enamored with baby Audrey. Rachel has 2 kids that are the same distance in age as our kids...16 months. Yes, we are both crazy but we love having them so close. Sam and Audrey are younger then my boys but we enjoy going on walks with them. They recently moved to Vancouver so we miss seeing them more.

Ben checking out baby Audrey as well. He doesn't quit know what gentle is like Jake does but he is learning by watching Jake how to be a little better in that department.

We also had a day visiting our friends Heather and Micah. I love this picture of them eating ice cream sandwiches in their backyard. Micah is a joy and loves to play with Ben (and Jake).

Finally, a favorite pasttime of the boys...to crawl into Jake's bed and read. Mike caught them on Sunday enjoying some time together and they both are saying "cheese". Can you tell?

A visit to MR JETSL in Richland

Mike's company has property in Tri-Cities and since we have relatives over there we at times brave the drive over with him when he has business to do. This weekend we stayed in our "vacation home" at WillowPointe (a house in the subdivision Mike is building). This was the first time we didn't have to make Marc and Robin give up their bedroom and sleep on the couch so we could crash at their house. It made the experience much more enjoyable for everyone and we are looking foward to longer trips in the months to come. Here are some pics from our trip to see MR JETSL (Marc, Robin, Josiah, Elizabeth, Tirzah, Samuel, and Lydia).

Dad went fishing with Gramps and Uncle Marc on Saturday morning so the boys and I met his cousins at the park to hang out. Jake and Ben found their own fish to enjoy!

Jake loves his cousin Sam! The first thing he asked when we got to the park was "where's Sam?" Here they are sitting down and discussing the day.

Cousin Liz showing Ben around the playground. She took him up to the big slide and they rode down it together. She will be a great mother one day. Although, by the look on Ben's face at the bottom of the slide I am pretty sure once was enough for him!

Nobody ever takes my picture with the boys so this one is pretty special to me. Ben was exhausted after a late night and an early morning so he couldn't muster up a smile but he's still pretty cute!

Dad gave Jake and Ben both a ride on the zip swing.

Then Joe and Jake sat and watched the other kids get a ride. Jake is a lot like his cousin Joe when Joe was little. I think they will be great buds growing up. Don't they have the same look on their face? Joe's mouth is slightly smiling and Jake's is slightly frowning but other then that...

And back at the homestead...we can't forget cousin Tirzah who is a bundle of fun. The boys had lots of fun playing with her! In fact, Jake prayed for her about 10 times that night in his prayer so she must have made quite an impression. When they laugh...they could be twins. All the kids look like Mortimer's but Tirzah and Jake really look like Bugga so seeing them together was uncanny.

Another great reason for the visit? To celebrate Sam's 4th b-day and Gramps b-day. Here they are singing "to you" to eachother while the other kids drool over the cake.

Jake and Ben trying on the spiderman mask.

And last but not least...pics of Ben eating. I love the one on the right. He is having oatmeal for breakfast at one of those tall tables. The sun was bright since it was just coming up. The one on the left is post b-day cake.

Unfortunately, we didn't get any pics of Lydia. Next time, next time.

Lunch at Dad's Office, Ice Cream at Bugga's

Ben loves basketball and always goes straight to Bugga's stash of balls when we get to Dad's office. Here he is posed and ready for a slam dunk.

Hot dogs for lunch at Dad's office in the conference room. I look at this picture and can see why people think the boys look so much alike. Ben sure doesn't look much like a baby anymore! Good thing we are having another one...these little guys are growing up way too fast for me.

Ahh, how sweet! Ben and Dad giving good-bye hugs.

" Mom, Mom, It's ice cream time!" That's the cry that echos thru the house whenever ice cream is pulled out of the freezer. Jake loves green ice cream. The boys are saying "cheese" for the camera!

This is Ben's first ice cream cone. He can't seem to figure out how to get that ice cream out of the cone. He figured out after awhile that you could eat it all. Don't you love his green goatee and the green trail down his chest?