Major snow day in Parker, CO with Uncle Jake and Kandin

Early February 2012

Seeing how the Springs never actually gets a bunch of snow, we had to go where there was. Alas, one phone call, and a full truck later, we arrived with sleds and snow gear to outfit the family at Uncle Jake's house. They had gotten about 20 inches of snow in Parker, which is 49 miles north of us. Oma had a wipe out before we even left the Springs, but she too was a trooper and broke trail and had fun sledding. All were wiped out by the time we were done. Abraham kept asking for more, again, more please! Solomon, unbeknownst to us, had bilateral ear infections and was feeling a bit under the weather but enjoyed being outside.

Catching a ride to the top.

Oma, with battered knee and face, broke the trail for the "little hill."

Mom and Abers about to head down.

Solomon's first sledding experience with dad!

Best picture ever. Pure joy.

Kandin also sledding for the first time and loving it. She was as excited as Abraham!

Uncle Jake

Sad Solly refused to leave his gloves on. He did enjoy riding this way.

The big guys working on a project.

Lots of pictures, but I don't think it does the day justice. Abraham asks each time it snows if it is enough to sled again. If we don't have enough here, he asks to call Uncle Jake to see if there is enough in Parker.

Love it!

First day of school!

Needless to say, Abraham was SUPER excited to start school. We got the customary picture on the first day, and for the first couple of weeks after that, he wanted his picture taken each time I dropped him off.

Abraham's 3rd birthday, a tad late.

There isn't really an excuse for this post being so late, but I'll give you a few anyway! I was busy with work, boys, death in the family, new pregnancy, not enough computer time...

Anyway, happy birthday to my first born! We still can't believe that we have a big guy, one that walks, talks, runs, jumps, goes to school, plays board games, and loves us like this guy does. The time has flown by these last 3 years. We decided that Abraham needed some outside stimulation, so we found a great Montessori school that he attends 3 half ways a week. He LOVES it and asks daily if it is "tool" day. Let's hope that lasts into high school.

The stats:

Weight: 32# (63%), up from 8#3.

Height: 38 inches (75%), up from 20 3/4 inches.

Sleep: No naps, except for the rare occasion, otherwise to bed at 1900, up between 0700-0830. You and Solly share a full size bed and try to "nore" him out.

Food: Had gotten in a rut, but then mom got tired of making special things, so now cheese sauce is our friend to help get anything in! You request green beans, "so that I can earn dessert."

Favorite things: Puppy (the same one mom stole from Uncle Ryan 30 years ago) and beaver, trains and talking about trains, books, marshmallows, helping in the kitchen, Oma's house, his Muppet shirt to match dads, flying airplanes to Arizona, outside, bubbles, and puppy and beaver.

Brotherly love: Most days you get along well with Solomon, but sometimes push his just because. You're learning how to play much better together.

His vocabulary is gigantic. It's hard to believe we once had a concern about his lack of speech. Now, he never STOPS talking!

Club Car!! The newest addition to the family. A beautiful blue Betta.

Uncle Herb and Solomon hanging out. Best buddies.

Bowling with Bapa!

Moms second attempt at decorating. Solomon had a fire truck cake and was the guinea pig. Aber's requested a train cake with a club car of course!

Helping mom make his birthday cake. Abraham is my sous chef, all the time. This guy loves to cook!

For his actual birthday, we had some friends over for snacks, cake, and ice cream. One of David's students put on a cute little puppet show for us. The immediate family went bowling and had an awesome time! It was the first time bowling for Abraham and the last time for Uncle Herb. We are so glad we had a fun family outing just before he died.

Happy birthday sweet, sweet blue eyed, curly haired boy! We "love you the mostest!"

Solomon's 1st birthday!

We survived! Another kid. Another first year of life. Wow. The time seriously flew by. We celebrated tonight with some great friends and family. Nothing like some hamburgers, tater tots, cake and ice cream to have a good time! Solomon was really excited to become a mess and tear into his cake, until he had the chance. Then he didn't do anything. That is, until he got a fork! Neither boy has been a shove a handful of cake in your mouth on the first birthday kind of guy. C'est la vie!

The stats:
Weight: 22# 7 oz, up from 7# 14 oz (50%)
Length: 31 3/4 inches, up from 20 1/2 inches (95%)
Head: 49 cm (97%)
Teeth: 16...all but the 2 year molars
Words: Dis!! We know it means something that is across the room you find exciting. mamama, dadadada...neither of which are in reference to us.
Loves: Balls! You go to the play room, get a ball, hold it over your head, and then shout until one of us comes downstairs to play with you. Milk, animals...especially your puppy dog when she gets excited, bath time, going for walks, feeding yourself.
Dislikes: Sleeping well. I think once these teeth are totally in, you will sleep better!
Things you do: Starting to walk. Standing up unassisted from sitting in the middle of the floor. Flying up and down the steps. Helping unload the dishwasher and any drawer that is not child locked. Trying to play in toilet water, or Toiyabe water. Love your mama and dada and brother. Take a sippy cup, no more bottles or nursing. Ride backwards in your car seat contently, once we get you strapped in. Whenever you get excited, you go ' ooooh. oooohhh. aahhhh."

The birthday boy when he was 36 hours old!

Showing Bapa his presents.

Playing in the snow for the first time. After he got in his snowsuit and outside, he had a good time.

Eating cheerios from a chopstick with Uncle Herb. He LOVES, LOVES, LOVES him and will hang out on his lap whenever possible!

Eating his firetruck cake!

A little messy after about 20 minutes. Thank goodness for Oma's who swoop in to give a birthday bath!

Playing in his new indoor swing set and slide!

Thanksgiving train trip!!

Thank goodness for the excitement that little 2 year old boys have for certain things...like trashmen, trucks, and TRAINS! Abraham decided a few months ago that we needed to go on another train trip, like the one we took in Bulgaria. We figured we had a week off, there wasn't any reason not to, so off to Santa Fe we went! The nearest station for the line we needed is about 100 miles away in La Junta, CO. It was a rather early start (0407) to get there for our train that was scheduled into the station at 0803, but well worth it. Once at the station, they checked our bags, up to 3 checked bags and 2 carry-ons per person, got our tickets, glanced at 1 ID, and kept us company until the train arrived. Did I mention the station attendant even came to the truck to get our luggage? And that parking was free??!!?!? We have discovered the ease of train travel after just arriving at the first station.

Once onboard, we got settled, the car attendant checked our tickets, and we were free the rest of the time. The train was very quiet. I only noticed the clickety-clackety when the doors were open between cars. Abraham soon mastered the doors, how to open them and transfer from one car to the next. He routinely asked to go to the club car as there were tables for him to spread his toys out. Solomon loved the train as well. He could sit on the table in the club car and wave to all of the cars on the interstate or shriek and wave at all the animals we passed. David and I loved the large, open feel of the club car with floor to ceiling windows that allowed us amazing views of the snow covered mountains.

Waiting in La Junta, watching a coal train arrive.

The check in lady. She knew the other train travelers by name that were checking in for the same train. Small town...

Ready to go!

It looks like Abraham is the right size for a carry on!

Our departure station with the little ones.

About to climb on the table in the club car.

Hanging out with dad.

Relaxing...

Once in Lamy, NM, it was time to skuut while waiting for our ride!

Craft time for the cousins.

Climbing rocks in downtown Santa Fe.

Preparing Thanksgiving dinner after our turkey trot.

The Lougeay-Benson clan after our first annual family turkey trot (5k)!!

Dad working hard to build a fire while Solomon supervises.

Heading home, again, with the little boys before the train arrives.

We had a nice few days in Santa Fe with David's family. It was great to have the boys and their cousin Alex together. Solomon managed to get 3 teeth while we were there, and Abraham got 3 bruises!! Never a dull moment. Glad to be home.

Hope you all had a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

The L-Bs.

Look who's 9 months old!!

The time just keeps flying by with little Solomon Keji! He continues to be a sweet baby, with terrible napping habits but better bedtime routine!! We finally wisened up to the fact that maybe he is cold! Now, he gets a fleece sleeper, hot pack, and 2 blankets on for bedtime and he is sleeping, most nights, from 1930 until 0400 and then until 0630ish!! There are more baby sounds coming all the time, dadadada, mamamam, nanananan. No words, but not suprised by that. In the past few days, we've had to dig out of his mouth dog food, dry leaves, paper, mulch, etc...this kid eats EVERYTHING!! Solly is always quick with a toothy smile, a little flirt, or a bashful snuggle. Gotta love it!

With Nana and baby Noah who is 2.5 months younger

I must eat leaves!!

Trapped under the table, between the exersaucer, and next to the chair. I found him like this after leaving the kitchen for just a minute to get something!

Not certain about being on the tractor.

Whoops...little injury the other day. Forehead vs bunk bed while squished by mattress. Notice the bloody nose and bizarre line on forehead.

Stats:
Height 29.5 inches 90%
Weight 20# 3 ounces 50%
Head 47.5 cm 95%
Teeth 8

Pumpkin patch time

Thanks to groupon, this year we got to hit up a great little pumpkin patch for half the price, including drinks! Too bad the weather didn't cooperate. It was at least 80 degreess and beautifully sunny! We had a great time. Oma came with us since David had a school event. Bertrand "nana", nicolette and baby Noah also joined us and Uncle Herb came to watch the ladies. Abraham LOVED the hay ride, sitting on the tractor, and sliding down the slide!! He really didn't want to do it, but then Oma offered to take him and how can you say no to that?!? Solly was along for the ride, just enjoying the sites and beautiful weather. We were all sorry that DB couldn't come with us, but it was the only weekend that we could use the groupon! We'll have to go find another one to visit with Uncle Jake again since we didn't pick out our pumpkins yet.




Mom and her little boys driving the tractor.






















Corn slide that these 2 did at least 4 times!!!
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