More Jumping

I realize this a little redundant from a previous post this summer, but I just CANNOT get enough of these two jumping into the litte green pool. So fun to take picture of them! :)

Summer Baseball 2011

Traveling baseball is coming to a end this coming weekend with one final tournament. It has been a tough year for Mitchell's team (and tough for Jeff as the assistant coach as well). The team has struggled, but good coaching has helped them to keep a positive attitude and keep their heads up.

Mitch has some pretty solid pitching this year (especialy earlier in the year before his arm started bothering him).

I do not have much of a zoom lens on my camera... yet another thing on my wish list:)

Coach Benson

Celebrating 4th of July at the Farm

Our 4th of July was 3 days spent in Atwater at the farm and participating in the Spicer, MN 4th of July festivities. This has become a tradition for us. This year, our weekend included Hairball at the Spicer street dance (Jeff and I), parade, fireworks, swimming at the Spicer beach and tubing in Green Lake. It also included fun times/quality time with cousins.

Mitch and Lincoln at the fireworks (pictures uploaded in reverse order).

Grant was quite serious about the candy-collecting at the parade... as opposed to Joel who was much more into eating it and cousin Jayna, who was selective in her candy-gathering. :)

Grant was Lincoln's competition in candy gathering.

some things never change... Joel, but at least he didn't cry... just covered his ears:)

Campfire, righting off the bugs and pending meltdown....


Playing hide n seek at the farm... In the distance you will see Lincoln, Joel and Grant, who just walked past Mitch (who is hiding from them in the trailer attached to the 4-wheeler)
Grant, counting for hide and seek :)

There will always be guns on the farm :)

love this picture, courtesy of Aunt Terri

also love this one from Aunt Terri

4th of July Preview

More 4th of July pictures to come, but I JUST saw this one on my sister-in-law's blog and had to post:) ... that would be Grant...

Grandpa Turns 60!

We snuck in a little party for my dad Friday, before the 4th of July festivities began. Mike and Jenn volunteered to host so we headed over to Vadnais Heights. I love this picture of him and the boys. Happy Birthday Dad/Papa!!! We hope you can make use of your new air compressor:)

Mike and Jenn's backyard is beautiful, full of trees, stone paths, landscaping and even a creek running through it. It was fun to catch up on all the latest wedding plans and sneak a peek into Jenn's "wedding room" at the house, which is filled with all sorts of the decorations/centerpieces in process and everything red and torquise!

Some pretty good storms rolled through while we were there and this is what the skies looked like on the ride back to Buffalo. Definitely the prettiest drive across the interstate I have ever been on.

Back on Pulaski

Once again this year, the boys are back on the lake with Papa and Nana in their pontoon. This year they have stepped it up and drive the boat by themselves and tube behind it as well. They also continue to fish each time they are out. And I certainly don't mind being picked up at the dock from time to time to join them between cleaning and grocery shoping and laundry, and whatever else it is that I may need a break from while they are gone. It is fun to watch them having fun on the lake with their Grandpa and Grandma, making memories that will definitely last a lifetime.

Backyard Baseball

The boys have taken a big liking to backyard baseball (wiffle ball actually)recently. They love it. This particular night the entire family was in the game.

Mitch and Joel fielding

Joel is making some great contact and is quite a hitter

Mitchell, showing them how it is done.

Grant, running the bases

Sunday Night Ice Cream

We are actually lucky enough to live in a neighborhood that has a real, live ice cream truck! It is called Sugar Mama's and this summer Sunday night is the night you can hear the ice cream jingle playing in the neighborhood. We have missed it way too many times this year, but one this night it was a sprint down the street to catch it! I have a feeling this will be a tradition for years to come.

A Day at the Farm

Jeff and the little guys spent the day in Atwater a couple weeks ago. It wasn't planned, but Lincoln, Jayna, and Uncle Jon showed up for a visit as well. Jon was building a room in the barn, so the boys got in on some building fun. The cousins were busy building a "fort" with some left-over materials. You can see in the pictures how much fun they are having together.

Lincoln pulling the kids around the house on the 4-wheeler

...some more building. I love how Lincoln looks in charge of the operation with the notebook which I can only assume is full of design plans.

Jayna and Joel cleaning the barn.

And hauling hay... the work is never done on the farm:)
I believe they are getting food for the kitties below

Fun on the barn swing!

They fell asleep (covered in dirt) on th way home that night and Joel woke up crying the next morning when he realized they were not still at the farm. They love it at the Benson Farm.