Family Christmas

On Saturday we had the Mielke Family Christmas. Here are a few pictures - a great time had by all. I just wish we would all be able to see each other more often! Bennett with Great-Grandma Bennett, Evan & Peytra trying out Bennett's new wagon

There are 6 kids three years & under - here is a sequence of the picture we "tried" to take.

from L-R Evan (Amy's), Bennett, Grace (Amy's), Gabriel (Chris's), Peytra & Stryker (Kay's)

Think we had enough food!!! This isn't even counting the 4 crock pots of snacks plugged in on the counter. And, this isn't including the ham dinner we had later on in the evening either!

Merry Christmas from the Fords!

What a great Christmas so far! On Christmas Eve we went with some of Mike's relatives to Christmas Eve church and then to Mike's uncle Mike's & his wife Trace's house for Christmas dinner. From there we went to my mom's. Bennett's favorite gift from her house was a classic red wagon! Then this Christmas Day morning we went to church and then came home and Bennett opened his present from Santa - a bag of Mega Blocks and a wagon to store them in which also dumps. Then later we headed back to mom's for another big turkey dinner. We have two more family Christmas's to go to so I'm sure there will be more pictures later on in the week.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Mike, Rachel & Bennett

11 Months!

Bennett turned 11 months old a couple days ago. It really is hitting me that in a few weeks he will be 1! This time last year I was very pregnant and counting (and counting, and counting...) down the days. This Christmas time last year is so very vivid for me still since I was so excited and anxious for Bennett to come. I keep catching myself saying, "Last year at this time I was...".

It was another big month with lots of new things for Bennett - here are a few of the highlights.

-2 new teeth on top which brings his total to 10

-walking around furniture and walking with things while holding on

-can stand without holding on to anything

-can shake his head No

-understands peak-a-boo and can cover his face with a blanket

-understands how to give hugs & kisses (I LOVE THIS!)

Grandparents

Grandpa Ford, Bennett & Grandma Stark Last weekend Mike's dad Ken was in MN from FL for his brothers funeral. It was an unfortunate reason that he had to come but we were happy to see him since we haven't seen him since February right after Bennett was born. On Saturday he came to our house to spend time with us (along with Mike's mom LeAnn and his Aunt Dianne also from FL). Then later that evening we met up with some more of Mike's family for supper. We don't see the Ford side of the family very often at all so we all had a great time.

Great-Grandpa Bill & Bennett

Santa Claus

Santa & Mrs. Claus came to town this morning so I took Bennett. I was worried he'd freak out but he didn't at all. He was very interested in the white fur on Santa's sleeve. We've been teaching Bennett to say Ho Ho Ho. If we can get him to say them, it's usually only one or two Ho Ho's but still pretty cute!