Frosting his very own cupcake
Just sampling the frosting
Helping decorate the birthday cupcakes
Of course, we have to make sure our dessert tastes good!
Ben's bday train set and table from Phil and I
At Flabbergast (I don't know why he has that funny face)
Karli and Ben in the jump house
Ben and Noah about to slide down!
Dad teaching Ben how to play Ski-Ball
The bday crew at Oscar's for dinner
Happy 2nd birthday Ben!!

Trying to blow out the candle

Halloween

We had a nice visit with Grandma Teena and Grandpa Rudy a few weeks ago. We went out to dinner, to get custard, to a farmer's market, to a bazaar, and spent a little time watching football. That weekend we also went to my God son's first birthday party. The weekend went by very fast. Little did we know we would be seeing them again within a few days. We took an unplanned trip to Michigan because Grandpa Rudy was having an unplanned surgery. He ended up having 3 surgeries within 10 days. We are very thankful that he is doing well and now recovering at home. Let's just say we are all watching our cholesterol intake now and Phil is planning on getting an exercise bike! During our trip home Ben enjoyed playing with Grandma and Grandpa Arnold, seeing his Aunts and Uncle and also got to hang out with his cousins, Eric, Wyatt, and Miles.

We had quite the festivities on Halloween weekend. On Saturday we went to Trick-or-Treat at the zoo. I got Ben a lion costume at a garage sale this summer that he wore long enough for me to take two pictures. So the costume just rode next to him in the stroller. Ben got to ride on the train (probably his favorite thing) and go on the merry go round. On Sunday we carved pumpkins and we went trick-or-treating with the Jansen's. Ben was a Milwaukee Brewer and Noah was a Packer. It was really fun watching them. The first couple houses we had to encourage them to walk up to the door. But by the end of the night they would walk up to a house and start pounding on the door, no prodding needed.

I am getting ready to meet Owen. I am definitely experiencing the aches and pains of being 37 weeks pregnant. The doctor informed me 2 weeks ago that she is going to induce me on November 24th. She is hoping that by taking the baby a little earlier (I am due on the 29th), he will be a little smaller and we won't have a hard time getting him out like we did with Ben. It is nice to be able to have a plan. My parents are coming on the 23rd and will be here for a week. With the big day getting closer I am starting to get nervous about labor. Phil keeps reminding me that I made it thru Ben's, so I can do it again.

We have an exciting week of birthday celebrations this week. Phil turns 32 on Wednesday and Ben will be 2 on Sunday. We are very blessed! Keep us in your prayers with the upcoming arrival of Owen. I will keep everyone posted!

Halloween

Helping Dad put together a chair
Ben and Pop-Pop Rudy looking at pictures
Me and my God son, Will
Ben and Noah at Will's 1st bday party, it was a Halloween party
Ben's turn at the pinata
Ben and cousin Eric
Ben and Wyatt
Grandma Teena and her 4 grandchildren
Uncle Dave being a horse!
Trick or treat at the zoo, yes that is Ben's Halloween costume sitting next to him (he wore it about 30 secs)
Ben's favorite thing, riding the train at the zoo
Decorating pumpkins
Why kid's shouldn't play with knives!
Ben was not a fan of reaching in to get the seeds out

Ben and Noah getting ready to go trick-or-treating

Let's go to that house!

Fall Fun

We have been enjoying our transition from summer to fall. I hate to admit it, but being pregnant and hot all the time, I have been welcoming this cooler weather. It's also nice to not have to put sunscreen on Ben every time we step outside.

We are all moved in to our new place. My parents came for a few days and helped us with the move. I was so thankful that they were able to come, they really were a huge help. Phil and I couldn't have done it without them. We are loving our new place. There is so much more room. Ben gets to ride his bike in the driveway, which is his favorite activity. That is the first thing he asks to do when he gets up. We also love being within walking distance to our good friends the Jansen's.

We have been keeping busy like always. We are continuing to go to the zoo. Ben loves riding the train, it is so cute to hear him squeal for joy when he hears it. In mid September we went to a wedding in Detroit. Grandma Teena and Grandpa Rudy were able to come down and watch Ben while we went to the wedding. It was really nice to spend some time with them and have Ben play with his Grandparents. Leaving always makes us wish we lived closer to family.

Last weekend we went to a fire department open house. Ben loved it! He ran right to the ladder truck squealing, "Up, Up," all the way there. He got to climb into all of the fire trucks and even got to spray the fire hose. Later that day we went to get a pumpkin. Ben got to go on a "train" ride with Dad, and we took a tractor out to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkin. He had a hard time walking through the field with all the vines, but he loved every minute of it.

Grandma Teena and Grandpa Rudy are making a trip here in 2 weeks. We are very excited for that, and have a new custard place to take them to. I am looking forward to meeting our newest addition. I still have 8 weeks until my due date, but I am getting excited (not so much for the labor). My parents are going to come when the baby comes, and then Teena will come after that. It will be great to have the extra help. Phil only gets a week off and I know that will go by super fast. However, he only works 5 minutes away, and said he could come home for his lunch to help out. It makes me feel better knowing that.

This may be my last post until baby comes, so I will take all the prayers I can get! My due date is November 29th. We will make sure to send out pictures when the newest York comes!

No mom, I didn't color on myself!
My good friend and now neighbor, Noah
Riding my bike

Getting ready to grill







My first trip to a pumpkin patch, don't let the face fool you, I really did have fun!