NEWS FLASH!!! Benjamin Turned Over.... Twice!!!

Erika mentioned that Benjamin may have, by accident, turned over. But sure enough later that afternoon, he repeated this feat multiple times. It's official - He's a roller.

Mark it; 160 days (that's about 5 months and 1 week)

Another 1st: BU Women's Hockey. "Mom, what's dump and chase? Is that what I do to you and Dad?"

A busy day with Grandma and Grandpa!!!

Crazy Time with Benjamin's cousins. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

More Grandma and Grandpa Time! "Grandma, is this necessary?"

Grandpa's nose goes "Honk, Honk!"

Oh CANADA! Benjamin left the comforts of his Newport hideout and fled across the border to visit his new friends in Canada. As many may know, Erika spent some time playing ice hockey for the Brampton Thunder (outside Toronto), a women's professional team. During her time in Canada she lodged with and befriended Mrs. Ruth Sharpe. We were welcomed with open arms and big hearts - we're very gracious for the hospitality and kindness displayed by our Canadian brethren during what turned out to be Canadian Thanksgiving-ey.

Benjamin stops during his 9 hours of travel to get out and play on a horsey. "Dad, I'll meet you there, me and my trusty steed are going to ride in to the sunset"-ey.

The lovely Mrs. Ruth Sharpe - Mother of two, Brampton socialite, and all around fantastic lady-ey:

# 1 Son, Sandy Sharpe (aka Uncle Donald Duck - because of his Donald Duck impersonation) with Benjamin-ey:

Taking in the Brampton Market-ey:

Visiting the commemorative Mr. Howard Sharpe tree-plaque in the park near their home on Thanksgiving Day-ey.

Granddaughter # 1, Carissa (aka Benjamin's new girlfriend)-ey:

The ladies enjoying a warm Thanksgiving Day, Erika smiling because she just beat Ruth in cards-ey.

Friends of the family, John and Mandy. "Uncle John, you look like my grandpa with your mustache and glasses... and you're funny like him too!!!"-ey

Hanging with the boys... - ey

Thanksgiving Dinner, with all the trimmings: Turkey, Canadian Beer, Stuffing, and Canadian Politics for all!!!! - ey

We found refuge at Grandma and Grandpa's farmhouse for lunch on our return journey. Are these guys buddies, or what? - ey

Look everybody! as Mom and Dad put me in funny hats for their own amusement! What kind of sound does a giraffe make (for answer see video below) ?

For Dad's next trick, he teaches Benjamin how to open the refrigerator door.

Give a man a fish; you feed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime.

Pictures to prove we've moved in - stuff on the walls is always an indicator of being settled. Benjamin's room:
The man, the myth, the legend:
Family dinner at Mimi and Pop-pop's house; Benjamin and his cousin Lauren.

Ahoy there shipmates! We took a tour of the USS CONSTITUTION this weekend in Boston with Greg's (Dad's) War College Class... there's the landlubbers now!


Impressed in to the Continental Navy is Gun Captain # 1:
and on Gun # 2 is Captain Burp Cloth and his Fist Mate...

Request permission to go ashore, sir!

We cruised around Newport last week and captured some photos of the breathtaking sunset:

St. George's in the distance (place where Mom and Dad got married - where the magic started)

PLAYTIME IS FUN!!!!

Shots... take two!

As you can see from the picture, both Mom and Benjamin fared much better during our second time at the immunization table. Yes, there was crying and yes, there were little tears and big tears, but all-in-all we recovered much quicker this time. Chalk it up to experience, thicker leg fat, and/or just plain toughness - Shot Ninjas 1; Benjamin 1.

Okay, all right already... we know it's been a while, but we hope to quench those toddler tastebuds with this opening picture. Of note, Benjamin starting to eat solid food (i.e. mushy oatmeal; nothing too solid about it actually). LOOK AT THAT FACE!


Auntie Alana rolls up her sleeves. "Auntie, you really know the way to a man"s heart is through his stomach!"


"Mom, when do I start eating steak? Medium rare please"

"I ate too much mushy oatmeal!" - Fat guy in a little chair

"Time to work it off in the Jumper"

"Now it's time to relax on the beach"
"I am more of a second beach guy. You can see the church where Mom and Dad got married" - Saint George's in the distance.

We celebrated Alicia's 21st birthday... again. Of course! At the Atlantic Beach Club, in style.

All the cousins were there to help celebrate and eat cake!

Ladies, ladies, ladies!

The 'dudes' in between meals (Benjamin's meal - then Dad's meal)
Too much partying! (One of the very few instances you'll see Benjamin snuggled up to Mom in Mom's bed)

Of course we can't sleep too long without food. It helps when you have a long line of enthusiastic volunteers. Baby-sitter in training, Cousin Jordan at the bottle.

Dad and his buddy at church. God is great!

A 24 hour Grandma pit stop. Grandma needed her Benjamin fix. More like Benjamin needed his Grandma fix; Grandma's little buddy!