Weekend at Gabby and Pawpaw's House

This weekend we had a much-needed getaway to visit Gabby and Pawpaw at their house by the lake. It was wonderful for all of us - Jonathan and I got some much needed rest and relaxation (I got to sit in a chair and read - and not because I was holding a sleeping baby, just because I wanted to!), Andrew got to experience many of his favorite things (the lake, the swing, the boat, golf cart rides), and Ben got lots of grandparent snuggles. Win-win-win! We love time with Gabby and Pawpaw and look forward to a time when both boys will enjoy the joys of their house at the lake!

So happy swinging!

Ben gets some Gabby snuggles... or vice versa!

Throwing rocks into the lake - one of Andrew's all time favorite activities.

A turtle (tortoise?) Jonathan spotted on our golf cart ride. Of course Andrew immediately threw a rock at it... ugh! Don't worry, he didn't get any where close to hitting it, but we're working on not throwing things at animals.

He would not look at the camera!

Caught a quick smile!

He was mad because we were going slow. He told Gabby later that he was pouting on the boat because he wanted to go faster.

He's probably saying, "Go faster!"

I know it's blurry, I was using a different lens than I'm used to, but I just love his smile here!

Ben Ben gets some Daddy kisses on a cool, rainy morning.

Ben is learning to smile! He mostly smiles at things - the fan, some pictures we have on the wall, windows, etc., but we're also started to get some of those wonderful gummy grins that he means for us! It's wonderful, and the start of the fun part of baby's first year, but it's nearly impossible to catch on camera at first!

Sweet Ben

It rained the last morning we were there, and Pawpaw had taken the swing down. Andrew found it on the table, and after everyone refused to help him put it up, he decided he was going to do it on his own.

Right after this he starts demanding some help! Pawpaw did help him after he used the magic word, and he got to swing a little bit more before we left!

Again, if no one wants to help him do what he wants, he takes matters into his own hands.

He loved to just hang out on the boat and "drive". Luckily Gabby helped him get on and he got to enjoy some boat time!