Grandma and Grandpa's New RV

Benjamin had a great adventure spending two nights with Grandma and Grandpa in their RV at the base lake. This is the only photo with him and the RV.
He was excited about the boat dock and of course the Gator.
There were lots of walks with Grandma (and Grandpa) too.

Bradley 2nd Birthday Party

The "Bradley Girls" (and Benjamin) have all turned two! The party was late this year because all of our summers have been crazily busy. Benjamin didn't nap yet again. He looks exhausted in this photo.

We drew names for gifts and Catherine (4th girl from left) gave Benjamin a Fire Truck. Benjamin liked it so much he refused to share so it had to go straight out to the car. Most of the girls got finger paint. Benjamin could have used some finger paint too... We'll have to get him some for Christmas.

Trip to Colorado

Benjamin and I spent 2 weeks in Colorado. Ryan was there with us for the first weekend. My brother Matt and his family were there too which was so nice because it's the first time we've all been together in a long time.

The Trlica's (my mom's old college roommate's family) came up for a "Birthday" Celebration.
Benjamin slept through dinner because he refused to nap earlier. He must be my son because he loves corn on the cob!!!
I didn't collect any raspberries because Benjamin would eat them as quick as I could pick them. Raspberries are the only way we got him to stand still for this photo! Benjamin had definite ideas about who should (or should not) be touching the Corvette. The battery isn't working in the Corvette... So Grandma and Grandpa bought...

...an ATV. Benjamin was very adept at driving it and spent hours on the thing. We had it inside for part of the time and he avoided furniture quite well. It only goes 2 mph, but it would have been nice if it had gone in reverse too. I did have qualms about him not getting any exercise while on it, but he runs around enough that it probably doesn't matter.

Matt and I visiting with Grandma Hoffman. Benjamin is in character in the background pulling around a wagon.
We're not quite sure how Maxwell got the front row on the Tiny Town Train!

The train's steam bursts were kind of loud and scary.

Benjamin and Maxwell in a Tiny Town House.

Benjamin liked to have Miraim comb his hair.

On the trail at "Flying J" Ranch. Grandma is so funny!

Elk on "Lester Lane". What wonderful wildlife! To whom it may concern: Please don't sell the cabin!!!!

Lunch at Coney Island Hot Dog Stand. It seems to be doing well even after moving to Bailey from Aspen Park. Benjamin really liked the water wheel in the back and playing with the gravel in the picnic area.

Waiting for the city bus at Cold Springs to take Maxwell and Matt to the airport. The bus was 20 minutes late so we ended up driving them there after all. Benjamin was sad he didn't get to ride the bus or go into the airport.

Day at the Durham

I took Benjamin and my friend Chantalle's grandson Steven to the place formerly known as the Durham Western Heritage Museum. I knew that I could not keep track of two 2-year-olds without harnesses. I was told "Steven won't wear a harness". As you can see, Steven is indeed wearing a harness.
We had a fun time even though Benjamin was really afraid of the 15 foot long plastic snake in the Amazon exhibit and didn't want to get on any of the old restored trains. He's still sad that Thomas "went back to the Island of Sodor" (i.e. is no longer sitting in model train exhibit).
We had a picnic lunch outside. They don't have any tables or benches so we just sat in the middle of the sidewalk. I took the harnesses off too soon and there was much chaos.

Benjamin's First Fishing Trip!

Today we went to Louisville State Park with Glen and Matt who Ryan works with and their families. Glen is the one in the 4th of July photo who's daughter Lexi, Benjamin was flirting with. Benjamin was at it again today... they were hugging a lot. We'll have to watch that boy!

Benjamin wouldn't hold the fish or look at the camera for the photo. He says he touched fish today though... He did kind of poke at them.

I was having more luck than Ryan fishing even with me using Benjamin's little pole. The three times I cast it, I reeled in a fish within 30 seconds. I stopped casting it after that because I felt there wasn't much sport to it and I was sad for the little blue gills who had sharp hooks stuck in their mouths.
Ryan also caught 3 blue gills, but fished a lot longer than I did. He also had a bunch get away.

Glen sent us home with 3 fish. His wife Angie won't eat them. I told Ryan I didn't really want them either, so he has to cook them when I'm out of the house! Something about my senses being heightened during pregnancy and the smell of cooking fish don't go well together. The fish are fairly small and were on the edge of being keepers, but they had swallowed the hooks and would have died anyway.

Ryan bought the yearly fishing pass, so we'll have to go 3 more times to make it worth it. We're planning a Labor Day camping trip.

Benjamin was more interested in pushing the stroller than fishing most of time. The other big hit of the day was the nearby train tracks. We walked across the street and sat on a picnic table watching ~6 trains go by. The weather was beautiful especially in the shade. We had a great morning!