Mohawk

A mohawk to go along with her brothers!

Girls! Girls! Girls!

Woodcutting

We took Bennett with to volunteer for wood splitting at the Camp St. Croix. Ethan came as well and the boys were great helpers! 

 Watching Daddy and Tim try to get the splitter working again. 

 Look at all the wood they stacked. 

 Great helpers!

Atlanta fun

Fun with his cousins!

Brrrr!

The first dip in the ocean! It was cold and she dropped her lip right after Trav touched her foot in the water! 

B & Tia!

Bennett Schneider

He can write is full name!

Oh how they love each other!

Skating! In Florida?!?

Bathing beauty!

Thankful.

Today a little more then usual! 

Dr

We were worried before we left for ATL. B was a real trooper at the doctor even with the hour plus wait! 

6

Bennett Meets Sophia!

Bedtime

Reading a book together! Bennett jumps at every chance to hold Sophia, hug her and love on her. He was so thrilled when we were talking about doing story time with her. I read the book to the both of them first and then he reread her his own rendition! Cute story that mimics exactly how Bennett was when I was pregnant with Sophia. He could not wait to meet the baby! The time just does not go by fast enough for them!

Hudson Raiders!

The Raider football team is undefeated in regular season play with the final game coming up next Friday. And when I say undefeated, I use the term loosely. They really have had no competition. Every game has been like 42-7... or worse! We have made it to every home game and tonight was the big rivalary. Hudson vs. River Falls! Travis is a grad of RF, but he proudly wears the Raider colors now!! We give him no choice - though once and I while I do catch him letting our a cheer for his Wildcats!

It was a little chilly at the game, but we went prepared dressed in our ski gear!

GO RAIDERS!

Rub a dub dub!

Oh what fun bath time is, especially when it is brother and sister in the tub. Bennett was being so responsible taking care of Sophia in the tub... though he kept asking what would happen if he let go. 

B: So she would sink to the bottom, Mama? 

M: Yes, that would be very bad. Hold her tight!

Happy girl

Such a happy girl in her stroller on a walk. Look at those eyes!

Playground

In 2007 a committee came together in Hudson to build a community playground. It is hard to believe that it has been around for 5 years now, and Bennett has been enjoying it a lot this summer! Here he is next to our family "stick" that we purchased as a donation!

Brother & Sister

Two sweet sleeping angels!

Sunday School

Sunday school is off to a fabulous start. Bennett is enjoying it and received his beginner bible this week. So proud of it and his book mark to hold his spot. As we were driving in the car he was reading one of the stories to Sophia. It was so sweet so of course I tried to catch it on video... and that ruined the whole thing! haha!! They always do the cutest things when the camera is not around.

Roll over...

Such a big girl already! She just won't roll over for the camera, but look at the face. What are you doing, mommy?! Why do you keep looking at me with the camera!!

Trains

Bennett and I went down to the St. Croix Railroad for a train ride! This was really the first time that he has a memory of the experience. He loved it and was so good and patient waiting in line.

Sugar and Iron?!?

They mark the traditional gifts for the 6th wedding anniversary! 

6 years ago today we came to Shepherd of the Valley to become husband and wife! It is hard to believe that 6 years later almost to the moment I was walking down the aisle to marry Travis. We spent this day sitting in church listening to Pastor Steve preach, while Bennett was in his Sunday school class and followed up with brunch at Sunset's while finishing the evening with a game of kickball and dinner at Applebee's!

Now here we are 6 years later with two beautiful children, loving each other and life. The past years have been full of fun times and awesome memories. I know that as each year passes it is just going to keep getting better. We are blessed beyond belief!

Chalk

Bennett had some fun at Nana and Papa's this week. Sidewalk chalk drawing of King Bennett and Sophia!

Our Girl

Baby Sophia is the apple of our eye. She is a sweet cuddly ball of love that Travis and I are soaking in. We assumed before she was born that Bennett was going to be good with a new baby. He was convinced that it was a brother! He would talk all about a brother and how he only wanted a brother, not a sister. But still you hear the horror stories of people that can't leave their children in a room together along, or others that act out and rebel against the parents or sibling after baby arrives. And yet others that have regression in behavior or skills... I just hoped that none of these would describe our situation. And I was right. Bennett loves on Sophia almost more then Travis and I do. He is just obsessed with seeing her, hugging her, kissing her and just being around her in general. And sometimes it is just the littlest things. Tonight we let him hold her standing up. Like an adult does. Of course I never took my hands off her, but he was just proud as a peacock as he stood holding her and patting her bottom to calm her down. It is so sweet to watch the way he acts with her. It reaffirms what a sweet boy he is!

She took it... for a minute!

We have struggled to get Sophia to take a pacifer. We still have not been successful! The day she had this one, we saw a bit of hope. For about 3 minutes, and then she spit it out screaming!

Big brother, Little Sister!

They look alike, even when they are sleeping!

First day of Camp

Bennett and Ethan went to a construction camp at a local Farm school. They had a great time at camp building things and playing on the farm. Emily and I carpooled the kids, so I took this picture at drop off on the first day. They were both super excited! 

A boy and his dog

Gosh, they love each other!

YMCA Sports Camp

Bennett and Ethan went to the YMCA sports camp last week. Each day they worked on a specific sport. The last day was Gymnastics! His favorite. 

T-Ball Party

We had an end of the year T-ball party for the kids and parents. It was a great time and they had so much fun playing together. 

The cookie favors! 

Aileen

Aileen holding Sophia! Two sweethearts!

Little Eater

Sophia was super sleepy in the hospital after she was born. She went for about 10 hours without eating and lost almost one full pound. They suggested that we give her some formula in a cup. She was not very interested, but did take a small amount of it. Just like Bennett after he was born. 

Root Beer

Nothing better on a hot night then a cold glass of root beer at our favorite pizza spot!

Travelers

We made it. To Atlanta and home - all around a very successful trip. The stories and pictures for a post at another time. Today is just some pictures from the flight. Take note of the blonde women watching us board the plane! As we were walking through the ATL airport I was nursing her, he was laid out on the floor in a full fledged tantrum over a treat and Travis looked like a pack mule, I may have told you otherwise, but we are all up for another adventure! ATL for Thanksgiving!