Natalie is 4!

Bennett was invited to Natalie's 4th Birthday party, which was a Twins themed party! Everyone was asked to wear their favorite Twins gear! Bennett had a blast with the kids!

Helping Natalie open her presents.

Watching the peanut drop!

Natalie's cake...

Celebrating with the other kiddos!

Swimming Fun

At the hotel this weekend, Bennett enjoyed some fun time in the pool with his daddy, Ethan & Chris. This was a high point!!

Christmas Jams

Bennett, Ethan and Maryn all have matching Christmas jams! It turns out that when we went up north Emily and I packed the same ones.

Dinner with Santa

We had dinner at the golf course this weekend since Santa and Mrs. Claus were there. At first, Bennett was not sure what to think.

After some discussion with Daddy, he was happy to sit on his lap and had a big smile after telling Santa what he would like for Christmas.

Then it was Ethan's turn and both boys posed for a cute picture before saying goodbye to Santa.

Busch Gardens

The Band

Bennett and Ella totally into the band!

First day of Farm School!

September 6, 2011

The Patch

Bennett and Papa planted pumpkins this spring. We were not quite sure what to expect, but during the summer we watched as the vines grew in the garden. Then the flowers came in early fall, but no sign of pumpkins. Finally just before Halloween 1 perfect pumpkin arrived. And then we noticed two smaller pumpkins! It was a very exciting time - all of the watering paid off!!

Cabin

Travis' mom and uncles are in the process of building a cabin on the land that his Grandpa had. We went up north to check out the progress! Things are looking good! We are excited about all the fun times that Bennett and the new baby will be able to enjoy on the lake!

But for now, it was all work for little B!

2 months!

Where have we been you ask? Well, much of the time was spent laying on the couch and sleeping! Baby Schneider is on the way and I have not been feeling the greatest. So even though my mother knows this, she still wonders why the blog is NOT being updated. Last night I heard that it was 2 months since I had last posted.

So, I am feeling so much better which should lead to more regular blog posting! Plus we have lots of fun and exciting things happening that I need to update on!

Ready for the winter!

At the top of the Bowl at Afton Alps. Bennett and Ethan had a great time riding the chairlift and running down the hill.

Cousins

He misses them!

Fair x 2

Not only did Bennett get to go to the fair with us, but he also went with Nana and Papa. Of course, that was more fun. They took him on the chairlift and the bungee trampoline!

Bribe

We bribe him. Of course we do! $10.00 for a little airplane to occupy him for the plane ride home, oh yeah! Kept him quiet and still for 2 hours - that was $10.00 well spent!

Books in Bed

One of Bennett's favorite things in cuddling up in bed at night and reading books. This night it was all about the airplanes!

The walk

Taking the awesome walk to the beach. I think that it is so neat that Bennett has been to the beach every summer! I remember the first summer. 7 weeks old at the ocean! Now that was an experience. Packing up for the beach - we had the sun tent, the swing, the diaper bag, the stroller, the hats... EVERYTHING! But what awesome memories we have to look back on! It is so fun to see him take his own walk to the beach now!

Stuff

In case you ever wondered how much stuff we brought to Florida. These are two of the three fully loaded carts! Troy and Travis are saints for packing, unpacking and repacking!

Fair 2011

Bennett loved the fair! Sitting on all of the equipment, riding the rides and eating! But the all time highlight was going down the big slide! He loved it.

Seriously, look at that face! That was his cheese pose!

Lake Elmo

Seriously the most serene place in the evening as the sun is beginning to set. Bennett almost had the whole lake to himself!

Smashburger

Friday's over the summer have been fun. Bennett and I have made a point on the few Friday's that we were able to spend together to do some fun stuff. On this particular Friday, we were supposed to go to the waterpark. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. I asked him where he would like to go for lunch. He responded that he wanted a burger. So SMASHBURGER is was! And he loved it!

Here Fishy, Fishy!

While Nana and Papa were gone we took the boat out a couple of times. With Nick, we discovered that Lake Mallalieu was a great spot to boat, swim and fish. Here is the typical picture of Bennett not agreeing with me when I want to take a picture of him fishing!

Pepperfest

We took B to the local Pepperfest over the weekend. He could really care less about something like this, until he sees the rides! Then it's on! He had a blast on the rollercoaster. So, we were all happy. B got to do some rides and Travis and I got to eat some good food!

At the carwash

Bennett was deathly afraid of the carwash when he was a baby. He would scream at the top of his lungs and beg not to go! Finally, Nana convinced him that the car needed a bath sometimes and now he is a fan! Especially at the Pony wash in Stillwater since you get out of the car and watch from the special "children's viewing area" that they have set up!

On the board

We went out on the lake today with Nick. Bennett had a blast!! The weather was perfect. He was obsessed with the guys wake boarding! The only picture that he would let me take!

The berry habit!

Our friend Matt was over on Saturday night and had some fun showing Bennett how to enjoy his raspberries. He already loved them, but this just makes his love multiply :)

All good things must come to an end!

As we were driving out of the driveway for the airport, this was the scene inside Troy and Marita's house - looking out the window waving good bye!

PGA Tour here he comes!

Bye Bye, Uncle Bret

So happy that we spent a great weekend together before you head to Kuwait!

Three Bears Weekend

We headed to Warrens, WI for the weekend to visit with Bret before he heads over to Kuwait for a year deployment. Warrens was a great send off for Bret and the whole family enjoyed it... especially Bennett!! Waterparks are his favorite!