New Year's Day 2009
Ben in a tiara and Grammie with the party hat makes me smile.
I've been trying to formulate an eloquent statement that is fitting to the passing of my Grammie. But words are failing me right now and all I can say is that I will miss her deeply. She was an amazing and caring woman and I was blessed to have her for so long.
Love you Grammie. Rest in peace.

Update

We've had beautiful weather-- here are the boys at Nana & Pops' house, enjoying some sunshine...

Smiley boy with his winter hat on (thanks Leah!)...

Ben recently tested for his blue stripe in Little Ninjas. Here is a photo of him getting his stripe and certificate. :) He LOVES karate!

Spencer likes to sit in the grass and pull at the blades with his feet- scrunching up his toes and running is feet all around. He, just like his big brother, really loves being outside.

Sugarloaf

A cloudy view of the mountain from the condo.

Spencer at the pool, watching Brother & Daddy-O swim.

The Jewetts on a walk:

Fall is here (almost)

Seven month old Spencer giving a smile this morning. We were packing up and getting ready for a weekend get-away at Sugarloaf & I couldn't resist sitting him next to a pumpkin for a photo shoot. :)

All sorts of changes!

Ben and Spencer went to their first day of 'school' last week! Ben in a Pre-K program, and Spencer in child care (both boys travel to work with me and are in the same building as I work). Ben attends three days/week and Spencer two. Our first day was challenging & lots of tears were shed during the day (mostly the boys), but I was able to check in on both boys and we made it through. Ben has since had a really great day and appears to enjoy his new school and friends and teachers. Spencer has just had the one day there, so we'll see how next week goes!
This photo is of both boys before we hit the road for our 45 minute commute to school on the first day...

Spencer is sitting up pretty well- mostly unassisted, but still working on not falling over. He seems to enjoy sitting up more than any kind of reclining position.
He's also eating a few solid foods (so I hear-- he won't really take much from me), and sipping on a little water once in a while.
Our boys are growing up! :)/:(

Red Sox!

Ben went to his first Red Sox game this past weekend. Thanks to the Bronsons, we had excellent seats and a VERY cool sign after the 2nd inning! Unfortunately there was a rain delay at the start of the game, and another after the 2nd inning, so we weren't able to stay for the whole game.

Ben had a blast, despite the rain, and enjoyed hanging out with his cousins Will and Kate the most... He got to eat chocolate ice cream out of a mini Red Sox helmet, pizza, peanuts, and a pretzel.

We had a great time-- thanks Bronsons!

Ben's first Red Sox Game

Check Ups

Benjamin and Spencer went in for check-ups yesterday and both were declared to be in great health! Ben, who was four on the 12th, is in the 90th% for height, and 95th % for weight. His blood pressure and eye exam were both great as well.

Spencer, who turned 6-months old on the 13th, is in the 75th % for height and weighs in at 16 lbs, 14 oz (40th %).

Both boys got 3 'shots' (it would have been more, but I negotiated) and after a few tears were big and brave. Ben earned lunch and ice cream at Tubby's on the way home, and Spence had a long nap after we finally got home.

Birthdays and Half-Birthdays

Yesterday was Ben's 4th birthday. We had a gathering at the lake with Dwyers, Bronsons, Simpsons, and Jewetts. Ben had a wonderful time with all his new gifts (thanks all), and we had good weather to hang out in the yard, once again.
Today is Spencer's 1/2 birthday and it's hard to believe he was born six months ago! He's getting so big and is so strong. He'll be crawling before we know it. Here's a picture of him with Auntie Jessica at Ben's birthday party yesterday. And a picture of Ben opening his Bongo Drums with his Dwyer cousins looking on...

Jumping in the lake

These photos are from a couple of weeks ago-- two of the Jewett boys jumping in the lake. No fear from that littler Jewett boy...

A Day at the Beach

We finally made it to the coast today-- the Jewetts, the Bronsons, and Grammy Simpson. It was beautiful weather and Benjamin (who turns 4 tomorrow!!!) LOVED playing in the water and getting knocked down by the waves... It was a great day!

Silly Boys

Yeah, these are our boys. Silly as all get out, but lovely little Jewetts... Apparently the sun in the late afternoon in our bedroom is perfect for photographs. :)

More boys...

Spencer lounging on our bed...
Ben with a pumpkin in Nana & Pops' pumpkin patch...
Spence after a bath...

Drooly Lotus Pose

The hat is the reason I took the picture-- sent to us from my friend Gretchen (made by her Mom!). But Spencer decided to show off his yogi moves by doing a wonderful Lotus Pose (aka Superman). The drool is an added bonus. I have a picture of Benjamin at about the same age with a similar drool situation. Because I know you are all interested, I will see if I can find it and post it here. :)

Spence at (almost) 6 months

Ben with Great Grammie Wentzell

I took the boys to Birchwoods yesterday to visit with Great Grammie and Great Grampa Wentzell. Ben made out with a new quilt (with Care Bears-- his Daycare is called Care-a-Lot) which he insists he'll share with Spencer.
After our visit there we went to Kirsten and Johnny's in Westbrook for their annual summer party. It was great to see everyone!

Boat Ride

Spencer went on his first boat ride this past week! He was immobilized by his life jacket, but he didn't protest too much. Ben loves to be on the boat and we had a fun ride.

More Butter Point

This is the view from the house down to the ocean (and the pier where people jumped)... Absolutely beautiful!

And Spencer and I were there too-- we watched a lot of swimming and jumping.

Butter Point

We spent the day with Sandy & the Care-a-Lot Daycare crew at Butter Point in Waldoboro today, celebrating summer! Even though it rained, the boys (and a lot of others!) enjoyed jumping off the pier into the ocean water. :)

More updates

Our campground out back- Ben enjoys playing in the tent and I set it up prior to an overnight at Beaver Brook Campground with Nana and Pops. Jay and Ben spent a night at the campground & Ben really enjoyed it (roasting marshmallows especially). Spencer is just happy to be outside.

Ben passed his yellow stripe test at Karate & here is a photo of him with Shihan Ryan at United Fitness & Martial Arts Studio.

Spencer loves to get in some Tummy Time. :)