With an entire Holiday long weekend ahead of us and some sketchy weather forecasts for Saturday and Sunday, I called up the Colero's to see if they were free on Monday and we were able to join them at a Spring Fair for 'A Rocha' - Christians in Conservation.
We packed Ben's gum boots, as I figured we were going to a farm and he has a propensity to fall down occasionally, both kids, a bunch of snacks and headed out to meet up with Sandy, Brita, Maria, Carlene and Hudson at the farm. My first clue that we were in for a bit of a 'challenging' day with Ben was that he hadn't napped but, before the 2 1/2 year old in him decided to rear its ugly head, I was able to snap a few pics of the boys :)
More smiles from my smiley man...This little guy always has his hands clasped together and has since birth. I think I have a picture that Louise took of him (one of my favorites from his birth session) with his hands folded the same way they are in so many of these pictures. That seems to be his signature pose :)
Ben actually sitting still for a moment - something so rare that I actually consider it a bit of a miracle :) No wonder the kid is so skinny, he literally never stops moving!
(Ben looking around the farm)
Sandy, Brita, Maria, Carlene and Hudson arrived and it was time to go check out some of the awesome animals on the farm. There was a new baby calf (top right photo), some baby chicks and a baby lama to see as well as a crazy number of birds nests in the roof of the barn. Ben was fascinated by all of it but he especially liked the chicks and even pet it while Jon held it. It's so awesome to see the wonder in his eyes as he explores the world around him. Such a great reminder for me to appreciate Gods' creation.
(Exploring)
Ben found a walking stick and, at this point, the 2 1/2 year old 'selective listening' was starting to surface. Sometimes I get sick of hearing my own voice telling Ben what to do and what not to do so I can't imagine how he feels :) We definitely feel like this stage of parenting is marked by constantly setting new boundaries and I am trying so hard to do that in positive ways rather than framing it in a negative way. So often I get frustrated with Ben but, on those good days when I've had a lot of sleep and I wake up on the right side of the bed with an extra ounce of patience from God, I set those boundaries out for him in a positive light and encourage him even when he listens in the smallest way and things turn out so much better. I'm praying for the ability to do this daily and have it become the norm. I want to cultivate his curiosity and creativity while also showing him how to be obedient and respectful. Such a daunting task but I am excited to trust God to grow these skills in me as a parent.
A little QT with Ben & Maria!
Some of the newest members of the SFU crew - Maria and Hudson. I can't believe how much Hudson and Jacob are already turning into little boys. It's going to be pretty awesome at Birch Bay this year with all the kidlets!
Carlene and Huddy. Carlene, you are amazing to have travelled all the way out to Langley to hang out. You're so calm with Hudson and seem to have settled so nicely into your role as a mother (not that we ever had any doubts you would be an amazing mom!) and we're so happy for you and Chad and your growing family. You are a beautiful woman and beautiful mother. Can't wait to spend more time with you while we're off work!
Carlene headed back to Vancouver after our fun at the Spring fair so I figured we needed to get a quick pic before the group got a bit smaller!
You know that 'selective hearing' I was referring to earlier....along with it (and the lack of sleep during the day, resulting in one tired boy) came the sunglasses and a bit of attitude. Ben also seems to let us know when he's not really in a listening mood by the inflection in his voice when he says 'Yes' after you call him or ask him to do something. It's kind of a cheeky, sassy 'yes' on days like this and, once I heard that, I knew it was going to be interesting. Thankfully we headed out from A Rocha for a change of scenery and decided to get fish and chips at WhiteRock beach with the Coleros.
By the time we got to the beach, Ben was back into 'listening' mode but Jacob decided to start freaking out because he hadn't napped all day either. After ordering fish and chips, Brita and I ended up walking to find a spot on the grass while she pushed both strollers and I carried and bounced Jacob to try to get him to calm down. It was a bit hectic but all worth while once we all sat down to some delicious deep fried goodness! Maria had fallen asleep on Sandy's back so he headed down to the beach with Ben to let Ben run off some of his energy.
Having some fun with my 70-200mm f2.8
Our little guy is very much into adventures or 'ventures' as he calls them. Just the other night my parents were watching him while we went to home group and, as we went out to our car, we see Ben in my dad's SUV and he yells out that they're having a 'venture' in Grandpa's truck. He has such an imagination! Today he also spent an hour and a half in his room just playing and having conversations with his toys before finally falling asleep. I really need to capture it on video at some point but every time I get the video camera out, he falls asleep!
So much to do at the beach!
A gorgeous night for the usually-rainy May long weekend!
A few of Maria and Brita. Such gorgeous girls! I love the look on Maria's face in the bottom photo. She just adores her mommy!
Some more of this gorgeous girl.
Ben loves his Uncle Sandy and here are a few of the two together. You wouldn't necessarily know it from all the pics I get of Ben but sometimes he's not so excited about getting his photo taken but, if you ask him to get a picture with someone he really loves, he usually replies with an exuberant 'yes.' Sandy hadn't had his work out yet that day so we let him use Ben for a little upper body toning!
A very smiley and loud 30 lb weight :)
I wanted to get some pics of the Colero's down on the beach and Ben snuck in the first photo so here's a sneak peak at what their family would look like as a family of 4....
Love this family!
Sandy was kind enough to snap a few of us too :) I love the bottom one that he captured. I think that, more often than not, rather than the posed photos, really captures us as we are: a little silly but very much in love with one another :)
A few more of me and my boys. Notice Jacob's expression in the middle photo - hilarious!
Brita and Maria :)
A few of Sandy and Maria.
Love these ones below :)
Jacob still didn't end up napping the entire time that we were there but was finally happier once we got him out of the car seat and let him be part of the action. Perhaps he'll be a social butterfly just like Ben :)
A final photo (this one courtesy of Sandy having fun with my 50mm f1.4)
Sandy & Brita, we had such a wonderful time with you guys, as always! We love your family and especially appreciate your easy-going personalities, the great conversations we have and the ability you have to approach life with a great sense of humor. It is so fun sharing this parenting journey with you. We have been blessed by the way you encourage us as parents and hope that we can, in turn, encourage you guys along the way. Looking forward to our kids growing up together and developing friendships that bless them as much as your friendship has blessed us.
As I look through these photos from our time together, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for God's gift of relationship in our lives. The people we are surrounded with give our lives the depth and joy that I thank God for daily. Thank you guys for enriching our lives. We love you.
