The New Benjamin Schultz

That's right... Ben got his hair cut for the first time last night. As you all know, his hair has been growing like a weed the last few months and was overdue for a trim. So, I decided just to jump in and get it done. Here are some before and after shots our growing boy. 

(Before) Side shot

(Before) Front shot

Notice the nice straggly stringy look, and yes, that is chocolate on his face! He grabbed a warm cookie off the plate and quickly shoved it in his mouth before anyone could even think about stopping him... He thoroughly enjoyed it!

(After) Side shot.

(After) Front Shot.

An awful handsome boy if I do say so myself! I'd say it's a pretty clean cut for such a wriggly little bugger! :)

The Half Crawl

This video was taken a week or so ago and Ben is already moving along much more quickly and efficiently, but it's kind of a fun video so I thought I'd share it anyway. Enjoy!

The Swimming Boy

So, here are the promised photos of Ben swimming in the lake! There are lots, I know, but who doesn't like pictures, right? In any case, he wasn't quite sure what to think of it at first but once he got used to it he had a ball. He also really liked floating on the tube but kept trying to crawl off it and back into the water!

Here, Grandpa was helping Ben as he first got into the water. 

"Peek-a-boo Mamma!"

Ben loves splashing in the water - he kept getting himself in the face. 

In this photo Ben REALLY looks like his daddy (based on some childhood photos I've seen of Brian).

Gazing at the sparkling water.

Our little fish!

Here he is trying to crawl off the tube.

Again... gazing at the sparkling water.

Such a sweet boy - I love this picture.

What fun we had swimming in the lake!

Beautiful Seeley Lake

Last Sunday we drove to Seeley Lake to spend some time with Dad & Mom Gauthier. They rented out a cabin on the golf course for a whole week so we thought we'd crash their party for a few days. It was a great time! We went boating and thus tubing, swimming, golfing, had good conversation, and ate some great food (thanks Mindy!). Ben experienced quite a few "firsts" on this trip: his first time on a boat, his first time swimming in a lake (pictures coming later), his first time putting his feet in the sand, his first time eating grapes, his first time golfing, his first time helping to drive (a golf cart), and there may be more that I don't remember. Here are a whole bunch of photos from our excursion. 

Thanks Dad & Mindy for a really great trip!

Helping Grandpa drive the golf cart.

Grandpa's coach

"Awe shucks! Is it really time to go?"

There were a ton of deer roaming around the golf course including this little fawn. It was fun being able to get really close to them. They also made fun targets!

The golf pro teeing off.

Ben's reaction to daddy's shot! ;)

The other golf pro teeing off.

Ben was a great spectator, he also really liked eating the grass!

Hanging out on the fairway. 

"By the way Grandma, have you seen this grass?!"

"Hey Momma, we're going on a boat ride!"

Check out the tube master! He was literally trying to do flips with the tube when we went around corners... CRAZY guy! It was quite entertaining, though.

Having a good ol' time.

Being rescued after the first dump off the tube.

"What's going on here and what is this huge thing I'm wearing?"

"Ok, maybe this isn't so bad after all."

He's a Growing Boy

Our little man is continuing to grow! I took a few shots of him last week standing as he hung on to his dresser drawer (he loves to stand while hanging on to just about anything). Notice the new little gasping noise he likes to make at the end of the video - kinda funny. You gotta love that diaper butt, too!

And here's the video:

The Tucker Family Visits

This last weekend my Uncle Bill & Aunt Becky came to visit from Jackson Hole with their two little girls Gracie & Danika. They came to compete in a triathlon up at Highlight (yes... they're crazy!). Unfortunately, the competition took place on Sunday morning so we weren't able to watch it, but I hear they did very well. They both took 2nd in their age groups! While they were here, we celebrated Gracie's 6th birthday so the girls had a lot of fun. Also, we had the treat of eating dinner at my mom's a couple evenings and we were spoiled with some really tasty food! Here are some photos of the weekend:

Danika

Gracie watching her birthday candles be lit.

Aunt Becky

Uncle Bill, Ben, and Danika

As usual, Ben was not hurting for attention - he really enjoyed playing with the girls.

Esperanza girl

This summer Alivia (my beautiful little sister) has been participating in a summer camp at Esperanza Center. She's learned skills about riding horses, gardening, and building things and yesterday they had a performance for the kids to demonstrate what they've done over the last 6 weeks. So, of course Ben and I went to meet Granny and cheer Alivia on. She did such a great job on all of her projects which included making a miniature boat, a scarecrow, and a root box growing carrots and beans. She also showed us her horse skills and the garden they've been working in... We are sooo proud of her! 

Alivia and her scare crow

Ben and Mama

Alivia showing her horse skills - she did great!

Alivia giving Titan (the horse) a hug thank you.

Granny and Ben