Summer is almost over...

Well we have had a busy summer, and haven't really done much of anything! It's been nice though.. we got to go to the island a couple times, a quick trip to Kelowna, weekends when Mike's parents came to visit, dinners with friends..

Last weekend we took the dogs to Derby Reach park in Langley. They just love running on sand, so it is always entertaining watching act like "crazy dogs"! Lola gets SO dirty.

I had my garage sale last weekend, too. It went well, glad it is over though! I accidentally slept in a little later than I wanted to, so it was very rushed getting set up. In the first 10 mins I made $10! All in all I made about $30.

This weekend is going to be pretty busy, too. My good friend Cathy is having a Big Birthday Bash for three of her kidlets (rather than three smaller parties). She has rented a bouncy castle-thingy, and I am making a monkey/banana cake. She took that theme and ran with it! Banana decorations, monkey pinatas, yellow & brown plates — a girl after my own heart! I LOVE party planning. Currently trying to get Ben's first birthday get together sorted, too.

Sunday is also Rick and Deanna's daughter Marie's first birthday party. Ben is going to be quite the party animal!!

We are also finishing the construction/touch-ups on the office so hopefully my stuff can start moving in there this weekend! Mike installed the baseboards last night, now the holes just need filling, have to caulk them and paint. Compared to all the other work that has been done on it that is nothing! Mike also got 4 new power outlets in it (yay Mike!!!) and is going to do a phone/cable outlet soon. Then I get to assemple all the Ikea furniture and O-R-G-A-N-I-Z-E!! Can't wait to be able to work in there!! Will post pics of the office once completed.

Which brings me to another monumental stage in Ben's life — he starts daycare on Wednesday September 6th! It is very exciting. I know he will love it there with all the other kidlets. He might just go once that week, but will normally go Monday to Wednesday all day. He is turning into a big boy! 11 months old on Monday :D

How can I not post pics of this cute little man?!?

Got some fun shots of Ben the other night while eating.. he is so adorable my heart melts for him! The blurry one of him was too cute not to share — he was sticking his tongue out mimicking his daddy :) Now he crawls around the house doing it, trying to lick everything... even Basil the cat! Too funny..

Ben is changing every day! He has to be close to 25 pounds now. Amazing. Clothes wise he is wearing 12-18 months, and even then there isn't a lot of room in them sometimes. People comment everyday how long (tall) he is. I get asked his age all the time, and they are shocked when they find out he is just 10.5 months! Don't think he is going to be the weakling on the playground. But hopefully he is not a bully, either!

Daycare starts September 6th! I am looking forward to it to be honest. Will be good for him to play with other children.. I am happy to be OFFICIALLY going back to work p/t and be able to work for a whole day rather than here and there, and until 11:30 at night sometimes! I know that he will probably walk for the first time there and I am okay with that! He is trying to walk here and there, but is still too wobbly. A+ for effort, Ben! Rebecca (the daycare lady) is confident that Ben will be fine. He fits right in there..

We're Back!

Well our quick Kelowna (Winfield) trip was great! It was so nice to see my Grandma, she is looking wonderful and full of spunk as usual! My cousins Hayley and Raymond are growing like weeds, too. Great fun with Ben and were little babysitters!

We didn't arrive there until almost 10pm Friday night. Little Ben was SO good and slept almost the whole way there. Yay! Saturday we took it easy.. Mike took Grandma into town to pick up some heavy items and then we all played in the pool. Late afternoon we went into Winfield for the annual Jamboree bash in the park. Free corn on the cob, fresh fruit to buy, old car show and shine, lots of fun.

Sunday I got to meet my new friend Lynn from Camrose, AB. She was in Kelowna visiting her grandparents so we got to meet for the first time. Her little girl Amélia is as adorable in person as she is in pictures! Great meeting you chickies!

Road Trip!

Off to Kelowna this weekend to see my Grandma :D I love her to bits and don't get to see her enough. And my cousins are there for the week, too! Hayley is 9 and Raymond is 4. They love Ben SO much! Will be a nice visit.

Will have pics when I return!

I figured it was about time..

... to start a new blog seeing as Ben isn't a "baby" anymore.

Welcome to The Merriman's blog! Since 2005, I have been keeping a blog all out our wonderful son Benjamin. Through the months, it have become an online journal, photo album and keepsake for our friends and family to view. Even though we all know that it is all about Ben, I thought we would make a blog more about the whole family (don't want to steal his thunder!).

Enjoy!