Monkey See, Monkey Do

A video of Bennett acting like a monkey. It isn't great because I took it with my phone, but it was too funny not to share. Hopefully, we can get a good video this weekend.

Enjoy

He's Growing Up So Fast

Bennett is growing up so fast. He is talking all the time and has started climbing on everything. I feel like I just got done baby proofing and now I have started toddler proofing. I look over and he is climbing the gates or jumping off the couch. My heart drops to the bottom of my stomach every time I catch him climbing or jumping.

Bennett is staring at a spider. Notice the red marks on his face? It's the last of the red bumps from the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease.

Bennett enjoying breakfast!!!

One afternoon I couldn't find Bennett. I went into his room and he was pulling all of his clothes off the hangers and rehanging them up. I think he is going to be my little organizer.

Our Trip to Colorado

It has been a great ten days. We made our first trip to Colorado this past week. We arrived in Colorado and stayed the weekend with Theresa and Dick Schreiber. On Monday, we made our way down to Colorado Springs. It was a blast traveling with Bennett. I am sure this is only the first of our trips to Colorado. On Monday, we headed down to Canon City to the Royal Gorge. From a distance we viewed the world's largest suspension bridge. We hiked around and let Bennett explore before we headed back to our hotel in Colorado Springs.

Graham and Bennett with the Royal Gorge Bridge in the background.

As you will see in most of the pictures, I am sitting with Bennett. I still have my fear of heights but did better than I thought. Bennett and I at Royal Gorge.

On Tuesday, we decided to head up to Pikes Peak. Graham made the trip up Pikes Peak with his family when he was about 12 years old. Needless to say, it had been a long time since we were both up there. The drive was amazing. We stopped at several spots along the way to get out and walk around. We were able to see some wildlife.

Pikes Peak in the background. This was a few pictures on the drive up to Pikes Peak. We reached the summit which was an elevation of 14,110 feet. This was better than our drive up to Mt. Evans but driving a suburban made the roads feel tiny.

I am still in awe of those beautiful mountains.

After leaving Pikes Peak, we headed down to Cave of the Winds. Not really knowing what it was all about, we hiked through a dark cave with a group of people. It was a mile an half hike and Bennett was carried the entire time. It wasn't too bad carrying him except when it got pretty steep. We were so worried about dropping Bennett that we don't have too many pictures from that day but here are a couple of the stalagmites and stalactites.

Wednesday, we decided to head to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Garden of the Gods, and Seven Falls. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was on the highlights of our trip. The zoo is embedded in the mountain and the drive through the neighborhood to get there makes Zionsville/Carmel look like the slums.

A Mountain Lion-Up Close and Personal

Bennett and Daddy looking at the Grizzly Bears. Bennett had a great time imitating the animal sounds he heard.

Bennett feeding the giraffes

We could have spent many more hours at the zoo admiring the animals but we decided to head to Garden of the Gods for a picnic lunch.

Graham and Daddy at Garden of the Gods

Mommy and Bennett sitting at Garden of the Gods

The view from Garden of the Gods

After leaving Garden of the Gods we headed down to Seven Falls. The water falls and scenery were amazing.

The three of us at Seven Falls. It was a 225 staircase to the top. The stairs were incredibly steep. I made it up about 30 or so steps before my fear of heights set in.

Thursday we said farewell to Colorado Springs and headed into Denver. We spent the morning at the Denver Aquarium.

Graham and Bennett

A Sea Turtle

Bennett found a buddy

Bennett found a little cave that he could hide in and look up and see the fish. We eventually had to crawl inside and get him. See the next picture...

He wasn't happy when we pulled him out.

After the morning at the aquarium we made our was to Casa Bonita for lunch. We met up with some of my childhood friends. The Prybella girls (well two of the three). I haven't seen them in years, so it was wonderful to get to spend time with them. I am crossing my fingers that they make it out to Indiana this year.

Friday we made our way up to Estes Park. This is our favorite place in Colorado. Graham had never made it up to Trail Ridge Road. We made the drive with Schreibers. Here are the amazing mountains.

We spent all day in Rocky Mountain National Forest. We saw 30 plus Elk in a heard and then several other Elk just walking through the forest.

We spent the weekend at Theresa and Dick's visiting and resting. We were able to spend time with both Rod, Maren and Kristina and Rich. We had a great visit. We were very sad to leave but are glad to be home. It was a long but needed vacation. We return to work and school on Tuesday. We are already planning our next trip out there. I think we will give the 1,000 mile drive a try next time.

Lions and Tigers and Bears oh my!

And a trip to the zoo to see the Cheetahs.

Over Memorial Day weekend the three of us went to see the Cheetahs at the zoo. Here are some pictures from our adventures at the zoo!

Giraffes! A Cheetah!

Bennett watching the water!

We capture a lot more of Bennett's backside these days! He is always running away from us.

Look a sea lion.

Mommy and Bennett in front of the zebra area

Daddy and Bennett by the elephants

Update:

We have been extremely busy this past week and I imagine it will continue to be this way for the next year. Classes have started and the one word to describe it is INTENSE! I am really enjoying my cohort group as well as the professors. However, I am counting the weeks until graduation.

Bennett is doing great at his "school." Friday we were asked to bring Bennett in his swimwear because every Friday in the month of June are splash days. He was exhausted Friday night but his letter home that day said he had a great time.

Graham is doing well, but busy as ever!

We are looking forward to our vacation to Colorado here in a couple weeks! Woohoo!

Too Cool for School!!!

A lot of "school" updates have happened at the Peelle household in the last couple months. First and foremost Bennett has recently started daycare. He is doing so well and thriving. He comes home with "art work" and "homework" on a daily basis. Although I do miss him, I think he was ready to play, learn and be with other kids. His vocabulary has nearly tripled in the short time he was there. Graham and I have decided that by the time he starts first grade he will likely be smarter than us.


Secondly, I will be starting a full time Masters program here in a couple weeks. The coursework has already begun but classes begin June 2nd. I know this next year will be extremely busy between Graham's crazy schedule and my school work. I am in the initial steps of beginning my thesis. I meet with my advisor next week to discuss some options. I am very anxious as well as excited.

Bennett "acting" cool.

Happy Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day. Graham and Bennett sure made the entire weekend extra special. I woke up with flowers and cards before we headed to brunch. After brunch we did some much needed shopping and ran a couple errands. I also received a very special Mother's day gift from my two favorite boys. The evening ended with an impromptu dinner with Audrey and her sister.

Mother's Day is always a bittersweet day for me. I have such wonderful memories of my mom and I am reminded of those even more on Mother's day. I am so grateful and thankful for all the times we shared together and I take pleasure in knowing we have an angel watching over us. I am sure would have been a wonderful grandmother and loved to see her daughters as mothers. I try to keep the memories as fresh as possible and as we grow as a family to pass down the traditions and passions that my mom gave us.

I am also so thankful for Marilyn, my mother-in-law. She is a wonderful women who loves our family. Her support and excitement are absolutely wonderful. It is a great reminder to me that even though my mom isn't with us, I have a wonderful mother-in-law and that is a lot to be grateful for. I am also thankful for Audrey. She is a great friend and a wonderful person. It is so great knowing that your father has someone to look out for him.

I love being a mother to Bennett. Each day is something new and often times challenging, but I get so much pleasure out of watching this little boy. I know that without the memories that I have from my mom and without the guidance and support from Marilyn and Audrey I wouldn't be the mom that I am. So just wanted to say Happy Mother's Day!

Here are a few pictures from this past week. I also thought I would throw in a couple pictures of Bailey and Bauer. We haven't forgotten about the dogs. The get a lot less attention these days but Bennett is making up for it in dog biscuits.

Oh Boy!!!

I am guessing Bennett doesn't like how I have the house organized. We have been home for about two hours. In the meantime I have found my shoes (flip flops) in the dishwasher, spices in the laundry basket, Tupperware under the kitchen table, colander in the dogs' crate and my coat in the pantry.

I am guessing he thinks his organization makes more sense...