I Madonarri

I Madonarri is our favorite festival in Santa Barbara... it's a street painting/chalk art festival held every memorial day weekend at the Old Mission in Santa Barbara... the setting is stunning against the mission and the chalk art is amazing! Each artist gets a square and it's sponsored by a local company or person... it's quite a sight... there is food and music and frenzy too! It was so fun to bring Bennie to it this year... here's some of my fave pics from the day!

New Stuff

Who needs to buy toys when measuring cups and a toothbrush will do?

Ben's Great Grandma turns 99!

My paternal grandmother, Alice Nelson is turning 99 years old today... it's amazing really that she has made it this far... I mean.... 99 years old. Imagine what she has seen in her lifetime and all of the things that weren't there and now are during her lifespan!

I always thought it would be so great to have my child know my Grandma Nelson because she was such an incredible person in my life during my formative years. I have very fond and clear memories of cooking with her, washing dishes together, doing projects together and just spending SO much time at my grandparents house while growing up. My grandparents were also incredibly supportive of both me and my brother's education... without their support, I would never be what I am today. I am so greatful for their inspiration and support in this and all areas of my life.

Grandma has lived such a full life... and after losing my grandfather more than 10 years ago, we never thought she would trudge on in life... she sold the big house (where my dad was raised) and moved to a sr. living community where she thrived for more than 7 years. Finally last fall, it became clear that she needed much more support for basic living, so sadly, we put her in the nursing home in my small town of Mora, called The Villa. She did okay for a while and now has really started to decline in all areas of health and life and almost doesn't recognize family at all at this point. This has been a sad way to watch my grandmother prepare to leave the world... it's been even harder watching my parents and in particular my dad watch HIS mother decline...

It's become a bit of a full circle of life in our family with Ben... one is coming and one is going. :)

In March when we were home in Minnesota, Grandma Nelson got to meet Benjamin Nelson Caputo. It was such a sweet reunion. I know Grandma doesn't remember it or really know that it happened, but it was more for all of us than for her really... she touched his hand so gently and sweetly and stared so deep into his big eyes. I don't know if we'll see her at 100 and truth be told, I hope we don't because her poor body is worn out and her life as she, and we have known it is really over... she is ready to go to heaven to be with almost everyone she's ever known in her life.

But, I will still hold in my heart the moment when she got to meet her great grandson, Benjamin. Here are a few pictures of their meeting in March... Happy Birthday Grandma... we love you so much!

Weekend with Family in LA

As mom departed, we headed to LA for a night w/ our family down there... so fun! Avery, Grant & Ben are fast becoming friends as well as being cousins!

Anniversary & Mom's visit...

It's Steve and my 4 year anniversary today... unfortunately he's in Chicago at a conference... the good news is that my mom has been here this week to help me out while Steve's gone.... she has had a great time hanging out with Ben while I have worked. She also has made us lots of yummy food to freeze & given my garden & plants lots of her special TLC. Thanks mom!

Friday & Saturday nights...

We had SUCH a great night on Friday - we had an adults night & went to Chad's for dinner & then to the beautiful Santa Barbara Bowl to see Michael Buble in concert... He was PHENOMENAL! If you ever get a chance to see him in concert, both Steve & I thought it was one of the best shows we've ever seen. Great singing & even better humor & entertainment. Here we are at the bowl w/ our friends Kelly & Mark.

Saturday night we had a great time at our friends, Stan & Joanna's for a BBQ. Thanks for the yummy food & drink guys! :)

6 Month Dr. Appointment...

Ben had his 6 month dr. appt today -- He weighed in at 20 lbs, and his height is 27.5 inches. Let's just remember what this munchkin weighed when he was born & my back didn't ache from carrying him around... a "light-as-a-feather" 8 LBS! Here's a few shots from his appointment...

I love CARROTS!

Ben's new favorite spot!

The Kitchen Sink! I can get a ton done in the kitchen and he loves hanging out in the sink, watching me work and playing. It is not just handy, but so darn cute!

Six Months!

I cannot believe that Benjamin was 6 months on May 1st... time really does fly by. When he was a teeny, tiny baby people would say... "Really treasure this time because he is going to grow so fast and before you know it he'll be 6 months". In my foggy and sleep deprived mind I couldn't see past the 3 times/night feedings and could not comprehend it really being any different than it was right in that time period. I think I always knew that he'd get there... :) Just didn't realize it would come so darn fast.

His favorite activities at 6 months include: eating his mommy & daddy's faces (it's actually very cute - we call it loving us with "kisses"). He grabs our face with both hands and chows down. Also, he is really becoming more aware and intersted in Myko, our cat. He will pet him and grab his hair. Myko has about a 10 second tolerance for this before he leaves the area. Lastly, his bottom 2 teeth are starting to poke through! What a big boy!

He has had the very last of his baby hair still hanging on - about 15 hairs that caused him to look like a Whoville Child. I have been wanting to cut them for some time and Steve asked to wait until he was 6 months... so off they came!