Happy 1st Birthday Ben!

A year has already sped by and our little baby boy is one year old today. He shares his birthday with his Grandma Jan. Happy Birthday to you both!
Then and now
(nevermind that bruise... a side effect of learning to walk!)

To celebrate we went on a family hike

and then had a little party where he got to dive into a football birthday cake all by himself. For the life of us we couldn't get the kid to smile for a single birthday cake picture. I think he was so tired he thought we were nuts for trying.

I am "brim with joy" having Ben in my life. He is a baby boy who loves every little stage of life, who giggles often and thoroughly, and who just loves people. I love how he can look straight into my eyes and just be peaceful. He's an expert cuddler and a fierce wrestler.
Ben's latest tricks are walking (of course!) and being able to stand up without help in the middle of the room. He walks around like Frankenstein and just laughs cause he's so pleased with his ability. He's taken to emptying any drawer, bin, bucket, or dishwasher he can get his hands on and then trying to fill it back up again. Although he doesn't really say any words yet, he knows how to charm the pants off everyone with a few babbles of his talented tongue and a winning smile that reveals his secret dimple and intense blue eyes.
I love my little guy and am so happy that he is in our family. Can't imagine life without him!