Was the spaghetti worth it?

Ben says “Why, yes. Yes it was.”

This is what happens when Daddy is in charge of dinner clean up.

February Fun

There were plenty of good times to be had around the house this month.

There was some bike riding.

Grandad taught Ben how to play baseball.

Grammy let him use her legs as a race track.

Daddy read some great stories. Noah’s Ark is a favorite.

Ben had a blast with his new bubble gun.

Then he tried to shoot me with it.

All of that fun can tire a little guy OUT!

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo

While Mom, Diane & I attended the Women of Faith conference, Brian and Wayne took Ben to the Rodeo. Bri said there was a lot to see (I’ve never been), but Ben’s favorites were testing out the tractors and visiting the petting zoo.

He’s My Best Friend

Tanner & Ben’s friendship is growing day by day. Ben is starting to ask to play with “Nnnnnn-na”. They have lots of fun together. :)

They are both all boy!

They like to have good, clean fun!

Just being together is what counts the most!

Paw Paw’s Visit

Paw Paw came to stay with us for a few days… this, unfortunately, is the only proof that we have!

As evidenced above, we treated him to a little visit at the San Antonio Zoo! Paw Paw likes animals just like Ben, so we all had a great time! Thanks for coming to see us, Paw Paw! We’ll try to take more pics next time!

Ben at 18 months

Ben has done a lot growing in the past few months… the biggest area being his language. He wasn’t really saying any words when he turned 1. Now, just six short months later, he has almost too many to count. Here is my best attempt at compiling a list:

Hi, Milk, More, Roux, Dee, Sit, Fish, Go, I Got It, Hair, Mouth, Uh-oh, Ball, Bye, Eat, Please, Sweetie, Tanner, Book, Banana, Truck, No, Eyes, Lips, Hello, Water, Mom, Night-Night, Thank You, Grammy, Help, Puppy, Ro-Ro, Ride, Home, Nose, Face, Shoe, Chair, Daddy, Bath, Army, Paw Paw, Hot, Duck, Wiggles, All Done, Paci, Ears, Tree, Bite, Cookie

Whew – he is one little chatter box. Things are definitely not very quiet around our house.

Along with his exploding language, Ben has also been developing his social skills. He has never met a stranger and he is not bashful IN THE LEAST. He’s had plenty of opportunities to charm the masses during our trips to see family, at home with the college kids, at school twice a week, in the church nursery on Saturday nights, and with his many friends during our play dates and outings. He also confidently navigates the halls of my office when he visits me at work… he knows exactly which ministers have jelly beans, animal crackers, or little toys in their office.

As Ben grows, I can see so many of his Daddy’s great qualities in him (his sense of humor, charm and good looks), as well as some of the not so great ones (Daddy, too, is a “talker” and he got into his fair share of trouble for being chatty in school when he was growing up). It will be fun to see all of the ways that he grows up to be like his daddy. :)

Christmas in Gilmer

We spent the Christmas holidays this year with Grammy & Grandad in Gilmer. Of course, the weather and the outdoors felt and looked a whole lot more like Fall than Winter. We didn’t complain too much, because we were able to spend lots of time outside enjoying the very comfortable temperatures!

We took lots of family photos while we were there. Here are the 4 generations on the Barrick side.

Not to be undone by the 4 generations on the Davis side.

And a big group shot… though Grandma Evelyn must have snuck inside.

There were some bonus extended family members, too! Ben was doted on all day by Katie & Lauren.

Even Sweetie decided to come over from Louisiana and spend the holidays with us… she just couldn’t resist being with her Ben on Christmas! 

Like I said before, Texas Winter aka Fall was in full swing. There were some of the hugest piles of leaves I’ve ever seen! I was a little worried Benji might get lost!

He was not worried at all, and entertained himself forever throwing leaves here, there, and everywhere.

He even talked Sweetie into some leaf pile fun. Throw them like THIS, Sweetie!

We had yummy food, enjoyed a great church service at First Baptist Gilmer, and then we opened up presents in true Barrick style – on Christmas Eve. That tradition is going to take some getting used to! ;)

Brian looked pleased as can be that present time was finally here!

I helped Ben open some of his presents.

He got the hang of things pretty quick, and he was soon taking matters into his own hands.

These blocks were definitely a hit! I don’t know what kind of silliness Grandad was up too, but Ben was grinning from ear to ear. Priceless!

Grandma Barrick was also happy to oblige Ben with a little game playing.

It was a sweet Christmas with both sides of the family represented! We are so that Jesus came so many years ago so that we can walk with him today and have his presence and blessings covering our family! Merry Christmas!