Benard's Birthday Bash!!!!!!

Well, the birthday boy thought he should be the king of the castle for his birthday. We all had a great time with all the kids, big and small, running around and getting the pent up energy out from weeks of being inside.

There was cake but no presents. For Ben's first birthday and for as long as he will let us, he will not be receiving presents @ his birthday party. Mike and I decided that for Ben's birthday he will be contributing to others and not to himself. That means that Ben raised money and donations for Seeds of Hope and their work in Zambia, Africa. The reason that we chose Seeds of Hope is because I met the little boy there that Ben is named after. All of those who came contributed and raised $630 and also some needs that we knew of were filled physically. It was a great time and raised money for a good cause.

Here Ben is with Mike's co-worker, Dave and his son Zane.

Here Rachel and Ian are eating some of the Bear cupcake/cake that I made for Ben. It was really good icing.

Ben's cousin Jaclyn hanging out with his girlfriend Gabriella.

Mike and I thought to bring Ben's truck @ the last minute and it was really a good thing. Everyone enjoyed it being there especially Eric who isn't in this picture. In the picture; Logan, Jaclyn and Benard.

Ben with his first birthday cake made out of cupcakes and shaped as a bear. He really enjoyed it.

My little Traveler.

Here I am with my little traveler. Ben really enjoys the train as long as there are other people on the train other than me. He just loves to socialize with people and talk and laugh with them. There was one day that we were the only two people left on the car and he was screaming and crying the whole rest of the way. Now if we are the only two left, I look for other people maybe upstairs or if I must on another car.

So far I have run into really nice people on the train that miss Ben when he's gone. We drove for three weeks and we got a lot of comments when we returned. Even the conductors and other staff members miss him when he's gone. There is a woman that helps people out if they can't figure out how to get a ticket and she just loves seeing Ben every morning. She will play peek-a-boo with him or chase him and it is so nice that people love him going on the train.

Don't get me wrong, there are people who look at me funny. They get bothered by him and they just want a quiet ride in or home. You can just see in peoples eyes whether or not they like kids and if they want us to be there or not.

Anyway here are a few pictures of Ben on a good day on the train just before he fell asleep drinking his bottle on my lap (that never happens). I couldn't find anyone to take that picture though.

Maybe Late but still cute. Halloween

Well, I know that The season has passed but we were house sitting and I didn't have my computer so here they are. Ben was a doctor and Mike was ninja doctor. I guess maybe when they grow up they can both be doctors or people who believe that they can do anything.

There not the greatest pics. but I hope they are enjoyed by all.

A Little Fall Adventure

Here are a few pictures of Ben @ the pumpkin patch yesterday. It was a family affair, we went with Denise, Alicia, Izzy, Jacob, Auntie Eileen, mom and day. We all had a great time and most likely will go again next year. It was Denise's idea and we really love spending time with her and her kids in the great out doors.

I was so warm that I'm sure that Ben was wearing too much, because I was expecting it to be cooler.

Autism Walk

This is Megan with Ben. Today we all gathered with her to raise money and walk for autism. Her nephew has autism and learning more about and raising money for autism research is very important to her and should be for all of us.

It was a privilege to do this with the majority of the Bjorndal family. Usually on Sundays all of us get together to catch up and just enjoy each other, so today we thought we would join our beloved Megan and walk for autism. It was a great way to do more then just catch up and enjoy each other, we made a difference (some of us more than others). Over $207,203 was raised today in the very first walk in our area. We only decided to walk a few weeks ago so I didn't really fundraise but we are thinking of doing it next year, so get ready to open your hearts and wallets to make a difference in many familys and childrens lives.

Here are a few shots of the rest of the family enjoying the day, only dad and Jacob were unable to make it out. It was a great day in so many ways.

Here is Jana with Adrian, just before Logan fell and we lost them for a little while. That is until they ran to catch up with us.

Here is Bella getting a good laugh with Jaclyn (Bella is in the stroller).

All the kids were interchangeble and here is Ben with David in Katherine and Chris' stroller.

Here we are getting ready on this cold day for a good walk.

My little family. We got the carrier yesterday and Ben loved it, he would have got tired of the stroller, but did great and was good the whole time in the carrier.

Here is Jaclyn all bundled up for the cold. All the kids were in great spirits considering how cold it was for them.

Here we all are for a our prewalk warm up. We were really just standing around wating to get going.

Megan and Mike enjoying a good laugh while walking in a very large crowd that wasn't moving too fast.

It was a good day and we all had a great time and I am looking forward to doing it again next year.

Ben's Got His First Job

Here's the story. I tried and tried and tried, but Ben was convinced that it was time for him to get a job. I was having a really hard time with the idea of him going off to work so I decided to go with him. So Ben and I are now Bella's (my niece) nanny's. Ben being the older one, is all in-charge. He keeps track of when Bella goes to bed and when to feed her and just plays with her if that is what she really needs at the time. Now Ben and I take the train to Port Moody 4 days a week to go meet Bella for Ben's new job.

Really I started working for Megan and Jer. two weeks ago taking care of Bella 4 days a week. Ben and I do take the west coast express most day and we get to play and have loads of fun with Bella. Here are a few pictures of the fun we have had already.

This is Bella.

Bella and Ben having a little lunch together. They don't have their bibs on here, but usually Ben ends up in a pink one because Bella shares all of her things with Ben.

Here they are just hanging out by the t.v. stand, which Ben has now figured out how to open. He's getting sneaky that little guy.

Most mornings I get to go into Bella's room and pick out an outfit for her. I really have fun with this, because girl clothes are just so cute. Not that I don't love dressing Ben but she wears more then a e-shirt and jeans every day.

Ben is trying to become more educated while we are working so here he is reading a book. "Ben I think the book goes the other way."


Here are the kids and their new ride. We just got the double stroller out today and it was a great day for a walk. After a week of teething and colds we all really needed to get out of the house. The kids really loved it and so did I.

Here's my BIG boy riding on the train. He tries to walk or crawl every where on that thing. He scared a young lady the other day because he touched her arm and yelled @ the same time. I though it was funny and I hope that she did as well.

Bathroom Duty

My mom had cleaned the bathroom last Sunday and Ben thought that he wanted to join in and this was the result.

Oh, Benny!