Lake of the Ozarks {2014}

We spent another week at Lake of the Ozarks this July. It was an amazing week filled with swimming, sun, drinks, relaxation, and boating. We had so many great pictures I didn't want to miss anything, so I created collages of each of our activities!

 The house we rented this year had a great little pebble beach. It was great for the kids!

 These are some of my favorite of Bennett from the week

 Jordan is the fisherman of the group, but sometimes the other partake in the activity to change it up. They did a great job this year and Jordan fried us up some fish our last night there.

 We spend A LOT of time floating!!!

 A few of Miss Grace, being adorable!

 The kids were our captains for the week, and the collage of 3 pictures does not even do it justice for how much these kids actually were in the drivers seat.

 Some great pictures from the week to share

 Some more of my favorite pics of the week

 There are so many pictures it is hard to pick which ones to include!

 We have so much fun at Lake of the Ozarks

Bennett was not so sure of swimming in the lake, but Grace really came out of her shell on vacation. Swimming was fun had by all!

 We don't tube too much, but when we do it is a riot. Even Bennett and Grace got in on the action this year.

 But of course, wakeboarding is the reason we go to Lake of the Ozarks to begin with. And it is hard to include just one or two pictures, because there are hundreds to share!

This year we even took up a new activity, Wakesurfing. Even Emily tried this out (6 months pregnant)!

1 Year Old!!!

Update: Seriously, SERIOUSLY, how are we already here? This is so cliche but it honestly just flew by, the entire year! I sit here today(I am writing this on his actual birthday), a tad emotional, how big and strong and independant Bennett it. We are so proud of him and he hasn't hardly done anything (I mean beyond what is natually expected of him at 1 year old!). Most of my day has been consumed with remembering exactly what happened and how I was feeling at certain points in the day at this time last year. I know that at exactly 7:58 tonight, I will be emotional. I look back on this year and try to forget about the times I thought "I cannot wait for him to hit 'this' milestone." Because all I can think about today is how much I wish I could rewind the entire year and do it again, well, let's not get too crazy! Don't get me wrong, there are days where Bennett makes us absolutely want to pull our hair out. He is wildly independant and stubborn (like his mom), and always making us laugh (like his dad), he is curious and fearless and persistant, and would prefer to climb in, on, and through things (regardless of what it is). He is 100% boy-to the core, he loves getting dirty, throwing balls, building and destroying blocks, zooming around in cars, and playing with steering wheels (don't get me started on the absolute FIT he throws when he can't play with the REAL steering wheel in the REAL car). Bennett is not much of a cuddler and he would prefer to feed himself, but he can be SO clingy, especially to mommy right after work, in new settings, around new people, or anytime he is feeling cranky, tired, or needy. And by clingy, I don't mean he wants to sit on the couch and hang out together, no, he wants me up, walking around, with him on my hip and don't I DARE sit down for 1 second or he will throw a fit. But, all of that does not matter. I would do anything for Bennett and I know Josh would too. He has brought us so much joy this past year, and we are excited to see what year #2 brings!

Likes

• Cars, trucks, anything with a steering wheel
• Playing outside
• Climbing on everything!
• Sitting in "big kid" chairs
• Throwing and playing with footballs, baseballs, golf balls, etc

Dislikes

• Diaper Changes
• Getting dressed/undressed
• Being put in his car seat
• Having to sit still
• When he is feeling needy and we cannot hold him

Stats: 1 Year appointment is next week!

Features: I cannot wait to find out how tall he is, I definately feel like he has gotten taller. I am also excited for him to look less "bow-legged"haha.

Sleep: Bennett has always been a great sleeper. Lately, this month we have been able to push him through his first nap (when we are out doing things), and have him only take 1 long nap a day. But, if we are home and he is not being entertained that first morning nap is essential. I will admit, I will miss two naps a day when they come to an end here in the next couple of months. He also has been sleeping a little longer in the morning (yay for 7 am!) and/or able to stay up later at night (9 or 10 pm at times!)

Diapering: Size 3 Diapers- in both nighttime diapers and daytime diapers, I will probably start buying size 4 next time we buy diapers

Clothes: Mostly, 12 month clothes, some are even still to big. He is just still so short that his shorts hit his ankles and the waste bands are a bit big.

Social: SO chatty! And we have no idea what he is saying. I think he says "dada" and "uh oh" and knows what they mean, but the kid could babble and jabber for hours and we have no clue what he is talking about. He is pretty shy around new people, but it only takes him about 5 minutes to warm up, especially if they have food or toys to share. He is definately a momma's boy and can be needy and clingy when he wants to be (which is usually when I need to make dinner, clean the house, get ready, you know.....anytime I actually need to DO something). Bennett can give high 5's, he consistently gives us wet, slobbery kisses, and has started to learn to wave (but this is hit and miss). I cannot wait to have him start talking more so I can understand him and I know he will just say the most hilarious things!

July was a VERY full month. We did alot of traveling and took alot of pictures.

(First time at the Jones county fair! Bennett did great and enjoyed MOST of Miranda Lambert concert)



(He did not sit still during the concert, but he enjoyed it nonetheless)



(We left about 2 songs before the end of the concert to try to beat the traffic and crowds)

(Waiting for the concert to start with Grandma Sara)

(We spent the next day riding rides at the carnival and they were a hit!)



(The car was obviously a favorite)



(Slow down dude!)



(The train he got kicked off of shortly after this picture. Bennett decided to crawl out of the seatbelt, which the ride operator said no to)



(This one was not so much a hit, Bennett wanted to move/walk around on the Ferris Wheel and we would not let him)



(As you can see, he is struggling a bit to be  happy)



(This one was his favorite! He threw a fit when he had to get off)

(Playing the piano at Grandma Lock's)

(Right after the fair, we drove to Lake of the Ozarks for vacation with Josh's family)

(Bennett was hit and miss with swimming in the lake)

(Luckily, we had a GREAT house with a grassy lot and beach area to play)

(Part of the beach area for Bennett and Grace to play)

(The life jacket struggle was not so bad during vacation, Bennett was a champ!)

(We did not leave Lake of the Ozarks without a battle wound though. The house had a stone fireplace with a step-up, and sure enough Mr. Wobbly-legs crashed face first into the fireplace. Everything turned out fine and now he is rocking a pretty decent scar, but it healed nicely)

(Playing in the toys at Toys-R-Us)

(We went to look at birthday presents and Bennett had so much fun!)

(He loved this also, but still a bit too small for something like this)

(Enjoying music in the park with Dad)

(Two peas in a pod)



(Spent some time at the Sculpture park, where we were able to snap a cute family pic!)

(This kid will climb in anything)



(Birthday present from us)

(Playing with his new toy for his birthday)

(Morning at the State fair)

(Loving the Little Hands Farm at the State Fair)

(Driving the truck at the State Fair)



(Fuzzy picture-but that is every single wipe pulled out of the container. No wonder he was being so quiet and good!)

(Washing Dad's Car. The hose is also a favorite toy)

11 Month Update

Update: Sorry for being a bit delayed on this update. July has been CRAZY busy!! Better late than never. So, this is going to be a bit tough being that we are already two weeks past July 14th, which was the day Bennett turned 11 months old. It might be tough to remember some of his milestones because they are all starting to blur together at this point. Bennett spent June 14th-July 14th enjoying being outside, on the boat, visiting grandma and grandpa's lake house, celebrating his first 4th of July, and as always keeping mom and dad busy-busy-busy, especially  chasing him around. Bennett started walking consistently the day he turned 11 months old. He was taking steps here and there (3-5 at a time) at 10 months, but ever since that day, his main mode of transportation has been on his feet.

Likes

• Cars, trucks, tractors-anything with a steering wheel
• Riding toys
• Climbing on and in things (seriously, this kid climbs on everything!)
• Climbing up and down the stairs, over and over and over and over..........
• Hot Dogs, Ice Cream, Cookies, Pasta

Dislikes

• Bath time has become a struggle this month
• Diaper Changes
• Getting dressed/undressed
• Being put in his car seat
• Having to sit still
• Bananas

Stats: 1 Year appointment is a week after his 1 year birthday

Features: His hair is growing, and some have curls at the end, but most of it is straight, for now. Weight and height have increased, but not sure by how much

Sleep: Still really good here. He naps twice a day, once in the morning for an hour and half to two hours, and once in the afternoon for two to two and half hours. Goes to bed anywhere from 7:30-10:00 PM and ALWAYS (never fails) wakes up at 6 AM.

Diapering: Size 3 Diapers- in both nighttime diapers and daytime diapers, no changes here for a while I suspect.

Clothes: Bennett is wearing 9 month clothes and some 12 month clothes. But his "style" mostly consists of gym/athletic shorts and t shirts, just like his dad. He has a lot of cute outfits, but Josh likes to dress him like he does, which is usually just a pair of comfy athletic shorts and a t shirt. Shoes have been a struggle this month though! The kid seriously has the fattest feet, so most of the shoes we have as hand-me-downs do not fit. I have visited several second hand stores and keep buying shoes but nothing seems to work, and we have to have shoes on him now!

Social: Bennett started doing a lot of fun things this month other than walking. He started pointing this month. He also bounces/dances to music which is unbearably cute! He has taken a (strong) interest in cars and trucks. He absolutely loves anything with a steering wheel and wheels. He is definitely ready for some new toys, because his baby toys are getting old to him and he is ready to play with some new "big kid" toys (his birthday cannot come fast enough!). He is not saying any REAL words, but mostly babbles "baba" "mama" "dada" "daaaaaaaa" "aahhhhhh," honestly, I don't really know what he says, but he babbles ALOT! All the time, he loves to hear himself "talk"

 

We celebrated his first 4th of July at my grandparent's lake house in Illinois. He still dislikes the life jacket for the most part, but he is getting better about it. On 4th of July we spent the day playing outside by his baby pool with cousins Morgan and Kaden, and then Bennett and Kaden took an AHHHHHMAZING nap while we hung out by the dock (thank goodness for great video baby monitors nowaways!). After the long naps, we had a hot dog roast by the campfire, played with toys, and lit fireworks in the yard (this lake did their fireworks July 5th, for some reason). The next day we watched a "mini golf cart parade" and spent most of the day indoors and fighting naps. The weather was a bit chilly and unfortunately, we could not spend a lot of time outside, and for some reason Bennett was just NOT HAVING IT the whole day. It is amazing how different two days can be. He was whiny, clingy, did not want to nap, and had me absolutely exhausted and irritable. That night we had fireworks on the lake and since Bennett had such a crummy day, we chose not to take him on the boat to watch fireworks. My grandma opted to stay back with him while he went to bed early, which we were so SO thankful for:)

 

1 more month and we officially have a 1 year old, how crazy to think!!! (But honestly, by now it is 2.5 weeks, since I am writing this so late!)

 

 (First Father's day-Brunch at Jethro's)

 

 (Swimming at the pool for the first time-and loving it!!)

 (Farmer's Market)

 

(Swimming outside at home)

(When mom needs to get ready, we do whatever it takes to make Bennett happy!)

(Daddy being silly and sharing the crib with Bennett)

(This kid loves pasta!)

 (Reading books with Morgan)

 

(Bath time with Kaden)

(Swim time on 4th of the July at the lake)

 



(Family picture on 4th of July)

(Boating and swimming at the lake)

Bennett also tried tubing at the lake with Kaden and Jessica!)

(Mowing the lawn and playing on 4th of July)

(Seriously, this kid climbs in everything!)