It has been a while since I posted last, I know. We've been very busy and also don't currently have a working camera, which pretty much prompts me to come on here and share the latest photos or video of Benjamin. We had a fun time over the past two weekends. The weekend before last Benjamin and AJ got to hang out together with Grandma and Grandpa Schmitt while all of us big kids were able to go out and have some child-less fun. The girls (except Katie, who had to work, booo) went to a tea luncheon at McHattie's Victorian Teahouse in Woodbury, which was very tasty and so fun. The boys all went to the St. Paul Gangster tour, which they described as "hillarious!" Then we all met up for Oktoberfest at the Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter in Stillwater. Benjamin and AJ kept themselves busy by chasing each other up and down the hallway and laughing hysterically! They are so much fun together, though Benjamin has a knack for pushing around his cousin a bit, haha.

This weekend we stayed home in Rochester, but Dan and Katie visited. They had only planned on coming down Friday night, but ended up staying until Sunday! We had a great time and visited a local apple orchard/pumpkin patch while the weather was beautiful on Sunday! Dan got a new job at HealthPartners, which he will be starting on October 9th, so we did a little celebrating with him. Yesterday, Benjamin and I took a trip to an outlet mall which is about an hour outside of Rochester. It was the most perfect autumn day and we had fun walking around outside to each of the shops. I just love fall!!!

Little Benjamin sure is on the go lately! He is sporting a brand new pair of Stride Rite shoes and is now walking everywhere! This morning he WALKED up all 10 stairs on the way into daycare!! He's so proud of his walking accomplishments. He giggles and smiles while walking all around.

Mike and I are nearly finished installing our kitchen floor. Speaking of being proud...we have done it all by ourselves and it looks great! It feels so good to be close to finishing such a major home improvement (well, major for us, anyway...we are no Uncle Terry!).

Last weekend Mike ran the Rochester Track Club Half Marathon, a pretty major race in the season here. He finished at 1:31:41 (a 7 min pace), a personal record! He's been training so hard for the Chicago Marathon (Oct 22) and is very pumped to conquer his goal this year!!

We went to the State Fair on Friday. Benjamin was able to travel around in his new kid carrier backpack, which worked out great! We didn't have to hit anybody in the ankles with our stroller and were able to go in and out of the crowds without any problems. We met up with Uncle Joe, Aunt Jen and AJ and Jen's family there, which was great! AJ is getting to be such a big boy!

Grandma and Grandpa Andrews visited us all weekend. We celebrated Grandma's (last) birthday with a trip to one of our favorite restaurants, the Redwood Room. The weekend was relaxing and everyone had a great time!