So much to blog about!

Where do I begin? I'll just skip to the best parts...

Chris (my brother) and Sheri got married on the 27th! It was the second best wedding we've ever been to ;) but of course, (almost) everyone thinks their wedding was the best! Ben was the ring bearer and he did a bang-up job! We were a little concerned at the rehearsal 'cause he would either run down the aisle (it sloped towards the front of the church) yelling "aaaaaaiiiiiiighhhhhh" or he would drop the ring bags halfway there or he would take off down one of the pews. But Saturday afternoon, with no nap under his belt, he strolled down the aisle, relaxed, as darling as ever, right to the front! The best man reached out to take the ring bags from Ben - but Ben thought he wanted a "five"! Then Chris bent down to get a "five" from Ben, who gladly gave his uncle a "five", went to Daddy and smelled his boutonniere! Classic!

He was pretty good throughout the ceremony and for the pictures beforehand, but he crashed for about 45 minutes on the way to the post-ceremony photo shoot. At the reception, he was a real trooper, lasting until 11 or so! We were so proud of him - well, Gord would have been proud if he wasn't so busy drinking and dancing!

Ben wore his tuxedo for almost the entire day - but it was too big on him. The suspenders had to be twisted six or so times at the back before they looked okay on him, but man can that kid wear a tux! Grandma Joan tied his balloon to his suspenders, so it was really easy keeping track of him in the crowd! And he insisted on carrying a daisy around all night, which was so sweet. I'm going to post some pictures...

Ben also danced up a storm - he's got rhythm, but it doesn't come from either of us! Especially not from Gord, from what we were subjected to at the party. Those of you who know him know what I'm talkin' 'bout...

It was a great weekend all in all. Chris looked charming, and Sheri was a real knockout! Sheri's brother and I were the emcees and that was fun - really off the cuff, but it all turned out fine! And I also gave the speech to the groom and I didn't even cry once! That was all shot to hell though when my mom surprised Chris with a mother-son dance, to a song called "Ordinary Miracles" by Amy Sky. I don't think there was a dry eye on any mother there! I still get weepy thinking about it!

We stayed in Brandon for an extra day (until Monday), just to relax and come down from the weekend. On Sunday, we went over to my cousin's house to have a birthday party for my uncle - he turned 60 in August. My cousin's dog, a chocolate lab named Katie, had puppies about 5 weeks earlier - 9 of the cutest little animals I've ever seen! We almost came home with 3 - one for each of us. They were so sweet, grunting if you stopped scratching them, falling asleep in your arms. OMG!

Kitchen update: things are s-l-o-w-l-y happening. We have countertop (awesome, gorgeous!) and all but one cabinet installed. Next are the doors - we've got to finish those up. Our microwave is in too, and I sure like it!

Ben is doing so many new things. He loves to give kisses, but now he likes to kiss your cheek, and only after he asks your permission ("Unh?", touching your cheek). He also likes to give zrbbbts (a.k.a. strawberries) on your stomach, back, etc. Sunday morning, he and I were playing in his room and he saw Sammy, his Cabbage Patch Kid. So I pulled Sammy out of the toybox and started quizzing Ben on body parts - where are Sammy's ears? Where is Sammy's hair? What about his feet? etc. etc. I asked where Sammy's belly was, so Ben pulls up Sammy's shirt, points to his belly button, and then proceeds to give Sammy a zrbbbt on his tummy! I could barely control my laughter! He cracks me up all the time...so funny.

That's all I can think to write about...till next time!

Carrie