Family Things with Ben

I thought about making a little list of all the things Ben's parents want to do with him as he grows. Obviously some things we want to do more then once like going to the zoo, but I thought a nice list would be something fun to look back on.

Disney World
Capitals Game
Redskins Game (Dad can take him to this)
Pumpkin Patch
Cox's Farm
Polar Express Train Experience
Thomas Train Experience
Baltimore Aquarium
Zoo
Crayola Factory
Circus
Ice Show
Baseball game
Brighton Beacn
Miami
A Beach
Visit Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Boyd's Bear Store
Swim in the Pacific Ocean
Camping
Deep Sea Fishing
See a sleeping Volcano (Mommy is too afraid of live ones)
Walk on the Great Wall of China
Lion Country Safari
Luray Caverns
Botanical Gardens
Central Park
A Broadway Play
Air and Space Museum and Udvar-Hazy Center
Capitol
White House
Sea World/Miami Aquarium
Colonial Williamsburg
Hershey Park
Skiing (James can do this)
Eat in the Disney castle
The Pekar Hungarian Village
Munich Germany to see the Clock
The Tower of London
A Castle
Scuba Diving
Archery Range
A Cruise
Treesort in Takilma, Oregon
Opryland
Yellowstone National Park
The Grand Canyon
Tweetsie Railroad
Gem Mine
A Civil War Battlefield
Niagara Falls
Statue of Liberty
Times Square

*Visit all 50 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, District of Columbia.

*Visit the following countries: Austria, China, England, Germany, Hungary, Italy,Russia

*Visit most of the continents: Asia, North America, Europe and Australia

Ben Took More Steps!!!

On Saturday October 11th, Ben walked a few more steps! His parents went to a cousin's wedding, so Erin and Katie watched him while his parents could attend. When we came back to get him that evening, Ben walked at least ten whole steps to his parents! We were very excited and happy for him. Erin and Katie informed us that to their surprise that Ben walked almost ten steps that day while at a baby shower. Ever since then Ben has been walking more and more. He will get frustrated on the slowness of the walk, stop, and then will crawl to get places faster, but he is on his way!

25 Things That Make Our Family Happy

I was inspired by another blog to write 25 things that make each of the Goldlust Family members happy. I think it gives an inside look to our family and what makes us have a better day.

Ben's List
1. Cuddles with Mom and Dad
2. Bananas
3. Getting to touch/pet one of the dogs
4. Drinking his bottles
5. Singing "Are You Driving"
6. Going out and about (bumming as my Mom would put it)
7. Taking walks in the stroller
8. Wrestling with Daddy
9. Bath time
10. Throwing balls down the steps
11. Being tossed in the air.
12. Seeing Mommy pick him up from day care
13. Lots of kisses and tickles (corn on the cob kiss)
14. Discovering (yet again) the drum stick from the Bee Bop Band toy
15. Walking across the room in his walker
16. Blankets, especially the soft ones
17. Pacifiers
18. Going up the stairs (a rare occurrence)
19. Reading stories
20. Watching the propeller on his Mickey toy.
21. Seeing his Dad come home
22. Being able to touch things he is pointing too
23. Playing peek a boo
24. Clapping his hands
25. His parents clapping for him when he does something good or achieves something.

James's List

1. Seeing his son and wife when he comes home (the reaction of Ben is precious)
2. Getting his back scratched
3. Getting a great new thing for our house (new furniture/something useful)
4. Kisses from his wife
5. Playing poker
6. Watching Caps games
7. Watching Redskins games
8. Playing on his PS3
9. A clean house
10. Seeing Ben learn a new thing
11. Watching Ben redo a learned thing (peek a boo, clapping hands, etc.,)
12. Ben pointing to him saying "Dada"
13. Getting a new car
14. Massages
15. Eating at a great restaurant
16. Playing softball
17. Hanging out with friends
18. Getting new clothes
19. Clean clothes folded so he doesn't have to search for them
20. Having one on one time with his wife
21. Sunflower seeds
22. Weekends
23. Miami
24. Winning money from a scratch off lotto ticket
25. Having meals prepared for him

Diana's List

1. Seeing Ben's little face the first thing in the morning
2. Seeing Ben's face when I pick him up from day care.
3. Seeing my husband walk through the door after work
4. Weekends
5. Shopping (mostly for Ben)
6. A clean house
7. New sheets on everyone's bed
8. James cooking for me
9. Getting my feet rubbed
10. Getting kisses from my husband
11. Getting hugs from my son
12. Seeing my son do a new thing
13. Seeing my son redo a thing he has already learned.
14. Eating out at restaurants
15. Seeing friends
16. Hanging out with family
17. Holidays
18. Seeing through my sons eyes when he sees something new or likes
19. Taking my son to new and fun things to do (Zoo, park, etc)
20. Vacation
21. Seeing Ben with his Grandparents
22. Watching Ben dance when I sing him a song
23. Hearing Ben laugh
24. My dogs
25. Having a loving home that I can go home to