June 2011 Durham Craugen's Visit

Our 2nd annual Brainerd-Craugen's vacation with the Durham clan was a blast! The weather wasn't so hot, but we made the best of it and had blast! I've attached some of our best photos. There were too many to share!  The week was full of fishing, eating, drinking, building sand castles, and...more fishing! Thanks for the great time everyone!

B&B

Pic taken by Uncle Jim -  Brades & Daddy fishing off the doc at sunset.

Gma with a BIG ONE!

Whooey!  Um, Gma  - where's the sun?

Sherck Family June 2011 - Ernie's on Gull

Sara & Kris

Jim & Jenni

Uncle Jim - and Guide Daddy Sherck

Sunrise on Gull

Gma teaching Bennett how to drive...

Gma & Brades, chillin



Gpa Durham with a solid catch, he looks happy!



Our chefs...FISH FRY NIGHT!

Fire Pit

The "crew" - Dinner at Ernies

Craugen's Cabin 2011

Gma & Gpa Sherck



Cute Couple - Mama & Dad




Chunkers - 4 months



Mom, Sara & Amy



Jim & Brady chasing ducks - Brady in ACTION (good form)




What up?



Busy days with no nap



Fat guy in a little coat



Gma & Bennett

Baby, it's HOT outside.

It's a blasted hot one today.  With a heat index of 115 degrees, we're staying inside most of the day - Mom is doing laundry and Daddy is, again catching Gophers.  Have we told you? We have so many of those little guys living in our back yard, digging holes.  Mom swears, the other day she saw one smile at her.  Well, Dad has been catching them (4 now) out of the rain spouts. He places them in a bucket and drives them to the gravel pit a few miles away to let them go in peace.   This was one part of my adventure today - enjoy the other pics and video of us today, a day "inside" while it's burnin' up outside.

Later,

Brady


I couldn't figure out a way to rotate this and add it to the blog, so tilt your head and enjoy. Haha





Stay out of our yard!



Nicknamed this little guy "Caddyshack"



Best Buds, brothers



Da Boyz - Comparison at 5 months old

In a few days, Bennett will already be FIVE MONTHS old!  I'll be honest and admit that as I was packing up his itty bitty newborn baby clothes this past week to give away, I shed a tear.  Our boys are growing so fast and as we're excited to begin the new chapter in our lives - I still can't believe Bennett is already 5 months old. 

Do you think the boys look alike?  We hear differing opinions...we think they look like brothers but both have a very independent "look" about them. 

Love, Mom


Brady 5 months



Bennett 5 months



Cabin Fever

We've spent so much time at the cabin this summer which is AWESOME. We've been so busy that it's tough to get a chance to get home, work, wash clothes. I guess blogging hasn't been at the top of our priority list. Sorry!

We will leave the several stories to the pictures to tell the stories. We've captured many of the memories already this summer in the pictures below! I hope you're able to see by our smiles that we feel so lucky to have a place so wonderful to visit.  Most pics are of us (the kids) but, duh - this is our blog, ya know.

Ciao,
B&B
(Brady 2.5 yrs & Bennett 4.5 months)

Cabin Summer 2011




"Where's your seatbelt?"



Dancing Frogs





Watchin' boats zoom by



Happy Boy- 4.5 mo



Happy 8th Birthday Cousin Rachel!



Bunny hiding behind tree



Watering Gma's flowers





New trunks



Naps by the lake




Make-your-own sundes.  My favorite.



Whippee, go faster!!

Goofy Cousins

Outdoor picnics

Oh Dad - where have you been? (on the boat)

Bennett sitting by fire with Gpa & Gma Sherck



Miss Rachel



Bennett/Gpa



Cousins: Michael (5), Brady (2.5), Rachel (8) & Bennett (4 months)



  

Boat Stuff

Had to share a few boat photos from the cabin recently, hope they make you giggle!  Bennett likes the rocking of the boat, so when it's Daddy's turn to put him to sleep, see what you get below?


Dad's way of Rockin' Bennett to sleep

 Boys out fishing.  Brady loves to be on the fishing boat - and for a 2 yr old is very patient. Hey may not fish the entire time....

Boys on the boat

 But, while on the boat he keeps busy doing other things like the picture below.  Brady, Dad is so proud of you - and can't wait to take you fishing for years to come!


Our next little Rainman, Brady counting bobbers

 Please also continue to check out Bill's blog Bill Sherck's Blog - Due North Outdoors for some more great pictures of his "boating" adventures!

Our Mom: she's no CHEF, but she's borderline brilliant

 It's a weekend and...we're in town.  I know! Can you believe it?

Last night, Mom & Dad had a date night with the Aafedts at the Twins Game in the suite!  They had a blast and got some kid-less time away which is well deserved. Thanks to our neighbors who watched Bennett and I last night while they were able to have some fun.  David & Katie - thanks again for the game, they had a blast!

Today, it's a hot one.  Like, heat index of 112 hot one.  Arvin and I spent some time outside playing and eating popsicles. Yum!  While Dad mowed the yard, we played and Mom & Bennett played in the garden.  Wow, that garden is growing!  This week Mom found a massive zucchini growing (pics below) and now we have zucchini coming out of the ying yang!

Today, Bennett picked some deformed carrots (yes, we will do better next year), some cilantro and beans.  Because of all of the zucchini, Mom made her own recipe of a crustless quiche and it is soooo awesome that I've included the recipe below if if sounds great to anyone.  Mom made it up - sometimes (most of the time), her inventions don't work but this one did.

Love,
Brades

Best Buddy Arvin - Popsicle Time!

Zucchini - a Beast

Some goodies from the garden. The carrots - deformed.



Great idea, ma!

 Sherck's Zucchini Bacon Crustless Quiche

Ingredients:
6 eggs OR 1 cup of eggbeaters (this is what we used)
2 cups diced zucchini
3 slices cut up swiss cheese
1/2 cup parmesean cheese
6 slices of bacon, cooked & crumbled
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp cracked pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 
Spray 8" pie pan.
Mix together all ingredients above.
Pour in Pie Pan
Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes until  top browns.

Chicken Wings & Chocolate Milk, a Good Match?

Our trip to Buffalo Wild Wings - Mama's favorite place!!

Yum, choc milk after wings



Daddy & Brady "funny face" pose



A boy who loves chicken wings melts mama's heart.

We LOVE the SUMMER!!

Because...we can't go for bike rides in the winter!!

Biking Brothers



Daddy the "mule"

Long Overdue - Bennett's 4 month Check-up

I know, I know. I have no excuse for not blogging other than I've been on SEVERAL adventure and I can't wait to share them with all of you!  FIrst of all, I made an adventure to see Doc MB Mahoney for my 4 month check-up! 

Stats Below:

1. Height: shorty, 25% percentile
2. Weight: 14lb, 15oz - 50% percentile
3. Head Size: Big, 75% percentile

So, to put it simply, I'm short, chunky (kinda) and have a big head.  Ha!

I don't know if you all remember, it's been a long 4 months. I've been fighting a gassy stomach, allergies/eczema and big fussiness.  We have tried several techniques, diets/changes, but Dr. MB said she thought we should try SOY formula. It took awhile, but seems to be making my tummy feel a bit better and make me more content.  I have medicine for my eczema which helps!  I'm ALMOST rolling over now, am getting much more active and have tried a little bit of rice cereal which I'm not lovin' so much quite yet.  I still haven't quite figured out how to sleep through the night, I'm still getting up 3-4 times a night on average. Please check out some of my favorite pics below - I'm getting to be a big dude! 

Love, Bennett



Bennett 4 months





Smiley boy at the cabin




Not sure about this cereal stuff



Statue of Bennett



Totally what I look like. A CUTIE PIE!



Cereal for the first time

4 mo check up - 50% @ 14 lbs

Doc MB Mahoney. I love her!