Cousins suck (literally)

Sebastian was always interested in sucking on Ben, but was also interested in sucking on anyone who was willing to be sucked on. Ben understood, as he is also very interested in tasting everything that comes his way, and has become even more so since Christmas.

Family

Ben had a great time in Florida with all his family -- Aunt Adrienne, Uncle Richard, cousins Julien and Sebastian, and Grandma Jan and Grandpa Bill. He even got to meet some other cousins. Interactions with Julien and Sebastian were particularly interesting, if sometimes alarming. Julien would screech and talk and dance and was infinitely fascinating. Sebastian was very interested in Benjamin, abut Ben wasn't always sure what to make of him.

Florida

We spent the week of Christmas on Amelia Island, in Florida, where Ben's Grandpa Bill and Grandma Jan had rented a house for a week for us all to stay in. The house, called Katie's Light, is a reproduction of a lighthouse that is right on the beach. There were several other lighthouses, but Katie's Light was by far the nicest. It was a wonderful place to stay, and it was great fun to walk on the beach every day and to hear the waves all night. (Thanks to Adrienne for the wonderful pictures of the three of us and of Jekka and Ben.)

Grandma Bea

Ben's Great Grandma Bea Johnston died December 18. We are very happy that she had a chance to meet Ben at Thanksgiving. We were in Pennsylvania for the funeral, at the Presbyterian church in Mercersburg. Ben got to see all his cousins again, and meet a couple he hadn't had a chance to meet at Thanksgiving. After the funeral and the burial we all wrote notes to Bea, attached them to balloons, and let them go. It's not very environmentally friendly, but it was beautiful and was a great way to say goodbye.

Big Trip

Ben went on a very big trip over Christmas break. We all drove from Boston to Amelia Island, Florida, via Chambersburg, MA, and then back. Three whole days of car travel each way. Ben was a very good traveler, playing and then sleeping, and then nursing and playing each time we stopped. He stayed in motels for the first time, as well as staying in other unfamiliar beds in Florida and at his Grandpa Roy's in Pennsylvania. He also got a chance to go to the Christmas party at Luther Ridge, where his Grandma Cookie lives.