Bennett's first "hello"

In his Mommy's arms, little Bennett Reid gives a hardy wave to a New World.

IT'S A BOY! Bennett Reid Struckmeyer....

Ken and Ben

Born Jan. 19 @ 3:15 a.m.
8 lbs 3 oz.; 20 inches long

And grandpa didn't even get his holiday photos posted yet!

Oh, well. I'm sure there's more (of everything) to come!

Happy Birth Day, Ben!

MiMi and Henry enter a "winter wonderland"

This weekend, grandpa and MiMi picked up Henry and drove over to Navy Pier to visit "Winter Wonderland." What a wonder it was! Lots of Christmas trees, a great choo-choo train ride that Henry didn't want to leave. A fun merry-go-round. Maybe this can become a tradition.... go between 4 and 5 p.m., before the crowd.

On the beach

Uncle Casey sent over a few more "keepers" from our trip to Hilton Head for Thanksgiving and cousin Heather's 40th birthday surprise party.

The tide pool toddler

Henry and grandpa look for life in Hilton Head's tide pools.

Henry at Hilton Head

Famous alligator hunter Henry Green comes in from a day at the beach.

Henry hunts alligators (or vice versa) at Hilton Head Island!

For Thanksgiving this year, some of us went to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina where we surprised cousin Heather with a 40th birthday party. It rained every day, but we were fortunate to get Henry to the beach a couple of times.

A little scared at first, by the second time you'll see, Henry, that you were no longer afraid to get your feet wet.

Notice the baby alligator crawling across the bottom of the photo!