Baby Shower

Several people from town hosted a baby shower for Bentley and I (and even Bria). We had a lot of fun and received a lot of wonderful things. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Bria was in front of me the whole time we were opening gifts. She was able to help open most of them.

All the ladies were so sweet. Bria even received some gifts herself. This is the baby she received from a gal at D's office. Her name is "Jingle Bells" because Bria thought that should be Bentley's name.

I don't have any pictures from the shower with Bentley in them because she was being passed around for everyone to hold.

Cooking

Grandma and Aunt D came to visit and help for a few days. Aunt D was cooking for us and Bria wanted to do the same. She took one of my cookbooks from the shelf and disappeared. A little later I found her in her toy room...

Bria looking at a yummy recipe for an apple desert.

Bria pretending to cook the apple desert.

It was fun to watch her be creative with cooking.

Homecoming Parade

This week has been a busy week for our small town. It is homecoming week, and on Wednesday we hosted the "Capital for a Day." We have had activities almost every evening this week. Of course, one of the highlights was the homecoming parade. In a small town everyone gets involved, so D's office had a float in the parade. We all rode along, and Bria even got to ride in the back and help throw candy.

Bria had a great time. Thanks to the gals from D's office who let Bria ride with them and help, and for the candy they saved for her.

This is actually the second year that Bria has been on a homecoming float. Last year she rode on grandma's float for their homecoming while D and I went on vacation. This girl really likes parades (maybe it's because we took her to a parade before she was even a week old). I think we are starting Bentley off the same way.

Snuggle Time

Both girls love to sit with Grandpa and Grandma. Of course, if someone is holding Bentley Bria thinks she needs to be there too.

Grandpa with his two granddaughters.

Grandma with Bentley (Einstein hair after her bath).

Bentley snuggled on Grandpa's belly sleeping (it was one of her favorite places to sleep).

Birthday Party

Bria had a great Birthday weekend. She did lots of fun things, and got lots of attention from grandparents and aunts and uncles.

She started the weekend off playing with her new bubble lawn mower. She played with it for hours and hours. It is nice to have a toy for her to play with outside, especially since we have nothing else for her to do in our own yard, even though she is creative with what she can find.

After playing with the lawn mower, we met Daddy out on our friends ranch so Bria could ride horse. She loves the horses and the cows. Daddy was actually helping them work cattle and we just went for a short horse ride.

Bria holding Bentley. She loves to hold her, but thinks she should always be able to do it by herself. "I can do it by myself," is a commonly heard phrase. Grandma was sitting next to Bria to make sure Bentley was safe.

We have to give Aunt D a big THANK YOU for the birthday cake. Bria loved the butterfly, and it relieved a lot of stress for me. I don't think I could have gotten everything else ready if Aunt D hadn't made the cake.

There were plenty of presents to open and Daddy helped with them all. Bria has enjoyed playing with every single one in the last couple of days. She has especially enjoyed the games (Candy Land, Chutes & Ladders, and Memory). She has quickly learned how to play each game.

Look Who's Three

Bria's birthday is today, and she is very excited to finally be three. All day she has been asking lots of people, "can you celebrate with me?" She has also asked me if she can invite some of her friends from other towns. It was hard for her to understand that they all live too far away. However, she is very excited to have the grandparents and some aunts and uncles come for a party on Sunday.

I did my best with what we had in the yard to get a few good pictures of Bria.

Exhausted Big Sister

Being a big sister seems to be quite tiring for Bria. She has been taking really long naps ever since we brought Bentley home from the hospital. We have even had to wake her up so she would sleep at night.

She is a little angel.