Bentley

This is our adorable one year old. I think this time we actually got some pretty good pictures. Hopefully, Bentley is learning to cooperate a little more with the camera.

A Week of Activity - Parties, Parade, Etc.

This last week started off with lots of excitement and ended with a little bit of fun.

Last Sunday we celebrated both the girls' birthdays with all the grandparents and uncle N. We were excited to have them here, even though a few of us weren't feeling the best. Both the girls had a great time playing, opening their gifts, and getting all of that attention. While the grandparents were here to help entertain the girls D and I were also able to get some projects done: yard work, canning tomatoes, making birthday cakes.

Grandpa S played bears with Bria for a while.

Bentley eating her cake for her first birthday. She enjoyed this better than the cupcake she tried the week before. It was only because the frosting didn't make such a mess of her fingers. Bentley really doesn't like having messy fingers.

Bria couldn't quiet blow out all her candles in one try. I think I put them too far apart. She didn't mind having to do it twice.

Grandpa helped Bentley open her gifts. She lost interest pretty quick, but came back to it after a while. Of course, she enjoyed playing with the boxes and the paper after the gifts had been opened.

The tradition for the grandkids to get a John Deere tractor on their first birthday as continued through all 7 grandchildren. Bentley really loves her tractor. We keep it in the garage and every time we go out there she points to it and gets all excited. She know it moves, so even if we just set her on it that isn't enough. She wants to actually take a ride.

After the parties were all done and everyone had gone home, we had to finish up some work on the yard. While D was working, the girls rode their tractors. Bria has finally gotten the pedaling down along with the steering. Bentley's is electric and she can't reach the pedal, but I was able to make it go for her. She loved it! Bria also took a turn riding Bentley's tractor, but kept running me over. The electric tractor has a lot of power and goes faster than Bria could control in the short space she was trying to drive it.

After a couple of nights of yard work, another evening was spent building D's office's float for the homecoming parade. The parade was on Friday as well as the homecoming football game.

The float from D's office. They did a great job.

The girls were waiting for the parade to start. It was a little chilly, but it has been a lot colder since then. The parade was fun, and Bentley absolutely loved the horses.

After the parade we quickly ran some errands in Pierre, then got back into town in time for D to go to the game. The girls were tired out and it was cold and windy, so we stayed home. All the activity on Friday caused Bentley's cold to worsen yet again. We have just taken it easy the rest of the weekend to help her get this cleared up.

It's Offiicial

Our little baby is now a walking 1-year old.

Happy Birthday Bentley!

Today she took 4-5 steps in a row and just kept doing it over and over. Even though we could tell she was tired she continued to practice walking. All that tiring work did result in an early bedtime; she could hardly keep her eyes open. As if she wasn't into everything before, I'm sure she will be into even more in the weeks to come.

Bentley has also discovered that she can hold on to the spindles on the staircase to walk both up and down instead of crawling. This is bound to lead to something DANGEROUS.

Wherever Bentley is, there is Bria. These two are pretty good pals, even if Bria doesn't understand that Bentley doesn't always want her help.

All Sick

When we got home we all ended up with a cold. D, Bria, and I all had symptoms before we made it home, but Bentley ended up with the same thing yesterday. When Bria is sick you can't even tell because she is running around doing all of her usual things, and at the same pace. This is the first time Bentley has really had anything, and she is the opposite of Bria. As we have come to learn is pretty normal. Bentley is either sleeping, laying on the floor trying to sleep, or cuddling in D's or my arms. Also, she has to snuggle with the puppy she got for her birthday. It is hard to see my children sick, but especially when they are acting sick.

Bentley fell asleep on D's lap shortly after she got up from a nap. This cold completely wiped her out.

Vikings, Labor Day, Birthdays, and More

This last holiday weekend we went to the TC to visit D's family. On the way there we stopped to see some friends. One of our friend's dads recently bought a helicopter, so we had to stop and take a look.

It is a pretty fun little helicopter. Bria and Kuper sat in it, but they didn't have time to go for a ride. D and his Dad needed to get to the TC to make it to the Vikings game with the rest of the men in the family. We made it in time and the men headed to the game while the women took care of the kids.

All of the older kids had a great time sleeping in the tent with grandpa and grandma every night. They were well behaved and slept great the whole time.

Friday morning J's sister and fiance came by to help us celebrate some birthdays.

Here is Bentley's first birthday cupcake. She really didn't like the feel of the frosting, so she wouldn't even pick up the cupcake. She did take a few bites when I fed it to her, but otherwise she only wanted to smear the frosting all over the tray of the highchair.

Bria opening one of the gifts she got for her birthday.

Bentley opening one of her gifts.

We also celebrated grandma's and cousin J's birthdays. There was a lot to celebrate.

Later that evening all the women had a chance to go do something together. The men took the kids and we all went to an improv comedy show. It was a great time and plenty of laughter.

We took it easy on Saturday and just spent the day doing different activities around the house or in the neighborhood and some quick shopping. Of course, we ate plenty the whole weekend. The food and hospitality where great. Sunday we went to church and traveled home after lunch.

Bentley with cousin L.

All of the cousins had a good time playing together, and as they all get older they play together better. Bria calls all of her cousins her best friends, and is always sad to leave them.

First Steps

We are so excited, Bentley took her first steps today. We knew she was close. When D came home from work he held Bentley in front of him, and she took 2 to 3 steps to get to me. She wouldn't repeat the performance. Instead she would just go down on her knees when we tried to hold her to stand. I'm sure that walking completely on her own will come quickly, or maybe not, since Bentley does everything in her own time. Lately she has been walking while barely holding on to one of our hands, and she has been reaching from one piece of furniture to the next to get around. Since Bentley was walking to me I didn't have the camera, so there aren't any pictures. Maybe next time.

Ten and Eleven

Somehow, I didn't get around to posting Bentley's ten or eleven month pictures. Even though these are late, I thought I would post them.

Ten Months


Eleven Months


It is getting harder and harder to get a picture of Bentley looking at the camera. As soon as I set her down where I want her, she is turning around to touch or climb on whatever is behind her. Even when Bria is standing beside me acting crazy, Bentley hardly takes notice. Bentley was never very cooperative to begin with, but being mobile has made it more difficult. She is, however, learning a lot with all of her exploring. She is also trying to say a few more words, and points at objects (which helps us determine what word she is saying). I think we are going to end up with two very talkative girls!