Multiple choice

a) put your kid on your lap

b) sit up straight

c) look really awkward by leaning in like you're going to go cheek-to-cheek with the person next to you except the person next to you is a baby and his cheek is way below yours so, again, just look really awkward

I chose 'c.' It's okay though because it's one of our few family pics and both boys are somewhat looking in the direction of the camera. So, I'll take one for the team!

Obviously this pic was taken at the patch. We didn't stay long...it was super cold and both boys were (are) sick, but we went and it was fun! I'll post more pics (probably sometime in December).

We love Papa...and teeth!

On September 6th (one of these days I'll actually blog about things as they happen, not a month+ afterward...ugh!), Papa celebrated his birthday! We are so grateful for him! Papa is always ready to play! No matter how much work he brings when he visits (and I'm sure it's a lot), he is on the floor or outside with the boys the minute they wake up! He consistently encourages Jonathan and me with wise words and Bible verses. He has an incredible attitude about life--you will often here him saying, "Life is good." When I texted him happy birthday his response was, "Thank you! Every day is happy." Papa, thank you for being such a positive influence on our lives. You have a heart for Jesus, your family, and working hard! We love and appreciate you!

Parker and Papa during their recent visit at the beginning of October

Playing during our trip to CA in May

Oct. 2, 2011: talking to Camden just before he rides a pony

All done! You can't tell by his face, but Camden really liked it!

Morning lesson about tools!

Camden applying what he learned while Papa oversees!


Camden celebrated Papa's birthday by going to his first dentist appointment! He did awesome! He was a bit nervous and not a huge fan of the noise/feeling of the cleaning brush, but he hung in there like a champ!

They have TVs on the ceiling so he's watching the movie he picked out

Counting his teeth

All clean!

Parker also celebrated Papa's birthday by getting his third tooth! I couldn't get any pics of that!

Puffs!

September 5, 2011: Parker tries puffs for the first time...

So determined to get that little thing!

Concentrating

Where did it go? They kept sticking to his hands and he couldn't figure out how to get them off!

Swimming Lessons

Here are some pics from the end of August during Camden's final swimming lesson. He did great, but is definitely not a water baby (as you can tell by his dry hair). The lessons were perfect--a small group of kids at a friend's house. It was more about getting in the water and hanging with friends than learning how to swim. He likes being in the pool, he just doesn't want anything above his shoulders getting wet! My MIL told me his Daddy was the exact same way as a kid and he turned into a surfing, swimming, snorkeling machine! We'll see if Camden changes his mind about the water as he gets older.

Kicking with "Miss Laura"

Blowing bubbles with Nancy (I was usually in the water with him, but I was taking pics)

Getting ready to blow bubbles

Always a little hestitant to stick his face in the water, but he would eventually do it every time!

Seasons

This is not a post about Fall (however, I do love everything about this time of year...leaves, holidays, candles, etc.). It's not about Winter, Spring, or Summer either, but the seasons of life. I started this blog because Jonathan and I were entering a new season, we were going to be parents! Now we are in the season of being parents of two little ones--both of them are VERY busy! Camden is constantly running, jumping, playing, kicking, talking and Parker is constantly squealing, talking, army crawling, playing. I love it! However, there are times when it is exhausting and I just need a break. It's difficult because at this time in our lives we are far from family and all of our friends have kids (I have a hard time asking people to take care of their own two kids and my two as well). A break is also not happening because we are in a season (there's that word again) of not being able to get away, just the hubs and me. Parker will not take a bottle. We've tried. It doesn't work. I find comfort in the fact that it will not be this way forever (I also love the sweet moments I have with just Parker). Someday, Jonathan and I will take a little trip (or seven) and this time will be gone. You know the saying, enjoy the present because it quickly becomes the past. How true! It's amazing how quickly time goes. I think God has us go through these seasons to put life in perspective. I have been the Mommy of an 8-month-old before and now he's three! I know Parker will be walking and talking in no time because I've been there. Future seasons help us too...someday, my boys will be off to school where they will spend the majority of the day with their teacher and peers rather than me. Someday, I will be dragging them out of bed! Someday, I will send them to college. These seasons ahead of us help me to treasure the one we are in. Yes, I would like a break, but they are little for so little time. I will savor it. I will cherish each season and each moment within the season. We are making memories.

There you have it, the new title of our blog, Seasons. I love sharing our journey with you as we go through life.

Sidenote: I am obviously in a season of not updating this blog. I'll work on it.

Road Trip Twosome!

Grandpa and Uncle Jason (the road trip twosome) came to visit us in mid-August. If you remember, they also took a drive out to CO one summer when we lived there. We were so thankful they were willing to make the trip out. Camden and Parker had a great time feeding the ducks, going to Pike's, and just hanging out with their uncle and Grandpa. Thanks for coming, you two! We love you both!

Hello ducks!

Looking up at Grandpa

3 generations of Bentley boys

Camden and Parker hanging out with Uncle Jason

Snoqualmie Falls

The big pig near Pike's

Up high with Grandpa

The boys!

Memaw, thank you for sending me these pics...we missed you!

August 23--7 months!

Parker was a busy guy this past month! He had two teeth pop through, tried his first veggie (sweet potatoes) and first fruit (pears), started army crawling (he's all over the place), sitting on his own, went to his first "concert" (Recess Monkey-a band made up of three Seattle teachers), began sitting in the high chair, met Mommy and Daddy's friends from CO (yay Pummel fam), grew some sweet hair on the top of his head, and hung out with Grandpa and Uncle Jason when they visited in August.

He weighs 20 pounds 6 ounces and is 29.5 inches. Parker continues to be an incredibly happy baby! He still loves watching Camden, likes to be surprised (belly laughs every time), says "ba" a lot, waves to himself and stares at his hand while doing it, loves to pat things (high chair tray, the wood floor, the wall, etc.) always sleeps on his belly, does not sit still, puts everything in his mouth, and is not a fan of food (we're getting there...he'll actually open his mouth every once in a while now). We love this baby boy!

This was approximately 2.4 seconds after I put the sign on the chair...he's already grabbing it!

And there it goes--in the mouth! Yes, he ate paper. Yes, I had to fish it out of his mouth. No I didn't get it all.

Daddy is distracting him while I try to get a shot

So cute!

Looks more Matthews than Bentley in this pic, don't you think??

Fun with cups

Teeth make him do funny things with his tongue

Hi Mommy!

Check out my teeth!

Patting the side of his tub