{weekend/rewind}

pretty quiet relaxing fall weekend around these parts.

it was good to just hang out with my guys.

saturday morning i ran the P2P 5k race with my friend Mindy.

i totes fell off the training wagon the last month or so, and it showed.

42 minutes - worst 5K EVER!

Saturday night we celebrated and remembered Rob's life with some of his family and friends.

I have never lit lanters before - what a fun thing and so gorgeous!

always in our hearts, Robby.

Sunday we relaxed together and enjoyed the cooler fall day.

are these just the cutest little topless guys ever or what?

we don't have a super busy week this week, but we have our final wedding this coming weekend of the 2013 season. :) Always exciting, for sure!

Meet Koda.

Bentley was gifted this sweet little doggie a couple weeks ago for no real special reason other than he is spoiled {thanks, aunt marcia! you're the best!}

and since the day he got it, he hasn't put it down.

it took him about two days to decide on the name Koda. Which is from his favorite movie, Brother Bear.

it goes to school, almost every time, even if its not part of show and tell.

He hangs with Bentley and his best friend, Grampa.

He has coffee, just like the big guys

& he takes his turn getting to ride the horse.

He too, colors for breakfast.

and he has his own {little} bed where he enjoys uninterrupted naps.

and can be kept away from little brother.

Koda also loves to play outside.

and he even gets his own chair to rest in when he needs a break!

Koda even survived our family getaway without getting left behind anywhere

{this is pretty unusual for Bentley!}

Its fun to watch Bentley talk to and "parent" his new little friend. He is super lovey, sweet and always shares, which really makes me smile! :)

Welcome the family, Koda! We are so glad to have you! ;)

Mackinac Island 2013

This past weekend we were able to take a family trip up to Mackinac Island. My family went a few times when I was growing up and I have very fond memories of our travels there. Brandon and Robert have never been, and my mom's birthday is coming up so we decided we would take the trip!

We left Friday and headed to Frankfort where we stayed the night before our big day trip to the island.
The three co-pilots made sure Grampa never had a dull moment behind the wheel and didn't miss out on any fun!

the boys woke up early {why sleep in on vacation?}

and couldn't wait to get right outside to see "yake miss-igan".

We loaded up early and headed further north to catch a ferry to the island.

entertaining the troops was sometimes a challenge but we didn't have many dull moments.

uncle robert tried to teach bentley how give wet willys {to aunt nenna only}

and he didn't understand, so he just kept licking her ear.

hilarious.

other of us slept through the racket.

at the ferry docks!

ready to board!

we got off the {super rough} ferry ride to the island and it started raining. not ideal weather by any means but we had a great time anyway! there is something so magical about mackinac!

happy warm guy!

we did some sightseeing and took a carriage ride before heading home.

the boys snuggled up with Gramma to get warm and watch a movie.

we celebrated Gramma's birthday when we got back, with some awesome dinner from a local restaurant, sushi and some beers.

helping Gramma open presents.

it was a perfect weekend as a family. the kids all did great and even though we had less that superior weather, we had a great time laughing, loving and making memories!

Beary Special Helper

This week Bentley was the special helper at school. He was super excited, and I was too -- I was looking forward to spending some time in the classroom and see how he interacts and what they do each day.

Here are some pics I was able to snap! :)

Dressing the Weather Bear

A tank top and shorts {it was hot out}

sunglasses, hat and umbrella {it was raining, too}

singing their goodbye song!

The bear he chose to take home until the next school day.

He is very excited to take bear on a special trip this weekend with his family! :)

16months{harrison}

Sweetest Guy -

These days, there is never a dull moment with you. Your personality is coming out full force and your little world is growing by leaps and bounds.

For quite a few of your first months, you were quiet, laid back, and didn't say much. This my love, is no longer the case. We all always know where we stand with you. You are starting to voice your opinion, and get bossy when you want something or dont get your way.

You are a copycat of your big brother, me, daddy, and anyone else that is around. You copy noises, hand gestures, you fake cough and you fake cry when you deem it necessary.

You are talking a ton. You have more new words everyday. Some include big, movie, tv, please, no thank you, yogurt, gramma, sawyer, loader, dump truck...and many more. It's so fun to watch you learn when and how to use your new words.

You are still my sleeper, little love. You take a realllllly good long afternoon nap {almost every day} and you sleep about 12 hours at night. You are cutting about three teeth a week right now, at least it seems, so your sleep hasn't been up to par. But I have no doubt we will find some repreive soon.

You love to eat and are currently obsessed with yogurt. If I would let you, you would eat it all.day.long & every.single.day. Its the first thing you ask for in the morning and the last thing you ask for at night.

It's pretty cute, and most of the time I do give in.

You love to be outside and play in the sand with your brother. You also love your cousin Sawyer and love to play with him. You like to take rides in the car and love to ride in any piece of equipment or tractor if your big brother ever lets you have a turn.

You and I are spending more alone time together with B in school and I am loving the time I am getting to get to know you better as you grow. You, also, love the constant attention and smile almost constantly.

We cannot wait to watch you continue to grow sweet boy and we pray that God will continue to shape and mold you for his will!

xoxox - Dad, Mom && Bentley 

Bentley's Birthday

Last week Friday we had planned to celebrate Bentleys 3rd birthday with some friends and family. Given the Lord had other plans for our week, we decided to postpone things a week.

So Bentley and Harrison spent friday night at Nana and Papa's house for an impromptu sleepover instead.

Daddy and I woke up early and headed over with some birthday donuts and balloons!

We had decided we thought Bentley should have a new bike for his birthday so we took him down to our local bike shop and let him pick out one.

This pink one was the first one he climbed on, and he announced, "I think I like this one, guys!"

He did [eventually] get off the pink bike and he made his final decision on this Caterpillar yellow one!

We left the bike store and headed to meet Grampa, Grama and Sawyer for lunch.

cruising down main street like an old pro!

He even rode his bike right into the restaurant!

We had burgers and opened a present.

Can you tell he loves his Nana & Gramma - he was in his glory right between both of them!

excited about his new book!

After lunch, Mr. Shane stopped at our table with a paddle pop.

Perfect end to a perfect morning together!

Yesterday we were finally able to get together with Bentley's friends and celebrate his birthday as had been planned.

The birthday boy!

so many friends in one place.

Bentley was in his glory!

scrambling for all the candy!

helping sing happy birthday {to himself}

opening presents with all his friends. one spoiled boy!

Recently, Bentley has taken a serious liking to a sailboat with a quote on it that my Grandma has at her house, as a part of her decor. Everytime we go there he asks if he can take it down and play with it. Of course, we always told him no,since it's not really a toy.

Well last night, she gifted it to him to keep in his room. He was BEYOND excited and we can't wait to find the perfect home for it in his bedroom!

Thank you, Great Gram. This is something we will cherish forever and ever!

First Day of {three} School!

Monday was Bentley's first day of three school. Hard to believe we have a big guy ready for school -- time sure flies!

He was so excited, he smeared his sign!

"when i grow up....

I want to be a farmer."

Ready to go meet Mrs. Walters, and all his new classmates!

He had a great first day and came home to find a treat from cousin Sawyer! yum!

We are looking forward to watching him grow socially, academically and in his faith as well!