Happy Birthday Bentley!

Bentley's 2nd birthday was on Thursday, April 2nd. Before he went to bed the night before we told him that it was his birthday the next day. We practiced saying "two" and holding our 2 fingers up (which is really all five) a few days before. When I went to get him in the morning I sung "Happy Birthday" to him. And he said "Happy Birthday". He ran out and saw his balloons and presents and said "boons" and "presents". Then he opened his presents from mommy and daddy. He got a squirt gun and a golf set. Then we ate pancakes for breakfast and even a cupcake! We spent the day playing outside and watching Monsters Inc.

We had his birthday party on Saturday at 11:00 am. Lots of friends and family came including Grams and Grandad, Aunt Carrie and Uncle Rob, Kaylee, Madison, "Aunt" Nana and her man Adam. And all our friends from the neighborhood came to celebrate Bentley's birthday Kung Fu Panda style.

We made a Kung Fu Panda Evite invitation and this is what it said:

Come celebrate with your most attractive and awesome friend Bentley. You will be astounded by the sheer awesomeness that Bentley is turning 2! And don't worry, "There is no charge for attractiveness or awesomeness."

Our friends that came were: Davis Terry, Ryan Stout, Shae and Clare Flood, Ezra and Neve Johnson, Ethan Hodges, Grant and Avalyn Hulbert, Jackson Rasmussen, Claire Stucki, Gordon and Ella Earl, Alex Jensen, Jared and Lorelei Anderson, Sean and Dylan Joo, Taylor and Luke Burnett, Alisa and Lydia Manwaring, Cheryl Morris, and Ben and Katie.

I made a cake that looked like Po and tons of cupcakes, including one that looked like a panda. We had fruit, cheese sticks, crackers, Caprisuns, and bottled water. We decorated with homemade paper lanterns and I drew a huge Po Panda to play "Pin the Tail on the Panda". And we had Kung Fu Panda coloring pages for the kids to color. For goodie bags I used small colored take out boxes and put some Kung Fu Panda stickers, candy, kazoos, and squirt guns in them.

The party was short and sweet. We had tons of fun and Bentley loved all of his presents. Thank you everybody!

Dear Bentley,

I cannot believe that you've been mine for 2 years. Sometimes it feels like you've been in my life her forever! You are such a handsome boy. I still can't get over your bright orange hair and captivating eyes. Sometimes I just look at you in awe of how gorgeous you are.

You are very loving when you want to be. You give kisses, hugs, and bones to all of your friends. And you are so fun to be around that there are always lots of friends surrounding you. Your laugh is contagious and it is so fun to make you giggle.

You are such a great big brother. You have always loved baby Gaige and helped me do things for him. This past year you have helped me change his diaper, give him baths, feed him, and kiss and cuddle him. You are especially great at giving him zurberts on his belly.

Mommy is very grateful that you clean. You love to vacuum, polish the furniture, scrub the fridge, and anything else that has to do with a spray bottle or cloth. You also love to water your flowers, play with your trains, and watch movies. Your favorite food is popcorn, you ask for it everyday. And you love bubbles, in an obsessive way.

We love you so much and are gateful that you are part of our eternal family. The light in your eyes is very bright and we know you have been blessed by our Heavenly Father with many special gifts.

Love,

Mommy

brother.

Gaige took his first steps on March 14th while he was walking to his Grandad. He also says "ball" and "cracker". And when you ask him what a monkey says he says "ah ah ah ah". He started his monkey noises over a month ago. And he started saying ball around March 10th. He now cruises around the house in between the furniture. He loves to show off and dance around when you sing "Shake your Bootie". He is mostly happy, but has been a little whiner because he's been sick for so long (a cold, an ear infection, now another cold). We love our chubby muffin! He'll be one year old in 13 days!