The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Bentley has had so much fun in Joy School this year. Yesterday was their little Christmas program. They performed at a nursing home in the morning and then at a party for families last night.

Bentley was a shepherd and Hudson, who has been at our house for a few days, got to fill in for a sick inn keeper, and also was a wise man by morning and a shepherd by night.

Naughty or Nice?

Still at it

We have had a busy week. Karisa and kids joined us on Tuesday and we have covered a lot of ground. Yesterday we visited the zoo. It was a gorgeous day!

And tiring. While Hudson was looking at giraffes Bentley was snoozing in the stroller.

And Bentley has been loving life in the hotel. The elevator, the telephones and all other buttons that are in the room. I don't think he has ever met a corded telephone before, and he thinks they are pretty cool.

And let's not forget swimming. The pool at our hotel was under construction, but they kindly shuttled us to the Hilton for pool usage. Look how cute my boys are!
We did a little shopping as well. We hit Bukoos, The Children's Place, Taiwan Imports, Bakers C & C, IKEA, Target, and Kohls. Phew, we were busy!

Are you mocking me?

Karisa, Hudson, and Lil' Lanie spent the afternoon with Bentley and me. My voice is basically gone now and I think Hudson was mocking me.

I would say something to him, in barely a whisper, and he would answer in a whisper and a smile.

He is a fantastic listener though and caught everything I said, and even if he was making fun of me I still like him.

Fish Tales

After visiting his "Sis-sis" Hudson joined us on a little fishing trip with Grandma and Grandpa Stephens and Cameron. Hudson had a lot of fun, but he needs to learn a thing or two about "slapping the water" before Grandpa Parish takes him. He thinks casting means sitting on the edge of the bank and banging the pole into the river. It kept him occupied for quite a while and the only person worried about him scaring the fish was Cameron (who caught the only fish by the way).A little, big mouth bass, that was thrown back after the photo op.

We made Bentley practice with this stick away from the water since he is pretty wild and not trusted near bodies of water. He caught as many fish as his dad, but a lot more rocks than anyone else.

Blue Popsicles

Chod has really been wanting to go skiing, so yesterday we called to see if Dad wanted to take the Ghetto out.

When we got there it was windy, so no river for us. But we did get to hang out with Karisa and Hudson since they were in Burley.

It was HOT so we gave each boy a popsicle.

And a bucket of water.They thought they were in heaven.

Aunt Tameka soon became Bentley's best friend because she was the holder of the hose. Hudson is still a little unsure of her. I think he is still upset over the coloring book incident.It was fun to hang out with Tameka. Her days at home are numbered and Grandma and Grandpa's house just won't be the same without her.

Happy Birthday America

Shopping Spree

Grandma bribed the boys with M&Ms so we could take some pictures at Gardner Village.

The results:
It was a good trip. The boys had fun jumping on the bed and swimming in the bathtub and we hit a few of my favorite stores.

Blast Off

Yesterday we stopped by the Hillman's to deliver their house warming gift, and to take Hudson for the afternoon. We headed to Idaho Falls and ran the few errands we needed to and the rest of the day was the boys. We went to Blast Off where they had fun playing in the ball pit and being silly. Bentley seems to be a little more daring than Hudson, but was physically limited of what he could do. Hudson was a little more cautious and liked to keep us in view at all times, whereas our child was fine with wandering off. They kept Chod and I both busy as we watched and chased.
They spent most of the time in this one area, I think because it was the least crowded.
Chod thinks this place is a "white-trash" hang out, but the boys loved it (maybe they are future WT).Don't worry, we sanitized their hands before leaving.
Two sleepy little guys. I love how they both have their sippys and their heads are leaning the same direction.

Where are your mothers?

Look at that teamwork! Hudson and Bentley worked together and emptied the cupboards in record time. Karisa and I were just a few feet away working on the corn harvest movie when she discovered why they were being so good.

At least they weren't fighting over toys I suppose.

And like all good moms we grabbed the camera and video camera to document.

WWF in the Food Court

That's what you get with 2 boys and 1 Mrs. Powells cinnamon roll.

Yesterday Bentley and I joined Karisa and Hudson in their outing to Pocatello. We were along for the ride and it was a lot more work for Karisa than for me. We stopped for a treat in the mall and the boys must have been starving, because this cinnamon roll was very important to both of them, and either would have killed to get it.

Neither shares well and it was the funniest thing for me to watch as Karisa refereed.

She ended up with frosting on her face.

I wish I would have had my camera.