Ok, ok, I know it has been FOREVER

Wow, to say that it has been a busy year would be the world's biggest understatement. Here are a few images of the last few months. I know this won't be hard to believe, but I currently have 345 images on my camera- starting in June of last yer up until now that haven't been uploaded to the computer. So grandparents, you can be looking forward to that email from Shutterfly after the 6 hours that pictures take to download!

This first pic is the morning of the Drake Relays ON-the-ROAD Half Marathon.

I think this pic sums up our trip to Oakland for Easter. Cale, Papa Lyle and Kylie. I am still laughing!
Carter and Cale were best buddies. Cale was so sweet with Carter. I think he has waited a long time for the day when Carter could really "play" with him.
Cale's loot at the Carson Easter Egg Hunt.
Carty with Papa Lyle and Grandma Peggy. He was way too interested in what was inside of the eggs than taking this picture.

We were able to go to the Carson Easter Egg Hunt for the third year in a row. It was a lovely day!

Here is one of Carter and his Papa Lyle snuggling on the couch at our house. They look a lot alike, don't they?!
We went to ISU to see our cousin Shay compete with the ISU gymnastics team. I think Carter is in love. What do you think?
We have loved having Lauren over to our house to play. Here are the two rascals all wrapped up in the Snuggie.
Our little Irishman decorating cookies on St. Patty's day. He was so cute. He wanted to make sure that we made one for everyone. Daddy's had like ten pounds of sprinkles on it.
Well that's it for now. The school year is winding down and I will be on summer break soon. I hope to be able to get a handle on these pics and be a little better about updating this blog! We love all of you!!

Grandpa Dunn in Des Moines!

Grandpa Dunn was in town from Florida this past week.  We really enjoyed catching up with him at Aunt Shari and Uncle Chick's house.  Carter and Lauren played hide and seek behind the chairs in the living room.  They were running around like crazy and having the best time. Grandpa headed back to Florida on Saturday, just in time to miss out on our cold weather!  

Booooooo!! Halloween!

Here are a few pics of the little guy and his Dinosaur costume. It was so cold and rainy, but we did make it to about 5 houses. He is getting so big! He kept on handing us pieces of candy and saying, "Open dis please" after about five pieces we had to cut him off. What a fun night!

Things we love about Carter

My friend Jess posted something like this on her blog and I loved it! So I copied it!

1. I love the way Carter sings Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. He knows every word, sings very softly and a few of the words are in a southern accent.
2. I love how he knows now if skip words or pages in his favorite books-- and how every book in our libary is a favorite!
3. A few days ago, he looked out the window and came up to me and said, "Mommy it's going to rain." When I asked him how he knew, he said, "Wind". I said, what else is the rain bringing? He said, "Funder and lightning." I said, "is that scary?" He said, "Not when it's sunny."
4. I love and hate that he is totally potty trained at the sitter but refuses to go at our house.
5. I also love and hate it that he eats green beans, corn and peas at the sitter's and won't touch them at home. At least he is getting it somewhere, right?
6. I love how he grabs his belly button, squeezes it like lips and says, "HEELLLLOOOOO"
7. I love how snuggly he is when we say it is time for bed, then he forgets and gets down to run around again and then when we mention that he needs to go to bed, he wants to snuggle with person who did not say it.
8. I love how he can pop right out of bed, wide awake. Totally NOT like his mother.
9. I love it that he knows what pop and beer people like. He pulled a bottle of Coors Light out of the fridge the other day and said, "Jon's beer." Jon and Mary Beth came to visit in July and he still remembers!
10. I love how when we ask him "Carter, who loves you?" He goes through everyone he knows-- but he always starts with Daddy.
11. I love how he is so curious about things. He climbs, digs, and takes apart anything he can find and when I ask him what he is doing, he says- "Nothing!"
12. I love how he has always been so warm and loving to every person he meets.
13. I love how he now makes his own forts with blankets and pillows from the couch. He will crawl inside and say "Momma/Dadda don't get me!" And squeal with delight!
14. It does make me laugh that he has finally found the humor in his and other's farts.
15. I love it that he can bring such joy to our lives with each passing moment. We are so blessed!

Nasty Flu hits Bentley house!

Last week was a tough one on our family! Carter came down with a nasty flu bug on Thursday and Friday and then I got it on Saturday. Yes, I was really sick, not just disgusted by the Cyclones' poor performance against the Hawks.

We are all back to normal today- but holding our breath that Andy doesn't get it while meeting with customers this week!

More pics to come!

A wonderful weekend in Oakland

Last weekend, we drove to Oakland to visit. We arrived on Friday night and watched Carter explore Papa Lyle and Grandma Peggy's house. He was so funny-- running around and checking everything out. He loved looking through the kitchen windows and seeing the kitty on the porch and looking at the moon and stars. Wow, they are sure clear and bright in the country.

On Saturday morning we went into town to visit Grandma Bentley at the assisted living center. She was excited to see us! Carter went right to her and gave her hugs, he also grabbed her hand when we were walking to her room. He sure loves his Grandma Great!!

We were also lucky to see Aunt Penny, Uncle Mitch, Grandma Walker and cousin Allen. We enjoyed visiting and catching up. The guys left to go play yard golf at Penny and Mitch's. Lyle, got out the lawn mower and trimmed a tee box in their backyard for Andy to hit balls into the cornfields behind their house. A little different take on the driving range that we are used to!

Carter and I came home on Sunday morning and I went to Ames for a House Corporation Board meeting at Chi Omega. We finished the weekend with dinner at Papa John and Grammy Lesa's house.

Whew! Busy weekend. Carter began a new daycare on Monday. Hopefully this one will be a better fit for him. Big week! Cyclone football begins on Thursday! Go STATE!

A lot of change at the Bentley's!

We have had a lot of change this month at our house!

I am really enjoying my new position teaching 8th Grade Language Arts at Northview Middle School in Ankeny. I have really been impressed by the incredible kids and parents, supportive administration and warm and welcoming staff. It has been really hard saying goodbye to the wonderful people at SE Polk, however, I have no doubt that I will be really happy and proud to teach in Ankeny.

Carter had a bit of a rough start at his new daycare. Poor Heather had to put up with his meltdowns and stubborn ways (I wonder where he got that from??) However, after a few weeks he seems to be back to the sweetie boy that we all knew he was. Now he is just saving his meltdowns for us at home!!

Andy has had to travel a lot for his job recently. It has been an adjustment for all of us but we are extremely thankful that Agricultural Banking hasn't had the hit that the construction and commercial side of things has!

Well, that's pretty much it for us! Sorry it has taken me so long for an update!