Bentley Weather Report

Bentley weather report-Saratoga Springs, UT Dec. 22, 2008.
You better stay inside your house-Gage
We measured the snow - Claire
It was like 8 and 10 - Levi
So, we went out to measure the snow at 1:30 p.m. In different locations and with our very accurate equipment we got at least 7 inches and up to 10. -Amy
Brrrrrrrr...

SNOW

This was the first snow of the season. They (especially Gage) couldn't wait to get out and play. It didn't last very long...

"piano" lessons

OK, we don't have a piano, but we have an organ from great grandparents and Gage is taking lessons from Tricia Wilson, just down the street. He's enjoying it, but it's hard to find time to practice when we're not busy and Judd's not sleeping.

Halloween 08

Judd was Winnie the Pooh,

Gage was the Incredible Hulk,

Claire is THE princess, and

Levi was Batman (AKA fatman).

The kids made Jack-o-lantern sloppy joe's with Grandma Brown.

We'll miss you

Our back yard neighbors, the Woods, moved to California on Wed. They've been so great. This picture of Annie and Levi makes them look sweet and innocent. That's unusual, usually they're getting into something, digging to find rolly pollies or treats to eat. Annie has been and will always be welcome at our house (even when we don't know she's here). Tina, Brian, Adrew, Adam, Aaron, Annie, and Aussie THANK You for your friendship. We'll miss you.

Andy

Our friend Andy Rice was hit by a car on Nov. 28th, the day after Thanksgiving. I don't even have a picture of him. We'll miss his Saturday morning phone calls to find out "What's for breakfast?". We'll miss the excuse to go out to eat at Mcdonalds or Golden Corral. We'll miss receiving the first christmas card of the season from Andy. We are so thankful to know that we will see him again and find joy in knowing that his spirit works perfectly without the challenges of his physical body.

Stuck in New York

I feel like we're stuck while life goes on in Saratoga Springs. So I'll finish real quick. We don't really have any more great photo's any way because Aaron wouldn't let me ask anyone to take a picture just in case they decided to take off with it (after all it is a super expenxive, high quality camera :) ). Aaron had classes ( the reason we started the whole trip) and Judd and I hung out in the nice motel room. We went out for lunch and then when he was done we went out for the night. We had an expensive hot dog in Central Park, walked across the Brooklyn bridge, saw the Statue of liberty from afar, and ate at some fun places. Grimaldi's pizza and Junior's cheese cake are the most memorable. We experienced the subway and the buses (the buses were much more disability friendly). We also bought a potato peeler from Joe, "The man in the thousand-dollar suit who sells his $5 potato peelers on New York City street corners six days a week." Such fun memories!!!

2 more temples

Palmyra and New York City

The Sacred Grove

The sacred grove was so peaceful. I felt again what I already knew. Joseph Smith went out to pray, searcing for answers and guidance for his life. He received his answer as God and Jesus Christ appeared to him. I was very thoughtful as we walked through the grove. I loved the beauty and peace. I thought this is where I would come to pray too. When I really thought about it I wondered if that is true. Would I have taken time to go and pray in a peaceful place? Do I? This was a great insight I received on our trip.

Palmyra was our next stop

Our first stop was to get something to eat. This cute little italian place had a two hamburger special with fries and potato salad. He asked if we wanted it garbage lid style. We didn't know what that meant so he explained that the hamburgers are served on top of the fries and salad and it's covered with ketchup, mustard, onions, and hot sauce. He said that's how the locals eat it so we tried it. It was pretty good and a fun experience for sure.

Niagra Falls

One picture is from the top of the falls. The other is on a boat at the bottom with our "Souvenir poncho's". We were so close we could almost reach them (well, maybe Nate could have). It was awesome !

stop and smell the...grapes

We were driving along enjoying beautiful Pennsylvania when we started to see grapes...lots of them. After a little debating we decide to pull off the main road and look closer. Then we started to smell something... GRAPES. It was so cool. We stapped a picture of this train speeding through the vineyard. Did they see the beauty? Smell the sweetness? I need to stop and smell the grapes. :)

The temple in Kirtland, Ohio

We went on a tour of the Kirtland temple. We really felt the spirit there, especially while we sang "The Spirit of God" as a group.

NY trip

Aaron had a work conference the first of Oct. in NY. Judd and I tagged along for not too much morre. We decided to add on a few more days to see some of the church history sites. We flew into New York where we rented a car and got lost trying to get out of NY. Then we enjoyed seeing the fall colors and the beautiful scenery as we drove to Kirtland, Ohio. Next was Niagra Falls followed by Palmyra, NY. We had some great experiences along the way. We then headed back to the big city where we returned the car as fast as we could. The rest of the time we traveled by foot, bus, or Subway. We are so thankful Grandma Brown was able to stay with the other kids-I think they had as much fun as we did. We also appreciated getting the friends and family rate for the motels and car rental and using my dads GPS system (Maggie) which made some of our little detours possible and would have saved us from other detours if we'd used her sooner. THANKS everyone! Pictures and more details will follow.

P is for Pirate

8 pirates learned how to read M-A-P at momschool. Taking turns teaching 8 boys is a new adventure. Pirates names:Owen Wilcox, Collin Hodder, Alec Richards, Cole Browning, Levi Bentley, Harrison Brainard, Jackson Marble, and Claire Bentley (a cute stow-away).

Owls baseball game

This was the 4th year we went to an Orem Owls game. We have had so much fun with this family tradition. This year we went to Krispy Kreme after, that may become part of the tradition, yummm.

Claire & cousin Madi playing dolls

Levi's 1st day of mom-school

Labor Day in Payson

I wish Caden lived closer to us so he could babysit. He was so persistant and patient with Judd; He got him to sleep twice when I couldn't do it.

"Hey Caden & Griffin, remember that parade we went to with your family? It started raining and we were the smart ones who left just in time?" We stayed just long enough to get some good candy and have a fun story to tell.
When we got home Halee kept the kids busy practicing then they did some dances for us. It was a great time relaxing with family .

Gages 1st day of 1st grade

Gage was up early and ready for school with Mrs. Paepke this morning. He's so excited for all day and eating lunch at school. He thinks he's too big to ride the bus with the preschoolers still, but it picks him up so we're happy. I am a little nervous about him being gone all day. Can't wait till he gets home to see how every thing went.

Williams family reunion

Judd with great grandma Williams

Levi, Amy, and Claire playing by the water at Hyrum Dam

Gage's tricycle

Isn't he a little stud? Gage loves the bike he got from Shriners Hospital. He's so good at riding it-super fast.

Destined to be a mom

Claire had a dolly and a wipe. She said, "I wipe she's bum" So cute!

Having fun

Judd's first time in the outside swing. He sat there happily for a long time.

Stair lift

I got my stair lift installed this week. I love it. Thanks Melanie!!! and everyone that donated and helped spread the word. There are, or will be soon, more pix at www.liftamom.com

Judd is 4 months

Go Cougars!!!

Here are a few recent pix of our baby boy - he's growing fast!

Summer fun

Gage & Levi climbing the tree.

Claire showing some leg.

Lagoon

We got to go to Lagoon one Saturday morning thanks to the Utah Kidney Foundation and the Bentleys kindness.

The train was great because all six of us could go on it together.

We all have different abilities

We went to this event to try out some disability sports.

Gage and I tried them all. Hand cycling, archery, wheelchair basketball, and sled hockey.

We both expecially loved sled hockey. It was on my list of "things to do before I die". -I've done it. Gage seems to really enjoy winter activities, this is definitely one of them.

Real Salt Lake (RSL) soccer April 2008

This was our first family outing with Judd
We had a great time even though it was cold