Bed Time!

Joel and I were getting ready to go to bed on his 5th month birthday. Just thought you might want to be in on it too!

Joel Playing!

Joel already has his favorite toys and loves playing on the floor with them. I got this ball for Cade from Discovery Toys and he did not really play with it when he was this young. Joel loves to suck on it and roll it. He talks and coos at it too.


He also loves this other ball that I picked up at a garage sale. It is made by the Manhattan Toy company and it is so cool. There are woods pieces that slide on the stretchy cord and make noise. You can also squish the ball. It reminds me of the drawing of an atom. Joel also enjoys this ball.




















Joel is so fun to watch as he grows and grows. He is truly a gift from the Lord.

Playing in Cade's Room

Since we can not get ouside as much, we have been trying to find ways to get Cade's energy out. Curtis and Cade have made up a great kick ball game that they play up in Cade's room. Cade loves it and works so hard at kicking the ball. Curtis has worked on teaching him the correct form of kicking, but he does tell me that they are NOT playing soccer. So funny Daddy! This wonderful game will occupy Cade for at least 20 minutes . . . not bad for busy man Cade.

Cade has also been enjoying playing with puppets. He loves putting on puppet shows for Joel and I. And yes, the real puppeter is Curtis. It is fun to see how Curtis thinks of the plot of the story, but Cade really does get into it and follow along. Here is a video, but it is really dark. Sorry.

Pop the Snowman!

After the first snow Curtis and Cade went out to build a snowman. It was so cute to watch Curtis teach Cade how to roll a ball. Though Cade's hands are still a bit too small, he worked so hard trying to make it work. The snow was perfect for packing and he did get a few small balls. His patience was not long enough to make a large ball for the snowman. As soon as the snowman was standing, Cade ran inside and said "Mommy we need a top hat, scarf, and carrot for the snowman." He was so excited. I went to work on the accessories! And this was the final look of the snowman.



Joel even got his first look at a snowman!














After we came inside, Cade decided he would name the snowman Pop. I don't know why for sure because the snowman does not really look like his Pop (Curtis' Dad), but I am thinking it is a term of endearment, he loves his Pop so much!

Well, the next day some older children walked by our home. I was not paying close attention to the actions of the boys walking by, but I noticed a few hours later that Pop was no longer standing. I did not see it with my own eyes, but I do know that the wind did not do it, nor did my elderly neighbors. I was an unhappy Mom and wanted to call the mothers of these children . . . but I withheld. So I later, after many tears from Cade we went out and tried to pick up Pop and rework his form. We then made a sign that read - Hi my name is Pop. Please do not touch me. I live on private property. Cade was very proud of the sign. And I think that it actually worked because the next day I saw the older kids walking by our yard, and they started to walk in our yard toward Pop. They read the sign, laughed, but moved on!! Oh the things I do.

Happy Birthday Grandma Glenna!

On Monday, December 7th my Mom turned 63 years old. She is a wonderful mother who has always provided for me and bends anyway to make it happen. I really can not say enough about her willingness to help. I also enjoy her eagerness to be like Christ. She is always wanting to know what the Lord wants her to do and how she can serve Him best. Thank you Mom for being my Mom, and being a fabulous grandmother to all 7 of your grandchildren. You are full of grace, love, and have a servant's heart! (Sorry this is a few days late, and you will be getting your present sometime!)

Let It Snow!

The winter has started with a great big storm! We have had lots of snow and wind in the last few days, and now coldness. Cade could not wait to get out and play in the snow. The first day of snow was just a little scufffle and he was so excited to see the snow plow trucks. I told him that they would not be out because there was not enough snow, but he could shovel the little bit there was, so without any hesitation he went straight for the snow boots and out the door to get his shovel. And he did shovel! The next item on his agenda was throwing snowballs. Unfortunately there was not enough snow for snowballs yet, but the next day there was. Since Cade can not form snowballs yet, Daddy has to be his snowball maker. And who does Cade throw them at? Me . . . Mommy sitting in the dinning room window! He just laughs and laughs when the snowball hits the window. It is quite cute. After Daddy gets tired of playing outside, Cade continues in his journey (with FREEZING hands because I can not find waterproof GLOVES small enough for him). He gets his trucks that he plays with in his sandbox and they have become his snowplows. His imagination is great. We also got out our sled and he enjoys being pulled in the sled, of course, but he has also enjoyed pulling his trucks in the sled, as well!

Joel is Getting Stronger!

It is just a few weeks later and Joel is loving his toy saucer. He can last a good twenty minutes and is able to twirl himself around in the seat. He enjoys all of the toys on it too! His green bouncy seat use to be the go to, but it is now the saucer. It is always nice to have a 20 minute holding or slinging break!

Happy Thanksgiving in Kansas!

Shortly after our trip to Iowa we turned around (36 hours later) and went west again. This time our destination was to Kansas to spending Thanksgiving with Curtis' sister's family. We had left Cade with Grandma Glenna and Grandpa Bill's, so we picked him up in Des Moines on our way through. It worked out really well because Cade had 4 less hours in the car. We met Kim and a Chuck at Chuck's parents home in Smith Center, KS, where we use to live when we were first married. Dennis and Nita were always wonderfully hospitalable when we lived in KS, and it was so great to see them again. One of Chuck's brothers and his sister were home for the holiday, so we just joined the family for the fun!

The men went hunting for pheasants and quail on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings, which Curtis loved. Cade got to play with his cousins - Caleb, Aly, Jake, and Anna - and their cousins - Timmy, Grace, Maggie, Ashlyn, and Katie. He had a good time, but it was definately a change to have so many kids around! There were a few tense moments, but we made it through the week! One of Cade's favorite places to play was in the hay bails across the gravel road from Dennis and Nita's home. The kids spent many hours running, jumping, and playing on the bails. The men also took the boys out two times to move cattle! Cade got to ride in the truck with Daddy and Jake, also on the 4 wheeler, during the moving. Another highlight was Cade riding on a horse by himself! We definately lived out on the farm for a few days - Cade only got 1 shower in 4 days! It was a great trip and so nice to see our old stomping grounds for a few days!


Aunt Kim and Joel! He loves her so much and can always get him to sleep and poop! Thanks Aunt Kim!

Jake and Cade moving cattle with Curtis. Cade loves pictures, can't you tell!

Playing on the hay bails with Caleb. Thanks for the love Caleb!

Jake and Cade playing with Grandma Nita's many many many cats! Cade missed Socks back in IL!

Daddy cleaning a pheasant he shot!

Bents Family Christmas!

We celebrated Christmas a little early with my Dad's side (Bents) of the family this year. We usually try to get together each year, but the weather does not usually cooperate - cold, wind, ice, snow. My grandmother is 95 years old, so this was an important event for us to gather this Christmas. Also, my aunt from Connecticut was able to come back for the party this year. She has not been back to Iowa for Christmas since 1982 (I was not even 1 year old). My Mom and Dad made a really big sacrifice for us to have this weekend by renting rooms at a hotel for all of our family. Thanks Mom and Dad! We celebrated in Hampton, IA, where my Dad's brother's family lives. So his family came to the party on Friday night to eat and socialize, and then the rest of us (my brother's family, aunt, and grandma) stayed the weekend and enjoyed each other for longer.

Cade really enjoyed the swimming pool, and Daddy was a CHAMP spending so much time in the pool with him. Thanks Daddy! By the end of our time at the hotel Cade was more confident to put his head underwater. He was definately hesitant at first, so I was glad that he "warmed up" to the pool by the end. Joel went in a few times and really seemed to enjoy the water. I am sure that it reminded him of his birth! He didn't cry at al,l even though the water may have been chilly.

The one downer of the hotel was that Cade could not fall asleep. He was awake longer than I was at night. He is use to having his own room and falling asleep by himself, but with so much distraction of Mommy and Brother and Daddy, it was so much harder. So I am hoping that when we got ot Disney World in June Cade will be able to fall asleep much earlier in the night even though we will all be in one room again!

Grandma Glenna loving on Joel!

Aunt Jessica, Cade, Julia, and Brody

Grandpa Bill with Joel

Daddy and Cade swimming!

Our first time meeting Baby Celeste!

Great Grandma Opal Bents! "Grandma Great"

Iowa Harvest

On our way to our Bents family Christmas on November 20th we made a stop by my cousins' homes to visit. My cousin Lee and his family farm many many acres of corn in Iowa, and his sister, Joan, helps him in the fields, as well. We thought that this would be a great opportunity to catch a ride in a tractor or combine for Cade. And it was a perfect opportunity. Lee was harvesting a field that was easy for us to navigate to. Cade and Daddy got to ride with Lee and his son Logan for about a half hour in the combine, and Mommy and Joel got to ride with Lori (Lee's wife) in the tractor carrying the grain cart. It was a great time. After riding, we walked back through the field to our van. Cade loved walking in the corn stubble. This may have been his favorite part of being in the field.

I love the photo that I got of Cade with the big blue sky in the background. Getting a photo of Cade these days is SOOOO hard. He does not want to be still or smile. So I was happy with this photo!

Cade's View of Life!

Cade got Mommy's camera in his hands and these were his wonderful photos. Not too bad! My favorite is his self portrait!

Super Cade!

Our little Cade has been a super hero lately. He has never really enjoyed dressing up, and if he does, he will not allow us to call him by the name of the costume (like Superman or Clifford), he is still Cade. So when he decided that he was going to wear this costume ALL DAY long, I was amazed! He was pretty cute! I think he is "growing into" dressing up and using his imagination in new ways.

On this day, Cade also had to have Mommy and baby Joel dress up. So I put a blanket on Joel and myself and off we flew with Super Cade to save people that were in need of help!

Cute Joel

Joel is always happy when he has one of his special blankets near by. The blanket in this photo is a gift from one of Grandma Glenna's friends. It is a beautiful quilt. His MOST FAVORITE blanket is from Great Grandma Sparks (Jessica's grandmother on her mother's side). Joel can be crying like crazy and with the touch of this blanket on his cheek he will stop. It is amazing.

Newest Family Picture!

We had a wedding to attend on November 14th, which was the perfect time for a family photo. We have not had a family picture taken since Joel's birth day, so this was our moment and Grandma Bev and Pop were here to take a pic for us. What a wonderful moment!

Joel gets new toys!

On November 9th we got out some new toys for Joel! He was not quite ready for them, but I am sure in just a few short weeks he will be able to balance in them better and hold up his bead better! In these pictures he was able to stay in either of these seats for just about 5 minutes before he was tired.




Thanks for the AWESOME BUMBO SEAT Crouch family and check out Mommy's fantastic deal of a $5 saucer at a garage sale! I love my garage sales, and so do the boys!

Joel enjoys a conversation with Grandma Bev!

On Saturday, November 7 when the boys and Mommy were over for lunch with Pop and Grandma Bev, Joel had a big story to tell Grandma. It was a wonderful conversation and I know that it delighted Grandma Bev's heart. Joel doesn't always cooperate with Grandma Bev because his Mommy (milk machine) is gone when she is with him, so this was a special moment of joy for her!

Out to Watch Harvest! (Woops A Repeat!)

We had a beautiful day on November 6th to go out and watch the combines working in the fields harvesting. Daddy was gone for the day with the youth group kids, so after a nice lunch with Pop and Grandma Bev we took a side trip on our way home to find a combine. We didn't have to go too far and there was one right near the road in a field of corn. Joel had fallen so Cade come up to the front seat to watch with Mommy. The combine was coming right at us, so when he turned to go back down the next row he was about 10 meters from us - nice and close! Soon his tractor and grain cart came so that he could unload his corn. The nice farmer driving the tractor got out to ask Cade if he would like to ride, but Cade opted not to because Mommy was not able to go. I didn't even know the farmer, but it was so nice of him to ask. We continued to watch this duo work together for at least 20 more minutes. It was nice FREE entertainment and when we came home Cade immediately found his two John Deere combines and made this go to work!

Grandma Bev's Birthday!

Just a few days after Pop, Grandma Bev also turned 58! We had another party at our home with big decorations, a special meal, and a yummy molten chocolate cake! Cade helped me make the decorations - ring chains! My brother and I use to make these when we were kids, and I just had to carry on the tradition to my children. I have a special cutter that Cade was able to use, and then I stapled each ring together to make the chains! We also worked on our special meal for Grandma. I decided that I would make a Crock-Pot lasgana recipe that I enjoy. I got it all prepared, but I forgot to turn on the Crock-Pot. So when it was just one hour before Grandma was going to be there, we had to go to plan #2 - into the oven. It did not look as pretty, but it still tasted yummy! And the chocolate cake was delicious . . . it was a new recipe, which is always risky when there is an occassion, but it turned out great!

Joel is 4 Months Old

On November 17th Joel turned 4 months old. It was a big day! He rolled over for the first time! I tried to download the video, but after 7 hours it was still not done . . . ugh. Sorry you do not get to experience it with us. He is growing so fast. My little baby is disappearing so quickly! The picture of him on his belly is right after he rolled over for the first time. It was like he knew he accomplished something big!

It is Harvest Time!

Our October was extremely cold and very rainy, therefore our farmers have been in a bit of a panic to get their crops out of the fields. Even though it is so late in the year, our farmers are actually getting into the fields now, in November. Many prayers have been answered! On our way home from Wyanet on Saturday, October 7, Mommy took a little detour and we headed out into the country to find a combine harvesting. The weather was beautiful - 70 degrees! And in less than one minute we found the perfect field. Mommy parked the van and we watched the combine as he worked on a row. In a few minutes his tractor and grain wagon helper came into the field. The driver of the tractor pulled up near our van, got out, and came over to the van to ask Cade if he would like to ride in his tractor. I did not know this man, so I was glad when Cade declined his offer. The farmer was so nice to invite Cade to ride with him, but our seat in the van was just perfect. We watched the combine unload into the wagon many times, and spent at least 30 minutes watching him harvesting the corn. It was a fun adventure! Tractors and combines are so much fun!

Happy Halloween!

We had a rather chilly evening for trick or treating this year, but we still had a lot of fun. When Cade was picking out his costume for trick or treating he changed his mind many times. At the beginning of the week he wanted to be a cowboy. The day before trick or treating it changed to a Christian soldier. So we borrowed Grandma Bev's breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, and helmet of salvation. Mommy also made some leg armor the night before. But when it came time for trick or treating Cade decided on a football player . . . a CHICAGO BEARS football player. He enjoyed singing the "fight" song all throughout the night. Baby Joel had a special little cow costume to wear!

Mommy and Daddy split up the responsibilies of going out on the streets, so baby Joel could stay nice and warm at home. Plus we had many visitors at our home wanting candy. Mommy and Cade went around a couple of blocks and enjoyed visiting different homes. We made a special trip over to Carl and Ruth's home, and they had a special box of animal crackers and quarters for him. When we made it back home we still had a few minutes of time to hit up a few houses, so Daddy and Cade went out. Unfortunately, there were not many houses to go to. Daddy got the bad end of the deal for that adventure. Sorry.

At the end of the evening, Grandma Bev stopped by and Cade was so excited to show her his costume and she was able to take a family picture of us. The first one since the day Joel was born. Thanks Grandma!



On Friday we "carved" our pumpkin. We had visited the apple orchard a couple weeks prior to get a pumpkin for each of the boys. When we got home, we left the pumpkins outside on the back porch. Last year we had a squirrel attack our pumpkins, so I was trying to keep a watch out for those silly animals again this year. All was going well until Monday evening when Curtis went to the store. We saw him pull into the driveway and Cade ran out to meet him on the porch. I was in the living room, slowly flowing Cade and before I even got out of the room Cade came back in the house with tears in his eyes talking about his pumpkin. I did not understand his words totally, but when I got outside his pumpkin was totally eaten. And I mean eaten! There was a 6 inch x 4 inch hole in the side of his pumpkin with the guts eaten out of it. Curtis was only gone for 45 minutes and before he left the pumpkin was fine. It was crazy. Thankfully Cade was happy with using Joel's pumpkin for his "Jack" this year. So on Friday Daddy cut open Jack and Mommy scooped out his guts. We were giving this "Lite Brite" pumpkin kit, so we pegged Jack into a kitty face this year instead of using the knife to cut out his face. It was a fun change!

Not Just One BUT Two!

Joel does not just have one tooth, but both of his two little bottom teeth are in! What a BIG event that we did not expect!

Struck with Sickness

Unfortunately the boys have been battling sickness for the past couple of weeks, which has been no fun. It is not easy to knock out Cade from running, climbing, jumping, and playing, but the virus that he has had has done it twice in two weeks. Cade has had a 100-102 degree fever for two days, twice in the last two weeks. We do not believe that it is H1N1 because the fever has not stuck around. What has stuck around is a yucky cough. And yes, Joel now has it too! So I decided to take Joel to the doctor to get his lungs checked out. Plus Joel has been really really fussy the last week. The funny thing was that Curtis discovered that Joel had a tooth pop through the morning before we were going to go to the doctor. Who would have thought . . . a 3 1/2 month old with a tooth? I was not expecting it this early. It is nice and sharp and all the way through. Congrats Baby Joel! The doctor said that the tooth had nothing to do with the cough, but I am sure that it did have something to do with the fussiness!

We also got an update on his length and weight . . 16 pounds and 25 1/2 inches long!

This photo was taken October 3, 2009. One week before this weight and measurement were taken!

Joel is 3 months and 10 days!