Happy Screams

Okay, butt cream isn't the only thing that makes her happy. Lots of things to. Really, all I have to do is say her name and I get a huge grin and sometimes some squealing (screaming?). She's such a happy baby. She LOVES kids. That seems like a cliche, everyone is always saying their baby likes other babies and kids. I've never met one that doesn't. But it's so cute to me how she lights up when other little people come near her. Last night we made a quick appearance at our friend's surprise party at an outdoor ice skating rink. We had Bentlee bundled up so that she could hardly move. We kept laughing at how serious she was being (or possibly her face was just frozen) until a few kids walked up to her and her cute little face became all smiles.

She used to be really serious when we went places but that has completely changed. We went out to eat last night and she started waving and babbling to a baby that she found sitting behind us. She was getting so excited that Kyle turned her high chair around so she could see better. She started waving to everyone that passed by and was talking and squealing. It was so darn cute. I hope she is always that friendly to strangers. And I hope she's always this happy! On Christmas we went to a movie with Kyle's parents, Wes and Noel, and we had to take Bentlee over by the door several times. Not because she was fussing, but because she was jabbering happily. Very loudly. I find myself almost shushing her at church for the same reason. :) I'm getting so excited for my family in MI to see her in a couple weeks! She has changed a lot.

These videos are short because I was taking them to send to my family via phone. In the second one she's saying "mama" much to my delight. I know she doesn't know what she's saying, but it has been fun for me after hearing "dada" for months. :)

I swear, in these last two videos I was just looking at her. She's been squealing like that at us for no reason. But sometimes when she does it, I'll kind of bring my head back and widen my eyes as if she's startling me, and it makes her giggle! And then she keeps doing it over and over, giggling every time I make that face. It's crazy to me that she knows how to play games like that!!

Diaper basket

I forgot a very important detail in Bentlee's 8 month post. What I'm pretty sure gets her out of bed crib every morning, her absolute greatest passion......the diaper basket.

It doesn't matter which, or how many toys are thrown her way, she always prefers the diaper basket. In the mornings when I change her diaper, she reaches for it with all her might. And before I even stand up to make her bottle she rolls over and starts pulling out the contents, which are diapers, wipes, lotion, and butt cream. I probably pick them up and put them back in the basket 12 times a day. And I don't mind it a bit. I'm sure some day it will get really old having things in my house torn apart and scattered everywhere, but right now I'm just glad that my broken-legged babe is mobile enough to do such things. And I'm glad she is so happy-even if it's butt cream that makes her happy.

Merry Christmas!!

Jami, the same photographer that took our family pictures, took these the same day. Love them!!

Visit to Santa

The Riverwoods have a really cute set up with Santa Clause so we had to take Bentlee. I know she absolutely won't remember this, but that wasn't enough to justify not getting her picture with Santa. She'll appreciate it some day, right? The only down side is that it was outside. Luckily the line moved relatively quickly and Bentlee was all bundled up. I felt better when the people in front of us had their 4 month old in line. :)

The rest of my October trip

Hanging with her cousins

Bentlee and Jamie

4 generations

Sara Krebs took the group pictures for us and snapped this one as well

Kyle surprised me with a life-size cutout of himself (or Justin Bieber) for our family picture. He's always making me laugh, even when he's 16,000 miles away! 

I finally captured my Grandma Hinton with Bentlee, despite her lack of enthusiasm for a picture

Chuck and some of the guys had too much fun with "Kyle". They  took pictures of pretending  to give him a swirly, and at one point he was peeking in on us through the window. It was pretty funny!

This was the best picture we had taken. Unfortunately a few cousins are missing, and also my  poor Aunt Karla who was sick that day! Several of us passed the flu around that week. :( We took some of the pictures with Kyle and some without. I can't find any of the ones with!!

My best friend growing up had her baby the day I arrived in Michigan! Is he  precious, or is he PRECIOUS?! Jackson Matthew Mueller.

Great-Grandma Vibber feeding Bentlee

A trip to Michigan isn't complete unless I get a game or two of Upwords in with my Grandma

Melt.

Melt. :)

Uncle John's

My mom's family had our first Margaret and Merle Hinton family reunion in October and Bentlee and I were able to fly home for it. All of the Wiggins and Wardell's (minus Derrick) went home also. It was so much fun!The actual reunion with everyone took place on a Sunday afternoon, but we got together several times throughout the week as well. One afternoon we went to Uncle John's Cider Mill. There were fun activities for the kids to do, and while the adults supervised they managed to have some fun as well. 

Case in point:

Bentlee and I missed the wagon ride because she needed to eat but we finished in time to take pictures of  the rest of them

I think this action shot of Skyler is so funny