September: part 2 / October: Part 1

This post is pretty boring unless you like pictures of Bensen. (But at least I blogged again.) I celebrated my birthday in September and unfortunately Jeff had his first test on my birthday, so he spent the weekend studying instead of celebrating with me. Luckily the neighbors invited Bensen and me to join them in attending the annual Applebutter Festival in local towns Ellettsville and Spencer. It was fun. It was like a very small fair/craft show with fried food and all. Since we missed all of the fairs this year, it was fun to get a little of the feel for my birthday weekend at the Applebutter Festival. Here are some great pictures with the Ruegseggers (which it's always a nice break to go with them since their kids love to steal Bensen away, giving me a nice break).

On my birthday we had a small bbq with my mission companion and her family. However, we did not take pictures of the Madsens or that party. Bensen loves when his dad plays the guitar. He loves music and insists on helping Jeff play the guitar. It is pretty adorable. Hopefully he'll get Jeff's rhythm and talent and be a little musician.

The week before we had gone looking for some yard sales but were distracted when we found a lawn mower and bike with a 'free' sign so we stopped to pick them up. The lawn mower is an electric mower so it requires being plugged in while mowing (never heard of that before)but it was free so we were still excited and who doesn't want a bike. So Jeff got me a bike helmet for my birthday. I am pretty excited to try them out. I'm still trying to find a good time when Jeff is home to watch Bensen so I can take it out for a spin (and I've heard a few horror stories about many bikers being hit by the crazy drivers here that has also discouraged me from getting to serious about this biking thing). Here Bense is modeling my helmet for you. What a stud!

The Ruegseggers invited us to join them in the Lotus Festival here in Bloomington. Apparently it is a big deal. They have activities during the day and then music and activities lining the streets at night. We went to both and only took pictures during the day. It was fun and we can't wait to go back next year.

Bensen was so sad when Jeff went into the bathroom and closed the door. He immediately went over and started knocking on the door. He sure likes his dad.

Of course I made him put on my glasses for this picture so they are a little girly on our boy, but his big bug eyes are just too cute not to share.

We often find Bensen in the most interesting sleep positions. This is just one of our favorites. He is definitely a stomach sleeper like his mom though.

I left the step ladder out one day to find this little monkey had climbed to the top. Totally safe, right? I doubt it so that was put away quickly but only after I took a picture. I cannot believe how quickly he progressed since we moved here. I think the added space to our living quarters has helped him be more motivated to move around more.

This is a rare occasion for Bensen to fall asleep without finishing his bottle or switching out for the binki but apparently he was tired.

One day we ventured out to eat and Bensen mastered the straw in one try. Way to go bud!

This is what most of our days look like. If anything is left out, it then becomes a scattered mess. Needless to say, someone, (I won't name names, but it wasn't me) left their plate of scraps within reach of this little tornado and wasn't sure what he had done wrong. He sure looks innocent but we all know better.