Bentley's First Helicopter Ride

This year at the county fair, they gave helicopter rides for $15 a person (over 24 months).  So before Bentley got too old, we took advantage of the opportunity.  It was amazing!

Each person in the helicopter had to wear earphones for two reasons.  One-to block out noise, and two- to hear the pilot. 

And we're off!  Bentley thought it was great, and kept asking, "nagain?"  He wanted to go AGAIN and again and again, but I didn't have that much money to waste. 

My Little Mechanic

He gets it from his Uncle Layne.

Lagoon-It's What Fun Is!

This year, we decided to buy season passes to Lagoon.  We often go twice.  Once with my family and once with Miles's too. Which really would have cost us about $250, so we spend an extra $45 and bought season passes for the whole summer.  Oh the good times we've had!

Milissa and Brad's family bought passes too, and we go together often.  This is one of those times while we were waiting for the train.

Bentley loves to ride with his Daddy!

Best buddies--Tucker and Bentley on the train

Daddy and Bentley on the train.

And many more!

Bentley's TWO!

On July 14, 2011, Bentley turned two.  We celebrated with a Toy Story party, complete with a Buzz Lightyear cake.  Bentley made a haul, including some Disney toys.

And the Buzz Lightyear cake (decorated in just under 3 hours).

Bentley also received some toys to play on outside in our huge yard.  We need a swingset or something out there!

Happy Birthday little man!

Bear World

On the way home from the family reunion, we decided to stop at Bear World. 

We rode some of the rides. 

And we fed some animals in the "petting zoo". 

It was quite an experience.  At the beginning of the ride, it says you can't post pics of their animals on any social networking sites.  So I guess these pics will work for the experience.

Hillman Family Reunion 2011

Swimming in the water hole...or a low spot along the Teton River.

A shot from the Teton Valley while playing in more flood water.

 

 More pictures of Bentley playing in the water.

Riding the four wheeler around Aunt Ronells place.

 Riding the tractor with Uncle Ray Breckenridge.

 Finishing the reunion with a four wheeler ride!  To the top of some mountains.  It was so beautiful!

Until next year!



Huntington Beach and a LONG drive home!

Before we left California, we had to show Bentley the beach.  He loves to swim and he loves the dirt.  I thought the beach would be a great experience for Bentley.  He loved the sand, but he didn't love the water!

Wading by the water....

Do NOT put me down!.....

I love the dirt!

Keep burying me, mom!

Bentley feeling the music!

Roll it....Roll it!

We stopped in St. George on the way home, but we had a ball!  We sure missed Miles, but he had to work like crazy the whole time we were gone!

Disneyland Day 2

The second day started out with just Bentley and myself.  We went to the Paradise Pier Hotel to Meet Mickey at the Surfs Up Breakfast.

If I were going to Disneyland again, I would definitely plan more of these meals.  This was the place where Bentley had the most fun, and he had one on one time with the characters.  He got pictures and signatures.  We ate mickey pancakes and waffles.  It was great and I think it was worth the extra money.

He met Pluto (again) and Lifeguard Mickey

 



 We met lifeguard Minnie,

we met Daisy,

We met Stitch (again) and Bentley wasn't really sure about him.

Bentley was very fascinated with this Goofy statue in the lobby of the hotel.  So we had to take a picture.

 Then we went to Disneyland.

 

We met Pinocchio (even if we only had one shoe on).  Pinocchio was in a hurry, so we didn't have time to put our shoes back on. 

 Bentley's favorite place in all of Disneyland was Goofy's house in Toon Town.  It has a little playground, and the children can just play around with the things in his house.  He screamed when we had to leave, and he wanted to drive every car that we saw in Toon Town. 

This piano in Goofy's house didn't make any noise unless you touched a key in the bass clef.  So Bentley was just playing along, and then the piano made noise.  He thought it was hilarious! 

Look what I did, MOM!

Then we met Goofy!  (A little side note:  We waited to see Goofy for a long time, and right as we got to him--he said he wouldn't sign books anymore.  We could only get a picture.  I was angry, but I tried hard not to show it.  After all, it is supposed to be the happiest place on earth.  So we snapped our picture and didn't get an autograph.  At this point, Bentley was super tired so we were going to the hotel to get a nap.    On Main Street Disney, Goofy was there greeting more people.  I was still kind of mad that we didn't get his signature, so at the end of the line an employee was there holding the line.  I kindly asked her if it was possible to get an autograph.  Needless to say, we have Goofy's autograph in our book.)   

 After we met Goofy, we saw Donald too.  He was the hardest one to find!  This was the only time we saw him, and his line was LONG.  We didn't get to meet him, but we snapped a picture as he walked away.  (Plus, Bentley was asleep in the stroller at this point.)

 While Bentley was sleeping, I wandered around the shops.  In California Adventure, I saw the lights for a Disney Jr. Show.  I knew that Bentley would love to see it.  So I hopped in line, and I waited while Bentley slept in the stroller.  We couldn't take pictures inside, but Bentley loved the show.  It had puppets from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Handy Manny.  (All characters that Bentley was familiar with.)  It was a hit!

As soon as we left the show, Handy Manny was out greeting people. 

Finally, we waited in line for the fireworks show in front of the castle.  Bentley was having a great time!

What a great ending to a great day!