Bear Time

We were able to see Mary and her family 3 times in January between stopping on our way home from the airport, coming up when Daniel was in town, and coming to meet baby Eli. We had many good conversations and I took lots of pictures of her kids.

Eli, or as Benjamin says, "lil cute" at less than 2 weeks old

How many Bears fit under a blanket? Answer: All of them, but nobody but Andrew will stay for longer than 20 seconds.
Andrew had to force his 'tent' on people after that. Elliot was his most compliant victim, but only barely.

Benjamin and Elliot were fascinated by flashlights

This kid is seriously adorable

Cousin buddies

Riding bikes to the park with Miss Rebekah

Andrew (shoeless as always) found some hipster glasses buried in the sand at the park

 Pretty cute kids, huh? 

Rebekah is very imaginative. She is SUPER good and drawing, and has achieved greater artistic abilities than I will ever manage at the age of 7. She enjoys talking for Elliot and Eli because they can't do it for themselves yet.

 

Andrew is a ball of energy, but very sweet. He's probably the best of the Bear kids at playing with Elliot, who he carries all over the house. I had to stop him from attempting to carry Elliot up the stairs several times. He and Benjamin walk around the house with swords stuck down the back of their shirts and break them out frequently to fight bad guys and uncles. 

 

Benjamin is very quotable. He likes to appoint people to be his 'partner' and will work that title into every sentence he says to you in his gruff bad-guy-fighting voice. He's a super cute little guy.

Eli is a two week old baby, so he doesn't get a blurb yet :)

 

Elliot is pretty good at sleeping through the 1 hr 45 min drive if we time it right.