Bennett Family

Summer Fun

2010-07-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

Well I am a slacker like usual, but I am finally updating my blog with all our summer fun. We went to a local small pioneer museum, and I was surprised how much the boys loved it, I learned a few new things also.

Ethan's Talk

2010-07-11T16:01:00.000-07:00

Ethan had to give a talk last minute on following Jesus' example so I took some pictures for him to hold up, since nobody can really understand him yet, he looked so cute I had to post them.

His cousin Matt on his mission sent him a little Book of Mormon and he loves it, he is always carrying it around.

Stewart Falls

2010-07-06T15:49:00.000-07:00

After the Hot Air Balloons, we hiked up to Stewart Falls, and it was a beautiful hike. We have gone on a few challenging hikes and my boys are troopers, it was 2 miles in and 2 miles out. There is nothing better than hiking with your family in the beautiful mountains.

Stewart Falls Continued

2010-07-06T15:00:00.000-07:00

Provo Hot Air Balloons

2010-07-05T15:34:00.000-07:00

We got up early (5:30AM) for the boys during summer and headed north to see the Hot Air Balloons. It is so cool to see the balloons, and there is something about early summer mornings that I love. The boys favorite balloons were the Pig, Smoky the Bear, and the Coke bottle (They said Grandma Carol would love it!). The balloons flew out, made their way back and tried to drop little bags on the bulls eye and they also got points for hitting small balloons with javelins.

Tennis Lessons

2010-06-01T15:27:00.000-07:00

It was Logan's 2nd year of tennis, Spencer's first, and Ethan thought he was a tennis pro. Logan loves playing tennis and says it is his favorite sport. Spencer did really good for his first year, most important they had lots of fun.

Mount Timpanogos Caves

2010-05-31T15:18:00.000-07:00

We went up to Timp Caves with some friends on Memorial Day, my kids loved it, and I did too. I can't remember the last time I went, Brian got a workout (good thing he is so in shape) carrying Ethan on his shoulders the whole way. After our vacation we decided to try and "vacation" in our own home state and there are lots of interesting things to do in our own backyard.

La Jolla

2010-05-24T09:16:00.000-07:00

The last day of our vacation we went to La Jolla to see the seals and also to play on the beach some more. The boys loved the beach and we could have stayed another week.

San Diego Family Vacation

2010-05-21T20:11:00.000-07:00

I blog about once a year when we go on Family Vacation, I know it is soo sad, oh well. Here are our pictures from San Diego, Logan is dying for me to post them for Grandma Carol. I love going on Family Vacations, they are the best!!! So here they are:

SeaWorld

2010-05-20T20:22:00.000-07:00

Legoland

2010-05-19T20:20:00.000-07:00

Washington & Oregon Coast Vacation

2009-08-03T07:52:00.001-07:00

I know it is a miracle but I am actually updating my blog, I got a new laptop and it is motivating me to get back up to date. It is amazing how time flys by, summer is almost over with, and soon my boys will be back in school. So we just got back from a wonderful vacation, we went up to Washington to go to a wedding reception to a family we were very close to when we lived in Washington. Next we stayed at Grandma's (Brian's mom) house for a few days and had lots of fun swimming and relaxing. Grandma took us to an amazing hotel/waterpark in southern Washington called Great Wolf Lodge, my kids loved it!!!!!!

Next we traveled down to the Oregon Coast, we stayed in Seaside and had fun flying kites and getting in the freezing cold ocean water (around 56), but my kids were so excited they didn't care. We also went to a small aquarium where we were able to feed seals, it was amazing.

The following day we went to my favorite beach, Cannon Beach, which was only about 5 minutes away. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the temperature was perfect not too hot, but I spaced putting sunscreen on my kids because it was cold in the morning (great mom I know), and they all got sunburned. We took a picnic along and stayed from 9:30am to about 6:00pm, nobody wanted to leave. In the morning when the tide was out we found all kind of creatures around Haystack Rock, starfish, crabs, fish, sea anemone, sea urchins, and things I have no idea what they are called. We then built sandcastles (not the giant one in the picture, someone was nice enough to leave it for us), played in the water and rented sand bikes. It was so fun and relaxing, exactly what a vacation should be!!

We were so sad for our vaction to end, I could have stayed another week. On our way home we stopped at some amazing waterfalls including the Multnomah Falls which is 620 feet, the 4th tallest in the US. The Oregon Coast is so beautiful, and family vacations are the best, I can't wait to plan our next one!!

Ethan's New Teeth

2009-02-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

Yeah, Ethan finally got his new temporary teeth! The poor kid has been to the dentist way too much and we finally are done for a little while. Here is a picture of the cute big boy!

Brian passes the CHT Exam!!!!!

2009-01-15T13:14:00.000-08:00

Brian passed the CHT exam after a lot of hard work, and a lot of studying, Brian is officially a Certified Hand Therapist! Our little family could not be more proud of him, there are only 36 in our state and you have to be practicing for 5 years before you can even take the test, I know I am bragging but he deserves it!

Ethan's Birthday & First Day of School

2009-01-13T13:25:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it but it is true, my baby turned three. He was so excited to open his presents.
His brothers were as excited as Ethan was to help him open presents.

He had his first day of preschool on his birthday. He looked too little to be going to preschool, but I am hopeful it will help him begin to talk and get his development caught up to what it should be. I didn't cry dropping him off for preschool but he rode the bus home, which he LOVES, and I started crying when I got him off!

Sledding in January

2009-01-01T13:10:00.000-08:00

My poor boys have a big dork for a mom, but at least we have fun! Showing my boys how it is done. Logan trying sledding backwards.

Reasons Not To Shop In December

2008-12-18T09:11:00.000-08:00

So the last few years I decided to get Christmas shopping done early (usually by Nov 1st, I know I am crazy), so we can do fun things as a family. I absolutely love not shopping at all in December, I don't like crowds nor shopping and I love spending time with my family instead. We went ice skating, to Thanksgiving Point to see Christmas lights, took along some donuts and drinks and had the best time driving around! Also, we had to go see the Big Guy, Logan telling Santa what he would like for Christmas.
Spencer can't remember anything he wants.

Ethan trying to convince Santa that he has been good, that will be a hard sell.

We also made gingerbread houses and it was a lot of fun. Logan and Spencer were being so careful decorating the house.
And of course Ethan started eating part of the house, destroying their house. I guess that is what little brothers are good at, destroying things but they still love him to pieces, which is what big brothers are good at.

Thanksgiving Fun

2008-12-01T17:37:00.000-08:00

We had lots of fun over Thanksgiving and the boys were so excited to have lots of visitors.Spencer made Turkey Leg bowling, and we had lots of fun playing. Spencer made up the rules as we went, he gave everyone lots of turns except Grandpa Sam, he only got ONE turn, no more.
Spencer setting up the pins.

The boys loving on their cousin Noah.

He is so cute!!!! I love his fat rolls, they are ADORABLE!!!

I thought Ethan might be jealous of his baby cousin but he just loved on him. Spencer was the one that got jealous, he told Brian, "Mom is just paying all her attention to Noah, and not to me!" I asked him to play a game with me, and he totally forgot about being upset, that is how 5 year olds are.

He is sticking his tongue at his Auntie Kim, he is a smart boy!

Look at that smile!

Logan being a good cousin reading to Noah.

Family Pictures

2008-11-07T18:07:00.000-08:00

We just got our family pictures back, and for once I love them! I always dread getting family pictures, what to wear, trying to get all my boys happy, it is just too much. We finally found the best photographer and she is in our ward, so if anyone needs pictures, Twila Clair is awesome! So here they are:

Halloween

2008-10-31T10:43:00.000-07:00

The boys had a lot of fun on Halloween. Logan was Indiana Jones, Spencer was Bumblebee (Transformer), and Ethan was everything including a cow, pumpkin, & Batman. We also had fun visitors, Grandpa Ric stopped by and cousins Lily & Frankie. The boys had so much fun playing in the leaves and jumping on the trampoline with their cousin Lily, they think she is sooo cute!

Fall Break in Gunnison

2008-10-18T17:48:00.000-07:00

During the boys Fall Break from school, we went down to Gunnison because the boys think it is the funnest place to be. We tagged along with the Harris family to the pumpkin patch, Logan thinks his cousins are cool.
Braden trying to find a big pumpkin for Spencer.
Matt helping us carry the pumpkins.

All the boys, so cute! I know when you're a teenager that isn't cool, but I still remember them as little boys.

Morgan found the BIGGEST pumpkin.

Logan, Spencer, & Ethan found some Gourds.

Braden's little buddy is Ethan. Ethan loves Braden, when he sees his picture he smiles and points and when no one is looking Braden is so sweet to him!

David & Goliath, I can't believe Braden is only in 8th grade and already 6'2", obviously he gets is from his mom's side of the family! (He HATES me taking his picture, but I don't care!)

I was daring Braden & Morgan to climb up the old tree house at my Dad's house (great aunt I know). Braden climbed up with no problem, except the ladder slipped a little, probably because he is so big.

Next was Morgan, he got up half way and decided it wasn't a good idea, climbed right back down (he obviously is the smart one).

Last came me, Brian would have killed me if he would have seen me doing this but I couldn't let my nephew out dare me, duh. I know I still see myself as a kid and I still act like it, but I had fun!

Whoa, Look Out for the Hair, Back to High School

2008-10-11T18:09:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by Marie, and yippee it is about high school, at least I got a good laugh.

This is proof that I have a good sense of humor because I am putting these pictures on of myself when I look like the biggest dork! Why did my mother let me out the door?
1 Did you date someone from your school? No
2 What kind of car did you drive? I drove a dark grey Ford Festiva, basically a roller skate, and I loved it till it died!
3 Did you pass your driver's license test on the first try? No, and I was so embarrassed I wouldn't tell anyone! I failed the driving part, the whole going slow by school grounds and parallel parking, why is that important?
4 Were you a party animal? No, but I had friends who were (especially Marie), I was always the designated driver.
5 Were you considered a flirt? No, I was a big nerd, but some boys thought I was stuck up.
6 Were you in a band, orchestra or choir? I signed up for band one quarter (because I heard they were going to St George) and played the big drum, I didn't have a clue how to read music, I just hit it every once in a while!
7 Were you a nerd? In high school, some people probably didn't think so but I was a big nerd! Here is proof, our varsity cheerleading squad, I think 1989 or 1990:

I am middle top with the black eyes and the 10 inch bangs, Marie is on the bottom with the massive cleavage. Oh the late eighties, early nineties were not kind, someone should have knocked some fashion sense and a hairbrush into me.
8 Were you on any varsity teams? Cheerleading and volleyball.
9 Did you get suspended or expelled? No, I was an angel, never got into trouble.
10 Can you still sing the fight song? No, I can't sing!
11 Who were your favorite teachers? I would have to say Mr. Bjeergard and Mr. Anderson, guy teachers seemed to like me better.
12 Where did you sit during lunch? I would go get something at Dairy Queen or at home.
13 What's your school's full name? Gunnison Valley High School
14 What was your mascot and colors? Bulldogs, Blue, & White.
15 Did you go to homecoming? Yes, I think I went with friends, I don't really remember, it was the first year of football at Gunnison.
16 If you could go back and do it all again, would you? No, anyone who says yes, needs to get a life!!!!
17 What do you remember most about graduation? I don't remember much about graduation, except I couldn't wait to move away from Gunnison, small town life, I left after the graduation parties and drove straight to Salt Lake to start living.
18 Where did you go on your Senior Skip Day? Honestly, I don't remember.
19 Were you in any clubs? Speech and Drama.
20 Have you gained some weight since then? Yes, I tried on my old cheerleading skirts and my husband told me to give it up.
21 Who was your prom date? Derek Anderson, he was a great friend, and I had a blast.
22 Are you planning to go to your 10 year reunion? I am way too old for this question!
23 Did you have a job while in high school? I worked at the grocery store, Savers, it was a lot of fun. I remember going out to the dairy to visit Marie at night when she was working, I was a good friend, it stunk so bad and there were a million flies.
This totally made me laugh, I had lots of fun in high school but you couldn't pay me to go back, my life is much more fun now... I tag Cindy & Caradee.

Off to the Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-06T16:18:00.000-07:00

Every year we go to the Big Red Barn in October for a family home evening and every year the boys think it is so cool. I think we are raising city boys even though we live in Payson, they are always amazed by tractors and farm animals.

All my boys are so cute!
Ethan is always climbing on a fence wherever we go.

Spencer loving the tractor ride.

Two scary ghosts!!!

"Hey where did everybody go?"

Logan acting like Christopher Columbus, "That away!"

Juvenile Diabetes Walk

2008-09-20T13:46:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, September 20th, we had the opportunity to support our two awesome neighbors, Zach & Tyler, in the JDRF walk, which helps raise money to find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes.

"Ready, Set, Go!"

Logan after the walk, tackling the climbing wall. Spencer going down the slide, "Whooooooa!"

Ethan's Horse Therapy

2008-09-18T12:57:00.000-07:00

Instead of Ethan's regular therapy class on Thursday, he got to have Horse Therapy, and he had so much fun.While we were waiting for our turn on the horse, we got to see some of the animals, Ethan kept yelling, "Duck, Mom Duck!"
"Hey, look what I can do!"

Spencer having fun swinging on an old tire swing.

The other children were crying and were afraid of the horse, not Ethan, when he got on the horse he had the biggest grin. Throughout the ride he kept making horse noises and saying, "Getty up!"

They were so nice, and even let Spencer have a turn, he thought it was great fun also.

Spencer Sort of Playing Soccer.

2008-09-16T12:33:00.000-07:00

Spencer loves playing soccer, or should I say he loves going to the games, but doesn't really like the actual running and playing. His favorite thing to do is to play goalie, I think because he doesn't have to run. He looks so mean (must take after his Mom).
Ethan wants to play soccer so bad. He cries until I put one of his brothers uniforms on him, he has to wear one to every game, and then he gets his ball and proceeds to go out on the field with the big kids. I think he is going to be our soccer player, he can already run and kick the soccer ball really good!

Goo & Haircuts

2008-09-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

Just another Saturday at the Bennett's, making Goo and giving haircuts. Logan & Spencer had so much fun playing with the Goo (2 c cornstarch, food coloring, & about 1 c water).

It was so messy, but sometimes I just need to let them be boys. These pictures are proof that I was a good mom and let them make a big mess.

On to the second project for Saturday, to cut Ethan's hair.

We always put it off because he screams when we cut his hair, and usually Brian is holding him down, while I hurry and do a quick (not very good) haircut. So the time had finally come, and I usually like my boys to have their hair very short, easy to do and looks clean, but Ethan's long hair was growing on me. His hair kind of fit his little carefree personality, but Brian made me cut it and Ethan now looks like someone else's baby, not mine, I am still getting use to the new little boy.

We had to bribe him with a cupcake (coated with hair YUMMY).

He still is adorable, but is starting to look like a big boy, and I am sooooo sad about it!

Go BYU or is it the Jazz?

2008-09-11T12:56:00.000-07:00

I asked Spencer to go get dressed for school, and this is what he came out as yelling, "GO BYU, BYU ROCKS!" He obviously can't read yet, because he is wearing all Jazz attire, but I think BYU will take his support anyway. He wanted his little brother to get in on the action of looking cool also, he is such a nice big brother. I didn't have the heart to make him change, so off to school he went. Spencer makes me laugh most days, just like his dad, there is nothing better than having laughter around our house all the time.So in preparation for the big BYU game on Saturday against UCLA, I've shared my favorite dip recipe:

Hot Artichoke Dip

2 jars (6.5 oz) marinated artichoke hearts, drained & coarsely chopped

1 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed & WELL DRAINED

1/2 c sour cream

1/2 c mayonnaise

1 garlic clove, pressed

3 ounces FRESH Parmesan cheese, grated (about 3/4 c)

Put everything together & microwave until bubbly hot or you can put it in the oven @ 375 for 20-25 minutes. Serve with lightly toasted small baguette slices or crackers.

My First Triathlon - Camp Yuba

2008-09-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I jump into things without fully thinking it through, doing a triathlon was one of them. I trained all summer long, rotating swimming, biking, and running, then came Hawaii, then I got sick, so I slacked off for a couple of weeks. I thought I was somewhat prepared and a little nervous about the swimming part but thought it was only 1/2 mile, it couldn't be that bad. I was wrong! I was excited and a little nervous on Saturday as we got into the lake and waited for the gun, I moved to the outside to try and get out of the pack. The gun went off and I started swimming for my life, I immediately felt claustrophobic, everyone around me was pounding me with various arms, legs, & whatever. I couldn't see through the murky Yuba water, and before I got to the first buoy I honestly thought about quitting because I felt like I couldn't get a deep breathe. I kept saying a prayer to help me get through the swimming because I knew I could finish the race if I made it out of the water without drowning, and by a miracle I did. I did pretty good for my first triathlon, I was hoping to finish under 2 hours and ended up finishing 1:41:16 and I got 3rd in my age class, I was only 30 seconds behind 2nd. Just like child birth and those newborn sleepless nights, you forget how bad it was, and I am ready for my next triathlon. It was way harder than the 1/2 marathon Brian & I ran in March, but it gave me such a great feeling to accomplish something I didn't think I could do. So who knows what my next dumb idea will be, any guesses?

Hallelujah, I survived and I am still smiling!

Grandma Bennett's Zucchini Cake

2008-09-07T19:54:00.000-07:00

Our neighbor Casey just gave us some zucchini from her garden and I knew exactly what I was going to make with them, Grandma Bennett's Zucchini Cake. I don't know if it was the zucchini cake that was so good or if it was that Grandma Bennett made it with so much love that made it taste better. No Grandma Bennett was not my grandma, she was Brian's but she always treated me as if I was. We lived in the Provo House (the house all the grandkids would stay in while they were going to BYU and Grandma & Grandpa never lived in) after we got married, and she would always bring me up zucchini cake when they visited. The funny thing is I remember that even though they liked it best with walnuts, she would always leave out the nuts for me. It seems like a silly thing, but it was so sweet and showed that she really cared about me, I really miss her a lot. She is such a wonderful example of what a Christ-like woman is, I want to strive to become more like Grandma Bennett, and hopefully cook like her also. YUMMY!

At the Provo House 15 years ago, a few days before our wedding, Britt & I eating Grandma's Zucchini Cake. (We both look so young!!!!)

Grandma's Zucchini Cake
1 c. white sugar

1 c. brown sugar
1 c. oil

3 eggs
2 c. peeled & grated zucchini
3 tsp. vanilla

3 c. flour
1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda
3 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 t. baking powder
Beat sugars, oil, & eggs until fluffy. Stir in grated zucchini & vanilla. Sift dry ingredients & add to creamed mixture. Pour into greased 11X14 pan(cookie sheet w/high edges). Bake at 325 for 25 to 30 minutes until golden. Cool & top w/ cream cheese frosting.
Frosting: Beat 6 ounces of soft cream cheese and 1/2 cup butter until fluffy. Add 4 cups of powdered sugar and 1 tsp. of vanilla beat until blended.
(Recipe from Grandma's cookbook: HOLDEN FAMILY FAVORITES 1982)

Bennett Wins Silver!

2008-09-07T15:53:00.000-07:00

All of the 2nd graders at Logan's school had the Olympics last week including opening and closing ceremonies. Logan competed in the Jump Rope and the Baseball Throw. It was a close competition but Logan was so excited to get 2nd place in the Jump Rope. Later, Logan was asked by a reporter how he felt and his reply was, "Great but my legs are tired!" We are always so proud of him and love him very much. "I am soooo strong!"

Hey where did my teeth go?

2008-09-07T15:28:00.000-07:00

My poor little guy Ethan, on Friday he went to the hospital to be put out to have dental work. He had 6 teeth pulled (including his front four), numerous fillings, crowns, and root canals.

Unfortunately I gave my poor boys their bad teeth, but as you can tell from the pictures he was still smiling. He is such a sweet little boy, I love having him in our family!

It only took us 15 years to get to Hawaii!!

2008-09-04T12:20:00.000-07:00

We had the best time in Hawaii celebrating 15 years of a wonderful marriage, it has flown by, we are getting old!!! The island of Kauai will probably always be our favorite, it was so beautiful, laid back, and peaceful, it was exactly how we pictured Hawaii. We had a week packed full of adventures:

Sunday we flew in, took a walk to the beach, and relaxed.

Monday we went on our helicpoter ride with NO DOORS, it was amazing, a little scary, and Brian is glad he didn't fall out!

Tuesday we went on a 5 hour kayak ride and hike to a secret waterfall, we got to swim under the waterfall, and the legend is that you come out a new person. Hopefully it worked!

Wednesday we were taken out to the jungle in army vehicles and then we got to go down 7 different ziplines, they were 2 1/2 football fields each. It was fun and not scary, afterwards we had lunch and got to go swimming in a little pond, we acted like kids jumping off the side.

Thursday & Friday we went around most of the island exploring and going snorkling. Brian could not get enough of snorkling, he loved it, we saw the most beautiful fish. At first it was a little freaky when hundreds of fish would swarm around you, but they were the most beautiful colors, we even saw a turtle underwater, which was neat until it started swimming up and scared me half to death. Our favorite beaches were Kee Beach and Lydgate Park.

Saturday & Sunday we went over to the island of Oahu to the Temple, Polynesian Cultural Center, & for Brian-the Swamp Meet. It was all really fun, even the Swamp Meet at Aloha Stadium, they had everything you could think of to buy, we even bought a coconut for Spencer to drink, he DID NOT like it.

We were both sad to leave Hawaii Sunday night, even though we missed our boys, we loved being together by ourselves for a whole week and Kauai was breathtaking. It was truly the vacation of a lifetime. We keep asking ourselves why did we wait so long to go? Oh wait maybe it was getting through college, being responsible saving money & paying off student loans, or maybe it was having three boys, that might be why. It will not be our last trip to Hawaii. We could not have gone without Sam & Jeanie being so kind to let us use their timeshare in Kauai, it was so nice, and also to Ric for helping us make all of the arrangements, it was so not stressful and easy. Also to my sister, Tina, and sister-in-law, Christine, for taking care of our boys, it was nice not to worry about them. Now back to our normal routine and responsiblities, we can always dream about Hawaii.........

Brian coming in for a landing.

Now my turn, someone catch me please!!!

Oh the things 3 boys do!

2008-09-03T15:13:00.000-07:00

Logan being a nice big brother, giving little brother a ride on his hot wheels!
The boys loved their Alaska shirts from Grandma Jeanie & Grandpa Sam, the shirts change colors with heat, and Utah summers have a lot of heat. I want to be in Alaska!!!

I know they will hate this when they are big, but they are sooo cute, and this is probably the last time they will all take a bath together. They had water EVERYWHERE, but Brian was a good Dad and got the camera instead of getting mad at them like I would have.

First Day of School!!!

2008-09-03T14:39:00.001-07:00

Logan was so excited to start school! He missed the first couple of days because his Mom and Dad were off playing in Hawaii. These are his favorite shorts, he thinks he is so cool and looks like his cousin Braden. Logan has a new teacher to the school, her name is Ms. Evans and she lived in England and also Virginia, and is very nice. Logan wants everyone to know she is not married, so if you have any nice single friends let him know.

Spencer is sooo big he can go to Kindergarten. He also is excited about school and he has the same Kindergarten teacher that Logan had, Mrs. Mitchell, we love her!!!