Day 2- June 6, 2010

Day 2-
Well, it has certainly been an adventure. We are now in Tucson Arizona. Okay, PHX yesterday 110. HOT! HOT! HOT!
On my way to Tucson I see this sign that says Beware, blowing dust area. I say to myself hum, it bad enough they have to put a sign up?? Then I see a car pulled over trying to tie back down this make shift tarp and suit case thing on their roof. I say, "self so glad you have our trusty hard-top carrier that Dean so nicely installed." Just then a convoy of army truck were passing, the kids waving and smiling. The last truck starts to pass and the driver is point up in the air, and I am like, "Hum, wonder why he is doing that." Simon says, "Mom, somethings wrong on the roof." Panic sets in!! I pull off to the side. (note: convoy does not pull off to help?) Sure enough one of the latches was completely torn out of the carrier and the top was flailing in the wind. Thank goodness, we lost nothing. I know that I was being watched over. We were a sight. Simon on the roof pulling it all a part. Ellie finding a place for everything in the van. Luke waiting calmly. Simon helped get this monster in the van, off we drove again. We managed to go see Dean's Uncle Donn and Aunt Margot. They live way out in Oro Valley. it was sweet to visit with them, realizing it has been way to long. They gave the kids a much needed snack. Well, were off to Tombstone this morning. i am also off to Sears to figure out the car top situation. We are meeting with the Earls this morning!! YEAH!!!!
Much Love, Kim

Day 1- june 5, 2010

DAY 1

June 5th, 2010-this is the first day of our big great American adventure. For 2 years, my friend Shauna Earl and I have talked about this adventure. She went last summer and did the pacific northwest., and this year it is a 3 week trip across the southwest and a bit of the south. The kids are thrilled. So, as you can imagine getting ready for a regular trip is crazy enough--getting ready for this trip NUTS!!!! Bless our sweet husbands, they are keeping the home fires burning and then meeting up with us along the way here and there. We crossed the Colorado river in Laughlin and Ellie said "mom, is this where we are going, is this the big adventure?" My reply, "Ellie no there is so much more", she says "Whew good i was going to be disappointed." So, that was that. Luke is still wondering how the swamp borrowed alligators from the zoo, he didn't know that was allowed. My poor city kids are in for a real SURPRISE!! We stopped in Kingman at sonic to grab a corn dog, and I proceeded to run over Simon bottom retainer (sorry, Dr Whetten), the good news is Simon wasn't wearing it at the time!! Now we landed at Grammys house in Surprise and Shauna diverted off from me and took the carefree Highway (sounds funny, huh) to go to her sisters. (who I think is n Cavecreek,AZ???). We will meet up again in Tucson on Monday morning to caravan down to TOMBSTONE. For now, it is sleepover e at Grammys, which usually means homemade waffle and chocolate milk. YUM!!

There is this great song (It's a Beautiful Life by: Fisher) and I put the words up in my office so the kids would know why I wanted to do this trip so badly. I want them to see the beauty of this world that was created for us. We are so blessed!!

Much Love, Kim

Sunday

This was the first Sunday after Ellie's baptism, seems like yesterday it was her Blessing Day!

More Pictures

Hey Tyler where you going?

Look at the diamonds...sparkly!!!

Thanks Grammy!

Baptism Dinner

Later that night after, all the days celebrations we had a quiet family dinner at Olive Garden (Ellie's choice). It was such a nice day and one to be treasured. Uncle Bear, Aunt Julie, Nana, and Grammy all helped make it really special. Family is so important. Sometimes that gets forgotten. This day was a special day, and we are grateful for family and what it means to us. So many blessings to be thankful for.

The Bling

Ellie and her cousin Trudie Kay have talked about getting their ears pierced together for long time. They did it, with mothers holding back tears, because our babies are all growing up. These two are two of a kind, sisters in heart. Their Grammy made it special for them, and got them both darling earrings. They were both brave. It was really funny and a treasured memory forever. Ellie's response after the first hole was Ow, ow, ow, ow. In her squeaky voice. Trudie is a toughie, fought back the tears as best she could. She didn't let her mommy get to far from her. Cousins are a blessing!!

Baptisms gave way to BASEBALL

Right after Ellie's baptism Simon had a baseball game. So, we packed a picnic and went to watch him play. He played the Aztecs and lost, sadly. It was a fun game. He played very well, and is really learning to be a great catcher.

Baptism Day

May 1, 2010- Baptism Day. We had prepared and planned, and it was finally here. She couldn't wait, she was thrilled. We had family here: the Hoyler's, Trudie and Tyler came in a couple of days before with Grammy to play, then Uncle Bear and Aunt Julie came in on Saturday morning. Nana was there also. This was the first time one of our kids joined in with Stake Baptisms, we previously had private baptisms. with my calling I had really gained a testimony of the Stake Baptisms. I actually am over stake Baptisms. It was a beautiful program. Ellie just glowed. When she received the Gift of the Holy Ghost, Dean gave her a beautiful blessing. "Telling her that her Father in Heaven wants her to use her talents, and kindness to please Him." Bishop Lish, Brother Pullan and Brother Cameron Earl were a part of the Blessing. Ellie's testimony is so tender and she she really understands the covenants she made, and wants so badly to live up to them.

Baptism Interview

Tonight Ellie had her baptism interview with Bishop Lish. She was really nervous, which is not like her. She had studied the Articles of Faith just to make sure she remembered them. She was really sweet. Bishop Lish is a wonderful man and so insightful. Later that night when I was tucking her into bed she asked me, "why our Bishop loved us so much?" I responded by telling her that he was really our brother and big brothers look out for little sisters, and her wanted to help her get to the celestial kingdom. Then she said, "So many people love me, and that makes me feel good in my heart!". She was right. We all love her!
Much Love, Kim

Birthday Dinner with Nana

We had a fun birthday dinner with Nana Bennett at Fuddruckers. It is fun to have Nana so close so we can celebrate together. Nana gave Ellie her very own hymn book with her name on it. it was a good night.

Space Derby

April 28, 2010-Space Derby Pack Meeting. Well, some years it is a pinewood derby and some it is something else. The space derby was so fun. Simon did a great job on his rocket. Luke was there cheering him on with his life saber. We had a ball game later so it was double duty that night.

EIGHT is GREAT!

April 23, 2010- Ellisabeth May Bennett is EIGHT. Our day started before school with some yummy heart shaped pancakes. While she was at school, Bekah and I made the cake she wanted, a Donut cake. We heard about it from my friend Jennie Slade. So, it starts with a box of donut holes and two regular sprinkle donuts, a little (okay, a lot) pink frosting and a homemade chocolate cake. We put the donut holes in the center of the cake. The regular donuts made a perfect eight. She was thrilled when she got home and saw it displayed on the kitchen table. They are all growing up so fast. I hope that we are teaching them everything they need to know.

What We Love About Ellie!

She's cute, kind, loving, considerate of others.

She can find JOY in everything and anything.

She is an amazing Artist, she loves to draw and paint. She is a great reader, and really loves books. Ellie is funny and is a good actress. We love her testimony, which she has shared a lot this year. Ellie is our AMAZING eight year old!

Happy Birthday!

Sweet Sixteen

Is it possible that our Bekah is SIXTEEN!! Say it ain't so! April 19, 2010--Sweet Sassy is SIXTEEN! Here is a poem I found that best

describe how we are feeling. by: Michael Charles Messineo

Words of Wisdom

Reaching 16 is a milestone, a happy point in life.

You've set your personality and your tolerance for strife.

By now you know right from wrong and how to influence friends.

It’s time to look down the road at forks and around the bends.

The road ahead is wonderful, some choices will be clear.

Your path depends on bravery to push aside the fear.

When you chose this way or that, slow choices or if snappy,

make the choices best for you, the ones that make you happy.
Our dear friends the Earls brought over the 16 cake, and Luke, Simon and Ellie made sweet things for her all day. they heart attacked her door, and wrote really sweet notes to her. It was a cherished family day. There was no big birthday party. I surprised Bekah and flew my mom in, and got her BBF Danielle, and went to Disneyland for a couple of days. Pictures to follow soon. Hard to believe she is growing up so fast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VydLmPZVejE

They sang it so well in the Sound of Music!

I love you, Bekah. Your the most wonderful daughter in the whole world. You are so charitable and kind. Your such a great example to me! I love you and think your the still my sassy girl and always will be. Enjoy life and have fun!

Luke's Season 2010

Luke took to t-ball like a fish to water. He has waited all year for baseball season, it is all he talked about. Well, the first week of practice, Luke broke his foot. Dr. Utley put him in a cast for 4-6 weeks. He still went to practice and games and refused to miss. He was determined not to let it slow him down. well, just as the cast came off he cut his chin wide open 9the third time in the same spot in the last 1 1/2 years), well he couldn't play for a couple of games. He wasn't happy about it either. He is looking forward to playing "real boy baseball". He has worn this uniform at least three times a week. It was a fun season. His coach was Jim Whitmire (one of Dean's partners at work), and he had so many of "his boys" on the team. it made for a really fun season!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Baseball season started April 6th. It is such a joy to have two sons who are just so eager to play ball. Simon played on the Beavers team and Luke was on the Waves. We have come along way from Simon so scared of t-ball to this. He just lives, breaths, and sleeps baseball. This was the first game of the season against the Horned Frogs. We lost 2-4, but it was a great game. We found ourselves picnicking a lot this season. Just so much fun! It is during this first game the the coach put Simon is as the catcher, which Simon wasn't happy about. But, something happened...he was good at it!! So, with so new equipment and practice (watching hours of tutorials on you tube) an emerging catcher come forth! More importantly, he feel in love with the position and played amazing!

Showdown in Seachlight!

On March 27th, 2010. Dean and I went to a Tea Party rally in Searchlight Nevada. We went to show support for Chad Christensen who is running for Harry Reid's Senate seat. It was a crazy day. I wouldn't say I am a Tea Partier per say, although we do support the same causes. We also got to hear Sarah Pallin speak. She is an amazing woman. We were a sight. Our friend Shari Peterson was with us. So imagine this Dean driving his truck, whom we call Big Red. Shari and I are in the bed of the truck during this major traffic jam. Passing out Chad Christensen water bottles, stickers and t-shirts. Yelling for him and truly freezing our bums off. It was exciting to be in a place where 15,000 other people were expressing their opions about our current state of government. Things are a changing!