darla again

okay...Geof just informed me that my blog was the most random ever...I hope you all understood it. Anyway...yeah, Cole's doing reeeeeal well with the potty training thing. He not only peed on the coffee table..he also was sitting on the counter helping my cousin and I make cookies and peed there too. At least he told us (after the fact)! Love To all again.

povo to moab

No sleep til Moab. Yeah baby we went to moab this weekend and it was so sweet. One of my bud-e's is heading down to psycho waco texas to do his mba and so I went with three guys as a going away trip. Well the first day we got out on slick rock around 9 and it's about 11 miles. Well we stopped took photos played around etc.. The temperature slowly creeped up to about 104 degrees. We were dying. Luckily we brought lots of water which we finished off entirely and still wanted to die. It was so great. We did hiking, cliff jumping, snuck into pools, rock climbed, and were basically high schoolers for the weekend. However, the best part of the weekend was coming back home to my cute babies. I loved hearing all of the blogs. Alisha you are hysterical and really like mindi said you'll have lots of terrifying stories to post in the blog now that you have two children. don't worry though the first three months are the worst after that it's all down hill. Dayne born 05/01/05. Well chels and jess I'm glad you guys survived school. I'm already trying to brace myself for the rigorous 3 credits I am taking this fall. Actually i'll probably be required to take 6 so rock climbing and tennis here I come. On the home front Cole's potty training is going well. Not 5 minutes ago he crouched down and urinated on the kitchen table. Anyone for supper? I can't wait to get together with all of you we'll get to know one another and become life long friends.

Quote "Being blessed with hope, let us, as disciples, reach out to all who, for whatever reason, have moved away from the hope of the gospel. Let us reach to lift hands which hang hopelessly down." Neal A. Maxwell
p.s. My new hometeaching companion came over the other week before we went out and we were talking. So we asked what he wanted to be and he said Seminary teacher. Darla being shy said you'll be poor but happy. His dad's a mission president so we asked what he'd done before. He's super humble and reply's "have you heard of word perfect?" His dad's a billionaire. It was funny. Alright get back to work Lyd and I'll write later.

Happy July 31st!!!!

Alright...so I don't know if anything too special has happened today but I'm happy to say it's been a good one. And I'm actually in the mood to post! So Mindi (or Adam...whoever posted the pics)...our computer must have pretty crappy graphics because I wasn't sure what was on Sierra's head...it looked kind of creepy...a hat maybe? And Mindi..I love your blogs. TLNF...that's just great. I'm glad you guys are getting out and hiking. I wish we did...at all. We really need to but Cole is probably the worst person to hike with!! He seriously screams the whole time he has to be in a back pack (I know you guys can't possibly imagine Cole screaming) Geof. got me a cat when we first got married (did I already mention this?)...and it would just sit on the floor in the bathroom scared to death, pee, lay in its pee...freak out...um...what else? It was pretty lame. We gave it back. So I must be pretty wimpy...or else I'm just breaking the word of wisdom...but I love the post-baby drugs. Percacet (is this the right spelling Leash?) was wonderful! Maybe because I'm not too good at winding down. Speaking of post-baby..Alicia, you're a total babe in your pic!! Your hair looks like you just stepped out of a salon...i'm serious. I looked so yucky and swollen afterward. I don't know how people put regular clothing on after they have babies (in the hospital). I bleed so much (not to be gross)..that I just lay there in hopes that the flood doors don't open when I sit up. Okay...moving on..hope that wasn't too much for all of you. Anyway, we're blessing Dayne on Aug. 14th...who knows where? We want to do it at someone's house because our church starts at 9am...don't think many up north will be able to come at that hour. So we'll let you all know when we do. So keep on bloggin' cuz I love readin' even though I rarely blog myself. love-darla p.s. Chelsea..I just want you to know I love what you write. It's fun getting to know you better...and I LOVE Arrested Development as well!

ColoradoBennett-hike

Yesterday we went for a hike and this is the only way we could get Sierra to stop whining. Just kidding, she did this herself. Alicia, having two kids is fantastic. You'll never regret it...except for the times when you do, and then you should just post that story on the blog and you'll feel a lot better.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell: "In the next world, we will finally receive what we have persistently desired and chosen during mortality....Individually, we will have made so many incontestable, on-the-record choices. The final outcome, therefore, will be perfectly just, and all mortals will so acknowledge....In effect, we will receive the degree of joy we have demonstrably chosen and which we have developed the capacity to receive."

Two kids and scared crapless

Well, so I'm a mother of two. Eeps. We got home yesterday and all I could think about when Jess came and dropped Clo off was how on earth do you balance all of your attention? How do you make everybody feel important and facilitate a harmonious atmosphere conducive to learning and high self esteem as well as love and happiness? Just kidding. That's just the percocet talking. Actually I haven't even taken any of my pain pills after "the incident." I was by myself in the hospital (Kev had to go home because Clo freaked out in the night) and the nurse said I could have a pain pill because I had only taken some motrin the whole time. So she gave it to me and about 20 minutes later I was sure I was slowly being paralyzed. Everything felt really funny and numb. I later learned it was just doing its job. Anyway, so here I'm thinking that I've been overdosed and I wake up to all this commotion outside my room. I hear nurses saying "her blood pressure is too high" and I'm thinking it's the girl next door who I know had already had her baby. I'm like, what the hell can go wrong after you've had the baby?! I had a baby, and I've been overdosed! I'm next! Again, the percocet was helping me think like this. I almost called Kev and made him come back out. Anyway, it was fine. It was some other girl and everything went ok. Stupid story, but funny in a way.
Anyhow, I don't want you guys to be too impressed - especially you Mindi - but I did hold out for as long as I could for the epidural. Finally when I had 3 huge contractions in a row (without a break in between, I swear) I was begging for it. I almost gave the anesthesiologist an open mouthed kiss. It was great. Anyway, about 20 minutes later my nurse checked me. As she checked me she picked up the phone and told the nurse to get my doctor there now. I was already a ten. About 15 minutes later I had her. I was only in labor for about 5 hours. Ya, I'm now pretty excited about the prospect of our next child being born in the car on the way to the hospital.
Anyway, these are pictures of my little angels. Notice how Clo has to have a baby seat as well. They are sitting in the sun, trying to get rid of their jaundice. Actually Maddie really does have a small degree of jaundice, but hopefully it will flush itself out. Ok, that's it. Love you guys Leash

lydia this one's for you

i truely have nothing exciting to tell, but i just keep thinking of you all by your lonesome way across the whole country. and i want to make you happy.

i talked to brooke this morning and they are on their way. they were suppose to leave yesterday afternoon, but there was a huge thunder and lightening storm with rain like only georgia knows, so they were delayed. i can't wait to see them. both her and mike have to drive all the way across this great country (yes,the same one that lyd is all the way across). yucky!!

mom gets back from the trek today, it has been lonely without her. i can't wait to hear all about it. i'm sure it was awsome. i want to go on one someday. haven't some of you all done one before.

well it's so freaking hot, that i have given up on my yard until it drops 20 degrees. so we are headed up to have linda feed me.


bloggety blog, blog....meags

ColoradoBennett-Mr. Manager

Above are pictures of Kaia with Gondolf and Max and then Sierra jumping on the tramp with the sprinkler under it. This summer has been so much fun.
Arrested Development is awsome, we are watching some reruns right now. Dr: "Looks like he is dead." [Family mourning] Michael:"It just looks like he is dead, or he is dead?" Dr: "It just looks like he is dead. He's got like blue paint all over him."

shopping with four

i don't recommend it. although with linda's help it was bearable. and it is espeacially nice when she takes us to lunch and pays for the entire outing. new shoes and cloths for all the kids, man i wish i was a kid!!

i really don't have much to say except, mind welcome back and karen you are not an outsider. you can be one of us, if you think you are crazy enough:).

love to all....me

ColoradoBennett-My Butt Is Back On The Blog

Thanks for the call back, Meags, I'd slipped into the checking-the-blog-often-but-not-posting-out-of-laziness phase. Don't everyone get freeked out about others reading our blog or else poor Karen will never have the courage to post. (Hi Karen! We love you.) She emailed me the other day saying that she thinks the blogers will think it is too weird to have an outsider on their blog. I guess it happens a lot more than we realize. Oh, and emailing outside the blog feels wrong these days. I emailed something to Darla a few weeks ago and I felt a though I was sneeking behind the other blogger's backs. Our computer ethics are changing. Like tonight's battle between Adam and I about who gets to blog first. I lost because I had to use the bathroom and he got to the computer first. So today my girls and I met up with Gram at the park. She came walking up with a t-shirt tucked into her regular shirt looking all goofy. Turns out she found a Napoleon Dynamite shirt and bought it for me. I love it. It has a picture of him and the phrase 'Are you gonna eat your tots?" We all need one. Unless you Utah folks already have 'em and I'm way behind in the Dynamite fashon. So I drove by the house of the family, whom I'll call "Tracker's new loving family" or TNLF, twice today. The first time I saw Track out front peeing on their picnic table and the second time he was being petted by his TNLF father. I'm happy he is happy. And I'm happy to just have Max. We walked with him up to the park the other day and I got lots of looks like 'whoa, two babies and a dog, you've got your hands full!' and I was like 'hey, you should see my sister-in-law, she has four babies and a cat with a mohawk'. No really, Meags, I forgot about the babies pooping through their clothes thing and I laughed really hard about the thought of Hazel leaving the hospital with just your tank-top on. Proof that these things happen to the best of us, I guess. Geof., one time when Adam and I were driving home from UT he spent about an hour talking to me about the phenomea of pee-bottles. I didn't believe that truckers really peed in bottles and threw them out the window, but we spotted a few on the drive. I'm even more frightened about pee-bottles falling from the sky now that I know those are real too. Boys are icky. Alicia and Kev, congratulations on a beautiful girl!

"I will go before your face.
"I will be on your right hand and on your left,
"And my spirit shall be in your hearts,
"And mine angels round about you, to bear you up."
(D&C 84:88)

Seattle Bennett living in Colorado

HAPPY HAPPY DAY A DAY OR SO AGO WAY TO GO LEASHY AND KEV

So yes we have missed the Stinchfield stories on the blog you would think Mike as computer savey as he is would have some wireless link set up for the entire ride from Georgia to Washington but of course if he did have that set up hed probably be gaming right now. So yes we did climb mount Democrat and while it is a 14,000 foot mountain it is nothing like Rainier for one the elevation of Denver is already 5800 feet by the time you drive to the mountain it is about 10,000 feet an the trail head starts you at about 12,000 so you do gain altitude and you have a little climb but altogether I think it was about a 6 mile grunt to the top however the true difficulty was that true to its name "Democrat" there was no sure footing and several misleading paths that went nowhere. this weekend we are planning a little less wake up early climb above tree line (no SHADE) hike a little longer but into a lake and have a nice picnic. Life remains the same I am currently playing middle man between owners, builders, and developers which at this time are fighting over little stupid stuff that I have to communicate back and forth and have no power to solve the problem but just get yelled at. for this reason Mindi and I will be leaving for 6 months after the next project wraps up and will be heading to Mexico where our only source of communication will be the blog so no one give this web address to my inlaws.
Mindi the girls and I watched one of Jan's games here in Denver and then I had a great time playing with Paula and co as we drove around Denver and wore out poor little hop-a-long Kel out as we walked a few of the city streets.

qoute of the day first coined by our very own leashy lynn "WORK SHMIRK"

brooke we miss you

first off i always knew that others could read our blog but i never thought anyone would. we are just some crazy family, but hey we are dang funny so who wouldn't be interested in what we have to say?

brooke the blog is just not the same without you. you are our leader and we need you. geof. i am going to beat the crap out of you for littering. cory and i are members of the sierra club. the only thing that makes it kind of ok is that you did it over idaho, and it's so dang ugly you probably improved the landscape. lyd i am so sorry we are going to miss you. if we come we will be long gone before your beautiful butt makes it back to the state. hey any of you who remeber brian, his wife lauren had a baby girl this morning named chloe. holy crap i just got my info for hood to coast. i will be running 5.05 miles, 7.4 miles, and 5.9 miles, yikes!!! truthfully i don't know if i can do it, but i guess i will die trying. mindi get your butt back on the blog, we all miss your funny stories and thought provoking quotes.

blog you later.........me

ps thank you to the rest of you who have kept me entertained.

pps i am making my six year old vacuum the family room it's great. now i think i'll teach benny how to change diapers and i will be good to go.

ppps have any of you seen that stupid taco bell comercial in which they keep saying "good to go". now i hate that phrase and i am emberassed that i just used it.

Yikes!

Okay folks, it is true. Absolutely anyone can read our blog. Click on the button in the upper-right hand corner that says "View Next Blog" (or something like that) and you will see the others. That is insane, but at the same time, I'm over it. Jess, I think the password gives access to post an actual blog on our page. Any-who... I will be done with school tonight! I cannot wait. I have to finish my paper today and take a final tonight. Only three weeks of peace and then all "H" will break loose again. I'm taking 19 credits in the fall, along with working 35 hours. It's going to be awesome! :) Just kidding, I hate thinking about it. Monica called me today and guess what I get to do tonight? I'm going to babysit Harley and Eliza! I'm seriously so excited! It'll be great. Cort, Ash and Linds have been at Girls Camp since Tuesday. It's been weird without them. They come home tomorrow so I'm excited. I need to go and see Madison. I can already agree/tell that she looks identical to Clo when she was that little. So freaking exciting! Congrats Kev and Leash!!! Well, I better write my paper. Blog out. Chels

povo

Remember when Darla was 5 feet 3 inches and had bigger children than alicia and kev? That was crazy. Alicia she is lovely I can't wait to eat her. So Cory I forgot to tell you that that visit was your surprise birthday present. Thanks so much for feeding and playing with us. I really really wish I lived up there. So I'll tell you a funny story we were flying out there and the guy I flew back with and myself were in the back of this twin engine plane. Well no heat reached the back and it was about 52 degrees. We were wearing light shirts and pants and it was so freezing. Also I had to urinate so I utilized a 24oz. water bottle and a small oil funnel. The scary part was it almost overflowed but did not. The other pilot went in a puke sack. Then we chucked the packages into the mountains of Idaho. Hopefully we got a Sierra club member. Don't worry it's actually legal to do what we did. So things are crazy here. Dayne is still cholicy and Cole is Cole. Darla I think is about ready for a two month visit to a child free spa. We'll see if it's in the budget. Wait no it's not along with food and heat. Oh well still some shoes we can boil and eat. Lydia don't worry about the weight just remember that there's money in that banana stand. Also I am a nevernude. Adam and Mindi those hiking pictures are awesome. I am so jealous you hiked those. What was the total ascent. I mean what elevation do you begin at. I can't believe they don't have glaciers that high. Mindi your day from H sounded like the day from H. Next time I am in Denver I am going to eat mutton so let your neighbor know I want her fattened up. Alright I'll get back to my sweet job now. Peace out team you're all cool. Aliciat we'll come see your baby when the rest of the world comes to town.

p.s. Brother:when did you start working for the company?
Sister:Straight out of college.
Brother:You dropped out of college.
Sister:Well I had a job.

Madison Belle Hatch

Madison is finally here. As Chels said she was 9 lbs. 2 oz. and 21 inches long. She is the spitting image of Chloe when she was born. Both mom and daughter are doing great. She was born today at about 10:40 a.m. I will let Alicia tell you all about it. She should be home Friday.

I will tell you what happened to me. I had to go to my math class this morning because we had a review for our test tomorrow but I told mom to call me and I would leave if I needed to. About 45 minutes into class at about 10:25 mom calls and says that she is close so I should come up. She said it probably wouldn't be until 11. I literally ran out of class and sped to the hospital and ran from the parking lot and as I am entering her room at about 10:40 I here a baby crying and I had missed the whole thing by moments, literally moments. I was soooo sad.

She is beautiful and Chloe is so funny, she didn't quite know what to do when she saw her. It was a great day for us today.

I am so glad the pictures worked, after about an hour, I finally figured out how to post them. I emailed more on ofoto.com to your email addresses so check those out, and if you didn't receive the email it is because I don't have your address so if you give me it I will send them to you.

Oh by the way, did anyone notice on the "Crazy Fun" blog that Cory wrote that some random person made a comment. Can anyone look at our blogs, I thought they had to have the password...creepy, check it out.

Well I love you all and will write again soon. I got my 17 page and 12 page papers turned in so things have calmed down. 3 tests and one assignment left. Love Jess

Hopefully these are pictures of the new baby!

Madison Belle

Madison Belle is here! (I don't know if the spelling is correct...) She weighes 9lbs 2 oz and she is 21 inches long. Sorry Kev and Leash, I hope you don't mind that I posted this. I just wanted everyone to know. Love, Chels

yeah alicia

our babies are going to be almost exactly one month apart. hazel crecked in at 8 lbs at her three week apointment she's my little wafe, i'm pretty sure she gets that from me. i hope everything went well, i can't wait to exchange birth stories. jessica as her sister it is your duty to get us pics asap.

i feel for all you movers. wow everyone is moving. at least brooke is getting it right and moving toward me. after all the world does revolve around me right?

mindi i am not too scared about the m word, i would spell it but i have no idea how. now that i know what it is, i can get antibiotics before i really get sick.

cory was right, seeing geoffery yesterday was the coolest. i wish i had longer with him, but i was at the hospital visiting one of the little ladies i visit teach. she has had 3 heart ataches and a stroke in the past week. so she is paralized on one side and can not swallow or talk. she has refused a feeding tube, so she is slowly dieing. well while i was there i proved that i am a crappy mom. hazey pooped through her outfit. no big deal unless you don't have a diaper bag, which i didn't. so i go down to the family birth center and scrounge up a diaper. in the meantime i pooh has gotten on my white sweater. i clean her all up and i now i have a naked baby. so i take off my tanktop (i thought that would be better than using my sweater and having my g's hang out), and wrapped it around her. very classy i know. i'm sure all of you other would never be so stupid.

everyone needs to beg cory for me, so he will let us come down there. i love you all

meags

crazy fun

geof. was just here. how crazy is that? he flew up to lake oswego (near portland) to pick up a plane, but the guages were busted, so he got to hang out and we went swimming and stuff and he leaves tomorrow morning. silly me... i thought tonight was just going to be boring. planes are great.
cory

Packing

Brooke, I am with you. Packing is for the birds. We have been packing for the last week and I never realized how much crap we have and don't use. I guess now is a good time to do away with those items. We hope that the new house will last us for a very-very long time so that we don't have to do this again.
My grandpa has quite the green thumb and has been growing trees for years. We stopped by to get one for the new house and left with 6. He kept trying to get us to take more but we couldn't. He made us promise that once we get in the house and get the trees planted that we would come back for more if we could find a place for them. He also won't let us pay and it would have been a couple hundered dollars if we would have bought them at a nursery.
We took the girls boating yesterday, it was a lot of fun. Harley has finally gotten over her fear of getting her head wet and was jumping in off the back of the boat. We couldn't get Eliza to jump in. She will do it all day at Paulas' pool but she was a little nervous at the lake.
gotta go. cameron

I'm Alive, Unfortunately

So, sorry Chels, I wish I could entertain you by spending my whole day blogging instead of packing. Tomorrow evening still seems light years away. We are getting there though. Leash, once again my husband was laughing as he read your blog. Okay, I don't have any more time to write. I have to go finish packing. Loading up the U-haul tomorrow night. Checking out of housing on Thursday and leaving Friday. Leashie, good luck with having that little baby tomorrow. Can't wait to see her. I'll hold Madison before Meagan does. Ha ha. Love you all. Brooke

I don't care what that nitrazine test said

Well, I could've sworn my water broke yesterday. We were in Murray at Sams Club, trying to find a mirror for over mom and dads mantle. Picture this: mom in a wheelchair, dad pushing her, and me pulling a flatbed cart with the mirror with Clo sitting precariously in this little basket on it that I'm quite sure is meant for a loafs of bread or possibly a 14 lb. package of Oreos (you know you can't find Oreos in a pack smaller than that at ol' Sammies). Anyway, I thought it happened, but I didn't say anything until we were done because I didn't want to stress everyone out anymore than we already were. So then, we have to lay down part of the seats in the back to fit the mirror in and dad insisted on laying down back there with it. So here's Clo kicking dad in the face because she thinks it's hillarious that his head is right there by her car seat, me trying to figure out if these really are contractions I'm feeling every few minutes as I'm driving, and mom half asleep from her morning pills. Jess called at one point and dad answered and I heard him say, "you wouldn't believe it if I told you." It was funny.
So I call Kev and he meets me at home. I'm reading in my book, trying to figure out if it really did break or not because it wasn't a huge gush type thing. Anyway I called the doctor on call and he said I should go in to the hospital. Long story short, I wasn't in labor. I felt like a class A jack ass. Oh well, tomorrow at 5.
Leash

holy crap

Lyd, the tears are literally moments away from streaming down my face. I am completely head over heels in love with Arrested Development. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the wonderful sitcom, I highly suggest that you take an interest. I'm back to work today. Not too excited about it, but what can you do? Later, Chels

come on come on

cousin i'm glade to see your just as crazy as i am when it comes to checking the blog except you had stuff to do this weekend, i on the other hand checked the blog probably 15 times in one sitting of an hour! and yes cousins it's true i do have to work every sunday, all day everyday i'm here, monday to monday 11 hours a day, kinda sounds like a sweat shop! anyways chels you remember arrested development! how could you forget but remember how gob would always say "come on", so so funny what about this one cousin "illusions father illusions, tricks are what whores do for money" or what about this one "buster: beep beep beep beep beep beep beep - michael: well no ones gonna top that!" "tibius: could that i would, say that i were meant to impress you! but no, no, tis merely a clocking agent!" oh sweet sweet goodness, the endless times of laughter! well blog to blog later lyd!

come on!

you guys are doing an awful job of entertaining me. i've checked the blog at least four times today and i've received basically nothing! i guess i'll tell you about my weekend. linds had another softball tournament. they took first place!!! it was
awesome. she is really fun to watch. i've been doing nothing else but homework. i'm
done on friday though, so that'll be good. well, that's all i have. peace out...chels

Robbins

This is just a quick note to let the Colorado Bennetts know that I am leaving for Denver right now and would love to see you if I could. We are going to watch Jan in the College Showcase. Please call me 801-390-5800. Love, Paula

thanks from cory

Thanks to you all who wished a happy birthday - it really did make the day better. It's a funny little thing that stuff like that can make a difference, but it does. I married into a fantastic family that now feels like my own, without a doubt. You guys are the best.

The birthday festivities were pretty low-key, as Wilohm is sick and Hazel is small. It was fun, though- lots of family. Low-key is a gift in itself these days. Everything seems so hectic all the time...

love you all. cor.

ColoradoBennett-Mt. Democrat

Here's two shots from our climb today. Mt. Democrat, 14,148 feet, and Adam said it was much like the Democratic party but I'll let him blog his joke later. The girls did great and we had a lot of fun. We'd planned to cross a few saddles and bag Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Bross all in a day too, but the weather was turning, Sierra was sick, and well, maybe we were a little tired. Half of the mtn was a huge rock field with crazy tricky teeter-totter rocks. But we said a lot of prayers and miraculously none of us fell. Our friend Haylee Jane climbed with us and that's her in the picture. Poor Sierra was feeling sick (if she hadn't felt under the weather there is no way she would have stayed so good in the backpack for 5 hours of climbing) and she threw up on the driveway right when we got home. Poor little bear. In fact, I've got to go brush her teeth right now because her breath just about made me pass out. Blog out

GREAT

That's just great G R E A T great. I'm so excited to inform you cousins, that yes I Lydia MaineMae Rigby has officially gained, that's right gained 15 pounds (not gold- fat!) Ya know it's quiet amazing to me in 1 month 15 pounds. I guess that's what I get when I go off of chocolate from January to May and then start eating it and everything else in sight during my time here! It's the d a m n hoodwiches a small ice cream sandwich smothered in chocolate chips and cookies with delicious ice cream in the middle, not to mention the packs of peanut butter m&m's that I eat to myself daily. It's so lovely I almost don't know if I even want to try and do anything about it. "I don't' feel any different, I don't look any different" -old school for those of you who don't know, ya know the part when he's talking about being married to one person the rest of his life! Oh to too funny! Chels this reminds me of when you came home to our house and said you'd gained 15 pounds and I was amazed cause we had no food ever! But I'm sure you've lost it all you crazy body pump fiend! Well maybe I might have to start that up when I get home! Well that's all my complaining for now I'll keep you posted on the weight situation, blog out love ya lyd!

ColoradoBennett-Elders

Good luck with that paper, Jess. I just fed the elders lunch and now my guilt is gone. Because there are 4 of them they can come over when there is no husband home. Not something I'd want to do again, though, because I am a terrible conversationalist and there was lots of awkward pauses. I wish Darla the "filler of awkward silence" was here to help me out :). Alica, good luck with these final prego days. I was about to give my spiel about fear and labor but I'll spare you because it just sounds silly at this point. Well, my quiet-time is all over because both girls are awake and crying. Blog out...
p.s. Meagan--I know you love to run and it makes you feel good, but aren't you worried about the Mastitis monster?

Happy Birthday Matthew

Oh Cory, my long lost pal. Did you know that I was due to be born July 22nd? We would have had the same b-day but I came 2 weeks late. We really are meant to be cousins. I hope you have a great day.
Mindi, your day wasn't just a mini day it was a full blown day from H. Here is something to make you feel better. If Adam was gone, I don't think the Elders could come over. I think there has to be a man there. So really you wouldn't have been able to have them over anyway. Hopefully that will cut down on the guilt.
Well it is 1:15 on Friday afternoon and I came to the school to do homework. I have a ten page paper and a 12-14 page paper to write and I am not leaving until they are finished or at least until they kick me out at 11 p.m. If I don't do them this weekend I am a goner. Well that is all for now. Wish me luck. Love Jess

Cor

I got up early this morning and came down here so I could be the first one to wish you a Happy Birthday. Then I heard Clo stirring and if she thinks someone is up, she's up. I scampered back up the stairs and jumped back into bed, pretending (and then really doing it) like I was asleep. I hope you have a fantastic day. Not that there is anything fantastic about getting older, but at least we have 2 more years until the big one. Anyway I miss you guys and can't wait to see you next month.
Love Alicia
P.S. I had a package with a lovely birthday present in it, but I sent it to keith instead. Just kidding. I thought about sending you a package of Junker candy and treats, but forgot about it until yesterday. I'll buy you a Mickey D's cheeseburger when you come down here to make up for it.

ColoradoBennett-Happy Schmappy Birthday Cor-dawg

First, a quote from David O.
"Real life is response to the best within us. To be alive only to appetite, pleasure, pride, money-making, and not to goodness and kindness, purity and love, poetry, music, flowers, stars, God and eternal hopes, is to deprive one's self of the real joy of living."
So Brooke, I'm so sorry about they days from Hell that you spoke of and I'm so glad you complain to the blog, it's great therapy. I'd like to speak of my mini-day from Hell, yesterday. Adam left for the mtns in the early a.m. and Tracker jumped the fence shortly thereafter. Our neighbor with the sheep who hates us, came over pounding on the back door (not knowing that it's no longer our door) to complain about Track I assume. The angry neighbor must have spied on Max at this point and decided to once again call the police and complain that Max is too skinny. So at 9:30 I pile the girls in the car and head off to playgroup but decide I better check the messages on Adam's phone and find out if anyone has Tracker. A nice family down the street had o'nasty in their house and they just fell in love with him. I had to literally drag him away from them and they said "oh, we just love animals, if you ever need to give him up please call us. We'll take him." So I told them that was very likely because we'd be moving soon and we are looking for a good home for him and blah blah blah. So I take the mangy mut back home and chain him up and take the girls to the pool. After lugging in all our stuff (minus the cooler with our lunch) and paying a crazy price for the pool, a kid poops in the water five minutes after we get in. So we have to sit out for over an hour. So we all huddle together with our playgroup friends and eat an early lunch (after I book it out to the car for ours) and Sierra wants to eat what all the other mom's bring and not the hand pealed organic grapes I brought (just kidding, but you all will mock along with the other moms at the healthy crap I eat and try to get my kids to eat). So we shower at the pool and head straight from there to Kaia's Dr appointment where she has to get 5 shots. On the way I have a call from the county animal control that Tracker is locked up. When the officer came to check on our abused and skinny Great Dane he saw Tracker frolicking in the street. He tried to put him back, but Track just jumped the fence and happily jumped into the back of the cop car. Luckily the mother of my sister, Janelle (Lyd, I have this long lost 14-year-old sister who is the daughter of my bio dad that my mom married and divorced when she was 17), works at the animal control dept. and recongnized Tracker and the officer who was talking about skinny Max. So she helped me get out of a $75 ticket and the $25 licensing fee and I only had to pay $40 to retrieve my precious rot-gut dog. Oh, and I couldn't fit Tracker in the Jetta with the girls and I so I had to enlist the help of Pop with his big truck. So Pop helped me tie the chain really tightly around Tracker's collar when we got home, and then he kicked him (which is better than shoot him, which is what he wanted to do (and not a hard kick, least you think we really do abuse our dogs and you call the cops on us too)). So anyway, now our county records have a note in it that says our neighbors are harassing us about skinny Max and that cops should no longer be sent out (this is the 5th time this has happened that we know of!). So I call the family that loves Tracker and said, "I'm bringing him over!" But then I decided to talk to Adam first. But to really complicate things, my cell phone--which is the only phone with long-distance to call Adam in the mtns--broke and I couldn't get him. Then the Young Women and Young Men are doing Temple baptisms on Tue and they are supposed to have 10 names each from their own families and time is running out. So I had to go get Sarah and James, drive them to Sister Ito's house, discover that they are missing all the birth places and death places on all of their names, drive them back home and set up the same system for the next morning. While running to the pound and to take the youth to the family history expert, I forgot that I signed up to feed the elders dinner. So at some point I had 4 hungry elders knocking on my door and I totally stood them up. I have unbelievable guilt about that because if I was on a mission, dinner appointments would be so very important to me. Oh, and I forgot to mention that I backed the car into the garage door, too, just to add to the stress and guilt. Anyway, I finally got a hold of Adam and he was like "heck, yes, get rid of Tracker" so that is my plan today. Anyway, that's my story and now I feel a lot better having shared it with you all. Happy Birthday Cory.

Meags- did you see the end of my blog?

Okay, Lyd, it took me forever to figure out what you were talking about with the 'taki" thing. Then when I did I laughed so hard I startled Ellyn. So, Leash, don't worry. I was at a four for 2 weeks and went bowling- no baby. How exciting that little Maddie will be there when we drive through. Lyd, I think we will be leaving the 16th or 17th. Especially if we do the Stevenson reunion on the 12th. Meagan and Cory I think will be leaving the 15th. I'm sure Meagan will answer that with more knowledge than I have.

Okay, I have to put my kids to bed before I beat one of them. Not kidding this time.

Brooke

save the date or die!!!!

Megs that's hilarious when you said "well you managed to publish the blog" I about peed my pants, oh cousins all of you- how funny you are! Brooke I didn't even think anything about it, I was like "huh I wonder what taki is?" sounds fun. Anyhow leash I'm not dead I just felt as though I published one to many pictures so I'd lay off for awhile. And leashy I'm so excited for the wee babe, it almost makes me want to come home, speaking of which- COUSINS I swear on everything if I miss a small get to gather with everyone by a day I will kill tuco, that I can promise you my friends and any other animal we as a family hold near and dear to our hearts. Because seriously if that's the way it's gonna be I'll kill!

Here's the 411 I get home on the 16th at night so the 17th I'm all yours, which makes it easy for Jessica to leave on the 18th- clear, we all got that one. If worse comes to worse I could possibly catch an earlier flight on the 15th but that will cost extra but I'll do it for all of you, so you can all enjoy my good company! If were talking more like the 13th I need to leave now cause I might as well casue if I leave up to a week early it voids my contract and I lose my $, but I would do it easy as 1,2,3. Because that's all I'm really making here is 123 hundred! So plan accordingly and get serious I need the dates in blood, and really jess if it comes down to you not going with the mckeans than that's just what you'll have to do, I won't be there so it won't even be that fun! Ok that's all love you and don't forget to save the date or die ok bye bye love you lyd.

Maybe she'll just fall out

Well I went to the doctor this morning and I'm at a 3. They've scheduled my induction for 5 am next Wednesday the 27. I'm scared that everything is going to go really fast. I'm afraid I'm going to go into labor before that and I'll get to the hospital and they'll be like, "Oh, you're too far along for the epidural. Go out back, find a bush, grab hold and have it Native American style. Good Luck." I'm really nervous now and have had an upset stomach all day. Kev is in Boise and hasn't left yet so Clo and I are just sitting here, bored to tears. I guess I could do some laundry, but what's the fun in that?
Brooke, I am so sorry for you. Moving sucks more than anything and having all that crap happen too makes it even more miserable. Sorry.
Lydi, are you dead? Are you having fun? Drop us a line.
That's it, Leash.

i love drunk nieghbors-meags

so brooke you think it's ok to leave us hanging like that. and there was no arrow, no page to flip over, nothing. gee i hope you're ok, you were able to publish, so we will hope for the best.

so darla i have a drunk nieghbor too. we are her t.v. it's great, she sits across the street and watches every move we make and comes over way too often. she also tries to kiss the kids and asks them if they want her to pinch their butts. hello scarry!! and she has offered to babysit my kids anytime as well. especially hazel. i am really tempted. but unlike yours ours does not come with two cute little girls. she comes with two scarry granddaughters, that cory has ban from our yard and the kids. because the other day they were trying to teach them all how to play spin the bottle. when our other nieghbor broke that game up the 7 year old wanted to play "dare" with bennett. in which bennett had to do exactly what the girl told her to do. with the back ground these poor girls have that idea scared the *&%& out of me. i am counting down the days until they go back to their dads.

chels and jess i am truely sorry about the whole school thing, but you are so close to being done. but chels how long until you graduate? cory thinks he might go back to school and that's cool because he has only done 7 years of college and that's just not enough if you ask me. i can't complain, but we will miss him, because he would never be home between working full time and school full time. yumm.

mindi do you know when you guys are coming because i was offered a place on a hood to coast team the 26 - 27 of august. mom and cory think i am crazy because hazel will only be 2 months, but i really want to do it. however if you guys will be here, i would rather spend time with you!!!!!!!!

bye bye meags

The end of my blog

So it made me sign in again when I published and I lost the end of my blog. This is what I had to say. Sadie and Bailey took out half a package of cookies by themselves while I thought Sadie was playing in the playroom last night. A dream dinner for sure.

This morning Mike went to take a shower and brown muddy water came out of the faucet. We had to run all the tubs and sinks for twenty minutes and now everything is coated in mud. Honestly, it looked like our tub was filled with coffee.

Leash, I am not familiar with this Urban fellow but can you trust any full grown man with frost bits? Geof. and Darla, I will babysit Cole but I smoke pot. I smoke lots of pot. Brooke

complaining

The last two days have been from Hell. Actually things are looking up. Yesterday, I had to take my dog to the vet because she had bleeding, oozing postules all over her face. Every day there was a new one and then it spread to her ears and paws. We get to the vet and guess what? They don't know what it is either. Not the answer I was looking for. They give me this anti-fungal shampoo and tell me to use it every few days and they are going to look at her again Tues. This is after they've run all sorts of tests. Jane was devasted, sure Bailey had cancer. So we said prayers for Bailey and this morning all of the postules were totally dried up and clear and her ear was completely healed. Very happy about that.

Had Ellyn's assessment yesterday and she qualifies for Early Intervention. They said the good news is that it has nothing to do with her mental capabilities, they said the bad news is it's because she's stubborn. They gave me a list a mile long of everything I need to do with her. Just what I need right now, more to do. To continue the not good days, Mike and I both are as sick as can be. We both have fevers and feel like crap. I'm praying this is gone by tomorrow. We have so much to do.

Leash, I can make you feel better. It is raining cats and dogs right now and thundering and lightening. Sadie just looked out the window and exclaimed "Holy #$&#@!"

More Georgia bug stories. Last night I went to take Bailey out and I'm standing on the back porch and a gigantic cockroach falls onto my head. Scared the heck out of me. Then, when Mike and I go to bed we turn out the light and we hear the whine of a mosquito near our heads. Neither of us can sleep with this blood sucking beast at large so we flip on the light and sit staring at our room until we find the mosquito resting on our night stand. This whole escapade wakes Ellyn and she is up till 1am.

Okay, that is everything from last night. The storm shut down our internet. I had a fever again through half the night but it broke around 4:30 this morning. Hopefully it is gone for good. Last night while I was laying on the couch, miserable, and thinking Sadie was in the playroom she was busy taki

ColoradoBennett-I like to move it

Meagan and Cory, I love that I can click on your picture and see 40 more in your album. Meagan, your postpartum pictures are wonderful, you look great and your lipstick is still shimmering. So is anybody from WA planning on going to Ed Week this year? I was thinking Adam and I were driving the girls up to WA right after the reunion for the big backpacking trip up there. Then Adam will fly home and I'll stay as long as the girls and I want then drive home. Is that going to work with you guys? My grandma is flipping out because I told her that plan and she thinks it is horrible that I would drive by myself all that way. Put me in a car with my girls for 20 hours anyday over 3 hours in an airplane, I say. If they scream and yell, I'm the only one I have to try to keep calm, not having to worry about 98 other passengers.
Awww, i just tried to upload a small video and attach it, but alas.

chelsea-he will be famous

It's me again. Cameron's post reminded me of something I haven't shared. Last week on Tuesday night, we went and saw Jordan's Show. It was unbelievable. I'm not saying that because I have to. It was awesome. We watched it twice and I couldn't get enough of it. He does such a great job! I believe that he will be the next Donny Osmond. Mark my words! Everyone has to see it when they come out. Put that on the list. Peace...Chels

darla-alcoholic neighbor

okay...i thought i'd kind of add to the drunk neighbor story. Um...so this lady is really sweet and her girls really love Cole. It's been a huge blessing to have them around 'cuz i seem to always be stuck inside with Dayne and my 'almost' clean house. ANyway, so i go over the other night with cookies kind of to say thank you and start the ball rolling with missionary work (okay...at least BEFRIENDING them). So I'm talking to her about Dayne and how she's getting better with her colic (or whatever it is) and she precedes to tell me "I drink...a lot...I start around 4 p.m. But hey, if you ever want me to watch Cole (and Dayne!) I'd be happy to." I didn't really know what to say so I just changed the subject. it was pretty funny. and her breath really stunk of alcohol. So that's our neighbors. Geof. and I've decided that you really only live in Provo if you're a student or white trash. I gotta run to an enrich. comm. mtg. loves me

Crabbs

I thought that maybe you would want to see the whole family. This was taken a few months ago when we were in Sheboygan.

Life is good. The closing on our house got pushed back but we have been assured by the title company that the closing should take place on the 29th of July. We are hoping that we will be able to close on the new house that afternoon and move in over the weekend. So if anyone needs a place to stay we should have room at that point but I'll keep you all posted.

Harley and Eliza are doing great. They got to go to Lagoona Beach twice last week and loved it. Harley basically has Jordan's show memorized. We look forward to going when everyone comes out if you can make it. By then at least it should be cooling off a little. I don't know how Jordan does it being 104 degrees outside.

Eliza is great. We are having to work with her though. She has a tendency to hit, scratch and pull hair when she gets angry or frusterated. I may have to go and check out the Nanny 911 book at the library. It's really not bad, I just don't want her to think she can get away with it.

That's all for now. Crabb

baby book

alicia, clo comes by it rightly. it is recorded in mom's baby book that her first phrase was "some a $#@$@". so at least clo got some other words in her vocab before that one, unlike aunt leanny who goes right to it.
out...meags

chelsea

Keith Urban is my HERO! Leash, everyone else doesn't know what they are talking about. (duh, we alreday knew that) I want to go to his concert again. That rocked! I am really really tired lately. I feel like I can't go on much longer. I have been stressing to the max about school. I know how you feel Jess! It sucks. My school is over on the 29th, a week from Friday. I'm glad it will be over, but there is a lot that needs to be completed before then. Lindsey had a Birthday party on Monday night. She had friends over to swim. When I say friends, I mean probably thirty crazy Jr. High freaks. :) Ashley is continuously learning how to drive. She does pretty well. The other day Cort, Ash and I were with my Dad. Ash decided she wanted to drive on the freeway. When we arrived at our destination, Ashley asked if she did a good job. Cortney said, "yeah, except the fact that it took you ten minutes to change lanes." It was seriously hilarious because it was true. Cortney has been saying how much she wishes school would start. She says she is bored. Sort of a crazy idea to me! Leash, I almost peed my pants when I read the story about Clo and the garage door. I can't believe you were laughing about it instead of freaking out! Did you consider the possibility of her falling??? You must be pregnant! :) I loved seeing the pictures of Dayne and Hazel. Keep posting. Talk to you later, Chels

povo

Okay so Cole has gills. Gill in New Hampshire. We went to this pool tonight and he no longer enjoys just being in the water, he is a swimmer. I hold him and he says down so I let him go and he goes under water and starts to kick and paddle. Then I'll bring him up he gets some air and goes back under. I was close to the side and he swam to it grabbed on pulled up got air and went back down. He even jumps into the deep end and can swim back up to where his face breaks the surface. He is hysterical people keep asking us how young he is.
Alright more cole stories. By the way Leash your clo stories rule and thanks for the heads up on Sesame Street he'll never watch that program further stunting his hopes of ever speaking. Anyway we have these neighbors who have two daughters seven and four. They love cole. They pound our door from sun up to sun down asking if Cole can play. Cole hears the knocking grabs his swim diaper walks up to one or the other of us holds it up and says "outside". The girls are great with him and so the other night Darla took them over cookies. Well the mom came to the door and Darla could smell she'd been drinking and the mom's like "I drink," "I drink a lot". But I can watch cole any time you want. It was hysterical that it was done in that order. She's the relief society president and I can't believe the lengths people go to to not watch cole. Just kidding she's not active and she would watch cole. That's all for now.
Quote "No sin is ever commited without first ignoring a prompting from the Holy Ghost" I think Christoferson of the seventy.

Also Keith sucks
Don't tell Darla but Anne sucks too. Just kidding D.

The ringbearer

The ringbearer
Originally uploaded by cormatt.

Studly, no doubt.

Hazel&Dayne

Hazrl&Dayne
Originally uploaded by cormatt.

Aren't they cute... Dayne on the right, H on the left, by the way :)

Hazel &Dayne again

Hazel &Dayne again
Originally uploaded by cormatt.

You know what? You guys suck.

Had I known that's all I had to do to get you guys to write, I would have said it a long time ago. Welcome back. Leash

Seattle Bennett living in Colorado

Kieth Urban sucks everytime I hear his name I wet myself. Brooke what you are doing with Ellyn is great if only mom and dad had done that with Brind he would have maybe had a chance.

Not Me.

Nope. Don't like him one bit. I say to this Urban fellow get back down under where you belong and schedule an appointment with your manicurist you wuss. Amboy ain't got time for country singers with headsets and frosty bits in their hair. That's what I say to him.

Like my mamma used to say when I was a boy... give me Hank, or give me death.

Who doesn't love Keith Urban?

Really that is a rhetorical question for everyone but Chelsea Marie and possibly Lyd. I'm sitting here getting to actually watch my favorite thing - CMT. I don't turn on the t.v. when Clo is awake unless I am suicidal and that is the only alternative, so I'm enjoying being uneducated. Anyway, everything I see or hear him I love him even more. Last Christmas time Chels got me, Kev, Lyd and a bunch of her friends tickets to see him at the E Center. Maybe I was in a free chicken, pasta and cheesecake induced stupor, but I loved it. Anywho, Jess, Clo and I went swimming at Joanies this morning and I can't believe what a better mood I'm in. Yesterday I was about to go insane. I was ready to cash it all in, move to Paris and home school Clo in a cafe. I was so insanely tired and bored that I wasn't sure I was going to physically survive until I have this baby.
Cam, wasn't it yesterday you guys were supposed to close? I hope everything is going as planned. We're so excited for you!
That's all, talk to you later. Leash

darla-anne of green gables

Okay...so I just finished watching Anne of Avonlea...the sequel to Anne of Green Gables. I rented Anne of Green Gables to watch with Geof. on Sunday...planning on it taking us a few days to finish it. No, we finished it that day. And then yesterday he rented the 2nd one for me and I watched part of it last night after he went to work and the rest this morning. I'm such a bad mom...other than feeding them, my kids were totally neglected. I just couldn't stop. Complete addiction. It's like when you have a good book and it takes all the will power in the world to put it down and go to the bathroom (well, I guess that doesn't apply because you could always read while sitting there). Anyway, it was great and I recommend watching it to everyone. Life is good. Dayne's been wonderful today. She'll go about 3 days with hardly any sleep and lots of crying and then she'll just crash for a whole day (today) and I get to catch up on everything i don't get to do otherwise (like watch 7 hours straight of Anne). Okay. well I'm gonna try to finish the dishes before the both of them wake up. love Darla

lets go to miami

geof. you bust me up!! yes i agree lyd and brinders look so much alike and now after everything he has gone through i think he is almost as skinny as she is. we got a letter in which he described his hospital stay a little more and boy is it sad. his poor companion was stuck in there with him without food or water, change of clothes, or shower. he doesn't even complain in the letter, but express how sad he is that no work is getting done in his area. what a good little missionary.

ellynn sent us pictures with her last letter and she looks so beautiful. she is such a strong girl. the people of finland are so lucky. i didn't have a chance to read her letter so i'm going to have to steal it from mom.

i have a rare moment when 3 out of the 4 are asleep and jackson is not talking to me but playing nicely in his room. not that you all needed to know that but this being kind of like a journal i can look back and see that it did happen at least once.

anywho i went to kimmy's shower today (mike's younger sister). she is darling!! and i got to see adeena and barb and meet buffy's mom. it was great. adeena was pretty stoked that she got to hold hazel before brooke. wow just typing hazey's name made my milk come down. isn't nature amazing.

um wil is so dang cute. he has it in his little head that we are going to "dizy lan". so now it's like "afer nap we go dizy lan, i all dress now we go dizy lan, when pa get heeea we go dizy lan." i tell him we have to wait for elly and brinders to get back. "when brun get back go dizy lan." how cute is he, i don't think he even knows what disney land is, but he is determined to go.

well i do believe that is all, i am going to try and get cor to post some pictures tonight for f.h.e. wow i love my little husband who does all that technical stuff for me.


blog you all..........me

ps yes we/they are coming around the 12-17. chels don't be angery with lyd you are beautiful and if it will make you feel better i will have cor post some pictures of me. tell linds h. b. from me too. mind i could definately use some of that cash as well.

Dates-Jessica

Hey,
Does anyone know the exact dates you will all be in Utah. I have heard around the 13th, is that still the case? I am just double checking before I say yes to a trip around the 18th. I need to know by tomorrow. Thanks.

Hope all is well, my days are full of work and homework. Countdown to August 5th when I will be done.

Sorry this is so short. Love Jess

I knew there was something I was forgetting

Lindsay- Happy Birthday. Wow, fourteen, stake dances and everything. Chels, tell her Happy Birthday for me too.

Min, if you got a check for 23 thou than we can all expect you to cover the expense of the river trip. That cool with you?

Blog out- Brooke

P.S. Ellyn is going to be nursing every hour until she's like five. Does that bother anyone?

chels

I will tell Lindsey Happy Birthday. I cannot believe she is 14. Pretty crazy! Lydia, I have waited a few days to post, in hopes that I would calm down about the pictures, but the waiting hasn't helped. I'm seriously furious about it. Everyone, I really don't look like that. Lindsey had a softball tournament this weekend. Sitting in 108 degree weather was not fun, but watching her play was! She did well. Her team took second place. That's all for now. Chelsea

ColoradoBennett-Happy Birthday Lindsey

Chelsea, please tell Lindsey happy birthday and tell her sorry that her card is late. I blame Geof. for not getting me all those stamps he promised me over the blog. Geof.y was that last post making fun of me for forwarding that thing about Bill Gates paying us all lots and lots of money for forwarding emails to all our friends and loved-ones? Because that's for real. I got a check yesterday for $23,908.

povo bling

Listen everyone my friend is like a lawyer and what not and he done look this thang over and told me it legit. So done up in that betta get down on dis. Red Lobster in the mid to late 80's placed table clothes on their dining room tables whose subtle hues have been known to cause seizures or caused some to consider grand or petit mal seizures. Therefore anyone who ate or wanted to eat at Red Lobster is entitled to 100 million dollars. Now don't get too excited the stipulaiton requires that you ate or thought of eating there IN THE MID TO LATE 80'S. Alright please pass this list on to a lot of people then pass it back to me along with your's and their social security number and credit card number (whichever one has the largest limit). Please remember my friend is a lawyer and this is the real deal. See you all in Miami it's party time.

l love brind

brooke i love brinders, i'm almost certain he and i were ment to be twins. i don't know what happended in heaven, oh that's right were so much fun they figured no one could handle both of us, so they had to make us cousins- kinda like chels and i (right cousins) lydmaine

Moving is about the worst thing in life you have to do

I think the title to my blog says it all. Moving is for the birds. So why are we in the military you may ask? Who the heck knows. I don't mind when the movers move us. A few days work on either end- not too big of a deal. But this- At least it's giving us a good oppurtunity to go through EVERYTHING, but it takes so long when you do it this way. Movers, "broken pencil, I'll wrap that in some paper and throw it in with this old checkbook that happens to have copies of checks from 1997." But it is going to be nice when it is all done and we can move knowing we are paired down to the essentials.

Jess, your glasses story was only so appropriate. They didn't dialate my eyes because I was driving three small children home, but while I was there the first time and trying to keep Sadie from trying on all the glasses she could reach and attempting to keep Ellyn from ripping the glasses I was trying on off my face I picked out three frames that I liked. The next day Mike and I stopped by with the kids and Mike stayed by the door so we didn't have to get the kids out and I brought the three pairs over and tried them on. As mentioned, he didn't like any of them but there was one pair that he didn't like less than he didn't like the others. I liked them so I handed them over two minutes after the office had closed. When we picked them up I realized that they were dark brown and not black. I asked Mike if he knew they were dark brown and he said yes. Not as dramatic a difference as red and brown but still a bit of a surprise. Mike has grown to like the glasses. He thinks they're cute, but now he keeps asking me things like "So what's the boiling point of water? Explain the Theory of Relativity to me." He thinks he's so funny. He and Jane were drawing pictures of me on the Magna Doodle all during sacrament meeting yesterday. Obviously not in the spiritual mind frame they should have been in.

So another Georgia bug story. Last night Jane yells for me because there is a cockroach the size of a horse climbing up the wall. I chase the bugger all over the living room, not at my normal cockroach killing speed because Ellyn is trying to keep hold of my legs, screaming for me to pick her up (not in words of course). It finally ducks into the corner of my couch (cushions have been tossed everywhere) and there it stayed-hidden. I stuck my vaccuum nozel as far in as I could get it. Highly doubtful that I was actually sucking up the cockroach, but also having just become aware of the crumbs I needed to vaccuum out of my couch, but with questionable results. I'm just waiting for it to come running across my lap while I'm folding laundry today.

Geof., at some point it is nice when your child uses words instead of screaming until you can go through the entire house trying to figure out what she wants. Also, if everywhere you go she is hanging on your legs instead of walking happily along side you, that is the time you try to catch your child up. I'm all for the "not eating their own feces" as well.

Leash, your stories are so funny. I love them and I hope they never stop. I hope Chloe just keeps doing exciting and crazy things every day to keep us entertained on the blog. Don't you?

Lyd, you may hate me for saying this because he's a boy. But you and Brinders look so much alike. You two look more like brother and sister than any of the rest of us. I think you are both darling.

Okay, I've forgotten if there was anything else I was going to write. I have to go. I love you all. Brooke

thanks for posting

yes yes yes, leashy your oh so right. here i sit on a sunday the phones are dead and i've checked the blog a bunch! and yes i don't get to go to church no way no how, that sucks. moving along i to went and saw charlie and chocolate factory, it was amazing i can't really compare it to the older one they are both so good and so different! chels can attest to the fact i made a summer goal of memorizing the whole movie to the first willy wonka and the chocolate factory! sweet sweet anyhow gots to go love you guys maine lyd.
and again a bad blog is better than no blog at all, and megs when i said "keep it secret keep it safe" i new one of my nerd bait cousins would be laughing hard at that because they have the book and movies memorized!
oh and my quote of the day is "happiness is like peeing your pants, everybody can see it but your the only one that can feel the warmth."

Alicia

I know I just barely wrote, but I'm always thinking about my little office-bound sissy, waiting and waiting for someone to write something. Lyd do you always work Sunday's? Probably I would guess. Anyway Clo and Kev are taking a nap and I forgot to write another story yesterday. Chloe loves the garage door. She has to push the "big button" when we go out to the car and I have to hand back the remote every time we pull in the driveway. Also, after she pushes the big button she always runs right over to the door and helps to push is up. Well, yesterday I look over to see that she grabbed hold and was riding the door up. She was about 2 feet off the ground before I got over to her. I was laughing so hard I thought I would die. She had this terrified look, but never did cry. Now she talks about "widing high in the sky" about the garage door. It's hillarious. Well she just hollered Awesha from upstairs and will be starving, so I've gotta go. Love Me

ColoradoBennett-helping out

This is a picture of Sierra and Kaia helping with the YW project. Amazing Kaia made it to one year, huh?

Alicia

We went garage sale shopping again today and this is Clo's new bike, complete with matching Barney knee pads ($2 total, what a deal). She was mad because the strap wasn't done up tight enough on her helmet, so she's throwing a Lydia fit. The other one is the broken window along with the grape that broke it in the background.
Lyd, I loved the pictures. Sorry Chloe wouldn't talk to you on the phone today. Just know that you are always on her mind. Every time we say prayers we have to bless "gwama boken knees, and Delia far away Maine." She misses you, I promise.
She's getting way smart too. I can't wait for you to see her. She says my name (Aweesha) and Kevins (Kebin) now. She also remembers what the baby's name is - Mecin. Pretty close. Speaking of baby's names, her baby doll's name is 2 minutes. Why that is, we're still not sure. Anyway she was having a time out for playing in the toilet and I was telling her - 2 minutes, you have to sit here for 2 minutes. She got really mad and started pointing to herself saying "name Choe, name Choe," like my name is Chloe, not 2 minutes! It was way funny. Then last night, and I hesitate to tell you all this, but I maintain that she must have learned it all from Sesame Street because she certainly doesn't hear it from me. Anyway, her new favorite word is son of a b#%&*. It's great. You should hear her when she's really mad. She can't say son of a, she just says un na na b#$%&. Darn that public television. Anywho, that's it. Talk to you later. Alicia

Gimme, gimme, gimmie...I need, I need, I need.

No one ever apologize for posting pictures again. I love the pictures. Lyd, is that the place where what about bob was filmed, if so, that picture rocks. I loved all your pictures. You looked soooo cute all dressed in green.
Brooke, when I went to pick out my glasses my eyes were all dialated and so when we got home I was like, "Dad, my glasses are so cute, they have red frames." Mom and Leash were like, "um Jess, the frames are brown." Oopsie, luckily they turned out cute, even though I couldn't actually see them when I picked them out.
We went to the new Willey Wonka last night, it was really good, a little freaky but good. Today we are just going to chill. I slept in, I have just come to the realization that I am not a morning person. When I get up early, I am a bear the rest of the day, poor Tony can attest. Before we have kids I am going to have to get used to going to bed earlier or we will all be in for a treat. Well that is all for now. I love you all. Love Jess

one last one

dad, leash, and kev, this one goes out to you, i pulled over to the side of the road in NEW HAMPSHIRE just to take a picture!

cousin chels

oooh cousin don't you kinda miss the little house- freezing to death at night laughing so hard we couldn't even sleep and yes ddr! oh and wheat pancakes oh how i miss wheat pancakes! and the snack master, lest we forget, lest we forget!

what-mainelyd

so give me a couple tries and i'll figure out the pictures, sorry i posted so many but i thought you should see me! I also posted a couple of old ones that i'm sure chelsea will love! one day i came home with a holter monitor to record chelsea and i thought it would be funny to take a picture, the other is when we dressed up like the o.c. girls lindsey and alex (notice the purple in the hair!) oh also the i bleed green shirt, that rocks!

well to comment chelsea you should try the vanilla double stuffed oreos you'll never be the same, leash spider webbing the windshield i was laughing so so hard but i wasn't at the same time, i can just picture the situation! brooke what's that supposed to mean baby of the family being a little slower and having everything handed and done for them!!!! and mindi what is this 14 year old sister i hear of am i crazy cause i swore it was just you and jay!

also while all you have to stick it in the heat i've been at the atlantic beach all day yesterday for my first time, it was finally my day off and i bought a skim board and just did that all day! who new you could be so sore just from a stupid board but it was awesome, i'm glad i bought one i just don't know when i'll use it again! but really i seriously can't even walk, it's ridiculous!

well love you guys, all have fun this weekend, sorry again about so many pictures, peace out lyd!

meags

i want to be part of the quoting. so here you go...

"never trust an idea you come upon sitting down" --friedrich nietzsche

i hate the icecream man

i mean it i hate him. he is a leagal dealer and nothing more. it is a little known fact that i am a bit frugal, i hate to spend money (except to travel and buy clothes, but even then i have to have a good deal). what i hate most of all is spending money on food and sugary crap is the worst. (alicia can attest to this, she lost like 15 lbs when we lived together.) kids can not resist the hipnotic melody as he rolls by 2, sometimes, 3 times a day. i hate him, i hate him, i hate him. cory and i now know why our parents did not like to live in the "hood".

lyd when you said keep it secret, keep it safe cory and i were busting up. and all of you winers, you want to talk hot you should move up here. i mean today it is a sultery 79. yeah that's right and sunday it may reach 90 so yeah.

like everyone else i would like to wish you all a happy birthday, not just monica and kia, spelled wrong, but all of you because at some point you are all going to have a birthday and i am going to miss it, so here you go.

yeah that's about it. i need to do 5 billion more loads of laundry and verious other house keeping things that i have not been able to keep up with since becoming the mother of four.

blog ya.........me

ps cam do you know when that reunion at paula's is going to be?? could you pass on to her that we would like it friday the 12 if it's not already planned.

povo is hot

Good heavens I still can not believe the windshield story. Leash lets never ever ever let Cole and chlo hang out with out a couple dozen nannies. Brooke I can't believe you're already starting to catch up a baby. If the baby does not eat it's own feices at this age they are good to go. As for our children Dayne was cholicy(spelling) but we are giving her this herbal crap and she's stopped crying. All she does now is reach out to touch imaginery butterflies and the such but hey if she's happy we're happy and we won't allow her to build a dependence. Moving on. Darla and I have been fleeing to seven peaks with the kids to escape the heat. We have managed to stay pretty cool but I was stuck in an airplane for awhile and I was sweating like a toasted cheeser. Hey remember when Adam used to blog? What the freak dude. Thanks everyone for blogging. I hope that little Kell is okay. Happy birthday to everyone. Next time I see Mindi I'm going to give her some stamps and that will be my way of sending all of you birthday cards. Hope all is well.

Here's the poem

Natures first green is gold
Her hardest hue to hold
Her early leafs a flower but only so an hour
As leaf subsides to leaf
So Eden sank to grief
As dawn goes down to day
Nothing gold can stay.

Robert Frost
That poem used to disturb me until I realized that though nothing in this temporal life stays there is a better world hoped for.

Silence

Chelsea, I want you to know that my silence was not an agreement with your assessment of the picture. Truthfully, I think the girl that is in that picture is very cute. However, to me, it doesn't really look like you. I thought maybe I was just really forgetful but then I found a picture of you and your sisters and realized I still picture you at about 12, maybe 14 or so. I know I've seen you since then but that is your perpetual age (looks wise) in my mind. Comforting, I know.

Today I ordered my glasses. I'm getting both contacts and glasses. I'm so sick of not being able to see and the Dr. said I should let my eyes air out from these night and day ones once a week or so. I really liked the glasses I picked out. Mike, not so much. He thinks I look like a librarian. I tried to explain that this is the style now. He kept having me try on ones that made me look about 50 until the women that worked there started explaining that everything he was picking out was too big. He says he's sure they'll grow on him. I love these contacts though. They don't bug me at all. My old ones always gave me problems.

Okay, boring once again. I'm sorry. The rest of the day was spent packing boxes while it rained madly outside. Fun huh? Love you all. Brooke

ColoradoBennett-Nanny 911

We were at the library on Tuesday and they had the "Nanny 911" book on display, so
I checked it out. I've never watched the tv show, but I've been given parenting tips many times by my 14-year-old sister who does watch it. They have a great chapter on whining and tantrums and I like their concept of House Rules and such. Anyway, if any bloggers out there have children that whine, I recommend reading chapter 4: "Yes, Please: Children Learning to Communicate to Put an End to Whining, Wheedling, Wanting, and Tantrums". Although, I have know idea what wheedling is, but it sounds bad and I bet Sierra does it. Wacky British nanny words.
Poem for the day, by William Wordsworth:

"I wandered lonely as a cloud
that floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneth the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

ps. chelsea, you are very beautiful and you look fantastic in the picture, no freekshow involved! Alica, your post about Chlo and the windshield wasn't there when I started this I just went back and read it. Is she ok? If so, that tragicly funny. I can't believe she could break the window with her little head!

Happy Late Birthday Kaia!

I tried to get on here all day yesterday but the lights were against me. So...Happy Late Birthday Kaia Jane. We love you.

Leash, I cannot believe Clo broke the windshield, without a concussion even. Holy Crap. I about died when I read that. I can only imagine how you felt.

I can't believe Utah is so hot. That is unreal. It reminds me of hot days in New York. Since there aren't very many no one has air conditioners, but when it gets hot you want to die. I would do my housework and ironing in the middle of the night. It was the only time you could move. Luckily it was only for a little while.

Yesterday, let's see. In the morning we had a nurse over to evaluate my little Ellie for developmental delays. Don't worry, she isn't mentally disabled or anything. But if you can start with speech therapy and physical therapy early it catches them up with everyone before it starts hurting their self esteem (I know my mom and sister are reading this and gagging). It is pretty common for the baby of the family to be slower in progressing because everyone does everything for them. I just wanted to have her checked out before we move so I had all the paperwork taken care of with the resources right here. When we are in Washington we won't be going to Army Hospitals etc... and it will be more difficult to get referred out for everything. So, then we picked Mike up and ran a couple of errands and dropped him off at work and went up to my eye appt. Yes, all three girls went with me. As I have said all of my good friends on post have moved, except for one and she is babysitting for me Monday night. The girls did well though, I bribed them with dum dums. Now I am trying to decide if I will really wear contacts or if I should just get glasses. I am trying out the new extended wear contacts. I know I won't wear them if I have to put them on every day. I already have those kind and I never wear them. Decisions, Decisions. Well Mike needs his laptop so I had better sign out.

4am and a bucket of Dreyers

Well, it's finally begun. The waking up for no particular reason. Someone told me it's your body getting you ready for those middle of the night feedings. Great.
Chels and Jess,I couldn't agree more. We were outside working in the yard at like 9:30 and I felt like I was in a sauna. Clo was half naked, drenching herself with the hose, trying to stay cool. That poor kid is the hottest baby I know. Speaking of the little whosk, we took her to Lowes tonight. We needed some electrical stuff for the basement and thought if we took in her little stroller for her baby doll she would be nice for us. Yeah right. After about 15 minutes and one trip to the top of one of those 2 story ladder/staircase things, I was carrying her out. She was mad she didn't get to go back up the ladder, so she was screaming as loud as she could. Anyway, we get out to the car and we were talking about her anger management issues(translation: receiving the hardest spanking of her life. Just kidding. That child has never even had a spanking). She was sitting in the passenger seat and was being all wild and laughing. All of a sudden she jumps straight up, into the windshield, spider-webbing it into a 12 inch radius. I let out a scream like I've never heard come out of me, sure she'd sliced her head open. She had this weird look and just sat back in the seat. I grabbed her (screaming, of course) and she just started crying. Amazingly, there was nothing wrong with her. I couldn't believe that she actually broke the windshield with her melon. Pretty crazy. Then, later at home I was holding her and she snuggled up to me and whispered "I yuve you." She was just trying to take me through every one of the emotions she possibly could in one day.
Anywho, I'd better stop before I eat this whole thing of ice cream (it's for the baby). I love all of you. Meags and Mindi - you guys are nuts with the whole pain thing. I've been psyching myself out for days, trying to be brave like you guys. I keep thinking about mom and how painful her therapy is and it's all helping me to pretend like this labor is just going to be a piece of cake compared to that. We'll see. Two weeks and counting. Leash

Sweating Like a Pig - Chelsea

Sorry to steal your title Jess, but it is perfect. Right now it is 11:05pm and I am doing just as the title says. Originally I planned to use my Dad's laptop as a form of light. Because of the intense heat, our power is out and has been for hours. It is not pleasant, to say the least. It's almost too hot to sleep! Okay, okay...I know I'm spoiled. Let's just say it's a good thing I wasn't a pioneer and I live in this day and age. (God really does know His children! (-: ) Sorry, that looks weird, but the smiley face was definately neccessary. Tonight my sisters and I went boating with my Dad. Cortney and I each brought a friend. It was a lot of fun, until we came home. Since then, the power has been off. Okay, I'm done complaining about it. I'm just going to do myself a favor and say Happy Birthday to everyone right now. Don't think for a second that I will ever be as organized as Mindi! Also, I'm super glad to hear that Jack is feeling better. Truthfully I'm surprised her first outing didn't include the Junk Store! That's proof enough that she's not back to full recovery. Okay, I'm going to bed. Body Pump is in the morning! I've gotta work off all of those double stuffed oreos I just ate. Love, Chels

Sweating like a pig-Jessica

Hioh-
It was like christmas when I logged on, all the blogs, all the pictures, I love it. As you'll notice in the title I have been sweating like a pig the last few days. I drove by the bank at 6 p.m. on my way home from work and it said it was 107 degrees. I think the AC at work was broken because I was blazing even in doors, and our swamp cooler at home just isn't cutting it. You would think a full size swamp cooler that is supposed to cool an entire house could cool our 10 by 20 apartment. Oh well. Happy Birthday Kaia and Moni!!! I wish I was better about remembering everyone's b-days. Leash, Chlo and Con look like little narfers in that one pic, I was laughing when I saw it. Oh by the way everyone, when viewing the picture of Tony's leg, keep in mind that wound is actually about 4 inches long. The picture doesn't give it justice but at the moment I was taking it, I was just trying not to pass out. Brookie I was laughing at the story of Mike swerving around, that was great. I have seen War of the Worlds, it is good, I was squeezing Tony's hand the whole time. Cam, I hope Kel is alright, any new on that? Like Alicia said, mom is doing better, they even went to the store today. I think she is tired of being pent up at home. Well that is all for now, I have to run, Mom and Dad are going to bed so I am going to leave. Love you all. Love Jess

chelsea

I look like a freakshow in that picture!

Happy Birthday, Kaia!

Happy Birthday, Kaia!!  

Here is a picture from this morning. Kaia really likes the birthday song. Poor Sierra crashed on Adam's long board and really messed up her cute little nose.

HAPPY CAMPER 

loves it lyd

i'm glad you can't, i seriously can't get enough of it all, i love the pictures of tedo she is so so cute, love you guys

I can't stop

You may all be regreting that I've learned how to do this, but I couldn't resist the putting on the Bennett's hind ends. And Chels, you look great in that one with you and Leash. Ok, that's honestly it. Unless Clo and I get bored and take some more. Oh, mom is doing well for those of you wondering. She can lift her leg off the bed all by herself, which she couldn't do 2 days ago. Anyway, that's it. Alicia

To Lydia from Tedo

chels

Holy crap! I just almost had a small heart attack! I thought that my sisters and I were going to be gone when Brooke was here! I have confirmed that that isn't true. My sisters and I are going to Mexico with my Dad August 5-10. It's going to be okay though, we'll be back!!! Okay, I have decided that one of the happiest moments of my day is when I log onto the Blog and see (what seems like) millions of new posts. It's pretty amazing. Everyone sounds wonderful! I love all the pictures, it's so fun to see everyone. Leash, the one of Tony's leg almost sent me over the edge. It was so big and it pulled up so fast all at once! It's a good thing I haven't had lunch yet. Speaking of lunch, I have to go out with the BlueCross BlueShield carriers today. I am not excited. The two other women that are joining are very unemotional human beings, to say the least. I'm not going to be negative about it though. :) Ash and I went to Body Pump this morning at 5:30. I have school tonight until 8:30. It's going to be a long day. School is almost over, but then it will just start up again. It seriously feels like a deep dark black hole with no bottom. :) Everyone sounds busy, but managable. I need to go visit Jack. It's been over a week! What kind of neice am I? Okay, that's it for now. Peace out.

povo's wife

okay...so you've all done a splendid job of blogging...so good in fact that I can't keep up. So I thought I'd write a little myself before things are too crazy. I finally got Dayne to sleep...we'll see how long it lasts. She was so good in Washington...it must be the air up there. We get back to Utah and she's as cranky as ever...hey, and I don't blame her. She's still hacking up whatever's left from her pneumonia and she has constant boogers. Cory, you'll have to post the pics of Dayne and Hazel so everyone can see how cute the two are together. Okay, Cole's sitting on my lap watching "Mulan"...he keeps turning my head and saying "wook!" (look!)...he's so dang cute. He behaved so much better in WA as well...I think we're going to have to seriously consider moving up there soon. Poor Geof. I'm worried about him too. He's been pretty sick lately and he still manages to work 11-12 hour days (not ALL the time) and then work thru the night as well. He's pretty frustrated at how broke we are so he's looking into some other jobs that pay a little more. Provo's pretty ridiculous when it comes to wages right? Alright...now to your blogs. Um..Lyd, do you not get to go to church there? Lame if you don't! just wondering because you got so excited to see the elders. Monica and Cam, the girls truly are beautiful..and since everyone else is saying it "Happy (belated) Birthday Monica!"...I wish I could keep up with all your birthdays but I just can't. So how's A. Jack doing? is there anything we can do to help? I know we're SOO far away (it seems that way doesn't it?), but if there's something we can do...I'm excited to see everyone (ESPECIALLY Brooke, Mike and the girls!) in Aug. I'm trying to plan a trip to CA for my cousin's wedding as wells so hopefully we can do it all. We still haven't blessed Dayne because we really have no idea when to do it. My sister's due Aug. 21 but she's had all 5 of her kids 3 weeks early so this one probably won't be different. She wants to bless our babies together IF our parents come out....I'm not really counting on it. So Meags, let us know if you'll be able to okay? Adam and Mindi, are you still thinking about getting pregnant or not...you know, with the move and all? Anyway, love to all of you. Leash, I hope you're doing okay and getting as much sleep as possible. Just to let you all know, Meags was amazing when we were up there...I can't believe how much she did for just having a baby...just like her mom. love darla

Ok, maybe I do know how to do it now. This should be Tony's bone hanging out of his leg and Clo watching fireworks on the Hatch's deck. Anyway, now I know enough to be annoying. I'm going to post more pictures than any of you ever wanted to see (except for you Lydi, I know you like to see whoskie - by the way Lyd, she couldn't stop talking about you after she talked to you yesterday. She kept drawing pictures of you and saying "Delia, far away"). Anyway, I've got to go help mom take out the mutt, so I'll talk to you later. Leash

ok, i don't know what I'm doing

oops

I did it! It's not the picture I wanted, nor did I want it 4 times, but I did it. I'll get the right ones on here soon. Leash

Crabb girls

Here are a couple more pictures of the girls at the pool.
I will pass the Happy Birthday's along to Monica. We don't have a computer at home so she doesn't get to check it unless she is at her mom's. I am taking off work early today to take her out. We will go see a show, get some dinner then go to Lagoon to use our passes and actually go on the rides since we have a babysitter for the kids. *Hopefully she doesn't read this today since she doesn't know the plan yet.

Life is good. Kel injured himself in his soccer game on Saturday. He is on crutches and last I heard there is a possibility that it affected his growth plate. We're crossing our fingers that's not the case.

Our house should finally be ready for an appraisal. We are having new railings installed around the front and back porches and an automatic garage door put on the garage. That should all be done by Thursday. We are still planning on being in the new house by the end of the month. So far so good.

Talk to you all soon.