Inherited....

Chloe's Papa Mike and Grammy are obsessed with root beer and/or root beer floats. Today Chloe had a taste of a root beer flavored popsicle, and she was hooked for life. Just one of those quirky qualities she inherited!

Belle of the Ball....

My cousin Amy is my hero. She has five children, three of which are girls under the age of 4. I don't know how Amy does it, but it is a daily inspiration to me. Today was a Birthday party for Caroline, 4, and Julia, 1. It was a princess party for Caroline. Caroline makes a fabulous Belle.
My, how time flies. Julia is already 1!
I still can't get over Julia's red hair. All her other siblings look exactly alike with olive skin and brown hair, but Julia is her own little unique person with pale skin and red hair! It is soooo cute!
Julia was born exactly one month after Chloe. They are such cute cousin-friends!

Time to Celebrate!

Today my friend Sarah married her sweetheart JP! What a way to spend our anniversary - at another happy couple's wedding celebration. They had a fabulous dinner at Joseph Smith Memorial Building, which made Oby's life easy so he didn't have to plan an anniversary date. And it just so happened that we sat next to a couple, that quickly became our BFF's, so that was a major bonus! So glad to meet you, Dan and Patrice! We definitely need to hang out soon!

After the wedding dinner, we were trying to decide if we should go out to extend the celebration of our anniversary. My parents were watching Chloe and said we could go to a movie or whatever, they would keep watching Chloe. But we decided we really would just rather be together with little missy, so we went to get her. Then it turns out Syracuse Days were going on and our house was in prime location for our firework viewing pleasure. So we were able to enjoy a cool summer night and some fireworks!My cousins stopped by to take advantage of the veiw from our house. It was great having the company!

2 years and counting....

I seriously cannot believe Oby and I have been married 2 years today! In some ways it seems like we just met, and in other ways it seems like we've just always been married! We have been through a lot of changes already in our marriage, but one thing that has never changed has been our solid relationship. Even when we go through challenges, whether in our relationship or because of something else, it seems like we always come out the other end laughing. I think we just bring that out in each other and don't take things too seriously. He's definitely my match!

Raging Waters!

We decided to get a season pass to Raging Waters, because my mother-in-law, sister-in-law and all the nieces and nephews have them. I didn't think Chloe would be into playing in the water, but that we'd just lounge under a shade tree and watch the other kids play. When I first got her in the pool, I thought I was definitely right about spending all our time under the shade tree, because she was not happy! But she gradually warmed up to the idea, and ended up LOVING it! I think her favorite was riding with Mom on the tube in the lazy river, but she also just loved splashing in the pool and watching the other kids play too. And the buoyancy (sp?) is supposed to be very therapeutic for her development as well, so it's win-win all around! We can't wait to go back!!!

our HAPPY:) place

4-wheeling....

being all together... in 70-degree weather...

at my family cabin in the Uintas ...
with beautiful scenery....

This is our happy place!!!!

We had the BEST time at the cabin this weekend! We went with my parents and nephew. The weather was absolute perfection. The sun was out, but so was a cool mountain breeze, the wildlife were out, the wildflowers were in full bloom, my mom made delish food, we watched movies, went fishing, and went 4-wheeling! I almost wanted Oby to accidentally forget to bring Chloe and I home. But then I remembered I have other fun things to do this week, so we're back home, and already reminiscing about what a great time we had.

Can't wait to go back!

This little piggy....

This little pig was one of my favorite toys when I was a little rugrat. My mom pulled it out of who knows where and let Chloe play with it. She seriously loves this little pig, it's her fave toy at Grammy's house. Plus this is a cute pic of Chloe, with those big blue eyes. I had to share it!

Happy Father's Day!

Who's your daddy???

Chloe is soooo lucky to have Oby as her dad. He is a perfect combination of strength, sweetness and fun. He loves his girl so much, and takes such good care of us. Chloe's going through a mommy-obsessed phase right now, but I know it won't last and Oby will be her favorite before long. He's such a kid at heart and all kids love him and want to be around him.

Happy Father's Day Oby! We love you!!!!

Kisses from Papa
Oh my Papa
Chloe got her reddish hair, deep blue eyes, and determined spirit from Great Grandpa Phil
3 generations of Bennett dads

Other highlights....

Fort Buenaventura

It was my mom's Birthday on Saturday, so we planned a little getaway to celebrate. We went somewhere close so we could stay in our trailer, and my parents could just go home at night. We went to a cool campground in the Ogden area. It was in the middle of Cottonwood trees, so the flying cotton added some whimsy. Oby did lots of fishing, and Jamie came to fish on Firday night too. We rode in a canoe! Jake loved the canoe, but got bored fast. He was much more into zapping bugs with the bug zapper. We went on walks, ate yummy food, Dad played the guitar, we read, played games, the works. It was such nice weather and we had a really great time! If it weren't for my 'lock the keys in the car in Salt Lake' ordeal, it would have been a perfect weekend!

Woops ;o)

This place is a ZOO!

We decided to go to the zoo, since the weather was supposed to be nice. Well, that's what everyone on the Wasatch Front decided to do as well! It was crazy busy, but we had lots of fun. Tay and her boys came and so did Jamie, Aisha and their kids. Tami was along for the ride too, but she mostly enjoyed the kettle corn. Chloe was completely unimpressed with the zoo, and was scowling the entire time. But we still had a good ol' time!

Think of me and smile

Since we've been living in this home where my Grandma's house used to be, I always think of her when I pass the roses. She always had the most beautiful yard and especially beautiful roses. When my cousin re-built the house, he left the rose bushes where Grandma had them. So when I see them, I always think of some lyrics to the song, "Keep Me in Your Heart":

Sometimes when you're doing simple things around the house

Maybe you'll think of me and smile

And when I see her roses, I do think of her and smile.

Today I've especially been thinking of my Grandma, because today is her birthday. I can't believe she's been gone 10 years, it seems like just yesterday I came to visit her. She was such a genuine person, full of life, faith, and true charity. Even when she was so ill that it took all she had, she would get dressed up in case visitors came, she always looked like a million bucks. She always had yummy food to offer and always thought of others. Whenever I had to leave, she would say, "Oh I wish you didn't have to go!" That's what I told her when I found out she didn't have long to live.

Even in her absence, she is an example to me. I'm glad to have a day to remember her, and her rose bushes to bring a smile to my face.

Playing at Grammy's

I never thought I'd live in Syracuse again. Don't get me wrong, I love Syracuse 'n all, but I just never thought I'd move back. Well, that's what I get for making plans, huh! Here I am, back in my hometown, back really close to my parents, and I love it! It's so nice to just go over there and hang out. Chloe loves her Grammy and Papa, and Jake plays so cute with Chloe. It was especially nice this afternoon because the weather was soooo perfect.

Oby throwing Jake up HIGH! Jake loves it!

Chloe and my mom, aka Grammy. Mom calls Chloe her little cuddle bug.

Jake gets mad if I tell him he's cute. He says, "I'm not cute, I'm cool." So I guess I'll just have to think he's cute behind his back.

Yellow roses are Chloe's favorite....

*LOVE* her smile

She has six front teeth, a gap like her daddy, and dimples like her mommy. She is such a pleasant and smily girl!

~Pool Sharks~

Our new basement apartment has lots of great ammenities, one of them being this pool table. I love playing pool, period, but I especially love playing on this table, because it was my grandma's pool table, and I love the nostalgia. Anyway, Oby and I had a game tonight. We haven't played pool together since our first date. I schooled him then, and he always said it was because he let me win. Well, let's see, since he's no longer trying so hard to impress me, how he did tonight....

Two ball, corner pocket.

She may be double-jointed, but she's got game.

Chloe is quite the spectator and put her money on her mommy. That was a good choice. Oby lost because he got the 8 ball in at the wrong time!.... and, let's be honest, because I'm just better at pool. Hee, hee, hee.

Holy cow!

After a yummy Sunday dinner with my parents, we went on a drive. We came across this 20-year-old longhorn cow. I couldn't get over the size of his horns!

This was one of the cows in the same pasture, and I think he looks like a shaggy little dog with a big wet nose!

***Queen for a day***

This is my good friend Sarah. We were roommates back in the day, and man did we have some good late night chats and laughs.... and one event in particular involving a epoc-sized spider. I can't even think about that without laughing. Anyway, she is one of my favorite people and so when she got engaged, I decided to throw her a shower. We had a great time and lots of laughs, which is exactly what I would expect with Sarah around. Here's to Sarah and a lifetime of happiness with her lucky husband-to-be!

Our favorite word!

Chloe had a neurology appointment on Tuesday. I love her neurologist because he loves Chloe! He is always so excited to see her and helps me advocate her cause. For example, it usually takes about 2 weeks of arguing on the phone with numerous people to get an EEG scheduled. But he decided Chloe needed one Tuesday and I heard him saying, in his very friendly way, "I'm not asking, I'm telling you that this child will have an EEG today." Also, I told him I had gotten mixed messages about getting Chloe into The Listening Program. He said that was malarky because the sooner she could start it, the better. He said he would write a strongly worded letter to the audiology department, and to plan on Chloe starting that program soon. I also said I had problems getting some orthopedic tools covered by the insurance, and considering my background in insurance, and knowing what they want, I was a little dismayed and didn't know what else I could possibly do. Before we left, Dr. Lloyd had talked to the insurance and the items I needed were ordered, covered, and being shipped. I am so glad he's on our side!

Chloe has been presenting some symptmos for a few weeks now that have concerned me. With her, I never know if she's being normal, I'm being paranoid, or something is seriously wrong. So I always proceed with caution, and definitely get Dr. Lloyd's opinion. He offered some solutions to some of the symptoms, and then insisted on the EEG right away to make sure there was no new seizure activity to be concerned about. I have had a crash course in neurology and her EEG didn't look abnormal to me, but until I heard from the doctor, I was worried about it. Well we finally got the call and all I know was they said our favorite word.... Normal! Her EEG was normal. That is fabulous news!

Is that a bear up there????

We woke up bright and early this morning. Well, actually, it wasn't bright at all, it was still dark. We had to get on the road so we could be home for Oby's high school football coaching. We drove through Yellowstone and Jackson Hole. It was cool seeing the steam in the sunrise. We saw baby buffalo, hawks, eagles, a coyote, elk, deer, the works. But I have never seen a bear in the wild, so we were really hoping to see one. By the time we got almost through the park, I had given up, and thought we were more likely to see a bear earlier in the morning and at the other end, so I thought we'd missed our chance. Well I was wrong! We saw a baby bear up in a tree taking a nap and his mom was napping at the bottom of a neighboring tree. The picture is pathetic, but in person it was very cool! Chloe loved Old Faithful and being in the park. She was such a happy girl! I, however, was not such a happy girl after riding in a car for ten hours. But it was worth it because we got Oby back in time for practice and we really did have a great little trip! I highly recommend a visit to Yellowstone in the spring - those baby buffalo are so dang cute!

Ghost Town

Travis & Katrina took us to breakfast, then to a ghost town not far from West Yellowstone, Virginia City. It has some serious vintage flair, and we especially liked the old fashioned candy store! We took a tour and it was actually very entertaining and interesting! We had the privilege of riding with Katrina's niece Madison and our nephew Wyatt. We pumped 'em with sugar and they later crashed. Madison's sister also went with us. She is such a chunky and cute baby! We finished the day off with pizza, hanging out at their house, and playing with Chloe. As you can see, it was another great day!