Musical Beds

The other night, Benson & I put the kiddos to bed, and this is what we found. They like to play what I call musical beds - only we don't play music (besides Talie's Ipod that she plays to go to sleep), and we don't take away beds. But every night we tuck them in their bed, but when we go check on them before we go to sleep . . .

Sometimes I wonder why we don't just live in a two bedroom home with two great big beds. One for us and one for the kiddos.

Talie Turns Teenager

If you haven't already guessed from the title, yes, Talie turned 13!!! And if you haven't already guessed from the picture, she's a lot of fun to hang out with - even the Colonel thinks so=).
She is 5'5" (86%) - (today, Peyton asked me, "Mom, why is Talie taller than you when she's 13 and you're 34?") and she is 107.1lbs. (60) - (shh, you didn't hear it from me=). She is great at making friends, and especially looking out for those who maybe feel a little left out. She loves music, face book, taking pictures of herself, blond jokes, babysitting, Brian Reagan, volleyball, basketball, and doesn't want to miss out on anything social.
She loves to play practical jokes on people. Sometimes it gets her in trouble, like at girls' camp, when some leaders tied her up to a tree as bear bait, and filled her pockets with candy - to get her back for her pranks. Her new favorite thing to do is to convince me that I am getting "Old Mam Syndrome" or losing my mind. She likes to hide eggs from me when I get them out, or move pitchers after I have set them out for dinner - to make me think I am losing my mind, and she tried to convince her leaders at Girls' Camp that I'm like 50.
Talie is a great babysitter, and is in high demand. One weekend, when we were out of town, she had to turn down 11 babysitting jobs - but now Dallin is starting to get some when she is busy - which he loves, but she hates. She is also super cute, and with her fun personality, a lot of boys have been noticing her lately.
Oh, and lastly, she is officially embarrassed of me. She told me that I could absolutely NOT come eat lunch with her at school - so I guess it's true: she is a teenager.

Talie & her BFF Megan (since the first day of school in the 4th grade after we moved here) on their first day of the 8th grade.

Talie, we love you!

1st trip to the dentist

Today we took Kennedi to the dentist for the first time. Sometimes I forget how tiny she is=). They laid the seat all the way back and had to pull her up so they could work on her teeth. Her feet were barely on the bottom part of the chair. She did great, and the best part was, she got a princess wand from the treasure box.

Elitch Gardens '11

  This summer, we took the kiddos to Elitch Gardens. One of the first rides was the ferris wheel to get a view of the entire Denver area. I heard it was great, but Tanner was too little to ride, so we stayed on the safe ground and ate and took some fun pictures. 

 Obviously, he didn't mind! Sweet baby is always happy to be here!

Kennedi was pretty funny, she thought that when you waited in line, you had to stand with your feet exactly on the footprints painted on the side walk - that's how she stood all day.

And here's Benson, in his usual spot, behind the camera.

It started raining around 3:00, so we left, but get a free day at Elitches out of it.

Oh, and if you're wondering, Talie and Dallin were there too, they just were always riding the big rides together and, well, I was with the camera.

My DAD!!

I love Father's Day! And maybe it's because I had such a great Dad growing up and my children are blessed to have the Dad they have. So many times I walk in and Benson is snuggling one of the little ones or teaching one of the older ones a skill or one of life's many lessons. I like to just step back and watch or listen.

This Father's day, Benson spoke in sacrament, ate crab legs & chocolate covered cinnamon bears, got a nap & we gave him a book that we put together. Here are a few high lights:

My Dad
We like to tease mom because she is not tall.
I don't like it when you embarrass me at the mall.
We listen to Brian Regan tell his jokes,
While sitting and laughing like old old folks.
We buy music for me and you
I like to spend time with just us two.
It's fun when we go to rampart Range.
I don't massage your feet because they are really strange!
Even though you don't like Justin Bieber
I am his number one belieber.
You work so hard each and every day,
I just don't know what to say
I guess it's because I am super glad
To have such an AWESOME DAD!

My Dad is good at: Everything, but dancing.
My Dad is famous for saying: That's hotter than a fire cracker.
My dad makes me laugh when he: sings
My favorite thing to do with my Dad is: to play the NBA game.

If I could use one word to describe my Dad it would be: wonderful!
My Dad is good at: teasing!
My Dad is famous for saying: Will you give me a foot massage?
My Dad makes me laugh when he: does handstands!
My favorite thing to do with my Dad is: play sports and snuggle!

My Dad, Benson (I don't know his other name), is the Best! My Dad is as handsome as Peyton (actually as Tanner). Everyday he goes to work. At work he has fun. He drives home in his truck. his favorite thing to do when he gets home is play with Tanner. My Dad is good at playing the Wii. He makes me laugh when he tickles me. I love Dad because yesterday he played Wii with me.
My Dad, Uncle Benson, is the best Dad in the whole wide world! My Dad is as handsome as Mom. Everyday, he goes to work. At work he brings stuff home for everybody. He drives home in his truck. His favorite thing to do when he comes home is play with me. I love my Dad because he's my best friend!

Tanner doesn't have much to say . . . yet. But Peyton said it perfectly the other day while walking to the neighborhood pool, "You step on a line and you'll break your Dad's heart."