Olympic National Park - Sneak Peek

The Bennetts, McKinnons and Coles went camping last week. We drove over 2000 miles round trip and we had so much fun.

Here are a few pictures of our trip:

Megan, Grandma, Lindsay, Jasper, Jackson and Garrett.

Jasper skipping rocks.

Jackson, cheesing it.

We camped on the beach in Kalaloch (pronounced Klay-lock) Washington, and were only 30 miles(ish) from Forks. More on that to come.

The Bennetts on the beach. Jasper and Jackson's first time seeing the ocean.

Just a sneak peek.

Forever Family

Last week Jasper was sealed to us in the Jordan River Temple.

To be sealed, or a temple sealing, is a sacred ordinance performed in a temple. Children can be sealed to their parents, with the expectation that the entire family structure can endure through this life and extend into the hereafter.

The sweet ladies who volunteer in the temple nursery - where Jasper and Jackson waited before the sealing - gave them these sheets before they left.

We are truly blessed.

Jordan River Temple, photo by Anthony Sweat.

Monopoly

Jasper loves monopoly, so we thought we'd play a game of it last week.

It was fun, but playing with Jackson was. . . tricky.

"I'll buy boardwalk and park place, please."

We had fun anyway!

Future Football Star?

Jasper registered for football and picked up his gear last weekend. He is super excited and I have to admit, so am I. Although football is the most time consuming sport that we've put Jasper in, he loves it the most, he's good at it, and he loves his teammates and coaches. I've gotten to understand it a little more too (which isn't saying much!).

Looks like Jackson is a fan as well! He drags his pads and helmet out of his room daily. I can't wait for the first game.

Fun at Willard Bay

On Monday - our anniversary, my parents were kind enough to take the kiddos for a while so David and I could go on a date.


While we were gone to dinner and a movie, they went canoeing and kayaking at Willard.
Jasper brought along a friend, and 3 of my sisters went too.


Here are Jasper and his friend swamping the boat. I'm not sure what the purpose of swamping is, but my dad said it was to prepare them for scouts next year.

Jackson looks like an old pro in the kayak. And, wow, a picture of my dad - quite a feat!

Fun Aunt Staci takes Jacks for a ride,

And fun Aunt Heather helps him touch the water.

They had tons of fun!

Three Years

It's already been three years.



And yes, I can believe it.

Sometimes it seems like 10 years!



I don't mean that in a bad way - we've just had a lot crammed into our three short years of marriage.




Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way.

David, you're my favorite.

Devil or Angel?

Jackson saw Jasper climb a tree in our backyard, and wanted to climb it too.

So we put him up in the tree, and snapped some pics.


After looking at all the pics these my favorites, although I can't decide if he is a devil baby, or an angel baby.

Help me decide -



Devil






or Angel?

Some Ragnar Pictures

I know, I know, I make running look so good.





Here I am below at the baton hand off.

My family was so nice to come see me off for my second leg!

This was after Staci's first leg.

One of my favorite pics ever, below!

My mom there to cheer me on!
Staci on her first leg.

Mr. Delay Tactics

This guy is talented.

And not only at basketball.

He is also a very talented delayer.

He hasn't quite warmed up to his new title, "Mr. Delay Tactics," but I feel he will in time. He has definitely earned it.

He has earned this nickname by being a champion delayer, of all things not-fun. These things include (but are not limited to):

• Getting ready for bed. Jasper delays this nightly. We say, "okay, time to get ready for bed" at least 3 times before he moves his legs.
• Doing the dishes. Mr. Delay has been known to take 3 hours to load and unload a dish washer. Now that is some serious delaying talent.

• Mowing the lawn. This is understandable - and not his best talent since he has gotten much better at it lately and also mows our neighbor's lawn. He is still good at not getting out the door to mow until after several pleadings from his parents.
• Homework (yes I'm mean and make him do some summertime homework). This is accompanied by moans and groans! Two pages of sums and grammar and the kid can take 2 hours. He has such a gift!
• Brushing his teeth. Now this one is special, since he delays only the getting to the bathroom to brush his teeth part. The actual brushing, shockingly, is done with record speed! The kid can pick up the brush, load on the paste, brush and rinse all in 10 seconds flat. Unbelievable!

• Taking a shower. Until Jasper, I never knew anyone who hated getting clean this much. Sometimes he manages to delay it even a day or two - depending on how stinky he is, and how good he is at convincing us that he'll just take it in the morning.
• Putting anything away. I think most kids are good at this - even most adults! I'll even put his shoes on his dinner plate as a gentle reminder that they need to be put away, and even still - it is delayed. I'm just in awe.

Way to go Mr. Delay Tactics!

Lehi Rodeo

We had a wonderful time at the Lehi Rodeo about a week ago.

Don't let the first picture fool you - everyone had tons of fun!

Especially Jackson. Yeah for rodeos!!

My Cheese Baby

Jackson has become quite the smiler. He has such a huge cheesy smile that he loves to flash - especially when he sees a camera.

I sure love my cheese baby.