Utah Trip 8/29 - 9/4

At the request of several family members, I'm finally getting around to posting some pictures from Labor Day weekend. Eric took a couple of days off of work so we could be with family when Samuel was blessed. We had a great trip filled with family and fun! This was our first trip to Utah with all seven seats in our van occupied and surprisingly we arrived with our sanity intact. Thank goodness for portable DVD players and husbands who are willing to drive through the night!

After resting a bit after our very early Thursday morning arrival, we gathered the troops Thursday afternoon and drove to Temple Square for a tour of the Conference Center and Temple grounds. It has been a few years and the younger kids didn't remember Temple Square. We were given a grand tour by a sweet guide and left with the kids feeling excited to watch the upcoming General Conference. I was reminded of all the times as a young girl that I would accompany my Grandma Bennion at Temple Square when she was a tour guide there. Great memories!

Friday night the boys enjoyed an exciting camp out in Grandpa and Grandma's trailer out on the driveway. After a great night's sleep we all gathered in the trailer for a delicious pancake breakfast. This is camping at it's best!

Saturday morning we gathered with Bennett cousins in Springville for lunch and swimming before the BYU football game.

Eric and the boys joined Steve, Tonia and their family at the game. Go BYU!!! BYU won and the boys were thrilled with the experience. Thanks to Tonia for the idea and for arranging the tickets! And thanks to Amie for enduring hours of BYU traffic just so Eric and the boys could be dropped off right at the stadium and picked up there after the game. (Just had to include that.)

I have to include this picture! Breanna's influence on her Dad is growing daily. On Sunday she was experimenting with dress-ups and found this headband. After telling me it wasn't a girls because it wasn't pink she determined it was the perfect color for Eric. As soon as he put it on Breanna stepped back, put her hands on her hips, and declared, "Oh Dad...You look so Cute!" I have to agree with her! It was obviously so comfortable that he fell asleep wearing it. Thanks for the great picture, Eric.

Sunday was a wonderful day as many of our family gathered together for Samuel's blessing. Christian, Andrew, Jacob, and Breanna sang "I Am a Child of God" together then Samuel was blessed with his grandpa's, uncles, and father surrounding him! We're so thankful for all those who drove long distances to be with us for this important event!
Here's a picture of Samuel with his Great-Grandpa Bennion. (Check out Samuel's smile!)

Hey, Mom and Dad Bennett. We really missed you this day but check out all the cousins that were here to represent the Bennett family! It's amazing how much the family is growing!!

Labor Day morning we gathered for a delicious breakfast with the Christensen family. I don't know whether it's embarrassing to show these pictures of my boys with their double plates or not. They actually cleaned their plates and went back for seconds....or would you consider them thirds since they started with two plates? I'm not sure.

Breanna loves her little girl cousins! This little girl with only brothers cherishes time with anyone wearing pink!


One mandatory tradition on our trips to Utah is a cut-throat game of nine pins. I don't think we've missed bowling on a trip to Bountiful in over three years. Christian, Andrew, and Jacob are getting better and better. Unfortunately, with Grandpa's new custom ball and shoes, they don't stand much chance of catching up with him. You're the pro DAD! (wink, wink)

Jewelry making with Mom. A new hobby for all the girls. I came home with a stunning bracelet and earrings set, and the satisfaction of having consumed sufficient Nielson's Frozen Custard to tide me over until the next visit.