Christmas 2008

We had a great Christmas although we missed spending it with all of you! It's been fun catching up with most of you via Skype.

These are the boys' new PJs courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa Bennion. As soon as Will put them he shouted,"These look so cool!" We couldn't agree more. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

We made a traditional Christmas dinner. This is the flaeskesteg (pronounced fleskuh-sty). It is basically a pork roast with the skin still on. You rub in a lot of butter and salt and the skin bubbles and gets really crunchy. Mmmm. We also had red cabbage, caramelized potatoes, amazing gravy, boiled potatoes, veggies and a Danish rice pudding dessert.

Don defending himself from William's new sword.

Soren's Blessing Day

Some pictures from Soren's blessing day

Don with the friends who participated in the blessing. (L to R: Andrew Paulsen, Mats Lindberg, and our neighbor John Leit)

Amy with Yvonne Andersen who made the blanket and gave it to Amy at Amy's baby shower. AMAZING!

Happy Birthday, Grandad Dunlap

What a great day December 27th has always been for the Dunlaps. That's the day that our dad was born in 1927....we are so lucky to be the children and grandchildren of Bob Dunlap. The day was made more special 2 years ago when Burke Robert Bennion came into the world. So today we celebrate the 81st birthday of Dad/Grandad/Great Grandad Dunlap and the 2nd birthday of Burke....happy birthday to two of the most wonderful "boys" I know!

I love Dad because:
He taught me to work hard
To meet challenges head on
To believe in God
To see the good in people
To love baseball and all sports
To be honest
To live within my means (I'm still workin' on this one)
To do my best
To never give up
To question ideas
To love good books
To think hard
To enjoy the good thoughts of others
To stand up for what I believed in
To love America and freedom
To believe in ideals
He gave us a happy, sound and solid family life
He planned and carried out (with Mom) great vacations
He encouraged and rooted for me and made me feel I could do anything
He let me cry when I was hurt, but insisted I try again
He expected me to make good decisions and gave me the trust to do so
He supported me through college and gave me the freedom to give it my all
He is smart and wise
He is just an amazing Dad who has had the profoundest effect on my life
Happy Birthday, DAD!

Christmas Update from Beaverton Pt 3

This is Nathan playing Shaun White Snowboarding Road Trip. The video is complete with commentary from the game and screaming from William, and tips from Dad... but I couldn't resist posting just the same.

Christmas Update from Beaverton Pt 2

The Taylor's sent a Panini Grill. Last night was Turkey Bacon Paninis with Pesto Mayo! This morning was Grilled Paninis with Bacon, Eggs, and Cheddar Cheese! Not too shabby!


The was definitely a vehicular themed Christmas. Below is William and his new trike.

Grandma and Granddad Dunlap and Daddy and Mommy delivered the good with two Kettcars and a bike for Greg. The top photo is taken as the kids come in to see them for the first time. The second photo is of the vehicles themselves.

Christmas Update from Beaverton Pt 1

This was taken as the kids arrived downstairs to see the the gifts for the first time.


The annual lineup is a Taylor family tradition. Shortest to tallest (with a few behavioral exceptions).

True to both Bennion and Taylor traditions, we start with stockings.

Williams chief interest was in any present that someone else liked. This one happened to be his that Greg said he liked. William promptly grabbed and said, "Me! Me!"

Greg and Nate admiring Greg's Chariot Race and Coliseum.

May you find the same blessed rest

Merry Christmas to each of you. We love you all so dearly and pray that you may enjoy the peace and love that Our Savior brought to our world so long ago.

Merry Christmas to All. You wore him out!

All our love and prayers are with each of you as always, but especially at this time when we try to understand how good God is.

Merry Christmas from Bob, Rusty & the Fam

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Picture of the John and Wendys from Hurricane Ridge, WA

I love all the faces here... but especially Greg's.

Also, whenever William sees this photo he yells "Blue!" It is his word for his pacifier. Too cute.

Bask, everyone, in the joy

of not being in the middle of finals week. I've been awake for 24+ hours working on a paper (and it's finished! more or less!). I have 2 papers to go and a whole load of grading. My sympathies to David. We can make it through!

Anyhow, I thought I would just take a moment to share this special picture with you. I do a double take every time I drive by:






Yep. It's flying at the state capitol.

Go finals week!

I'm dying for a little family and a little hot tub time. :)