Burke's Baby Blessing

This first one is of Burke before we left for church. Amy got a good smile out of him.

It was nice to have both the Bennions and Petersens together again. We had a great time with everyone!

Dimples anyone?

Air Filtration

Wendy and I agreed to a visit from a salesman who wanted to sell us an air filter and new vacuum cleaner. The presentation took an hour and in exchange for our time we received two overnight vacation stays at a "4-Star" resort in either Klamath Falls or Newport. Anyway, when the sales pitch came, the filtration system was "nine ninety-eight" ($998) and the vacuum was "twenty-seven ninety-eight" ($2798). The vacuum was nice-it worked like a Dyson, and had a lifetime warranty. But DANG! $4000 bucks! It was hard not to laugh in his face. He offered to give us the filtration system if we gave him our old vacuum, and eventually offered 0% interest, and knocked down the vacuum to $2000. Still, no dice. We will keep you posted on our vacation.

PS -He asked if it was a timing issue for us, and I told if timing meant years, then yes it might be a timing issue.

First one back

I got my first letter today randomly while I was conferencing with my students. Vandy says no. Too bad for me, but it's nice in some ways to have heard at all.

"Whenever It Strikes, He Strikes Back."

Nate is the best. Check out the sound effects.

"The Beautiful Dance"

100% Girl

"The Evil Sword"

100% Boy

Cold War Fiction

So before saying how much I am enjoying The Hunt for Red October, I will acknowledge that the book plays on prejudices and has some stereotypes.

That said, the cold war put out some great stories. This one is pretty fun. The story is exciting and I forgot how much better the books is than the movie. Highly recommended. Very fun.

Down with the Oscars! Up with the Daisies!

I couldn't bring myself to watch the Academy Awards last night other than the 30 seconds I saw for a second. I didn't see many of the films nominated or that won. So I have a proposal, I want to identify some categories (some Oscars and some Others) and receive nominations. These are not limited to movies released this year. We can call the award a Daisy. Here are the categories I propose:


Best Dialogue

Best Story

Best Romantic Comedy

Best Action

Best Sci-Fi

Best Suspense

Best Western

Best Drama

Best Animated

Best Sports Movie

Best Comedy

Best Superhero/Comic Book Movie

Best Line from a Movie

Best Cinematography


Now for some guidance. Star Wars revenge of the Sith would not be a good entry for Best Dialogue, but could be considered for Best Story. Any film with Keanu Reeves will have a tough time winning a Best Dialogue award... poor delivery.

Finally, please post your nominations... multiple revisions are acceptable.

Jumpman Ad

Wendy and I saw this ad and loved it.

John's Body Parts

So I went under the knife yesterday. These were removed from my right big toe. They are oriented to in their pre-surgery orientation. When the left one came out, I would say 50-75% was under the skin. The doctor said it was "impressive". I watched the whole thing.

Sledding above Squilchuck

Nate said, "We went sledding. It was a blast."

The Bennions Visit the MaGees

Nate got to drive the tractor.


Kate got to hold Buff

Greg got to drive too!

Grandma B, Gregory, and William

"No Luke... I am your Grandmother!"

Grandma and William Awake

And asleep.

In Honor of the Day

Two love poems:

Sonnet 116
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.
O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wand'ring bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Whithin his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error, and upon me prov'd
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Sonnets from the Portuguese (From Elisabeth Barrett Browning to her literary husband Robert Browning. One of the few happy literary couples of the Victorian Period. Too bad disney ruined this poem, because I love it).
43
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints.--I love with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!--and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Happy Valentines Day!

More William Pictures and Greg

I included Greg to get a perspective on resemblance. We are starting to get lots of smiles and giggles.

A Daring Proposal

You will notice in the latest NCAA bracket forecasts, both Cougar teams are slated for Sacramento. I think it is 9-10 hrs from both Provo and Portland to Sacramento. Call me crazy, but if both teams wind up there for the first round, then I think a reunion of sorts could be in order. Thoughts?

Watch this one first

This is a video of William counting and saying his ABCs. You have to watch until the surprise ending!!

Watch this one second

This is a video of William watching the above video. This is cruel, we know, but his reaction was so funny that we thought we'd share.

Welsh Boys

...for [they] are Welsh, you know...
-Henry V

One tiny weeny step for mankind

One huge step for Anna! I finally finished sending in my grad applications today. I applied to a grand total of eight schools, successfully kept fedex in business, and would be happy to never write another statement of intent.