DA Bennion Happenings

FYI: Pictures are in backwards chronological order These first few are pictures I took today. Adam was in the best mood, and William wanted to hold him. I couldn't help getting out the camera to catch the smiles.

And...he's a thumb sucker! (And...my picture is sideways. And... I don't know how to fix it, sorry!) Adam and Joc. We will really miss Aunt Jocelyn and Uncle David when they move. Just a cute pic of Soren. A big thanks to Joe for his all-day help finishing our baseboards and door casings. William always wakes up on Saturdays and wants to do outside work...even when it's 40 degrees outside. While Don and Joe were cutting the wood, William and Burke swept for me. Luke, Obi Wan, and Luke watching Star Wars #4 for the first time. Adam's sad face. Don has gotten this reaction a few times. It's usually when Adam wakes up hungry, and Don tries to talk to him. I think he knows that Don can't give him what he needs, so Don's voice gives him no cheer at that moment. Outside on sledding day. William at his Super Reader party in Salt Lake. He had to read for so many minutes in December and then got to go this great party with all sorts of activities.

Funny video

Mom's Niche at Fort Rosecrans

This is a view of the columbarium (spelling?) at Fort Rosecrans where Mom's niche is located. It is in section CC column 7B on the second row in niche 13.


This is the view from the columbarium out over San Diego bay to North Island Navy base.


These are two views of the cover over Mom's niche. My photography leaves much to be desired but you "gotta" deal with what's available.


I hope that when you are in San Diego for a few days that you'll drop by Mom's niche and if you have the time to visit my brother Burke's grave (#248)

ESPN Bracketology Leaderboard!!!

Just click on the picture. 7th from the bottom, dbennio2 is me. 15 out of about 6 million. I'll savor this while it lasts.

Presidents Day Hike at Hoyt Arboretum

I took this shot during our 4 mile hike at Hoyt Arboretum in Forest Park. It is a large forest in the middle of Portland. This was at mile 2 or so.

Skiing on Mt. Hood

Wendy and I spent a spectacular day skiing on Mt. Hood last week. Here is a shot a friend took at the top of the Magic Mile chairlift. Behind us is the Summit and the Palmer chairlift, which was, unfortunately, closed that day. Wendy's lips were numb in this picture and she could not get the full smile out.

Church Basketball

Dave plays Tuesday night at the church and since there were no injuries to take a picture of (this time) I thought I would post a couple of Dave actually playing basketball!

If you focus on the hair he almost looks like Jimmer...

Provo Tabernacle

As many of you know the Provo Tabernacle, built in 1883, burnt (almost) down. We drove by and got a couple pictures. It is where Dave and I took our engagement pictures so I started comparing the two very different sets of pictures.

Here is the Tabernacle two years ago...

Today, the exact same spot...

My Thanks for Your Great Gift

Thank you all for making Grandma's memorial so beautiful. The endearing memories you contributed were so appreciated and your singing was superb. A special thanks to Amy for her beautiful and apropos solo. It was so beautiful, I am sure Rusty heard it from her perch in Heaven. Richard, what would we do without you? You made the service memorable for me and all who have spoken to me here at Casa . I love all you who make up our beautiful, supportive, loving, compassionate family.

Grandpa

I Love Grandma Because...

Grandma has a love of life that is contagious
Grandma is optimistic and grateful
Grandma makes you feel good about yourself
Grandma loves her family
Grandma left us a legacy of love
Grandma is beautiful- inside and out

We love you, Grandma. We love you, Granddad.

Wendy

Burke's Birthday and other stuff

This is how we found Soren asleep the other day. Our kids literally read themselves to sleep every night. Today, we thought Soren was downstairs with Burke until Burke came upstairs asking where Soren was. Soren apparently was so tired that he took the initiative himself to go and lay down in bed...we found him fast asleep in his room.

Gotta love the uncontrollable flailing arms babies have! Adam was in this position for about 10 minutes!

Burke enjoying his birthday cake and hamming it up for the camera.

Burke asked for a dinosaur cake for his 4th birthday. Burke shares his birthday on Dec. 27th with Grandpa Dunlap. We hope Grandpa Dunlap had a fabulous birthday as well!!

Bath time.

Their first snowman of the year.

Adam is still super duper calm and chill. It is great.

Soren was pretty quiet for a few minutes. Then he came in with an almost empty jar of hair pomade. His hair was even whiter than normal with the 1/2 cup of pomade in it!

Just Dance

Dave, Joe, Katie, and (cousin) Annie Porter playing Just Dance 2 to some Bollywood music.

Christmas Has Truly Arrived

This is the marvelous live Christmas tree with lights and decorations provided by Richard and Linda to make Mom' Christmas even brighter than we thought possible. Our love to you all and pray that your Christmas is Holy and as happy as ours thanks to all of your thoughtful gifts and the love we can feel.

Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa

Flowers in Mom's Room

This is the lovely Christmas wreathe that Mom received from the Burke Dunlaps this morning. It is on the wall that she faces. She is so delighted and makes Christmas a reality for her.


These are Christmas bouquets that Mom received from (reading left to right) from our good friends the Bohnsaks at Casa, from Cynthia Stiger who runs Casa's charitable foundation, and from the Flower Family itself the Burke Dunlaps.


And this is how they are displayed on the dresser and wall opposite Mom's bed. She is so very Happy.

Merry Christmas to you all. We love each of you so much.

Will and Santa

The picture was taken at our ward's Christmas party.

Baby Adam

A great friend of Amy's took some baby pictures of Adam.  What a gift!!!  You can see the pictures HERE!

More pics of Adam

Look at the size of Daddy's hands compared to Adam's head!

Swaddled and asleep.

Swaddled and content.

Burke LOVES this baby, and can't get enough of holding him.

Adam Taufa Bennion

Adam was born on December 2nd at 2:05 am, 8 lbs 10 oz, and 20 inches long. Taufa is the name of a great friend from Australia, Bishop Taufa.

The first day William wasn't too excited about holding Adam, but after holding him for the first time, he was hooked.

We finally have a complete basketball team!!