Campout



Mesmerized by something....




...watching army men they found in the ground melt. Chalk that up to another facet I don't understand about boys.



Matthew enjoying the rope swing

We hiked along the river bottom for a ways-- we hoped it would take us right to the fish hatchery, but after a little off roading we made it up to the hatchery.

I had never been to a hatchery, not sure if Brian has, but it was quite amazing to see so many thousands and thousands of fish



Trying to catch rain drops




Avoidance at all costs to a kiss from his mom. He fought a good fight...someday he'll learn moms never give up!

We had a a fun time with members of our ward. Late night laughing around the campfire, delicious food and a fun time with the six of us. The campout came at the end of a very long two weeks. It was a needed break from Gilbert and the heat for many. We had spent the previous two weeks knee deep in a move which took more individuals than is typical and a sudden death which made us realize we know nothing about funeral arrangements. A gentelman in our ward died from a sudden heart attack, he was single, estranged from his family when he joined the church and had no money to pay for a funeral. One of the counselors in our RS Presdiency had dealt with numerous funerals, none of the rest of us had any experience in this matter. She took the brunt of the arrangements. As the week wore on family was found and notified and wanted to be part of the services. Our wise Stake President allowed the services to be Skyped back east to his family realizing there was more good to come out of this than not allowing it. We found out he had served in the military so we were able to tap into VA Benefits and a bureal plot in the VA Cemetary. Finally all these small pieces fell into place though it took almost two weeks.

Amid all this craziness, my dear fiend Laurel calls and says Tom and I are coming to Phoenix! I was able to spend one morning with her...not long enough at all. But grateful for friendships that stay the passage of time.

Moving Day



Dawn received an offer to teach at BYU this past spring. We spent a few bitter sweet days as we helped her pack and saw her off. We feel very fortunate to have spent the last three years with her here. She came out when Zach was about 8 months old and now he is almost 4. When we look at it from that perspective a lot has changed. We loved watching the BYU games on her couch, swimming and BBQing at her pool, coming over for Sunday dinners. Many fun memories we have had with her so close. She lived a mile north of us, even in our ward. She has served as my RS president for the last year. It has been fun to see her in this light as well.

Making sure all the items made it on the truck



Helping tape up a few last boxes



One last picture on the balcony. Sometimes when we would come over they would hop over the wall and walk into Dawns home through the sliding glass door.



They always have to figure out a way to hop on a moving object.



See the above comment about moving objects. Case in point.
One afternoon we helped Dawn move all the boxes out of her office at ASU. We moved the boxes in when it was scortching hot and moved them out when it was blazing. We told her our moving days were over after those two moves. Brandon was a scout camp so he missed all the fun.



We were so grateful they had dollys available.



Finally cooling off in front of the fan. I don't think they moved for 15 minutes after we finished.



August

Back to school we head... by august it is time to get back in the swing of things!

Carpools... I love them. I realize we wouldn't do half the things we do if we didn't have them. 

The Braces came off.... one kid down, three to go. At least he only had them for a year and a half. I remember having mine on for three+ years.

Our pack held a Raingutter Regatta for the first time. Much more low key than pinwood derby, and since no one has ever made a boat- no one knew how, so there was a much more level playing field. Matthew's boat was the Phantom.

 At the top of Humphries Peak.

 Headed out by headlamps

 Made it to the top

 Troop 608.
Brandon's first campout/hike with the Troop and they picked one of the hardest hikes in AZ- hiking to the top of Humphries Peak. They hiked a mile up Friday night and camped out on the trail and then made the rest of the hike Saturday morning. They all felt the effects of altitude sickness for a few days after. We told Brandon at least every hike after this one would feel like a peice of cake.

Brandon's first Court of Honor.

Twelve

Twelve. We have a twelve year old in our house now. How did that happen? Brandon has grown and matured, and has gotten kind of cute ( though he'd hate for us to say that in front of him!) In our church, young men at the age of twelve receive the Aaronic Priesthood. They are then able to help with various priesthood responsibilities, most notibly they pass the Sacrament to members of the congregation on Sunday. The birthday festivities started on his birthday the 28th- we were just finishing his Birthday Dinner when Zach slipped while jumping on chairs and split his chin open. We rushed off to urgent care and Brandon waited patiently for 2 1/2 hours to return and open presents. We gave him the option of opening them without us, but he wanted to wait.

His friends came over the following evening and played a myriad of water games (what else do you do in the middle of the summer) movie and pizza.

Sunday he was ordained a deacon by Brian. Grandma and Grandpa Benson were able to be here for the weekend, we enjoyed having them with us for this special time.

Zach no worse for the wear- just a bit of blood. It did take two of us to hold him down to get the stitches in- slightly tramatic for him.

A birthday party with fun boys and lots of water games.

Chocolate chocolate cake for the chocolate lover.

College Station

The reunion ended, Brian flew home to AZ and the boys and I took a little road trip through Texas. We realized for many miles there is nothing! Though the rolling hills and sporatic farms were more appealing than the desert here. I figured if I am only 3 1/2 hours from Jenny it was worth it to come see her- we'd already made it the majority of the way.

Jenn takes a picture of Tess every month- we happened to hit it for her 11 month photo shoot. We went up to the George Bush Presidential Library. As we were walking around, I realized the boys do not know nor understand what the Iron Curtain was. There was a peice of artwork on the grounds depicting the wall. They also do not understand pre 9/11, they only know what post 9/11 is and that is considered "normal" for them, they do not have anything to compare it to. Interesting what happens in a generation.

Zachary insisted he needed a picture with Tess- but she had been pictured out!!

Boys and water... that was ok to cool off, but this...

attempts at drinking it was not ok.

In the training room with Jenn. I get sad when we say goodbye, but for some reason I was even more sad, maybe as we get older and our children get older the miles seem even farther apart.