10.31.06 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN

HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES

Michael and Lance at the pumpkin patch.

We celebrated Halloween this year by going "Pumpkin Hunting" at a pumpkin patch and to a fun Halloween party. We went to the pumpkin patch with our good friends from the ward Jeff and Allison Andersen. They are both in the Air Force; Jeff is a pilot and Allison is a nurse. They are great friends and we spend a lot of time together. At the pumpkin patch Michael carried Lance in the Bjorn to keep him warm. I just love seeing "my boys" together. =)

All dressed up for Halloween with Meredith, Aaron and Jett.

The Halloween Costume Party was a week later and we with some friends including Aaron, Meredith and baby Jett Bries. Meredith and I live right next door to each other in the apartment complex we live in and became friends right away. We were both expecting little boys and only about a month apart! She has been such a fun friend.

For the party I decided that I would try to be like my mother and grandmother and make a "homemade" costume. Wow that tiny little thing took a whole lot longer than I anticipated!!! I didn't use a pattern, and I have never made a costume before, but with that cute face... you can't go wrong! Lance was our little Lion, Michael was a Vampire, and I was a Witch!

Chubby cheeks and chubby feet!

Lance is definitely getting bigger by the minute. You can see in the pictures that at the pumpkin patch his face looks defined and thin... just a week later you can see his chubby cheeks! He is now 11 Pounds and is even starting to get a little double chin... and his feet are like little bricks, as fat as they are wide! He is so adorable. We just can't get enough of him! He "talks" a lot and is our little "Mr. Grunter." He is so loud that when I am on the phone people can hear him! =)

A fun comparison.

Lance has also started smiling a lot more and is now able to focus on our faces more and more every day. It is so fun to gaze into his eyes and try to make him smile! He has also found his little thumb! He can't hold onto it for very long, but it is cute to watch him discover new things!

Lance's first stroller ride outside. It put him right to sleep.

Michael and I are doing really well and are happier than ever. We can't believe that this little baby is ours to keep forever and we feel so blessed. We feel so fortunate to have such amazing families and we want to thank them for always loving us and supporting us in everything we do.

10.01.06 - BABY BLESSING

BLESSING OF LANCE CHARLES BENNETT


The proud parents. The angelic baby.

Everyone gathered today for the blessing of our son. It was so wonderful. We all gathered at my parents, John & Kathleen Covey's (Papa & Nana's), home in Orem, UT.


Kathy Bennett. Debbie & John Bennett

Michael gave the most beautiful blessing to Lance and it was absolutely perfect. It was so neat to see all of the priesthood holders in a circle using the power of the Lord to bless our little baby.


Papa & Grandma Covey

Lance was dressed in white and wrapped in the blanket that his father, Michael, was wrapped in when he was blessed 26 years earlier. I have kept this blanket in a special place and when Lance marries and has a son of his own I will give it to him to wrap his precious little baby.


Grandma Felt

These pictures show our handsome boy in his blessing outfit with his blessing blanket. He was so wonderful and didn't cry at all. He was so angelic and peaceful. The final picture posted here was actually taken 4 weeks later. He is in the same outfit with his special blanket. He gained quite a bit of weight in those 4 weeks and although the outfit is a little snug I absolutely love this picture because he looks like he came straight from heaven... just like he did.

9.30.06 - OUR FIRST FAMILY PHOTO

We decided to travel to Utah by plain when Lance was 9 days old to introduce him to his loving extended family. Some, but not all, include:

Great-Great Grandparent:
*Grammy - Beth Parrish

Great Grandparents:
*Papa and Grandma - John M.R. & Jane Covey
*Grandpa and Grandma - Ed & Nina Liechty
*Grandma - Caroline Liechty

Grandparents:
*Papa & Nana - John P. & Kathleen Covey

*Grandma - Kathy Bennett

*Grandpa & Grandma Bennett - John and Debbie Bennett

Aunts, Uncles and cousins:
*John F. & Christine Covey
*Katie Covey
*Collette Covey
*Jacob Covey

*Jennifer & Shae Fetters. Lizzy and Ali.
*Rebecca Bennett
*Angie Bennett

We also saw many of Lance's Great-Great Aunts/Uncles, Great Aunts/Uncles, Second Cousins... etc. who are very loving and supportive, but there are too many names to list! =)

While in Utah we had our first family photo taken in the beautiful Provo Canyon. We also had additional pictures taken of Michael, Lance and I in a home studio. The next day, Sunday October 1, 2006, Michael gave Lance a beautiful and powerful Baby Blessing at Papa & Nana's home.

9.30.06 - MOTHER ~ FATHER ~ SON

9.24.06 - BRINGING LANCE HOME

WELCOME HOME BABY!

As you can see in the picture Lance loves his Nana and was already giving her kisses at only 3 days old. =)

My mom came to visit 3 days after Lance was born and it was so great to have her. Lance loves to be swaddled in the blue blanket I made him... and it shows off just how tiny he is!

We celebrated Michael's 26th birthday (just 7 days after Lance was born) while my mom was still in town and we all went out to dinner a Mexican Restaurant and had a homemade birthday cheesecake (thanks mom!).

The Bennett boys. What a good father...

We love living here in Vacaville, California. It is hard to be away from our families (which are both in Utah) but we have met a lot of wonderful people and feel very welcome. Michael is working for Johnson and Johnson as a Financial Analyst and is really excelling in his work. He enjoys going to work every day and has become great friends with all of his co-workers. I was able to work up until the last two weeks of my pregnancy as a receptionist and really enjoyed my job as well. I worked with six very animated, fun ladies who just loved the fact that I was pregnant. =)

Lance after a bath in his cute wardrobe.

Michael carrying Lance in the Bjorn.

Michael and I are very happy and can hardly believe that this little baby is ours to keep forever. We feel so blessed that the pregnancy and delivery went so well and that both Lance and I are healthy.

Poor Lance, he's not so happy at the moment.

Mommy wants to keep her baby close at all times.

9.17.06 - LANCE CHARLES BENNETT

ANNOUNCING THE BIRTH
Lance Charles Bennett


In the Vallejo, CA hospital a few hours before delivery.

Lance Charles Bennett!!!
Birthday: 09/17/06
Weight: 7lbs 11oz
Lengths: 21 inches


Seconds after our little boy was born.

Lance was born at 4:26pm on Sunday September 17. The labor and delivery went really well and Lance and I are both healthy and doing great! Michael was there holding my hand the entire time and was able to give Lance his first bath just a few minutes after he was born.


Michael seemed to know just how to take care of our new baby.

We feel so blessed and can not believe that this beautiful little boy is ours to keep forever! We have been so excited anticipating his arrival and are so happy that he is a healthy little boy. He is the cutest little thing and looks a lot like his daddy when he was a newborn. His eyes are still the "baby grey" so we are not yet sure if they will be green like his dad or brown like his mom. He has quite a bit of dark brown hair and is just perfect… not to mention the cutest baby ever born! =)


Proud father. Michael bathed, diapered, dressed and swaddled his son while I watched with pride and love.

Michael was able to take 2 full days off of work to be with me in the hospital and has now gone back to work to support our new little family. He is going to take 2 more days off next week when we go up to Utah to visit our families and introduce them to little Lance. Lance will only be 2 weeks old when he takes his first ride on an airplane! I am doing well and loving my role as a mother. I get to spend all day (and most all of the night) with Lance and can't get enough. Michael and I both agree that we could just sit and gaze at him all day!