4.01.08 - HAPPY EASTER

COVEY KIDS


Apparently Lance is going for a new "look" now.



The immediate John & Jane Covey Family went on a trip to Jerusalem to "walk where Jesus walked" and strengthen their testimonies of our Savior. They were away for 10 days and Michael and I watched the Joey and Tammy Covey kids while they were away having this special experience.



James and Lance dancing on the coffee table.
The picture does not do it justice... it was so funny!


It was fun and challenging to play "Mom" to 6 children. It really gave me a greater appreciation of the role of a "stay home mom" and also gave good insight to parenting ideas. I was very impressed with these kids and how well behaved they were. They all had daily chores and responsibilities and were, for the most part, really good at fulfilling them.



Lance LOVED the play set and especially the swing!



It is hard to raise kids in the world today and it was so encouraging to be with such a loving a functional family. I hope that when our kids are at that stage they are as good and responsible as the Covey kids are!





EASTER

Taylor, Maddie, Andrew, Emma, Lance and James.





We spent Easter with the Covey kids and had a really great time learning about the Savior, His Resurrection, and the reason we celebrate Easter. We went to Church and then came home for some fun activities. We had the Easter Basket Hunt, painted hard boiled eggs, and an Egg Hunt in the yard.


For the Easter Basket Hunt each child had to find their Easter basket that was hidden by the Easter Bunny (aka Michael and Camille). These Easter baskets were decked out and had lots of fun stuff in them, so the kids were anxious to find them! Joey and Tammy even made a basket for Lance that had treats and toys in it! They are so thoughtful. After that we painted eggs, had Michael hide them, and then had an Egg Hunt in the back yard. It was a lot of fun. It was fun to watch all of the kids raced around to find the eggs and put them in their baskets.





EASTER WITH THE BENNETT'S

Lance experimenting with the hard boiled egg.
Angie, Becca, Ali, Lance.



Becca, Lance and Michael on the Egg Hunt.



Combining two families through marriage is so wonderful for a lot of reasons... and one of the most fun reasons is that we get to celebrate every holiday at least twice! Easter this year was no exception. We got together after Michael and I got home from watching the Covey kids and celebrated with Kathy, the Fetters, Becca, and Angie. We all gathered at our house, painted hard boiled eggs, hid them in our yard, and had an Egg Hunt! It was a lot of fun.



While all the Coveys were gone a lot happened. Even a couple of unexpected and difficult things during those 10 days. Michael lost his job, and Grandma Felt passed away.





LOSS OF JOB
Michael had been working for a company called Think Partnership that was recently sold by the owner, taken over by new owners, and had the name changed to Kowa Bunga!. These new owners very suddenly decided to let go about half of their employees, Michael being one of them. He basically got an email stating that he was no longer employed and to not come back the following day.





MARTHA AFTON FELT

Grandma Felt holding Lance at 10 days old.

Grandma Felt had been living at my parents house in the apartment that was built on specifically for her. She had her own little place and she liked it a lot. She ate breakfast with the family every morning, had her own kitchen, living room, bathroom, bedroom, and laundry room. And for about the last year she even had he own live-in helper, Lina. Lina is an angel who was brought from the Philippines to the USA by Brady and Terri Whittingham (Michael's boss). She started working for them, then came to work for us to take care of Grandma. Grandma thought of Lina as another daughter and Lina called her "Mom." Grandma wasn't able to do everything on her own anymore, had symptoms of dementia (would often forget things and people) and could no longer drive, so Lina was the perfect fit.

Early in March Grandma woke up one morning and was having a harder time than usual. She stayed in bed for a couple of days but the doctors didn't think too much was wrong. She was doing pretty well before all of the Covey's (including my parents) left to Israel and we all thought everything would be just fine. We found out during the time everyone was away that Grandma had a stroke the family was told very contrasting information from different doctors. Along with many other things that happened, one doctor said that she would like for over 6 months, another doctor said that it would be a matter of days.

It was in the Lord's hands. Grandma lived a few more days and passed away in her sleep. We know that her husband had been waiting for her a long time and my mom was quite surprised that he hadn't come and convinced her to go to heaven with her sooner. =)

She was an incredible woman who taught me many things and I feel so blessed to have her as my Grandmother. I was named after her and have always felt very lucky to carry her name. When I have a daughter I want to name her after Grandma Afton Felt.

3.01.08 - NEW CHANGES FOR THE NEW YEAR

A FULL HOUSE

Becca taking Lance for a walk.
Our friendly boy waving at passing cars.

Back around Christmas time, a couple months ago, Michael and I decided to offer Michael's mom Kathy and his sisters Rebecca and Angie a place to live with us. We have a 4 bedroom home here in Pleasant Grove and told them that if they go to school full-time and work they can live with us for free. They are all attending school at UVU and by not having to pay rent they hopefully will be able to focus on getting their degrees and paying off their debt.


Lance and Mommy. Fishy-lips and reaching for the camera. Mad that Mommy won't let him hold the camera.

Kathy moved in with us in January and Becca followed soon after. Lance loves having his Grandma and Aunt Becca around more and is becoming quite attached to them already!


Lance sitting inside our bathroom cupboard.

Lance is one and a half now and still loves to climb into things and see where his little body can fit.


Lance sitting in a decorative basket in the kitchen.

Lance will get into anything he thinks he can fit down, sit in it and say, "Mommy, Mommy! In basket!" He is speach is improving more and more all of the time. He really is understanding the consept of sentances and using words to tell about what he is doing. It's so fun to watch him learn!


GO COUGARS!

Lance liked Cosmo from a distane, but didn't want to be held by him. I don't blame him; I can see how a huge cougar could be scarey to a one year old.


Nana and Lance hanging out and watching the game.

When Michael and I were first married we used to love to go to the BYU Basketball games together and sit on the front row in Grandpa and Grandma Felt's seats. Now living back in Utah we take the opportunity as often as we can to go.

2.01.08 - NO SHAME

Lance is so much fun and is constantly mimicking what he sees. For example: Mommy putting on her make-up.

Here are some pictures of Lance after he got into my make-up bag, opened my mascara, and attempted to "be like Mommy" and put it on his eyes (and the rest of his body). =)

No shame for this boy. Look how happy and proud he is of himself!

I know that Michael is going to tell me that I am crazy to take so many pictures because they all look "the same"... but to me they all look totally different! I want to remember every funny facial expression that this cute boy makes!

12.25.07 - MERRY CHRISTMAS

BUSY BUSY BUSY
Christmas this year has been so crazy!!! Christmas Eve was wonderful, and Christmas Day was wonderful and super busy!!!

Christmas Eve was spent this year with the Felt Family. In the past we have gone up to Grandma & Grandpa Felt's Hobble Creek Cabin, but the cabin was recently sold to create better accomidation for the 11 Felt children, their children, and their children... (that's a lot of people) so now the family reunions will take place in a location where everyone will fit.

This year we got together at my parents house. We had the traditional "Nativity Production," ate, sang Christmas songs, opened presents from Grandma Felt, and had a wonderful time. Later that night, with just the John & Kathleen family, we each got to open one gift and then we were off to bed for the "slumber party" with all the kids and grandkids in the basement!


Michael's Work Christmas Party. Santa brought EVERYONE presents! Thank you Brady and Terri for always being so generous.

Christmas early-morning was opening presents with the Covey's. Then Christmas later-morning was opening presents with Kathy and kids at her condo. Then Christmas early-afternoon was the John & Jane Covey "Brunch" and gift-giving. After that we got ready for the day (finally) and then headed up to John & Debbie Bennett's for more Christmas celebrating, gift opening, and dinner. Then back to our house in Pleasant Grove to sleep. Wow. That was a lot of of driving and A LOT packed into one day! Although it was a little overwhelming we are very grateful to be near our families and lucky to get to see all of them at this special time.


THE ANDERSON'S

The future bride and groom... even kissing on the lips! Whooo! Whooo!

Earlier this week we got together with our friends Spencer and Rachel Anderson and their daughter Ella. We got together with them last Christmas, and the Christmas before, and it is always so fun to catch-up. Rachel is expecting baby #2. Because the events in our lives have been so similar we have a joke between us that whatever happens to one, will surly happen to the other soon... so we will see! =)

11.01.07 - FAMILY IS IMPORTANT

AIDEN SHAE FETTERS

Shae, Lizzy and Aiden in the American Fork Hospital.


Things are good with Michael’s family. Jennifer and Shae just had baby boy, Aiden Shae Fetters. Kathy, Rebecca and Angie are all going to UVU (Utah Valley University) and working. They are all so sweet and we love seeing them.

JOHN DAVIS COVEY

Minutes after John Davis Covey was born.

Lance is so interested in this new little cousin. He like to give him hugs and kisses!

Christine & Johnny decided to invite the family to the birth of their son at the American Fork Hospital. It was pretty miraclous and a very neat experience. I was skeptical at first, and didn't know quite how to feel about it, but a new life coming into this world is truly a miracle and it was a very spiritual and special experience.

MY LITTLE HELPER

Lance playing in the fall leaves in our back yard.

Lance is almost 14 months old and is as cute as ever! We just adore him and love watching him grow. He is so funny. He has started mimicking everything Michael and I do. When we brush our teeth and spit out the excess toothpaste Lance brushes his teeth (with his little toothbrush) and pretends to spit as well. It is so cute!

Lance napping on his Tigger. Friends! Colt Lancaster, Lance, Kate Muelleck

He is beginning to understand more and more and can even follow directions a little. He continues to love to pull things out of cupboards. His new favorite thing is to pull out the toilet paper rolls that are under the sink while I do the laundry. I have taught him to put them “back” and put it where it belongs. He will look at me, open the cupboard, take a roll out and shake it around. I will say, “Lance put it back, back, back.” He understands and puts it back! He is pretty particular and will try and try again until he stacks it back in the same place that he took it from. After he successfully puts it “back” he smiles and claps because he knows that he has done a good job! Then the process starts all over again! =)

Lance and Aunt Katie. Doing his "scared" face!

One day when Lance was upset that I wouldn't give him something that he wanted he put his little hands in front of him, tensed his whole body, and started to shake. I thought it was so cute and funny and started to laugh! He was surprised by my reaction, then did it again and started laughing with me. It looked like he was pretending to be scared so I said, "Lance are you scared?" and I mimicked him and stared to shake. He smiked and did it again and again. Now whenever I say, "Lance be scared" he does it and it is so funny! It is definitely a crowd-pleaser too! Everyone thinks it's so funny!

Amiee, Dave and Dawson. Kylan, Jen, and Lily Lundeen. Sarah, (Dave) and Brock Robinson. Michael, Camille and Lance.

He has also learned a couple more signs. I taught him a sign for binki and diaper. Whenever he wants he binki he touches his lips with his pointer finger, and when we are about to change his diaper he pats his hips (mimicking us). He also knows the “more” sign (which he has known for a while) and gives that sign often because it signals for food. The more sign can actually mean more of just about anything. The other day he pointed to a cell phone that was out of reach and did the more sign. He continued to point and “more” until we gave it to him. We can’t believe how smart he is and how much he understands. We just think he is the greatest.

TEMPLE SEALINGS

A picture of John & Debbie at a different important event.

On Saturday Michael’s dad invited us to go to the Salt Lake Temple and do Sealing work for his deceased family. We sealed John (his dad) to both of his parents, and we did many other Sealings within the Bennett family. It was really neat and a very special experience. I felt so honored to be able to be part of such an important event.

We feel so blessed and are very grateful for all that the Lord has given us.

QUICK UPDATE

Here in an update email I wrote to my best friend of 2nd - 4th grade… Emily Carlson:

“Michael grew up in Boise until he went on his mission to Paris France. When he came home he starting school as a first semester freshman at BYU (Provo). When we were both Sophomores (although he is 3 years older than me) we met in our Student Ward. We were both dating other people at the time but became friends. We moved to different apartment complexes and the next year he got my email from my old roommate. We went on our first date and clicked right away. We had known each other, but never dated, and it didn't take long for us to figure out that we were supposed to be together.

We started dating in December, engaged in January, and married in April!!! (I know, I know, pretty typical Mormon couple...hehehe). We graduated from BYU a year later and found out that I was pregnant! Now we have our little Lance and he is 14 months old... time sure does fly! It's still crazy to think about how quickly everything has happened. At the time we got engaged it didn't seem fast at all because we both knew that it was right. Both of our families felt good about it too, so we had a lot of support.

So now, more than 2 1/2 years later here we are! We went through the dating phase so quickly that sometimes it feels like we are still getting to know each other and figure things out, but the timing was right for us so we are just moving forward. Anyway, so that is the last few years of my life in a nut shell.

As for my family, my brother John (24 yrs) is married and he and his wife Christine just had a baby boy yesterday!!! They named him John (Johnny) and he is so adorable! Katie (21 yrs) will graduate with her Bachelors in April and is already in a Masters program up at the U of U. She is going into Occupational Therapy. Collette (18 yrs) is a freshman at BYU Provo and is doing really well. Jacob (14 yrs) is in 8th grade and plays football and basketball. My parents are doing great. My mom is the Relief Society President in her ward and my Dad just took a new job as Director of Marketing and Communications.”

10.31.07 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN

MURDER MYSTERY PARTY

Our characters. Nurse and 2-Headed Monster.


?,?,?, Greg & Shavonne Updike, Camille & Michael, Kyle & Maleana Kelson, ?,?, Josh Kelson.

Halloween was a couple of weeks ago and was so much fun! Michael and I went to a really great Murder Mystery Party that was thrown by our friends Greg and Shavonne Updike. We were assigned characters of a Nurse and a Two Headed Monster. Michael was the murderer and I was given the award of Best Actress. It was an adult party and was a lot of fun!


COSTUME PARTY

The Costume Party gang in our livingroom.


The Donut Eating Contest on our front porch!


Fireman Lizzy, Monkey Lance, Turtle Ali... so cute!



Turtle Ali and Monkey Lance kissing on the cheek.

We also hosted a party of our own and invited all of our friends and friends of friends. We probably had about 50 people that came and it was a lot of fun! We had a donut-on-a-string-eating contest, had a few other games, and had tons of food. Our house is so great and can accommodate many people. We have a big open kitchen and a large living room with 5 couches. It was so much fun to get all of our friends together and have a big costume party!!!


HALOWEEN TRADITION

Nana (Dorothy), Papa (The Wizzard), and Lance (Monkey)

On Halloween night we had dinner with my family (which has been a family tradition for a long time). My mom always makes soup with bread bowls before all the kids take off to go trick-or-treating. We usually have any family who lives locally come over for dinner and we all compare costumes!


Camille, Lance, Papa. Uncle Jacob and Lance.


Michael and Lance were good sports... they got pretty sick of all the picture-taking.


Collette, Nana, Christine, Lina, Katie, Camille, Grandma


Nurse, Wicked Witch, Nun, Dorothy, Good Witch.


Collette and Camille

The last few years we have been themed for the Covey Family... meaning we pick a theme and everyone dresses for a certain part. This year the theme is The Wizzard of Oz. Papa is the Wizzard, Nana is Dorothy, Katie is the Wicked Witch of the West, Collette is the Good Witch, and Jacob is the Scarecrow! Johnny & Christine (with baby Johnny still in the tummy) are characters from the movie Nacho Libre, and Michael and I are the characters from our Murder Mystery Party, a nurse and a 2 Headed Monster, and Lance is a monkey. The Covey family LOVES Haloween!


TRICK-OR-TREAT!


Later Haloween night we went trick-or-treating with our friends Kylan and Jen Lundeen. They have a little girl, Lily, who is 9 days younger than Lance so we took the kids out for their first trick-or-treating experience. It was a lot of fun (and a good excuse to eat candy)!