benny boo turns 37

Ben's Birthday was a few weeks ago.  His mom was able to come spend the weekend, so that was an added bonus.  I think it was fun for Ben to have his mom here for his special day.

We had a busy day with Sam's last soccer game, and William's Football playoff game, but we still had fun.

We went to a bounce house the day before, and went out to dinner with everyone.  I am pretty sure that pizza pie café is now our kids restaurant version of Disneyland!

We had fun watching the kids games, and we went out to dinner again on his actual Birthday.  I made him his favorite Chocolate cake, and we all just hung out together that evening.

Ben is going on his 11th year with Cintas, and is an excellent sales rep.  He is really into downhill biking, and he does competitions through the spring and summer.  He is still very much in to snow skiing as well, and like to do some competitions there too.  He is active, healthy, and doing his best to be able to stay in good health and shape in order to do what he loves.  He is currently working with the scouts in our ward.  He is an amazing dad and a loving and faithful husband.  We are all so grateful for this day 37 years ago when he came in to this world.

presidents club 2017-arizona

Presidents Club this year was at a resort in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Ben made Diamond Level...which is amazing...so we got an extra day!

My mom came to our house to watch the kids for us.  She is such a lifesaver.  The kids had a great time with her, and it is so much easier to relax and enjoy a trip, when we know our kids are in good hands.

Honestly, we didn't really do much, and it was exactly what we wanted.

It was so flipping hot, that even sitting in the shade by the pool was uncomfortable.  We spent time in our room reading, watching TV, and taking naps.  We met up with some of Ben's team members throughout the trip and ate with them and hung out.

We worked out as well.  I had a 13.2 mile run to do, for my training, so I did that one morning while Ben was at a meeting.  I did it in the gym they had there, but I seriously thought I was going to die of heat stroke!  I sweated through my tank and my shorts...completely!  Not kidding.  It was insane!  The gym had no air flow at all, and the heat from the outside somehow felt like it was seeping in.  I got it done though, and it was a work out that I was very proud of completing.

On Friday night, we met up with Ben's friend Shem and his wife.  They took us to a place called Coconuts.  They are known for their fish tacos.  I was not thrilled to go there, it sounded gross to me, but holy moly...it was soooo good!  I could eat there every night!  It was great food.  It was fun to see Ben catch up with an old buddy, and his wife was fun to talk to also.

We got to go to the fancy recognition dinner on Saturday night.  It is always fun to dress up, and eat with friends.  The best part though, is that Ben gets recognized for all of his hard work.  I am so proud of him. 

They normally don't announce where President's club will be until January or February, but this year, they announced it at the dinner.  It is going to be at an amazing resort in Florida next year!!!  Right by the ocean.  There will be beaches, ocean, pools, and the place looks unbelievable!  It got everyone really excited to work hard to make it there next year. 

It was a great trip, and just what was needed for us to recharge after summer, and build up our energy for a very busy fall. It is great to have a get away with Ben.

Ben works very hard for our family, and he is great at what he does.  I never take these trips for granted, and I am so grateful for all that he does for us every day.

President's club rocks!

benny poo turns 35

The 27th was Ben's 35th Birthday.

Pretty crazy that he is officially in his mid-30's!!!

I think the 30's have treated us well so far.  Ben is lucky.  He is one of those guys that just looks better and better with age.  He was already smokin' hot when we met, but he just keeps getting better.  It is amazing!

We celebrated his Birthday a week earlier at the Warren Miller film in Park City.  We brought Mary and her friend Eden.  Sam was supposed to come, but we could only get 9:00pm tickets, and Sam was just too tired, so Eden got his ticket.

Ben and I tried to do some "cool" faces for our picture.  Ben rocked it...me, not so much.

The photo bomber in the background is crazy! 

On Ben's actual day, Molly and Luke and I went to Lee's Market (previously known as Day's) and got Ben the biggest balloon we have ever seen!

Seriously, I had to put the back seat down in the car in order to get the balloon in.  Luke also picked out a paw patrol balloon to go with it.

You seriously can't look at this giant balloon without smiling.  It is so awesome! It is a happy balloon.

Unfortunately, it was too heavy for the string, and it floated right up to the top of our 20 foot ceiling.  At least Ben got to see it before this happened.

I made Ben his favorite dinner, and his favorite cake that evening.  He got to blow out his candles and get cards from the kids.

The picture is dark, but you get the idea.

Wow, I need to brush up on my picture skills.  Geeesh!

Anyway, I think Ben had a good Birthday.

I sure do love him, and love the life we have together.  He is a wonderful father and husband, and he is a rock our family leans on and depends on.  We are all so blessed to have him.

Happy Birthday Ben!

super dad

William had a field trip to Cornbelly's today.  He asked me last week, when he brought his permission slip home, to please go with him.  I wanted to so badly, but the field trip was all day, and no younger siblings were allowed.  I don't exactly have a babysitter to watch my kids all day, so I sadly told William I couldn't go.

I have a lot of mommy guilt about not being more involved with my kids school classrooms, and field trips, but the no younger siblings rule, and having no family in town to help watch kids, make it near to impossible for me to do those things at this point in my life.

I just do the best I can to support my kids in the areas I can support them in, and try not to let the guilt seep in, when I can't be there.

As I was feeling badly for missing Williams field trip, I mentioned it to Ben.  I get a text from Ben yesterday saying that he called William's teacher, and that he was going to go on the field trip with William.

How awesome is that.  Truly.  What a great dad.

William was thrilled to hear that his dad was going to be "one of the teachers" on his field trip today, and he was excited all morning.

I love Ben a lot, but in moments like this, I love that dad part of him even more.

look at William's genuine smile...heart melter

presidents club 2016

 

 

So, Ben totally rocks, and he earned us another Presidents club trip this year. 

Originally, the trip was planned to be at a resort in Mexico, but the Zika virus is still very prevalent there, so Cintas moved it to a resort in Texas.

 

I must say, that this was probably my favorite Presidents Club trip so far.  I think we finally figured out how to do it.

Basically, we just did nothing....and it was wonderful!!!!

 

Normally, with our personalities, when we go on a trip, we cram as much in as we can.  We like to see and do lots of stuff.

 

This time around, we decided to just relax, and do whatever the heck we wanted to. 

It was soooooo great!

 

We got up and went to the gym each morning, then we spent the rest of the day by the pool, floating the lazy river, drinking pina colodas, talking with Ben's teammates and their spouses, and eating yummy food.

 

I quickly became obsessed with the pina colodas!  They were so unbelievable good!  Ah man, the cravings have been painful. :)

A couple times, they forgot to makes our drinks virgin.  BLAH!!!!

Our first night there, we went out to the River Walk with Ben's team, and took in the sights.  We stopped by the Alamo, went out to eat, and just checked things out.

riverwalk, San Antonio

 

 



Alamo



 

Our last night there, was the recognition dinner.  I always look forward to this, because we get to get all dressed up, eat a dinner with more than one spoon and fork, and Ben gets recognized for all of his hard work and dedication. 

 

Ben, Mitch, Brandon and Brian







Meanwhile, back at home, my mom had all of our kiddos, and she brought Eli up to join the party as well.

I tell ya, this lady is seriously superwoman!!!

The only reason Ben and I were totally able to relax and enjoy ourselves was because we knew our children were in great hands.  We are so blessed!

 

This little girl was a HUGE help while we were gone.  School started the week we left, and this is Mary headed off to school for the day.

My mom sent us this picture while we were gone.  Almost killed me to see my cute little girl all snuggly and happy.

The boys just chillin while grandma was there

She survived on Quench it and keeping the kids loaded up on goodies.  I LOVE it!  I am obviously her daughter.

 

best buddies

Molly is totally into the phase of packing EVERYTHING around with her everywhere.  Grandma got to see this in full swing.

 



Not only did grandma get the kids off to school, take three babies to the store, and hold down the fort, she also did soccer practices and games! Go Sam Go!!!!

It really was a wonderful trip, and I love that Ben and I were able to have time to refresh, recharge, and have fun together.
Presidents Club rocks!!!!

dad is the bomb

A few weeks ago, Mary came home from school with a paper announcing that she would be going on a field trip.  The paper also had a spot for parents to sign up to be a chaperone.

I was surprised when Mary walked over to Ben and asked him to go on the field trip.  It shocked me a little that she didn't ask me, but it melted my heart that she wanted to go with her dad.

Ben made arrangements, got work off, and was able to go!  What a cool dad.

I was so happy that Ben and Mary could do this together.

They went to a baseball game, and Ben was in charge of a group of kids.

It sounds like they had a great time, and it meant so much to Mary.

I love it!

He even rode the bus!  Super dad!

sushi?!?!?

We had another Achievers Club dinner on Thursday.  I love that Ben works so hard for our family, and that he gets rewarded for it.  These dinners/activities always remind me of how great of a worker he really is.  I am proud of him, and very grateful.

This time, Achievers Club was at a sushi restaurant.  uummmm, yikes!  I am not a seafood fan really, aside from some really good calamari,  so sushi kind of freaks me out.

Ben and I did decide to give it a shot though.


Here is what we were presented with.

This is one of about 15 trays that we had for the main dish.  5 different types of sushi rolls.  They varied from not so sushi-ish (vegie rolls) to very sushi-ish, pieces with big slabs of raw fish on them and in them.

I started out with the vegie roll, to be safe, and I really enjoyed it!

Ben had filled up on one of the meat appetizers, but he also gave these rolls a shot.  He didn't love them, but didn't hate them either.  Go Ben!

I mostly ate the vegie roll, but I did venture out and try one that I actually really, really liked.  It had these really yummy orange circle things on top that topped it off so well.

I soon learned what those orange circles were, when the guy next to me, who is also not a sushi eater, asked what they were as he took a bite. 

The answer:  fish eggs.

The dude next to me got up and literally went to the bathroom.

I felt sick to my stomach and immediately stopped eating.

Fish eggs!  For real! 

The best part, is that they get in between your teeth, like little seeds, so I got to sit and pick them out of my teeth for the rest of the evening.  Each time feeling more and more sick knowing I had fish eggs stuck in my teeth. (shudder)

Aside from that fun episode, the night was really fun, it always is with the Cintas crowd.

We did have to bring Molly with us, because we didn't exactly trust the babysitter we had to deal with a baby for 5 hours.  Molly loved sushi!  She ate three rolls!  What the what!?


So there you have it.  Ben and I have officially tried sushi.  We didn't hate it, but it would not be our first, second, or even third choice of food to eat when we go out. 

Just sayin'

special suprise

Ben went to Walmart on Saturday evening, and soon after I got this text from him, "Just met Pres. Uchdorf and his wife and spoke for a few minutes."

I was pretty excited for him to get home and share the rest of the story.

He told me that Pres. Ucdhorf and his wife were speaking German to eachother, and Ben walked up to them and, of course, gave both of them a hug.  ha!

They asked about our family a little, and talked about how pretty and special Heber is.

Short and sweet, but such a need moment for Ben.

Ben said that he just felt a lot of love talking to them, and really, that is what the Gospel is all about.

So now, Ben has seen Pres. Nielson snow skiing, and Pres. Uchdorf at Walmart.

Luck guy!

buddies

I love that these two were able to spend some quality time together this weekend, doing what they love. 

Those are some good lookin' guys! So precious.

I love my boys.

stretch arm strong

Anyone out there remember the action figure stretch arm strong.

This really strong dude with stretch arms.

I call Ben that now.  He stretches all the time, and he is strong.  It fits.

So.....

Ben has a new co-worker.

So logically, in Cintas land, he must arm wrestle them.

This dude is an ex pro football player.  He is black.  He is buff.

He is no joke.

And Ben whooped him! 

Yup, that's right.  Stretch arm strong maintains his title! (and his weird bulldog trophy his co-workers made for him)

yes, they scratched out "sales dog" and wrote "arm wrestler"

My boyfriend is stronger than your boyfriend.  :)

freeride world qualifier at crested butte

Last week, Ben drove to Crested Butte (no, not crusty butt..ha!),  for his first ever freeride ski competition.

I wish we all could have been there and been able to watch the whole thing, but from what Ben has told us, it was a good competition for him.

He was able to pick out a good line to do the day before he competed, and he did a great job on it when it came time for him to make it count.  He wore the Go Pro, so we were able to watch it from his point of view.  It is really amazing how Ben can ski such steep and technical stuff and seem so casual about it. 

He was up against people of all ages, and all levels.  Majority of them had numerous competitions behind them already.

He said he had a good time, he met some good friends, and nobody assaulted him in the hostel he stayed at, so I was relieved.

He finished in the top portion of the bottom third, if that makes sense. 

Ben rocks.

I love this.

and I love him

grandpa ben

Ben was in Walmart the other day with Molly, and an old man walked up to him and said, "Are you having fun spoiling your granddaughter?"

HAHAHAHAHAHA

Grandpa Ben and Molly girl.

the anniversary "dedication"

On our Anniversary this year, Ben decided to ski off the roof.

 Then...he decided to dedicate it to me for our Anniversary.

How sweet?!?!

The kids now agree that he is officially Superman, and he has become a neighborhood legend.

And yes, I do have a pretty cool boyfriend. :)

 

ben turns 34!

The evening before Ben's birthday was the Cintas date I just posted about. (Mediterranean food and Haunted House).

As we drove home, Ben and I both mentioned that we felt kind of yucky.  We figured it was from all the different foods and the haunted house lighting.

When we got home, after everyone was in bed, I decorated the house for Ben's birthday the following Ben, and we crashed.

At around midnight, Sam woke me up saying he threw up.  He then told me that he missed the bathroom.

I made him a bed on the floor in our room, and I slugged my way upstairs to survey the damage.  I was definitely not ready for what I saw.

Sam had thrown up ALL over in his room.  The walls, doors, and carpet were all hit.  The amount was mind blowing.

Throw up is always really gross, but after being a mother for 10 years now, I thought I had learned how to just dig in and clean it up.

This time around though, I truly could not do it.  I kept getting sick every time I tried to clean it.  I made my way back to our room, woke Ben up, and asked him to clean it.  He said he wouldn't do it right then, and to wait until morning.

That would mean that we would have dried throw up everywhere, and unfortunately, that is harder to clean.  So, I made my way upstairs and literally gagged my way through cleaning it all up.  It was the hardest time I have ever had cleaning something like that up.

I finally got back in bed, just in time for Sam to groan and grab his stomach. I quickly picked him up and ran him to the bathroom where he unloaded everything again.

This happened two more times in the next hour.  The poor kid was miserable.

Around 2:00am, Sam finally seemed settled, so I fell asleep.

I woke up to the sound of Ben getting out of Ben very quickly.  He walked around our bed toward the bathroom and then I heard a HUGE crash of doors banging together and cupboards banging.  It honestly sounded like the house was falling down.

I looked toward the bathroom as Ben rolled on to his back on the floor and was completely still.

I shot out of Bed and ran to Ben, who was completely unconscious.  I thought that maybe he had tripped over Sam on the floor and hit his head on the counter and knocked himself out, but there was no blood on his head.

Finally, Ben started to stir and said that he was going to throw up.  I grabbed Sam's bowl from him and gave it to Ben, just as I heard William screaming from the other room.

I thought William would be puking too, but he just woke up from all the noise and was scared.

Ben continued to throw up for a while and then finally told me that he had just woken up feeling really sick and passed out on his way to the bathroom.

Poor guy!  What a way to start your Birthday.

Needless to say, Ben stayed home from work the next day, and Sam was home from school.

I took the kids to the store to get a few small things for Ben (he already got his big present earlier by going to the Warren Miller movie with me, Mary, Sam and William.  He also got a ski helmet).

Ben slept on and off all day, and so did Sam.

I had planned on a big Birthday dinner, but I just made the cake, and we will have the dinner later.

Later in the evening, the kids gave Ben the presents they picked out.

They each gave him a picture of them with Ben, a balloon and a gift that they picked out. It was really cute.

Luke gave Ben a saw and a flashlight. He also gave him a measuring tape, but then took it back to keep. haha

William gave him his favorite treats...Skittles and Jerkey (which the kids promptly ate)

Mary gave him a CD

Sam was too sick to get off the couch, but he gave Ben hand warmers for when they ski together.

Molly gave him lots of loves and kisses and snuggles and an exercise floor ladder.

We then had cake and ice cream, and Ben was kind enough to blow out the candles so that Luke could see fire, and the kids could sing to him.

Soon after, everyone went to bed. We were all done for.

Ben also had phone calls throughout the day, and lots of nice Facebook messages.

I hope he was able to have a good Birthday, even with feeling crappy.

I am so glad I am married to him, and that we get to share this life together.  I was grateful for the chance to celebrate Ben and to reflect on the good man and wonderful father he is.

We are all so blessed to have him in our lives.

Happy Birthday Ben. We love you.