Happy Thanksgiving!

Here is a quick update on the Highland, Utah Bengtzen Family. Jen has been diagnosed with sleep apnea which has caused her several other issues but she is a trooper and is battling through. She is in charge of decorating for a huge fundraising dinner for the high school madrigals. The froo froo things she is doing for it are way over the top so it should be good. She continues to give great lessons in Gospel Doctrine as well as serve many people in the neighborhood.

Zak has been spending several hours each day practicing for West Side Story which starts next week. He has hurt his back, foot, leg and eye during practices – he says many of the people have been hurt. I hope he makes it through alive. We have been discussing when to turn his mission papers in which is exciting and sad (don’t bring it up to Jen!).

Nothing really new with Josh. He continues to make us laugh. We have a really good kind of bread we like called Grandma Sycamore bread. Jen made some bread yesterday. Josh had a couple of bite and said, “This is the best bread ever made.’ Then he yelled, “Take that Grandma Syncamore!” Apparently he thought it was funny because we heard him in the bathroom laughing about it a few minutes later.

I am traveling frequently right now. I was in Boston last week and will be there again next week. I will then be in D.C. in a couple of weeks. It should slow down towards Christmas.

We love you all and hope you have a GREAT Thanksgiving!!

The West Side Bengtzen's

Hi everyone!
We finally decided to get on here. Life is crazy as usual with us. We never slow down. :)
I will start from youngest to oldest and let you know what everyone is up to...

Ian- is 11 now. In the 6th grade and would rather stay home all day and play video games. He only likes to go to school on band days (he is learning the saxophone). Ian loves reading and minecraft. He is helping us teach Sami how to be his service dog and next to Matt, Ian has the most patience for her.

This is Sami not long after we got her. She is half German Shepherd and half Malamute. She is now 6 months old, weighs 50 pounds and pretty much destroys everything in her path. Our house is sooo not big enough for her. She is just recovering from major surgery as well. Let's just say that we no longer have stuffed toys in our house for dogs. Parts come off and puppies swallow them.

Jordan is 14 going on 30 and in 9th grade at AMES (Academy for Math, Engineering and Science.)He loves it there. Some of his classes are with Cottonwood, like all of his band classes. eHE has 2. And right now they are getting ready for the the musical (Tarzan) in which Jordan gets the chance to play percussion instead of the clarinet, and they are getting ready for the Christmas concert.

I think Jordan has grown 3 inches just since school started. He never stops. He is really coming into his own in school this year. He has lots of friends and is always involved in some activity or another. He never stops reminding us that he gets his learners permit in July.

Alex is a Senior at Murray. He will be 18 in March. It is crazy that he is so close to moving out, and keeps trying to get us to let him move in March. I want him to graduate first. Silly me. He loves his car more than anything else right now. And has to work hard to afford it. But he doesn't mind. He still keeps us laughing.

Alex is always busy as well, between work, his girlfriend and practice for lacrosse, we hardly ever see him. But he loves his mommy and always comes to tell me goodnight when he gets home so that I know he made it in. He is a good kid.

Alex and his Firebird.

Matt is busy with work and taking pictures. He is still working hard with school and his choir. He gets to sing in a big concert tomorrow, but I will let him tell you all about that. And I will let Matt post about all of his pictures. He takes a lot.

I am finally done with school (for now) and working  with my clients. I work with disabled adults in supervised housing. I love it. I am still trying to figure out what I am supposed to be doing now that I don't have to juggle school in with everything, although magically it seems that I don't have any more time than I did then, which only cements my belief that it was through the grace of God that I got through school in the first place.  We are still crazy busy with running kids everywhere and training a puppy into a service dog, but honestly, I don't think we would know what to do if it ever slowed down.

We love you all and think that reading through all of these posts is so much fun!!!

The Phoenix (aka surface of the sun) Turners

Hey family! I don't know how taboo it is to post twice before everyone has posted at least once, but we are all about thinking out of the box!
Dustin and I have been very blessed recently. Sometime it's good to just take a look and realize how lucky you truly are. :) We have had lots of time recently to visit with Scott while he is working in our area. We hope to get to see a lot more of Sara, but she is super busy getting a degree (which I GUESS is a good enough excuse) ;)
We are going to be the hosts for Thanksgiving this year and the closer we get to it the closer I realize I am going to have to learn a thing or two about making homemade stuffing... Seems to be a Turner Family favorite.
This year for Halloween we were the scary house on the street (spooky noises and strobe lights to top off the hand crafted ghouls in the front yard). The kids got jipped on candy from our neighbors. I mean, the candy is already almost gone and it's not even half way through November! ;) Here are some pictures from the spooky night:

The Madison Crew

Hi everyone from the Madison's. I have enjoyed reading all the posts as others have said.

We are all doing great. I got a part time job at Nordstrom's Rack to help out and it is going well. My mom is doing an amazing job watching Avery while I am away. Don't know what we would do without her. Adam is still working at C. R. England and they are lucky to have him. Adam recently took the Foreign Service exam to work for the US Embassy in another country and passed it. The next step is a personal narrative and then an oral interview so we will see where life may take us.

Coming up is we are spending Thanksgiving with Adam's family at the Zermatt resort in Midway. Adam's brother planned for the whole family to stay there for two nights and have Thanksgiving dinner. I think it will be a great way to be together considering what happened this year. Well I decided to save the best for last to talk about and that is Avery. She is now almost seven months and couldn't be any more adorable. I am so blessed to be her mom. Avery's favorite thing to do is kick everyone comments on it. She has to keep those legs moving. When she decides to stand up then she is off to the races and mom will try to keep up. I look forward to each new day I get to spend with her.

I am so thankful for my family. Adam is incredible I don't know what I would do without him. I am so blessed to have my best friend as my husband. We have been through a lot this year and it has brought us closer.

Love you all,

Jenny

P.S. If you want to see more pics I have more on Facebook.

HI FROM THE FINLAYSON FAMILY

Hi Everyone!

It has been so fun to hear about your families and how you all are doing.  I love it!

The Finlayson family is doing well.  Here is a quick run down:

I guess Brittani has the biggest news of our whole family - she is engaged and is getting married on December 20.  She met her fiance, Cody Jacobs, over the summer through mutual friends, and they have been having fun together ever since.  Brittani is swimming for BYU and loving it ...I know, I know, where did we go wrong with our parenting?!? Cody also attends BYU, and even though he almost always is wearing something from that school down south, we love him and are excited to have him as part of our family.

Nathan is a Junior at Lone Peak High School.  He is driving, dating, and living the dream.  He is on the varsity lacrosse team, swim team, and plays in the jazz band and symphonic band at school.  Busy, busy boy!  Nathan is at such a fun age and is so fun to be around - I love it when we get the chance to just hang out together.

Connor just turned 12 in September and is in 6th grade.  His football season ended a few weeks ago and now we are trying to figure out what to do to keep him busy until spring lacrosse starts!  If I don't keep him buys, those dang video games do!  Connor is a kind and loving boy, and other than a slight arguing problem, he is super fun to be around too!  One thing that amazes me about Connor is his ability to remember stats.  You can ask him anything about his favorite teams or players, and he will know the answer, and then give you more information then you ever knew you wanted!

Rick and I are busy just trying to keep up with life and kids and wedding planning.  Rick rode LOTOJA (a bicycle race from Logan, UT to Jackson Hole, WY) for his 9th time in September.  He rides on a great team with a lot of amazing people, and has loved the friendships that he has created there.  He continues to be an amazing father to our little family and gives everything he has - and then some - to us.  Rick has been able to coach both of our boys in football (7 straight years)  and it has been fun for me to watch him build amazing relationships with so many of the boys he coaches.  He is a good man with a huge heart and I'm so lucky he is mine!

I'm so thankful for this amazing Bengtzen family and for all of your examples to me.  Thank You!

Love you all!

Alicia

 ^^Brittani and Cody the night they got engaged^^

 ^^Connor and Rick after losing their playoff game^^

 ^^Connor and Nathan^^

 ^^The Finlayson Family^^

^^Rick crossing the LOTOJA finish line with his brothers^^

The Redlands Bengtzen’s

Hello from Southern California. 

Our life is pretty much all Softball & Baseball, with all the kids playing we typically have something softball/baseball related every day, so these posts will probably seem a little redundant, but we will try to make them interesting.

Aiyanna is doing well. She’s a sophomore at Redlands High School and is doing well in school, keeping a good GPA and playing softball. She recently made the Junior Varsity team and practices daily with the team. Their season will start in February. She is also playing on a travel softball team called RIOT. She practices with them several times a week and plays games most weekends.  This weekend we’re heading up to Santa Clarita, for a Triple Crown tournament. They’ll play at least 4 games, more if the win.

Nia is 10, in 5^th grade and doing very well in school.  Every time I talk to her teacher, he tells me she is brilliant. She also plays softball, currently with our local rec ball league. She’s a catcher and is one of the best in the league.  Every weekend, I have several people tell me how good she is…she makes me proud, she knows she good, but she keeps working hard and trying to improve. 

Both Aiyanna and Nia are hoping to play softball in college.

Zachary will be 8 next month and is 3^rd grade.  He is doing pretty good in school…he’s a bit of a challenge but he’s smart and when focused, he does really well… trying to keep him focused is difficult though.  Like his sisters, Zachary is playing ball as well. He’s on a Pinto division team with me as the head coach. He’s a good pitcher and also wants to be a catcher like Nia. If he keeps it up, we just might see him pitcher in the Majors in a few years…or at least through college.

Wanda is doing well. She works for the county and works on crafts in her spare time…although with all the sports, free time is something we rarely have. She’s beautiful and everyday I’m reminded why I fell in love with her. She really is one that keeps our little family going…

As for me, I’m doing well. I spend most of my time either on or driving to/from a softball field, so I really don’t have anything exciting to report...

 

Zachary & Nia going to school

 

Aiyanna heading to school.

 Nia holding Shamus...the newest member of the family

The Draper Clan

Hello everyone!

This was so fun looking and reading everything on here.  I love that you can see EVERYTHING that was ever posted on here.  That way all of you won't have to read my same posts 2-3 times because I forgot if I posted or not.

We are all doing GREAT!!  Let me give everyone a quick run down:

Brandi:

 She is still the PERFECT WOMAN she always has been.  Busy with her apartments, the kids, taking care of her mom and having to put up with me.  She reinstated her real estate license and is looking forward to doing more of that.  She is already helping two of our nieces get into their first homes and she bought a new house for our family.

Her grandmother (Sheri's mother) passed away recently and even though it was her time, it is always a difficult time.

Tyson:

Tyson and Miranda are engaged for those of you that didn't know that.  They are getting married at the end of April and are SOOO excited.  Brandi is helping them get into their first home as well.  They are hoping to close and move in before the end of the year.

Tyson is also doing very well professionally.  He is still working for the Garff organization as a Service Advisor.  He has been there for 4 years and they LOVE HIM!!!

Braydan:

Braydan is attending Alta High School and our new house will be even closer to his school.  He is always getting straight A's and is Mr. popular.  He always has 1-5 teenage boys hanging around the house which is one of the reasons we needed a bigger house.

He is still playing basketball 2-6 days a week and is VERY excited for his first year playing high school basketball.

Kylee:

Ky is doing GREAT!!!  She is doing wonderful at school.  She has a lot of friends at school and in the neighborhood.  She also is teaching Brandi and I a lot about raising girls...  WOW!  Not so easy.

She is a VERY good reader and her and Dawson are always making some type of craft.  We are so lucky her and Dawson get along so well.  She is such a beautiful girl!

Dawson:

Dawson continues to be the "ham" of the family.  His personality just brings a smile to everyone that he comes across.  Both him and Kylee are now 7 and are in 1st grade.

Dawson thinks he's one of Braydan's teenage buddies.  The funny part is that I think Braydan's friends act as if he was.   He is always playing basketball with them and at the games he goes and shoots while the parents count his shots during the time outs.  He shoots about 70%!!

Grandma Raynee:

Grandma Raynee is my new daughter.  (YES I feel that old)  Ha Ha!  We are so happy that my mom has moved closer to us.  We see her often and she is doing GREAT!  She is having a little surgery on her hand Thursday.  It is a small surgery and shouldn't be a big deal.  (Sorry mom if you didn't want me to say anything).

She is spending a lot of time with her mom (Rene) and taking turns helping her dad (Ken) up at the V.A.  Rene just turned 89, Ken just turned 94 and they are celebrating their 69th wedding anniversary on the 31st!!

ME:

I'm doing GREAT!  Cancer is still in remission.  I have lost most of the weight and am fitting back into some of my suits.  YA HOOO!!!!  I can honestly say that I am the luckiest man in the world!  I have the perfect wife, the perfect kids, the perfect family all the way around.  THANK YOU ALL!!!

                                          Grandma helping Braydan (that's NOT Dawson)

                                     Grandpa Bob always having fun with the great-grandkids

                                                                       True Love!

                                                       Four generations (I'm taking the pic)

                                           I wonder who Grandpa is plotting to tickle first??

                                            Dawson checking Grandpa and Grandma out

                                                          We miss you Grandpa Bob!!

                                       Last Christmas (Photo compliments of Matt Bengtzen)

                                                      Enjoying a comedian stand up show

                                            Off to our cruise ship for Tyson's 21st birthday

                                                                       Mexico sun!

                                                      Tyson and Miranda's birthday dinner

                                                       Brandi and me in front of "David"

                                                     
                                                      We really are standing straight up...

Well, there you have it.  We are looking forward to having a big family get together in our new house since the Sugarhouse home is now a thing of the past.  Happy Halloween!

Love  you all,

Kirk, Brandi and kids.

The Phx Turners

As shocking as this might be, this is Dustin & I's very first ever blog post - neither of us have ever ventured off into the world of the blogger.  I know, and we claim to be active Latter-Day Saints... :)

All joking aside, I would like to take this time and first blog post to talk about why I feel so blessed to be a part of such a BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING family.  I could have never dreamed that the family I married into would be as lively and compassionate as the Bengtzen Clan.

When Dustin and I began dating after my baptism, we would talk about what each other had been up to since we last saw each other at 14.  He would tell me all about moving to Salt Lake and how it was very different than living in Phoenix.  He talked about one of his most positive role-models during his teenage years - someone who showed him how to be a gentleman and a true loving individual.  This person he always spoke of was his Grandfather, Robert Bengtzen.

The things Dustin would tell me reminded me so much of my Grandfather, Robert McChesney, and it was just too funny that they both were named Robert. :)  I lost my Grandfather almost 8 years ago to prostate cancer.  Even in his final days, he was still such a strong and hopeful man to me.  I love him so very much, and had it not been for the Plan of Salvation, I would have never known that I can be with him again.  I am trying so hard NOT to cry while typing this, but heck, I am one sentimental gal! :)

I always knew that Dustin was a great and wonderful man, and for him to talk so highly of his Grandfather was just confirmation of that.  I am very sad that I never was able to meet his Grandfather, but let me tell you that I am so unbelievably GRATEFUL to have had the chance to know Betty.  Besides, I will get to meet him someday while we are all hanging out in the Kingdom of Heaven and at that point I am sure I will finally get to know the man my husband always raves about.

Now, let me tell you something - Betty is soooo much fun!  She has such high spirits and the few times we been able to visit with her the last few years have been truly memorable.  The first time I met Grandma Betty was in July of 2010 when we drove to Salt Lake for Jenny & Adam Madison's wedding.  She was quite a kick in the shorts (as my Grandpa would always say). :)  I can't wait to see her again and catch up.  Our prayers and love are always with Betty, more now than ever.  I wish we had more pictures to send of the Turner Clan, but truth is we don't have too many with Grandma Betty (you had BETTER BELIEVE that will change with the next visit) :)  I do have this one of my hubbers and his Grandma:

What a great picture, huh? :)  I see so much of Suzie in her mom.

Well, that is all I can get in for now.  For the Phoenix Turners, this is Sara saying, "Farewell Lovely Family, and until next time...."

I love you all. :)  We will post pictures next time of all the fun stuff we are up to this month (Halloween is MY FAVORITE!)

Grandma's Scrapbook

Here is a little slide show of the scrapbook we put together for grandma.  She got it today, so we thought we would post it so everyone can see it.  We had enough stuff for two books and are still working on the second one, so if you don't see your stuff in this video, don't worry, it will be in the next one.

The video doesn't do it justice, so everyone needs to get out to Kentucky as soon as possible to see the real thing.

Update From Highland

The Highland Bengtzens are doing great!  Summer is officially gone and the winter weather is coming!

A quick update on our family. Josh is playing lacrosse and enjoying it. Unfortunately he has had bad luck on teams he has been on…he was on a soccer team for two years and did not win once. He switched to lacrosse and did not win in his first season and has yet to win this season. We are running out of pep talks for him so if you have any let us know. :) He has a great teacher at school but has never much cared for school. This morning he announced that he liked November because it means school is already ¼ done.

Zak is currently practicing for West Side Story for his high school. He is a Jet and has several lines and a solo. He is not caring much for all the dancing (he takes after his dad) but I think he will like it once they start performing. He continues to get good grades and is one point away on his ACT for getting a full ride scholarship to Utah Valley University. His dream has been to go out of state so we will see how that goes. He is currently 1st Assistant in the Priest Quorum and is preparing for his mission. He can turn his papers in just after the first of the year. Zak and I went for several days to Zion National Park to do some hiking and rappelling.  We hiked in slot canyons and did many rappels including one that was 100 feet (pics below).

Caitlin and Alvaro continue to live the fairy tale newlyweds. They seem very happy. Caitlin is still cutting hair and working long hours. She seems to like it and is very talented at it. She has some people who travel long distances to have her cut and style their hair. They are trying to get into college at the beginning of next year (which school they are going to changes daily). :) I hope they post more about what they are doing.

Jen continues to be Super Mom. She has a knack of knowing what the children need and ensuring they get it. She has a great relationship with all 3 of her children and they love her. She is working more days as a substitute teacher than she has in the past. While this is tiring for her I think she likes aspects of it and is good at it. She is currently Gospel Doctrine teacher and does an outstanding job at it. She teaches every other week and puts in at least 20-30 hours of prep time for each lesson. She loves to help others decorate for weddings or parties and is constantly asked to help. We have a ton of decorating stuff that everyone borrows. We went to Boston a couple of weeks ago so Jen could help with her neice's wedding (picture below).

Nothing really new with me. I love my job and my calling as YM President. Both keep me very busy. I spend one week per month in Boston and occasionally go to our DC office. They seem to like what I am doing so I hope to be able to move up in the company. Like most people, our finances are tight which keeps life interesting. :) I have been able to lead several groups through slot canyons and rappelling this summer which is a great way to relax and take my mind off the day to day stress. I have one more coming up at the end of the month (assuming our government is still not shut down!).  I live right now for college football.  We have many people over each weekend to watch the Utes play.  I LOVE it!!

The reception was great thanks to Jen!

Josh playing Lacrosse (in the yellow socks)

Zak and Teague in Zion National Park 

Zak getting wet while hiking through a slot canyon in Zion 

Zak rappelling in Zion

Jen in front of an old firehouse outside of Boston.

Caitlin and Alvaro