Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to an AMAZING woman!  If my math is correct, she is turning 91.  Some of my earliest memories are of you Grandma.  From you babysitting me, to visiting you in San Mateo, to going to Martin’s Beach, you have been a huge part of my life.

I appreciate the wisdom and moral guidance you have given all of your grandchildren and for the example of a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister and grandmother you have set for us.  I honor your for all you have accomplished.  I love your wit, your smile and laugh, and your great listening ear.

I love you!!  I hope to see you soon!

I took Zak and his best friend (who leaves for Peru for his mission the week after Zak) on a Temple Road Trip.  We did ordinances in 12 different temples in 3 days!  Jen came with us to the first 3 temples which was very nice.  Day 1 was Manti (Endowment), Provo (Initiatories), Timpanogos (Sealings), and Draper (Endowment).  Day 2 was Oquirrh Mountain (Endowment), Jordan River (Initiatories), Salt Lake (Endowment), Bountiful (Baptisms), and Brigham City (Endowment).  Day 3 was Logan (Initiatories), Idaho Falls (Initiatories), and Rexburg (Endowment).  In the middle of Initiatories in the Idaho Falls Temple the fire alarm went off two separate times.  It was very strange to have this loud sound in the middle of what is usually a very quiet place.

Brigham City Temple 

Manti Temple 

Provo Temple 

In front of the Rexburg Temple after we were all done.

We had a wonderful weekend!  Many family members came over Sunday morning for a brunch.  People were able to get their picture taken with Zak, give good advice in the book and eat some great food.  We then went to our ward where Zak spoke on the Atonement and how everyone can take advantage of it regardless of where they are in their life.  He did really a good job and told a couple of great stories that illustrated the point.  Jen and I cannot thank everyone enough for all the support and love you have shown to our family during this time.

Brenna, Brandi and Kylie 

Josh, Nathan and Braydan 

Jaxon, Dawson, Kirk and Cory 

Caitlin, Alvaro, Connor, Rick, Alicia, Brittani and Cody 

Jen had the house looking great! 

Chris, Cassie, Mom, Brandi and Grandma Rene 

Chris and Cassie 

Kade and Teague 

Alicia's Family and Zak

Cory's Family and Zak

Chris' Family and Zak

Kirk's best side :) 

Kirk's Family, Grandma Rene, Mom and Zak

Teague's Family

Jen and Zak are on their way to Cedar City now to spend some time with her parents.  We only have 9 days until Zak leaves and we are going to make the most of it.

A few randomly selected photos

Good Evening one and all!

I realized that in a previous post that Erin said I would post some of my photographic work, and I happily oblige at this point, after taking a few minutes to catch everyone up.

Let's start with the youngest kids.  Sami is now pushing a year old, and is over 100 pounds.  She is a sweetheart when she want to be, but is a holy terror of a toddler when she wants to be.  Her training continues, and will continue for another year or so before she is ready to accompany Ian to school.

Ashton is 8, and still is picked on by Sami on a regular basis.  Even though he is the alpha dog in the house (Sami has made that clear), the two of them do not necessarily agree on most things - especially politics and baseball.  Ashton is a Red Sox fan, and Sami is a Yankees fan.  At least they agree that the only hockey team is the Boston Bruins (I have them well trained).

Ian continues to amaze all of us on a regular basis.  His musings are more like that of a 25 year old, and really will give you pause to think.

Jordan continues his clarinet mastery (Gary must have rubbed off on him), and his playing has improved greatly with his new instrument.

Alex was recently so kind to inform us that he is the #2 ranked lacrosse goalie in his division.  His skills are amazing, and his coach has invited the Westminster College lacrosse coach to come take a look at him.

Erin is doing amazing work at her new job.  She loves what she does, and she is so good at it.  Sure, there are rough days, but most of the time she comes home with a smile on her face.

And now, for me.  The boring part.  I continue to work for the City, with only 11 years, 2 weeks and 45 minutes until I am eligible to retire.  Unlikely that I will (or that I will make 30 years with the City), so we will see how that goes.  I recently completed my FEMA Professional Continuity Practitioner, and I am working on my master level.  I have also been placed in charge of the airport's Continuity of Operations program.  A lot of big words for saying that we will keep going when it gets ugly

I haven't picked up my camera much lately because of my schedule.  However, I have a few that I would like to share here.

A Southwest Boeing 737-700 at a funny angle, with some high definition coloring in Photoshop.

Frontier Airlines climbing out of the valley with the Bountiful temple in the background.

One of my favorites, courtesy of my cousin Kelli, that owns Cowlicks and Kisses Photography.

That is all for now.  Love to all.

Ohhh....Canada

Zak got his mission call to Montreal, Canada and goes into the Provo MTC on June 25th.  He will be speaking French.  We are sooooo excited!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I thought this was funny and wanted to share!  Jen, Josh and I made this for the Valentine’s Day Box contest at school (he is in 4^th grade).  When we walked into the school people started yelling and following us because they could not believe he had a toilet.  Here are some pics.

Mission Update

Zak completed his mission papers and is meeting with the Bishop and Stake President this week!  This means he should receive his mission call in 2 weeks (we anticipate it on Feb 19^th).

We will have a big party at our house for local family and friends and will set up a video feed for those not close to us.

We will have a contest as to who guesses the closest.  Start thinking about that and we will let you know when to send that to us.

Here is the picture he sent with his papers

Hello from the St George Bengtzen family

St George Bengtzens have a lot to talk about over the last year....

pictures are worth a thousand words so here goes a shortened version of what we have been up to...

The wedding (marrying my best friend)

For part of our honeymoon we became the BENGTZEN BOBSLED TEAM!

The Adoption of Mason Bengtzen and Aiden Bengtzen

The Judge was cool and let the boys play in his quarters after we were done with the adoption

Some came down to celebrate 

Cassie and i still love our Harley rides

And we both are still actively involved with Bikers Against Child Abuse.

We just got back from the International  conference and thank you mom for coming and taking care of our children. i know that they loved it and i am sure they were disappointed when we came home :-)

Here is some pics of the boys outside of Tuacahn Theater we hit all the shows in 2013 and the boys all loved them.

The Heber Creeper headed to the north poll over thanksgiving 

My hot wife on the railroads

Visiting Grandpa Chidester

Aiden started playing guitar and this was his first concert

Kades first motorcycle

We are still running guided motorcycle tours

We helped put up the biggest light show in southern Utah as a fundraiser for B.A.C.A.

We still have good old Chocolate and these pictures are of the boys with "Bubba" our other dog

Cassie is busy with work (office manager at therapy office) and keeping all of us in line, 

I am busy with work as well at the Hilton Garden Inn St George.

Aiden is loving Guitar, loves video games and being wild.

Mason loves soccer, video games and being wild.

Kade loves being a wild 3 year old...

all the boys are so cute and so different in their own way.

it is amazing watching them grow up each day and seeing the people that they are turning in to.