AMERICA'S FUNNIEST VIDEOS!

We had the opportunity of being chosen as a finalist on America's Funniest Home Videos! They called us up and I was so shocked and couldn't believe they wanted to fly us all out there expenses all paid for to be on the show. This was also Brystal's first time on an airplane, (well the first time she's actually known she was on an airplane.) She loved it and was great. She was so excited for this trip.

We got to our hotel and were greeted with an envelope telling us our schedule, and a big wad of cash for us to go out to eat. We felt like throwing the money in the air and rolling around in it. It was roughly about 750$, just for food!!

The kids were excited to just lounge around. We were 2 hours ahead, still on Houston time, so the kids went to bed at 6 and woke up at 5:30. Ya, hotel stays with kids aren't really relaxing sometimes.

We took a tour of the hotel grounds which were pretty amazing, Brystal laid out on the chair and soaked up a little sun.

We don't get out very much, as you can tell that this is very exciting for us.

Sunny California, wasn't really all that sunny while we were there. In fact most of the time it was overcast and a little rainy. But we made the most of it and went to the beach, actually we just looked at the beach from the pier. We were on Manhattan beach. We saw a few surfers, and just enjoyed watching the waves, which were way better than the waves we see in Galveston.

Me and my little babies. They had so much fun just walking up and down the pier.

Boston always loves a chance to get out and walk around by himself without mommy running after him and taking him away.

Brystal, well she's just cute.

Since we were 2 hours behind on time, the kids were exhausted by the time it was time for us to go to the studio for the show. We had to wait in the Green room the whole time since kids aren't allowed in the taping. Bosman finally konked out for a little while, but they were both still really tired.

Brystal was cute as always just chatting it up with all the AFV staff, she was of so cute and cheerful up until it was time to go out on the stage to announce the winners. So if you missed the show, you missed Brystal not being happy. I think she was just overwhelmed and didn't really know what was going on. There were bright lights and make up people, and the audience was all staring at us, it was overwhelming for me too.

Boston trying out the golf cart.

We didn't really have a chance to talk or get a picture with Tom Bergeron but I snooped around and found his dressing room and took a picture of it. That's as good as it gets, He was a really nice guy though.

In case you did miss the show, the Bennett's (us) won the 10,000 Dollar first place prize!!!!!! Woo hoo!!! We were so excited to have a little extra cash, and now it means another opportunity to go back and do it all over again for 100,000! We are just thankful for such a fun experience! Man it was such a long day of just waiting around for 5 minutes of fame, but it was worth it, obviously. And as Tom Bergeron says, "If you get it on tape, you could get it in cash!!!" And that we did.

WE'RE MOVING!!!

Just in case you missed the memo, we are moving to Denver!! Nate is transferring with his firm and we are starting a new adventure in Colorado. We have loved living in Houston and we are really going to miss it here. We love living by Nate's parents and we love all of our friends here but we hope to make lots of new friends in Denver. We are really excited about the weather there and all of the fun activities we can do with our family.
Nate is really excited about this job and it seems that it is really going to fit him perfectly. Less hours hopefully, and room to grow!
Our plans for moving will probably be the week of December 12th. Just before Christmas so that we can get settled in before Nate starts up busy season. Does anyone want to come spend Christmas with us? Anyways, we are really excited, and a little nervous at the same time to start a new adventure in a new place. We'll keep you posted!

BRYSTAL STARTS DANCE

Brystal started up baby Ballet in August. She is loving it and having a Blast!

She gets to dance with bears...

They also teach with musical instruments to help her learn rhythm...

They have a princess chair that they get to sit in after they finish walking across the balance beam. Notice how she is sitting with her legs crossed and her hands in her lap. She is learning to be a little lady.

Sometimes they get to wear cowgirl hats...

And "ride" across the balance beam...

She learns to point her toes...

And at the very end they choo choo their way across the room and get a cute little sticker for being so adorable. She is such a natural at everything in the class, she always listens (occasionally cries) and does so well at keeping her toes pointed and balance. She loves her class!!

More Summer Fun

Well over labor day we got to go back up to Utah and spend the weekend with the Family. We were able to make it down to the family cabin in Zion's National Park. I haven't been for years, so this was a real treat for me, since the cabin brings back many memories and traditions.

Tradition number one: 4 wheeling. In this picture you may be wondering why everyone is gathered around the 4 wheeler. Nobody knew how to put it in reverse. So it was a group effort to figure it out.

Tradition 2: Lot's of fun with cute babies and family. Hello Kristie and baby Zack

Tradition 3: Shuffleboard. It is tradition to always have a shuffleboard contest. Here is Nate and Clayton battling it off.

Crafts for the kids. I brought up some little birdhouses for the kids to color and hang out on the deck which reminds of Tradition 4: Always dump your left over food over the balcony for all the squirrels and deer.

Brystal's first time 4 wheeling. She was a champ!

Boston hanging out with Grandpa Wood!

"Hey you guys!!! I just went 4 wheeling with my Dad for the first time and it was AWESOME!"

Me and baby Alex. He's the one born the same day as Bosman. Except he is sweeter than Bosman. He's so cuddly and adorable.

Brystal just hanging out with her Daddy on the balcony.

Boston watching football with Daddy.

This is a really old old bathtub that has been out behind our cabin in the forest for years and years. You can often find deer drinking out of it, or dead beavers in it.

View of the back of the cabin.

We stopped by to visit my Grandma and Grandpa. It was so good to see them. I haven't seen them since Brystal was a little baby. We love them and love to visit with them. This is our efforts to get our family picture taken with them. We did our best.

Love my Gpa and Gma.

After all the cabin happenings, we had to make the trip back home. But we made a quick pit stop through Denver. Nate was meeting with his firm in Denver, so me and the kids went to a nearby park downtown to just chill. "Hey Brystal scoot closer to your brother!"

There that's better.

Here is a view from the opposite side of the park. I like this picture because you can see the city skyline in the background.

This is me and Boston just chilling on the grass enjoying the beautiful summer weather in Denver. Sure beats the Houston heat!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOS MAN!!

Well it has taken me 3 tries to get this post up in the last 2 months, lets see if it will finally work! Yes this is a late post, but Boston turned the big 1 on August 20!! We had a great party for him in his honor and invited friends over for a BBQ.

Boston is about 20 pounds and 23 inches long. He is the happiest little boy in town. He loves to climb on, in and around everything. He has the cutest little raspy laugh. He loves food just like his daddy, he'll eat pretty much anything I hand him. He loves to play with his sister, and loves his mommy. Of course. He is such a special guy to have around. We love him.

Here are the cupcakes I slaved over. In case you can't tell they are cookie monster cupcakes!!

Singing Happy Birthday. He didn't know what to do with the cake for a little while, but he eventually got into it.

There was lot's of fun with the sprinkler, and the pool and the slide for all the little kids. Brystal had a blast with all of her friends.

There we go, now he's into it!!

Here is the after shot of Boston. We decided to just wash him up in the pool. It was easier that way.

The after shot of the cake. He loved it.

All in all it was a great first birthday party. And even though he'll never remember it, I will and I'll never forget the day that he was born and what a happy lady he made me that day. One year has gone by already. I'm so excited for what he'll be like in the future. He is my little man.