Bennion Corner

"Da Pooh"

2010-05-24T22:56:00.000-07:00

Laralei has taken up a great friendship with her friend "da Pooh". You can view a video of her first time meeting her friend on facebook. Also, she has a stuffed Pooh that she is now carrying everywhere, sharing her pacifier with, putting in her highchair and feeding milk and raisins, as well as singing and dancing with. She has also tried diapering Pooh and puts him to bed next to her. It is all very sweet. I love to see her imagination at work as she kisses Pooh and insists that Shawn and I do the same. It is exciting to see her playing pretend and modeling behavior with her new little friend.

New

2010-04-16T00:36:00.000-07:00

What's new with Laralei?

She helped set the table for the first time today. She drank out of a cup (not a sippy cup)

She also helped me make cupcakes for the first time. She tasted the flour, and looked at me funny. After spilling eggs and chocolate all over the chair, her feet, shirt, the floor etc., she finally tasted the batter again just before the cupcakes went into the oven. Her eyes got big and she looked up at me in amazement. She said ummm, as though it were magic that what had once tasted like flour was now chocolate and yummy!

Yesterday Laralei started to say her name for the first time...lalalalalalaralei! She is now saying it on a regular basis.

For about a week now Laralei has been counting to three. Usually daddy would tickle her or act crazy somehow when he would count and finally reach 3, so Lee acts accordingly and tries to make something big happen when she reaches the big THREE!

Tending my garden

2010-03-10T21:16:00.000-08:00

This must be one of my all time favorite pictures of Lee to date. Some friends of ours babysat for us, and took this lovely picture of Laralei. Thank you so much for sharing your talents Brother and Sister Dye and for sharing this picture with us.

Hi Pluto!

2010-03-04T15:34:00.000-08:00

2010-03-02T18:57:00.000-08:00

Thanks Nana for making me these great new pajamas!

They are soooo soft!

Today Lee created a new game. Right now we have a mirror in our living room that is the right size for a full length Laralei mirror. Lee has discovered her friend in the mirror. She babbles to her, shows her toys and new tricks etc. Today Lee created a game where she ran screaming all the way to the mirror, laughed at her friend and then turned and ran away screaming. She ran all the way to her bedroom. A few seconds later she would repeat the whole process, over and over! It was so funny to watch her play with her friend in the mirror!

Laralei also tried singing "Winnie the Pooh". It comes out more "Da Pooh". She was singing "Da Pooh, Da Pooh, Da Pooh" and brought me a video tape. This is the first time that Lee has requested to watch a specific movie, so we sat and ate oranges and watched "Da Pooh" together. Precious moments!

Baby # 2

2010-03-01T12:59:00.000-08:00

Well, here are some of the clearer pictures of our first ultrasound. They are still not very clear, but they are the best that we have at this stage. It is still fairly early to have ultrasound pictures at all, so we are very excited to have these early pictures of the baby due July 26, 2010, just two days before Shawn's birthday!

I keep showing Lee pictures of babies and then point to my stomach and tell her that there is baby in there, but she really does not understand and just looks at me strangely. I do not think that she has noticed the changes to my body yet. Today we saw a baby at the dr. office and she was very excited. We talked to her about being a big sister. It is hard to see what she understands and what she does not, but she was very curious about the baby and excitedly repeated her new word over and over "baby, baby, baby" pointing all the time! I think that she will be a great big sister!

A Ride on the Carousal

2010-01-22T15:12:00.000-08:00

Laralei loved the carousal at Disneyland.

I looked out the window and what did I see?

2010-01-05T13:45:00.000-08:00

Shawn captured these great shots of Lee looking out a window at Disneyland.

With Cousins at Grandma's House for Thanksgiving

2010-01-04T23:05:00.000-08:00

Everyone had a lot of fun at Grandma and Grandpa Bennion's this year for Thanksgiving. It was a special treat to play with cousins, see grandparents and great grandparents as well as Aunt Jackie!

Future Concert Pianist

2010-01-04T22:56:00.001-08:00

Balloons and Cotton Candy

2010-01-04T22:47:00.000-08:00

The local senior center held a fair. Lee loved the cotton candy and her balloon. She also went for a train ride!

Halloween with Cousins!

2009-12-06T20:32:00.000-08:00

We went to St. George and spent Halloween with Keb, Melissa, Sam, Rachel, Jared & Nathan. It was a blast! First we went to Melissa's Halloween concert. Laralei loved the music and so did we. Then, on Halloween we made Mummy pizzas, Bone bread sticks, and Witches Brew (root beer poured over dry ice in a cauldron). The kids all dressed up, and so did Shawn and Keb. Shawn dressed at a handsome Robinhood and Keb was a stick man. Check out the pictures of everyones' costumes below. Keb's costume was particularly creative and a lot of fun. He was moving when I took the picture so the arms aren't just perfect in the picture, but you get the idea. Outside in the dark you only see the glowing stick man walking down the street!

Laralei loved her ladybug costume. From the time she was dressed, she knew something was up and took off running down the street! It was difficult to get pictures because she did not want to stand still. She also started saying "thank you" for the first time! Being handed candy at every door was a great reinforcement for the newly acquired manners. Laralei loves her cousins, and so far, loves Halloween!

2009-12-04T16:50:00.001-08:00

Some more pictures...

2009-12-04T16:44:00.001-08:00

Sorry it has been so long. I am trying to catch up here....Laralei's first birthday...family party!

Emergency Essentials

2009-10-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

Shawn and I have been working on building our food storage and I found out about this really neat calculator by Emergency Essentials. You input your family, and then the food that you currently have stored. The calculator generates and estimate on how long the food would last. It makes recommendations on nutrient areas that are deficient in your current supply! So neat! There is a link to the calculator on the side of my blog!

Disneyland 2009

2009-09-24T13:07:00.000-07:00

This year we all went to Disneyland for Free on my birthday! We had a lot of fun introducing Laralei to the Tiki Birds, Carasoul, Pirates of the Carabean, Dumbo, It's a Small World, Peter Pan and Neverland etc. Her eyes were wide and she hardly made a noise, blinked or moved. When the rides were all over she clapped her hands. She was a good baby all day and I believe that she had a good time. I had a wonderful birthday. Thanks Disneyland!

Laralei on the Carasoul.

Laralei liked the tea cup music...

"A Very Merry Un-Birthday to You!"

Fun at the beach

2009-09-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful Friday on the beach with Grandpa Mike and Grandma.

Laralei kept putting her face in the sand to make nose imprints in the sand. Consequently she was covered in sand from head to foot. She loved it! She ran in the water, dug in the sand and chased seagulls.

Post-It Baby!

2009-09-15T18:44:00.000-07:00

Shawn figured out how to smuggle Laralei into class with him!

Birthday Movies

2009-09-15T17:34:00.000-07:00

More Birthday Pictures

2009-09-15T17:27:00.000-07:00

Ladybug First Birthday

2009-09-15T17:07:00.001-07:00

Yesterday Laralei turned one. I feel so blessed to have her as a part of our family. She is a great joy in our lives. 2 Behives in our ward have taken a fancy to Laralei and came over yesterday to enjoy a ladybug cake. It was a lot of fun. Check out Laralei and her first birthday cake and celebration. We will have a family party on

Sunday. Didn't Shawn do an awesome job on her Ladybug Birthday Cake?!

Finally Setteling In

2009-09-15T16:47:00.000-07:00

I have not posted for some time. It has been a busy summer full of moving and school. We enjoyed spending the last few months in Utah where we were able to spend time with Faith and Donald, Leisel and Blake and Keb, Melissa and their kids. Shawn has been thrilled to have his mountains back and we all enjoyed our summer.

Now we are settleing into our apartment in Pomona California. The warm weather is fun and we have enjoyed going to the beach. Shawn has been anxious to get back up on a surf board, and we are all excited to go to Disneyland. A new season of BYU Football has gotten a magnificant start, and Shawn is enjoying classes at Claremont. Our new ward is kind and very helpful. We have both given talks, Shawn has substitute taught Sunday School, and is the Duty to God specialist. Laralei is making new friends, and everyone is charmed by her sweet smile and pigtails. We feel overwhelmingly blessed to be in our new home and new life here.

First Steps

2009-06-27T14:44:00.000-07:00

Last night Laralei took her first few hesitated and unsteady steps on her own. She is still a little ways off from walking, but it won't be long now!

My baby ate dirt!

2009-06-15T20:45:00.001-07:00

Well, it's official. Lee has tasted dirt. We went to Liesel and Blake's home today and enjoyed an outdoor dinner. I set Lee down for a little bit so that I could eat as well. The next thing I knew, she turned around, and dirt was oozing down her chin in her perpetual teething slober. She had managed to get her fist into the neighbor's flower pot and put dirt in her mouth. She must not have minded the taste too much, because she headed back for more, but her efforts were thwarted as her dad made a dive to intervene.

2009-06-13T21:35:00.000-07:00

Well, we are now in Provo UT for the summer. I have 3 classes to finish and I will graduate from BYU. In August we will continue our westward journey to Los Angeles CA where Shawn will start his Phd program.

Lots has happened in the past month. Besides moving, Shawn graduated with his Masters degree from Purdue and my sister Faith married Donald. I will be posting pictures of the happy couple, as well as lots more of the past month soon. Little Lee is growing as always, working on pushing through her top two teeth and learning what "no" means.

Shawn, Lee and I feel so blessed that we have been able to spend so much time with so much family recently. I think that the only siblings we have not seen are Keb, Melissa and their kids (we will see them next week-can't wait!).

Here she comes!

2009-04-27T22:26:00.000-07:00

Laralei began to crawl today and we've taped her first lengthy crawl for you to see! This crawl also enables you to see the steps to crawling...she gets onto her knees, rocks back and forth, and then rather unsteadily moves forward! It is amazing as her mom to see her develop. Look out world--here she comes!

Mmmmm...

2009-04-23T07:40:00.000-07:00

Laralie is learning to mimick sounds, such as Mmmmm and dada.

Purdue Spring Fest

2009-04-22T07:20:00.000-07:00

Laralei, Shawn and I went to Purdue's Spring fest. Laralei enjoyed the animals. The weather was beauitful and we really enjoyed our time together. Laralei's favorite were the baby piglets. They ran around a lot and made funny noises. We also saw a 2 day old lamb, horses, llamas, cows as well as the baby chick and the goat that sniffed Laralei's shoe.

Laundry Days

2009-04-21T13:47:00.000-07:00

Laralei got herself into this basket all on her own. She was playing, tipped over the laundry basket, and somehow ended up with it over her head! She had a lot of fun trying to get out.

Shadow Games

2009-04-20T12:39:00.001-07:00

Laralei discovered her shadow.

Thanks Uncle Larry, Julie and Alyssa for the outfit!

TEA anyone?

2009-04-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

T. axed E. nough A. lready

Wednessday Shawn, Lee and I rallied with thousands of other Americans at tea parties in Lafayette IN and Indianapolis IN. The rallys began with prayer, the pledge of Allegance, and singing of the National Anthem.

I was not the only one with tears rolling down my face as we recognized and thanked those in the crowd who had served in the armed forces, helping preserve American freedom.

Lee's diaper bag held a sign stating, "American Baby: Born Free, or In Debt?". She loved the music and crowds of happy people! You can see both sides of Shawn's artistic sign as pictured here.

We as a people have been passive too long. It is time, today, to commit to becomming an active participant in our republic. Government must be responsible to the people.

Pay attention to the voting records of those running for office. Last election cycle, when Congress held a 9% approval rating, 92% of incumbants were re-elected. This is insanity. We need to find canidates that are not beholden to lobbyists, and who are not for sale to special interest groups. Seek for such canidates, and then help organize support for them. They will need our support if they are not for sale!

It is our sacred duty as Americans to help preserve the Constitution that protects our God given freedom. We must do all in our power to propel the cause of freedom, and sustain it for the sake of our children, and our children's children.

As we pray for Freedom and a spirit of unity accross this great nation, may God elarge our efforts to fight for this Divinely inspired cause.

Uh Oh!

2009-04-10T19:14:00.000-07:00

Doctor day

2009-04-08T13:08:00.000-07:00

Laralei went to the dr's today. She is doing well developmentally and weighs 18 pounds!

Boys Make Girls Cry

2009-04-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

Friends joined us yesterday for an amazing conference. Their 4 year old (very cute) son was completely taken with Laralei and kept kissing her on the forehead and cheek! Everytime, Laralei cried in protest! It was so cute, Laralei's first kiss. Shawn nicknamed the little boy Georgie Porgie.

Georgie Porgie, Puddin' and Pie,
Kissed the girls and made them cry,
When the boys came out to play
Georgie Porgie ran away.

You would cry too if it happened to you!

2009-04-03T18:42:00.000-07:00

Shawn began to fake cry in protest of an interview O'Reilly gave with a cast member of the Mary Tyler Moore show. She announced that at 70 years old, she posed nude for a health magazine. Shawn was quick to protest, and Laralei was quick to join. One look at her dad crying, and Laralei let out a wail that quickly called our attention, complete with tears. We had one very distraught little girl as she sounded the alarm that her daddy was in distress! Poor little thing. We quickly calmed her and had a good laugh. Her response was a total surprise to us.

Too cute!

2009-04-02T17:48:00.000-07:00

Well, I am obviously biased, but Shawn took this picture the other day, and I had to share it because I think that it is just soooo cute!

America's Funniest Home Video

2009-03-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

During a particularly messy dinner of oatmeal, Shawn captured a hilarious moment of Lee spitting out her food in disqust. It was halarious, so we submitted it to America's Funniest Home Videos. We are not able to post the video on the web until after they have chosen it (or not) for their show. Stay tuned for America's Funniest Home Video this season to see if they choose our Little Lady Lee.

Interludes with a soccer ball.

2009-03-26T14:38:00.000-07:00

Hi Aunt Leisel:
I'm getting started early on soccer. Once I can walk and kick, I'll learn not to use my hands. For now, this is the best I can do. I look forward to your coaching, hope I do you proud!

Going to Church

2009-03-23T10:06:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Sorry we haven't written in so long. These pics were taken yesterday before church. Laralie is growing and happy! She is rolling across the floor, hitting buttons on the VCR and getting into everything. The other day I found her with a file folder I had left on the floor in her mouth. I hope the IRS doesn't mind if our taxes are little wet! I am learning to keep the floors clear of trouble for our curious roller.

Starting Teething

2009-03-03T10:39:00.000-08:00

Well, Laralie is officially teething. Last night she woke up screaming and would not be reconciled for anything. I finally became wise and wondered if she was teething. I put my finger in her mouth and rubbed her gums gently. On her top gums I could feel sharp rough patch of where a tooth was just starting to jut through the gum. Oragel helped tremendously, though it was several hours before I could calm her enough to go to sleep again. Poor thing. I told her when all her teeth grow in she could eat food like mommy and daddy and even try cookies! Since she doesn't yet know what cookies are, I don't think it helped too much.

Giggle with me!

2009-02-21T16:43:00.000-08:00

This made me giggle.

Take a look and it might make you giggle too!

Also, Happy birthday Aunt Liesel!

Happy Valentines Day!

2009-02-14T14:35:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day!

We really love each one of you and thank you for the special part that you play in my life.

So here is a Valentine to share with each of you and I am sending a hug and a kiss too!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Lee.

Check out my new bib!

2009-02-10T19:06:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much Sister Willman for my new bib!

It is sooo pretty!

I sure am a messy eater!

2009-02-09T17:28:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! It has been a few days, but I've been hard at play!

Where did the time go?

2009-02-05T18:38:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I put Laralie's binkey in her mouth before jumping in the shower. She was quiet for at least a solid minute, so I figured it would not be long before she would be napping. While I was in the shower, she began to cry. It took me a few minutes longer than normal to get to her. When I walked in the room I looked for her binkey to put it back in her mouth. Much to my surprise, I found the binkey on the floor half way across her room! This is the first time that she has thrown anything from the crib. I am still wondering if it went over the bars or through them! It is amazing how fast she is growing and developing.

This picture is an older one. Shawn is holding Laralie the day she received her name and blessing. It is hard to believe that she was this little. She is only 4 months old and I am already wondering where the time went.

Finally!

2009-02-04T17:47:00.001-08:00

Laralei has been working for weeks to taste her big toe.

She finally succeeded! Ummm....

Yea! I did it!

2009-02-03T16:33:00.000-08:00

Today I got my 4 month immunizations.

Laralei was a real trooper. She only cried with the actual needle stick, and has only been a little fussy since. She is remarkably brave as she confronts what this new fallen world has to offer.

2009-02-02T18:24:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone. It has been a few days,

so I just thought I would send a picture to say Hi!

I love my Oatmeal!

Play Time!

2009-01-30T18:08:00.000-08:00

More Blessings

2009-01-29T08:01:00.001-08:00

Today Pap came through his knee surgery well and is in recovery. I have so much to thank my Father in Heaven for.

Our Family has been Blessed

2009-01-28T17:38:00.000-08:00

We are so happy to hear that our nephew Nate came through surgery well and is on the mend.

Also, a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Blake (my brother-in-law) for receiving a scholarship offer to study law at William & Mary's!

Everyday Life: Being mom is the BEST job!

2009-01-27T20:33:00.000-08:00

2009-01-27T20:27:00.001-08:00

Can you find the baby?

How about now?

2009-01-25T20:48:00.000-08:00

I love these overalls. She looks like such a little girl instead of a baby (ok, minus the hair)!

2009-01-25T20:44:00.000-08:00

Brrrr...It's still cold and snowy here, but we are keeping warm!

2009-01-21T15:18:00.000-08:00

Way to Grow!

Today Laralei had her 4 month check up. Dr. Emery was very happy to hear that Laralei is happy and eating cereal and drinking juice from a training sippy cup. Laralei is almost 14 lbs. and she is 25 in. tall--quite a growth spurt for 2 months! Laralie was underweight a few months ago, and now she is on the average growth curve, she has jumped several percentiles!

This picture was taken outside the St. George temple. Shawn and I were able to take her there over Christmas break and explain to her how we are an eternal family.

2009-01-16T18:29:00.000-08:00

Laralei is finally asleep for the night.

Pleasant dreams to her and each of you.

This picture was taken a week before Christmas.

2009-01-15T18:56:00.000-08:00

CONGRATULATIONS SHAWN!

Shawn has officially finished all of his graduate school applications! Join us in celebrating!

2009-01-14T20:20:00.001-08:00

On Monday January 12th, Laralei took her first bite of rice cereal.

Shawn filmed her first try at solid food. Click on the film below to see...

Here is another clip for you to enjoy!

Mmmm rice cereal, so good!

2009-01-12T12:06:00.000-08:00

While in St. George, a few days after Christmas we went hiking at Zion National Park. The Red Rock was breath-taking in the snow. This picture shows everyone who went: Karl-Erik, Melissa and their children (Sam, Racheal, Jared, and Nate is on Keb's back); Blake and Leisel, and Shawn Laralei (on Shawn) and myself. We had a blast slipping and sliding in the snow.

Shawn was particuarlly impressed by Jared on the treck over the ice. Watch Jared in this clip. He runs down a hill of ice, slides into Sam who has already fallen on the ice, jumps over him and continues his jont down the hill. Quite impressive Jared!

2009-01-11T17:40:00.000-08:00

Laralie loved meeting Grandpa and Grandma Bennion. This photo shows 4 generations of Bennions, all sealed and connected one to another for eternity. We are so grateful for our family and the joyful addition Laralei has made to the Bennion mix!

(Pictured from left to right are Grandpa Bennion, Grandma Bennion holding Laralei and Grandpa Mike with Shawn standing behind and between Grandpa and Grandma. This picture was taken December 23, 2008).

2009-01-10T10:35:00.000-08:00

Well, we are back in Indiana and trying to unpack and, do laundry and get Shawn situated in a new (and last for his Masters) semester in school. Can you believe that they had him registered as a freshman engineering student for this new semester? Who came up with that idea, we'll never know, but it gave me a good laugh. In the mean time, I will be much better at keeping you up to date, posting pictures of Laralei and looking forward to hearing from you.

2009-01-09T15:11:00.000-08:00

Hope that everyone had a Very Merry Christmas! We certainly enjoyed our time with family, and Laralei loved meeting grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, and most of all the COUSINS!

I will be posting pictures every other day, so check back often and keep us up to date on how all of you are doing as well.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here are all the cousins! Sam is holding Nate Nate, Racheal (so happy to have a GIRL cousin) is holding Laralei and Jared is sitting on the right.

When Laralei first woke up and saw all of her cousins hovering by to meet her, she gave a big "Hi guys, it's been a while. How are you?" smile!

In this picture Laralie is sporting her beauitful new dress that Grandma Luisa gave her. She looks like she just stepped out of the movie "White Christmas".

This second picture was taken Christmas Eve in Las Vegas. Laralei loves posing with Grandma Luisa and Grandpa Mike.

Laralie loved meeting Aunt Michelle, Macey, Mckenzie (pictured here) as well as Blake, Bailey and Uncle Breck (not pictured here).

Meeting Aunt Jackie was a special treat! Aunt Jackie gave Laralie this beauitful candy-striped dress with matching pink panties. Laralei felt like a Christmas elf! Uncle Jacob supplied the matching elf hat!

We miss everyone and look forward to seeing you again soon.

More pictures will be forth coming each day or every other day. If you did not see your picture with Laralei yet, stay posted.

Trick or Treat

2008-10-31T18:23:00.000-07:00

Shawn makes a handsome Indian Jones, and Laralei dressed as a tiger.

Shawn's Harry Potter Jack-o-lantren was a hit with all the trick or treaters tonight!

Enjoying a Sunday afternoon nap

2008-09-28T22:32:00.000-07:00

Laralei's First BYU Game!

2008-09-28T22:10:00.000-07:00

Laralei cheers as she watches BYU's first touchdown!

Laralei's first BYU game was exciting, with BYU shutting out Wyoming 44 to nothing!

Congrats BYU, and Congratulations Laralei on your first big game!

First Dr. Visit

2008-09-19T19:58:00.000-07:00

Laralei had her first well baby visit today. Her doctor is very happy with her growth, color and overall health.

Going Home

2008-09-19T19:19:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken Tuesday, the day we brought Laralei home from the hospital. The dress Laralei is wearing is the same dress that I wore when I first went home from the hospital with my parents. Thanks mom (Nana) for saving it!

2008-09-16T20:24:00.000-07:00

Baby's first pictures

2008-09-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

Back by request, you will see the first pictures taken of our baby at week 20. Both of these pictures are of the profile of the baby.

The hands of the baby are up by the ears, clenched into fists. Hopefully we will be able to add new baby pictures soon!

This last picture was Shawn's favorite. Shawn loved seeing the baby yawn on camera, and this picture captures the baby's open mouth half way through the yawn.

Shawn's flight observations

2008-09-01T18:25:00.000-07:00

Shawn noted the following during sacrament meeting on Sunday.

Saw a kid with a paper airplane in the middle of the congregation with his hand held high ready to throw! His mother caught him just in time! How often is God the one who catches us just before doing such embarassing things...

36 Weeks

2008-08-27T09:24:00.000-07:00

Yea! Our pregnancy is now at 36 weeks. This means that when I go into labor we will no longer try to stop it! At 37 weeks the baby is considered full term...we are almost there!

Have you ever wanted to run over your phone?

2008-08-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to run over your phone--or even just wondered what would happen if you did? You need wonder no more...check it out!

Please Note: This phone was not run over intentionally. Shawn went for a bike ride on Saturday, and lost his phone along the way. By the time he realized that the phone was gone and rode back to find it, someone had already taken the liberty of answering a long pondered question "what would happen if I ran over my phone?"

For now, if you wish to contact Shawn, please give him a call at Fawn's number. The phone will be replaced at Shawn's old number within the next few days.

New Blog

2008-08-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

Hello friends:
This is our new blog, advertisment free! New posts will be comming...
Thanks for your patience!

Fawn.