Florida Trip

Ben was recognized at work for having a good year in 2009. We were very excited as the award was delivered to our home in a rather large box marked Frageelie. We figured it was Italian and thought we might ask Matt what it meant later. I was a little concerned when Ben pulled out what looked like the glow of electric sex and he began wondering out loud where the best place to display it might be. Ok, not really. Ben was recognized at work but nothing was delivered to our home. Instead they sent us to Naples, FL and treated us like royalty for a few days. This was a great honor, a big deal. It showed as they really took care of us.



We stayed at the Ritz which I heard was special but truly had no idea. I've never heard much about the Ritz other than the song "Puttin' on the Ritz". It was a very fancy hotel. As I expected we had a bunch of fun and ate too much. We had so much fun we forgot to take many pictures. The picture below is of a lunch we had on the beach right outside the hotel. The hotel was right on the beach, perfect for early morning strolls and collecting unusual sea creatures that washed up on the shore. (The group we were with thought I was crazy for trying to collect these strange creatures that looked a little to 'alive' for them.)




They had many activities available for us. We hung out on the beach one day and took a tour through the everglades the other. I was introduced to many of Ben's friends from work. They all seemed to get a kick out my asking the bar-keep for milk, chocolate milk if I was lucky. A couple times a day we were introduced into a ballroom and were told that the "beer and wine are flowing." We chuckled a bit because we don't drink. It was pretty easy to pick out the crowd of our faith because they all held their Diet Cokes. I don't drink pop so I would ask for some milk. They accommodated me about half the time and the other times would just kind of politely glare at me.



The day we took the tour of the Everglades was wonderful. We were concerned about the weather but it cleared up just in time. Most of the time we were in Naples it was very windy and cold but the times we needed the weather to cooperate it did beautifully. We were introduced to our first "gale". I never knew what a gale was but I know enough now to stay away from the water when one is coming. (It rained horizontally). After the gale was a perfect time to rush to the beach to see what the storm washed up on shore. I found a horseshoe crab the size of an 8X10 picture frame.

When we got to the dock where we would board the boats to for the Everglades tour they didn't have enough boats for Ben and I so we had some time to kill. Apparently some local saw the crowd getting onto the boats and just got in line. They had this cute little "tame" alligator in a little aquarium for the tourist to hold. They dared me to kiss the little cutie. I didn't hesitate on this dare...the little guy was so cute after all. He seemed to like it because I could see him smile. Ben, on the other hand, told me he'd never kiss me again...and they smile before they lunge to bite your face off. I didn't believe him but didn't like the thought of no more Ben kisses, so I gladly passed the reptile to the next folks in line.



Ben found a friend while we were taking the bus ride to the docks. We were given a bit of an history lesson by a local who looked like the Florida version of Wally Rupp (Ben's former Scout Leader). Ben commented a few times that he felt like he was in a merit badge clinic as the man rambled on about the history of the area. The legal battles around the preservation of national parks. We chuckled as he talked about all the local families that owned the land that would illegally poach gators for their skin and tails. They were always running from the "Poe-lease" and generally stayed ahead long enough not to get caught. All of their stories ended the same. They would drink, poach, and chase women. We they got old they "found religion" and donated the family land to create a national park.




We did manage to remember to take many picture on the everglades. We were taken on these big airboats that fit about 7 people. Our guide was one of the "good ol boys". He was such a hillbilly redneck he redefined the word for us. Unfortunately we forgot to get a picture with him. He was a thick guy with scars all over his neck and arms. We asked him if that was from the low branches of the Everglades. He laugh and told us a few stories of when he was younger and not so bright he would wrasle gators for beer money. He did that for about 6 years and then got bored and became a guide.



Our guide took us through these little alley ways in the Everglades. It was beautiful. He took us to some the favorite areas where gators like to hang out. I think they like to stay in this spot because these guides like to feed them marshmallows. Sounded weird to us but the gators ate them.



He took some of these alleys and turns a bit faster than we might have liked. We all survived and had a fun memory.



The best part of the trip was knowing that we were very close to being able to visit Grandma in Moultrie, GA. It was a bit of a drive but I was surprised at how enjoyable that drive can be when I'm with my best friend and I'm not concerned about potty breaks or who needs what snack or who is touching who or who is breathing someone else's air. We missed the kids but it was fun to get away with just us. We stopped outside of Moultrie to look at these cows. Not sure why. They seemed interesting at the time. Maybe it was the beautiful countryside.




Getting to Grandma's house is always a joy. We seem to rush to get there and then try to live as slow as possible. We only had one day with Grandma so we tried to make the most of it by doing absolutely nothing. Ben watched an episode of Matlock in honor of Granddaddy. All that was missing was some peanut brittle. Otherwise it would have been the exact experience Ben talks about when reminiscing about other trips to Georgia. Sitting on the couch with Grandpa, eating peanut brittle and watching Matlock.



Another memory that Ben always talks about is playing Skipbo with Grandma. She still has it in her to cheat a little but not as outright as before. Grandma brought out the fruit and peanut M&Ms and we were in heaven. This lovely lady has more peanut M&Ms in her home than most corner markets will stock on their shelves for a week. We had great food, great company, and a great big German Chocolate cake that Ben felt obligated to have a wedge of a couple times a day. Not a piece but a wedge. That cake would sit a good 4 inches on top of his plate. Ben was happy.



Ben spending the morning trying to watch the birds. He's the best relaxer I know.



The hardest part about going to Moultrie is leaving. We wish we had more contact with out Grandmother. Not coming with the kids has given us an excuse to come again next year with the whole family.




We love our dear Grandmother. Even though she's so far away, when we're with her it seems as if no time has passed at all. We feel like we know her as well as if we lived next door. Kindred spirits are always that way. We had a wonderful time enjoying each others personalities...laughing, laughing, laughing. We also planted Grandma's planters with Spring blooms. I hoped she would look out the window to see her flowers and know that Ben and Tiffany love her.

Lil Marilyn is 2

It is hard to think that Mari is two. We have tried to slow down and enjoy her as much as possible but the time goes quickly. Ben still has a few flashbacks on Mari's birthday that causes a little anxiety. If Mari came in the middle of the day the out come would have been very different. To refresh your memory we have included the original post of the whole story.





Hi, this is Ben and not Tiffany. Tiffany has suggested I announce the birth to you as I was aware of every second of what you will read and she was not. We named our new daughter Marilyn Tiffany and plan calling her Mary or Mari. We have not yet decided on the abbreviation. This post is quite long even though the labor was not. Well, hold on tight.

Tiffany woke me up at 3:40ish in the morning to tell me her water broke. I mean it when I say she looked angelic. She seemed relieved to finally be able to go to the hospital and was glowing. I got dressed and woke the kids. All their gear for an overnighter was in the van and ready to go. I gathered Tiffany’s bag and made sure we had the camera and left for the hospital. I was a little concerned about getting to the hospital in a hurry and it being the middle of the night I was driving about 10 miles over the speed limit to get the kids to my sister’s home. (Thanks Christie and Keith) Tiffany was polity requesting that I go a little faster if I could. We dropped the kids off and gave all their gear to Keith and we were on our way. Tiffany, while breathing heavy, tries to be polite and thanks Keith for his help.

A few seconds after we get out of the neighborhood Tiffany starts to breathe a bit heavier and starts into a little moan which into a matter of seconds turns into a scream. I get wide eyed and start driving faster. Within a few more seconds Tiffany’s scream turns into an all out SCAH-REEEAM. As a result I start driving a little faster. I’ve explained this to many family members and get a similar response that they can’t picture Tiffany SCAH-REEEAMING. All I can say is that this moment was not very Tiffanyesque. I was trying to be comforting, as much I could while driving like there was no one else on the road while my wife is SCAH-REEEAMING. We get about half way to the hospital and Tiffany’s SCAH-REEEEAMING intensifies even more as she lifts her feet onto the dashboard of our minivan. I immediately begin to experience more thoughts and random emotions then ever before. I begin to panic as I realize that this child has a very good chance of being born in the van. I forget where the hospital is. I began to wonder how to clean the van. How quickly could I sell then van? Could I sell the van without telling the buyer why I’m selling it and still keep my temple recommend? Tiffany bought a book on how to deliver a child. I purposely avoided it and then wish we had it in the car because I don’t remember if the First Aid merit badge covered this. I ask Tiffany to tell me when I can ask her a question. She gives me permission but tells me to make it quick and I have to ask her “the hospital is on 9000 S. right?” as I pass the on ramp to I-15. She confirms that it is and starts into another SCAH-REEEEAM. By missing the on ramp to I-15 I drive us into an area that is under heavy construction. Cones are everywhere as I bobbed and weaved our way down the street. It felt like we were in a luge and I don’t think we had all four wheels on the ground until we reached the hospital. Tiffany asked me later what happened to make us turn so often. She remembers experiencing a little motion sickness in route to the hospital. I blamed her sickness on the lack of oxygen she was getting due to her constant SCAH-CREEEMING. Needless to say I broke a few laws in route to the hospital and remember a few words I learned in Jr. High. I purposely keep this part vague in case someone with the law enforcement or my Bishop read any of this.

We make it to the hospital and I drive up to the entrance of the Women’s Center and Tiffany tells me that she can’t walk that I should take her to emergency room entrance. Again driving quite fast I take her to the emergency entrance and realize that I shouldn’t be taking turns as quickly as I am. I stopped trying to slow down for the speed bumps and just plowed right over them. It was 4:00 as we drove into the ambulance entrance; I jumped out, and ran into the ER lobby. No one is there. I have not seen many horror movies but this reminded me of one. Most of the lights are off, one light coming from vending machine is flickering off and on and nobody is there. I begin yelling for help and a woman comes to the counter. Her speed did not match the intensity of my pleads for help. She looked at me like she normally gets weird people in the ER at the middle of the night. I tell her, “MY WIFE IS HAVING A BABY RIGHT NOW!!!!” She calmly tells me to park in the ambulance drop off. I tell her I’m already there. I run back to the car and look inside the sliding doors they will take my wife and nobody is coming. I’m frustrated and start to go back into the ER when I see someone calmly walking a stretcher towards the door. I open the van door and Tiffany SCAH-REEEEAMS, “WHAT IS THAT SMELL.” It smelled like burnt rubber but I couldn’t believe that she would care. I just stared at her for about 5 seconds and then tell her the smell is coming from the van. She then SCAH-REEEMS, “IS THE VAN GOING TO BE OK?” Again, I just stare at her as the mighty women of the ER help her onto the stretcher. I get back into the van and park. I grab Tiffany’s bags and such and run to the ER entrance hoping I could follow Tiffany. I slow down as I approach the entrance noticing that one of Tiffany’s shoes in lying alone on the asphalt. I was a bit puzzled, I’m not sure why. It was kind of a lonely moment. Everything is quite for the first time since we got in the van, I’m by myself and I’m staring at a lone shoe on the asphalt outside the ER doors. I pick up the shoe as the sliding doors are closing. I stand at the door expecting someone to see me and let me in but nobody was thinking of the father. I go back into the ER lobby and try to get someone’s attention. A few people are there but they all look really busy. I get a lady’s attention and ask her where maternity is. She points as if to give me directions and then realized I must be the father and lets me take a short cut through ER. I get to the maturity door and ring the buzzer a couple of times. I can’t even get into this part of the hospital without someone letting me in. It takes about 2 minutes but someone comes to the door and lets me in and says “you must be ‘The Father’ like I was no ordinary father. He tells where Tiffany’s room is and gives me directions. I didn’t bother to listen to them because I could her Tiffany who was still SCAH-REEEMING. I got to her room and reasoned that she must have made a racket all the way to her room because she had 11 nurses all in there. (I counted)

On a side note, the day after Mari was born Tiffany went to a lactation class to freshen up on her mad lactation skills. They all were sharing there labor “stories”. On gal said that she having a hard time deciding if she wanted the epidural or not. While debating this decision in her own mind she heard a women making like a banshee being run down the hall on a stretcher which made her decision a little easier.

I was guessing that the hospital wasn’t very busy because of all the attention we were getting. I found later that they were busier then usual but with Tiffany’s SCAH-REEEMING they all dropped what they were doing and came running to help. Tiffany had 3-4 nurses in her face telling her what to do as I entered the room. They tell me to drop everything in the far corner and get out of the way. I do as I’m told and look down at Tiffany who is begging for some drugs and the nurses in unison say “Sorry, It’s too late”. I was not sure what all the nurses where doing. Some where helping Tiffany with her breathing, some were preparing the bed, some were trying to get an IV in place, and others were waiting for instructions. I know it sounds dumb but I was thinking, “at least they could get some water boiling and bring some fresh towels.” One nurse was working the computer on the other side of the room and was trying to ask me questions. She asked me, “What is her name”? I responded, “Tiffany.” The nursed followed that up with “spell it for me”. I gave her “T . . . I. . . “ and then my mind went blank. She asked the question again and eventually gave me multiple choice options of which I chose one. A few seconds later she came over and asked me for Tiffany’s birth date and all I could do was stare at her, which I did for about 15 seconds, before I could remember. The nurse who was helping Tiffany with her breathing tried to ask me my name which I knew if I told her I would begin to cry so I just smiled at her. They kept telling Tiffany that the doctor was on his way and that the baby was crowning. She asked me if I wanted to see the baby crowning and all I could do was laugh at her. I’ve been through this before and I know my role. I take care of one end and they take care of the other. I politely declined and was able to pay attention to Tiffany a bit. She was not longer screaming due to the nurse telling her to use her air to push. 2 nurses left and we were down to having 9 in the room. They reassured Tiffany that the doctor is coming but if they need to they can deliver the baby. Tiffany told them that she trusts them and she pushes. Mary was born at 4:30. The clock in the room said 4:31 but they entered 4:29. I’ll split the difference. Literally 2 seconds after Mary is born the doctor walks in the door. I yell across the room, “Doctor, your timing is impeccable!” and smile. I’ve never meet him before and he seemed to not know how to take this statement. He kind of glared, smiled, and glared. He’s a great guy and we chatted a bit while he worked on Tiffany.


After Mary was born Tiffany looked great. She looked at me and said, “I feel so much better!!” It was said the same way as a child might say after being up all night with a tummy ache and finally vomiting up a bunch of those nasty peeps that are available around Easter. “I feel so much better.” She said like, “I feel so much better, when can I start training for that marathon?” The nurses were able to hook Tiffany up to some pain meds and all was well.

Christie brought the kids buy that morning with some breakfast. I was starving after the emotional roller coaster that last less then an hour and wore myself out as I remembered every second over and over. After a brief visit with Mom, I took the kids home hoping to sleep and have some “quite time”. We went back to the hospital that late afternoon to visit with Tiffany some more. This time I took I-15 and still hit some construction that slowed us down considerably. While on I-15 I realized that I was driving a little to fast, my knuckles were white, and I was uneasy for some reason. I was trying to figure out why I felt this way when I heard Tiffany SCAH-CREEEEMING and looked over to where she was sitting on the way to the hospital. I was suffering from some crazy version of post traumatic stress. I don’t know what it was but all the feelings I had earlier came back at once. I didn’t sleep much during our “quite time” which might have had something to do with it. I began to think of how blessed we were that morning. What if the baby came while I was at work? What if she came during the day and we had traffic to worry about? What if I had rolled the van, was in an accident, or the van broke down? Even now, while typing this all I can do is shake my head and think of how lucky I am to have a wife who is deserving of these blessings. I’m sure I neutralized any blessing I might have been due by my actions in route to the hospital.

Mari is a Little Lamb

Mari is my little lamb with curls so blond and frizzy
But everywhere that Mari goes it puts Mom in a tizzy.

She followed Mom to school today, an exception to the rule,
While Mom was doing PTA, she disappeared at school.

Mom started in the 5th grade hall, the last place she'd been spotted
She looked through all the classrooms, (by now Mom's heart was knotted).

Mom felt so scared and sheepish; she'd lost her little lamb.
Then out comes Eve from 2nd grade hall with Mari holding hands.

Now 2nd grade was no-where near where when at first she'd vanished,
But one thing's sure, from school now on, our little lamb is banished.

But that's not all, please be assured, our day has just begun,
With Mari here and everywhere, my life is full of fun.

We came home from school that morn to find a bottle open,
A half-drunk-up and all spilled out of Children's Ibuprofen.

Now mom was still half crazy for the shenanigans at school,
But when she saw the empty bottle she nearly lost her cool.

Mom called her local Poison Control, (she calls them all the time)
They calmly reassured her that her little lamb was fine.

They said she might by drowsy (no luck with that so far)
So while I say a prayer of thanks I'll enjoy my little star.

Another kind of Minty Fresh - by Mari

We have been told that if our little Marilyn wasn't so darn cute she wouldn't be worth all the effort it takes to keep her out of mischief. We are also aware of the "curse" given to parents that "you will have a child very much like yourself." We have fully realized this with our youngest. She is constantly into whatever, climbing, scaling, emptying, eating. We recently purchased some girls scout cookies and Mari was trying to open the box. Tiffany glanced and figured she was not a threat to the Thin Mints. She told me "she could never figure out how to open them." We gave her 5 min and checked on her. Not only had she opened them but she devoured half a sleeve. She is a very driven and persistent little angel.




Mari has a fascination with our bathroom. Whenever she can she goes in the our bathroom and empties everything on to the floor. She unravels our dental floss, empties the roll of toilet paper, toothbrushes, deodorant, combs . . . everything goes on the floor. When we asked what she is doing we get a very sweet reply "I'm helping". This was all just an inconvenience until recently.




A few weeks ago Tiffany comes to me with both of our toothbrushes in hand and not very happy. Tiffany was preparing for bed after one of Mari's attempts at helping and noticed that the toothbrushes were one the floor. She cleaned up, thinking of her cute little angel, and somewhere along the way brushed her teeth. What Tiffany neglected to notice was my deodorant, lid off, lying next to the toothbrushes with distinct toothbrush groves imprinted into it. She got a mouth full of "Arctic Edge" flavored deodorant. I laughed and sanitized the toothbrushes. A few days later Tiffany came down with the toothbrushes again asking me to guess what happened. Yep, another mouth full of deodorant, this time "Intense Sport" flavored. My first reaction was to ask what the difference is between the two flavors but I know now how to keep myself out of trouble. 13 years of marriage helps one to know when to shut the mouth. The best part about the story it that Tiffany has been burned 6 TIMES!!!! I check my toothbrush every night but Tiffany forgets occasionally and KA-POW catches one right in the kisser. The next Science Project I might recommend for our are daughters is "Does deodorant stop bad breath?" They live with a test subject that I'm sure could provide a clear perspective.

You Got Suckered

Eve came home from her piano lesson with a yellow lollipop and plenty of good things to tell about her new piano teacher. Mari, upon seeing Eve's treat decided that she must have one too. After unsuccessfully trying to climb to the top of the pantry where the candy jar is found, she bursts into tears. Of course, Eve, who is very tender hearted, wants to help her littlest sister to be happy.

Generously, Eve tells Mari that she may have one lick of her lollipop and then give it right back. Mari immediately stops crying and says, "Thank you Eve". Mari takes one lick and then CHOMP. Mari, smiling, hands the stick back to Eve.

Eve's lesson: Never trust a 2 year old who is smart and sassy, even if she's cute!

Valentine's Day

This post was suppose to come out weeks ago but here it is. Our darling daughters had asked that they get the privilege of fixing our Valentine's Day dinner. They occasionally ask to do things like this and we let them without expecting much. We were not prepared for what we were given.

Emma was the head chef.

Eve (or as she asked to be called Lauren) was out waitress.
We could never figure out why she chose the name "Lauren" instead of something like Flo.

Eve was very proper and played the part great. The girls gave us a heads up on the menu options the day before. They made us enter through the front door. To get there we had to go out by the garage and in through the front door. They went out of their way to make up a menu for us to chose from. One for me and one for Ben. They made place cards for each of us.


They draped a sheet over the walkway that lead from our front room to the kitchen. Both girls were trying very hard to give us some time together and keep little Marilyn in the other room. This did not stop persistent Mari from getting her own chair and joining us.


We took it easy on the girls and order a salad, nachos, and a BLT. Interesting that these dishes are made from ingredients that I recently remember seeing in our fridge. We sat down and chatted a bit waiting for our food when Hyrum comes in, sly like, and hides behind one of the couches. We thought that Emma was going to come and tell Hyrum to get back into the kitchen when we hear music. Hyrum turned on a CD player hidden behind the couch. It was obvious that the music he turned on was not really music, rather it was sounds of the ocean with some flute like melody added in the background. HYRUM WAS OUR ENTERTAINMENT UNTIL OUR FOOD ARRIVED. We were about to witness the effect our girls were having on our only son.

He began to dance.

Can you see the ocean?

Can't you just feel the breeze coming off the water?

Who needs a date by the beach when we have Hyrum to create the environment for us.

He provided us many shows utilizing different dance moves he has in his repertoire. Mari felt compelled to join in the dancing. Ben wrestles with this child constantly to try and toughen him up, yet he keeps on dancing.


Eventually Mari decides to join in our date. She brought her own chair, takes Ben's salad plate, eventually brings in her own drink.

Helps herself to whatever is in reach.

I thought we were suppose to be alone. I'm OK with whatever, just don't touch my salad. Ben can share with Mari if he wants but leave my greens alone.


It was fun. These kids tried very hard to provide on environment for us to celebrate in the best way they knew how.

What a great group of kids. They have now set our expectations very high.

It has been a while

It has been a while since we last posted. We promised our grandma that we would be more active in the future. We thought a way to catch up would be to provide a blitz of pictures.

Mari Christmas morning

Mari's favorite face

Mari and Landon