Our First Home Goodbyes

It was a sad day saying goodbye to our first home we owned and lived together in for the 1st time. We closed and signed papers on Wednesday the 28th. We didn't have to be out until Saturday the 31st in the morning, thanks to the kind new owners, they gave us extra time. It was a lot of work getting everything packed and ready. I didn't know we had so much stuff!! It doesn't seem like it until it all has to go into boxes.

Thursday came and we were supposed to close on our new home. It never happened. The appraiser was late and so that held up some time. When this happened, we knew we wouldn't fund until Monday because it takes an extra day and Thursday was the last day to close to be able to move before the weekend. We were bummed.

Rodger and Kam started loading up the truck on Friday. Thanks to Kam's dads business, we didn't have to rent a truck. That was a huge help because this way we kept all our belongings in the truck over the weekend until Monday afternoon came. We were extremely glad with this idea, that way we didn't have to unload and load the truck twice. My mom, Lindsey, Kam, Jacki and Kevin were a HUGE part in helping us pack and move out. We really appreciate them so much. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!

Of course we had to get a picture one last time:(
Kissing it goodbye, we've LOVED you!

...Packing sorta blows...

Could you tell I was a little nervous for my fragile belongings?

The last night packing....we were tired and ready for it to be DONE!

Saturday morning we did a few more loads and made the place extra fresh for the new owners. We went and got balloons and a gift card to congratulate them on their 1st home! While waiting inside the home, it was sad to look at it empty and to know this is the last time we will be in it. I made Rodger give me a full length body hug. You lay on the floor while the other lays on top of you and you, well...hug. We've had many of those hugs right there in that house and I needed one more. They came and we gave them the keys and a few run downs of the place. As soon as we got in the car, Rodger said he didn't want to leave. I told him I could tell. He went through every room, explaining noticeable things. It was very cute to watch him and thinking back on it now makes me want to cry. No tears were shed, although if we would have let them come, they would have very easily.

I thanked Rodger for providing our first home for us while he was giving me our full length body hug. I kissed him and said how much he means to me. I truly do love this man who cares so much about me. Thank you Rodger for a wonderful 1st home.

Over the weekend, we stayed with my dad at his house. It was very convenient and such a huge help to be able to stay there. It was a hard weekend knowing that I could have been at the new home unloading and making it our home, but it was a nice and relaxing weekend.

Monday came and something went wrong with the final papers. The wrong zip code got printed on the papers we signed on Friday. We had to resign all those papers again, but I was in heaven because I love to sign my name, what girl doesn't?! Finally at 4:00 Rodger got the call and it funded. We went to our new home right away to get the keys and along came the truck and all the helpers. Thank you to my mom, Lindsey, Kam, Jacki/Kevin, Scott, and Holly for helping us load everything in. Thank you to Alicia who tried to be there and Ashley for coming at the end (of course) and taking our garbage can out:) We really appreciate our family and friends for all their kind help.

Awesome Helpers! Lindsey and my mom.

The Strong Men. Kam, Scott, and Rodger.

We LOVE our new home, just love it! Things couldn't have worked out better. We are still making it our own and it couldn't be more fun.

Tonight Rodger is holding a "House Warming Hold'em" with all his Poker friends.

I'm such a nice wife, seriously.

Pictures will come soon.

Weekend @ St. George

Two weekends ago we went to St. George to visit our friends, Cole & Gabrielle. It was Gab's birthday that weekend. We stayed with them and had a lot of fun. I would have to say our biggest highlight was Bunny Shooting. Don't you worry, they are ugly looking things, and really don't need to live. Lets be honest, Cole didn't think there would be a chance that I would take one down and boy did I prove him wrong! I shot him down with a 22. Even though I come from a family of girls....I've got some toughness in me:)

Look at that creature. They make me laugh.

Me, Rodger, Gabs, Cole, and James.

Thanks for the great weekend. We can't wait for the CRUISE!

Other News:

We close on our house this week and move into a new. We are excited and sad. It's our first home so it will probably always stick with us, especially because of the story behind getting the home. But we are ready for the change and the new home. We move this weekend. So I'm sure you can guess what we have been up to, packing! It hasn't been too bad, expect everything has to be perfect because of me. Pictures/details to follow, but give me time:)

Happy Halloween!

Choo Choo

Oh my CRAP! I am in love. Love, love, and more love. I have heard a lot about Ticket to Ride, the game. I knew my cousin, Jessica and her husband Tony, were very much into this game. We have been throwing the idea around to come over and play the game for months. Well, it finally happened last night at short notice. Rodger and I can't get enough. Let me explain. We started at about 9:00 and ended our first game about 10:15ish. They were up for another round and with little convincing I agreed to play again. I, like most Beechers (Jessica and I decided) need a lot of sleep but this didn't stop me from continuing another round. Jess and Tony said we are pretty good for playing our first time, better than average. They own the United States version and we decided we are going to buy the Europe. Bring it on again guys, Monday nights seem to be the best:)

Weekend Highlights

We had a lovely weekend. It started off with Friday night. We went to dinner at The Gateway with Michael and Abbie and then went and saw Couples Retreat. What a treat it was, we all really enjoyed the movie.

Saturday morning we went to breakfast with my dad, Chels, Caroline, and Ava. Chelsea brought pictures of her baby growing inside her. It was cute to see the girls reaction to the pictures, "Where is the baby?" I can't begin to imagine what what going through their heads. Anyways, we had wonderful conversation and a delicious meal. Afterwards Rodger and I had a Couples Massage. It was a Couples Weekend! Ha, anyways it was delightful. It was both of our 2nd professional massage and our first time doing it together. We loved it. I wish we could do this once a month. We will probably have to do it every so often though. It was much needed, especially for Rodger. The lady said he has soooooooo many knots it his back, poor thing stresses too much. He is working on that. I, on the other hand, hardly ever stress, I consider it a gift. Rodger definitely makes up for the 2 of us in that area. We then went to my twin cousins baptisms. It was fun to see family and participate in that. They are silly boys with quite the personalities! We then went home for some "Me time" and Rodger played nintendo while I took a nap. Afterwards we had the lovely opportunity to GET to watch the twins. When I asked my dad if we were still on to watch them, I believe I said do we HAVE to watch them? He didn't like the way I put that question. I don't think he realizes how much we LOVE to watch these two little sweethearts. Lindsey and Landon joined us and we went to my favorite, don't make fun, Pepperbelly's Resturant. Afterwards, when we dropped the girls back off to their parents, we went to "Scary Hill" I believe this is now our 3rd time going this season. We have become avid about minature golfing and let me just say, Rodger and I win everytime! Linds and Landon have to buy us treats at Chevron because of our major skills (or should I say Rodger's).

Sunday was a relaxing day as usual. Nursery was great at church. We only have 1 more time left before we are out of the ward, it will be sad. We will miss many but we are excited for our new adventure!

Oh.....may I not forget:) The news about the sex of Baby Covington is:
It's A Girl!
Buttons doesn't like the normal PINK for girls. Her room will consist of mostly PURPLE, her favorite color.

What's Up With Us

• Landon got his LDS Mission call to Campinas, Brazil. He leaves January 6th. We are very excited for him and his new adventure. We will miss him lots, seriously!
• Our house is under contract to a lovely couple. Things are running smoothly so far. We close the end of this month.
• We had a week to find a house to close the same time as our current home. We found a few favorites and settled on one that stuck out more than the others. It is located in "Klayton" It is on the border of Kaysville and Layton. In our original search, we didn't even look in Layton, but we decided to last minute and we are so glad we did. We love the home! It is about a minute North of where we currently live, not far at all. We couldn't be more excited!
• We are so happy The Utah Jazz are up and running. We are excited for the season.
• Rodger's bike got stolen from our garage. I was mowing the lawn the other day and when I was putting the lawn mower back I had to take about 3 double takes to make sure it really wasn't there. I was so upset! Nothing else was stolen, not even my bike. Now no one will ever go on bike rides with me.
• We have started going to the Gym. We love the feeling and we love to go together.
• I can't wait for this Friday. Chels and Joe find out what they are having. I vote Girl. Hello, The Bennett's are full of girls, we are a girl family.
• Rodger is extra busy with work and is loving almost every minute of it.
• We love Fall. "Welcome Fall" (inside joke of ours)
• At my work we are doing a Fruit and Veggie Challenge. I am doing quite well. It is recommended to have 7 servings a day. I get at least that each day.
• We are going to St. George next weekend to visit our good friends Cole and Gabrielle. It is Gabs birthday and we can't wait to go on a small vacation. It is getting us even more excited for our Cruise with them this December!
• We wanted to have a Halloween Party this year (even last year) but with the move we won't be able too. Hopefully one year it'll happen.
• We love Biggest Loser
• Tonight is our last Fall Softball Season Game. We have not won once. We rock.
• At my work I (along with 2 others) got Employee of the Month. It made me laugh about what they said about me. "Consistently going above and beyond. Quietly goes about being efficient and always willing to help." I like the "Quietly" part.
• We realized last night we will have the lovely opportunity of giving talks in our new ward. Rodger asked if in this ward, "Can we be inactive?" It didn't deserve an answer.
• We can't wait to see Couples Retreat this weekend. Bring on Vince Vaughn, my favorite.

LOTOJA-She really makes us look bad...

This was written by Chels and I helped her post it on our family blog. I wanted to show how awesome my mom is too.

Mid summer my Mom decided to do this: http://www.lotojaclassic.com/

The Thursday before the race I went with her to register (I was the widowed wife to an avid hunter, didn’t have much else to do). The line had died down quite a bit, only an hour wait. J The buzz of “bikers” (who I usually swear at when they try to take over the road) was actually quite interesting to hear. Their enthusiastic adrenaline had clearly already clicked in. Everyone was asking things like:

“How many times have you done this?”

“Are you on a team or individual?”

“What leg do you have?”

At the registration table they filled out forms, wrote down emergency contacts, and last but not least…got their leg stamped (a requirement, rather than a wristband). She was ready to go!

On Saturday, September 12th my Mom loaded up her bike with her team and headed to Logan, Utah for the race. Logan (LO) to (JA) Jackson Hole. Some crazies do this individually, 206 miles! My Mom did this on a team of 5 women.

She took the second leg, which was rumored to be the most difficult portion of all. 46 miles uphill, sounds like a blast right? “I like hills” she kept saying all through her training. CRAZY! As usual, she ended up doing a better than fantastic job. Her total time was 3:06 and she was the 8th woman to finish in her segment. The first place girl was only 8 minutes ahead of her. It was such a great accomplishment, with only a few months of training. I think it motivated her quite a bit for next year. Great job Mom, we love you!!!

PS – I know this is late, but better now then never!

Her team mates. She is the oldest by 11 or so years.

Way to go Mom! I hope I look half as good as you do at your age!

Happy Happy Birthday Ashley Dear

Ashley turned the big 20 on September 19th.  She is no longer a teenager.  Isn't she beautiful?  I've always been jealous of her looks, but then again all my sisters are pretty.  

Ashley you see, is a very special child.  Daffy Duck is what I use to refer her to.  She had a speech problem growing up and well, she sounded like Daffy Duck.  Don't worry, she would get right back at me and call me Pirate.  This is because I wore a patch because of my eye problems.  As you can see, we don't get a long too much.  Never have.  We aren't as bad as we used to be, that's because we're growing up.  Anyways, now to the good stuff.

Our family wouldn't be the same without Miss Ashley.  She is a great sister, person, and friend.  Although things have to be all about her, she really does care for others.  She is hilarious and can say the most funniest things.  She has great style and I've always been a fan, even if I didn't act like it.  I love her very much and am glad she is my sister.

We had dinner last night at my moms.  My mom has decided instead of going out to eat, like we use to, we get to choose our favorite home cooked meal and celebrate at home.  Ashley decided on Stuffed Porkchops, salad, fruit, stuffing, and chocolate creme pie!  We then played "Memory" and every match was about her.  It was fun.

As you can see, she got a bike!  It's adorable and so much fun to ride.  It fits Ashley perfect.

Happy Birthday Ash!  I hope you had a great one.  I love you.

Oh, and I love Annie as well.  Can't you tell?

P.S. Cole (who is her boyfriend and on a mission in Thailand, sent her flowers on her birthday-so sweet!)  I joked and said, "Wow, those are all the way from Thailand?"