kallie girl: 6 months

Half-a-year already. I can't believe it! As of lately, Kallie has developed a new sense of interest in absolutely anything we have in our hands. We have to make an intentional effort to keep everything away from her, while making sure she doesn't launch at it too hard that she falls out of our arms! She's curious and determined. 

We're also super impressed with how well she can get herself around! Her best methods of traveling across the room include digging her feet into the ground and pushing forward, digging her head into the ground and "inch-worming" forward, and of course rolling, rotating, pivoting and scooting. Getting SO close to crawling! Out non-mobile days are numbered...

We are just having so much fun with her. She's teeny, but not too fragile. She's active, but not too mobile. I just wish I could freeze time. 6 months is so fun! 

Six Month Appointment:

12 lbs. 11 oz. (2nd percentile)

25 1/2 in. (22nd percentile)

 

 We loved having the Taylor's in town and getting Camden & Kallie together :)

We also loved welcoming baby Bowen into the group! Can't believe we all have babies!

kallie's adoring visitors

Over the past few months, baby Kallie has met dozens of adoring visitors who have traveled long and far to meet her. She is quite the attraction! I'm always asked if I'm offended that everyone goes "straight to the baby" now instead of me. Hello?! I'd be offended if they didn't! There is no greater compliment than having people dote on your baby. And that Kallie girl sure is easy to love... Stealing hearts one visitor at a time!

Grandma Cath from Boise

Anna from Virginia

Jess and Camden from Houston

Cruisin' around in their matchy-match carseats!

My personal favorite because their expressions could not be more accurate- Camden all over his new girlfriend, and Kallie not having it.

 Cousins Ben and Lily from Boise
(Brandon and Stacy not pictured)

Julie from Virginia

McKenna from Washington

Grandpa and Uncles from Virginia

Marcie from Arizona

(Kallie not pictured, but I promised she was a big part of the visit, right Marce?)

It has been so fun having so much company and showing off sweet baby Kallie. She is so loved! 

a very merry christmas, indeed

It sure has been a Christmas to remember!  I think we maxed out on our Christmas celebrating...if that's even possible to do.  With a little bit in Utah, a little bit in D.C., and a little bit in Boise, we sure packed it in! Here's our Christmas season in review...

I grew up on "The Forgotten Carols," and when I was a little girl, I was even in it!  It was such a fun trip down memory lane to see it again for the first time since then...12 years later! I loved every minute. 

Next, the annual visit to the fabulous Christmas lights on Temple Square.  Never disappoints!  

Our company wasn't too bad either.

Then, we made our way back east!  One of the coolest things to do in D.C. leading up to Christmas is seeing the "ICE" display at the National Harbor.  After bundling us up in huge, blue parkas, we were sent on a 100-acre walk through an entire Christmas display chiseled completely out of ice.  

Always a treat!

Another treat was to see my ANNA! After living together for the past 5 years, she moved back to Virginia this summer.  Boy, was it good to see her and get us 3 original roomies back together! We took a boat ride back to the National Harbor and were blown away once again by all incredible Christmas lights and decorations.  I think the Gaylord National Resort takes the cake for the best Christmas display I have ever seen.  New tradition--set. 

We also spent a night downtown walking around the monuments and seeing the National Christmas Tree.  In Ryan's protest of "no more pictures," this was the best I could get. 

Then to top it all off, the Washington D.C. Temple.  Christmas wouldn't be complete without a visit.  And of course, what better way to remember the true meaning of Christmas than to walk the beautiful temple grounds. Christ is the reason for the season. I am so grateful for this wonderful time of year to reflect on His birth, His life, His example, and His sacrifice for us.  May we all keep this wonderful Christmas spirit all year round.  

marcie's wedding

My best friend is MARRIED!  Talk about the happiest, happiest day :)

Here's a little background on Marcie and I... We've been friends for over 18 years. 

Friendships like that don't come around everyday.  

We rode the bus home together in elementary school for playdates, had lemonade stands, rode our "first airplane all by ourselves" together, and ate a bowl of ice cream almost everyday after school before dance team practice. We love Potbelly's sandwiches, lifesaver gummies, Bagel Cafe breakfast sandwiches, and went through obsessive phases of Zac Efron and The Jonas Brothers.  

We bawled our eyes out together all night long the night before she moved. 

From dance recitals, Halloweens and Achievement Days skits...

...to countless sleepovers and photo shoots...

...to girls camps, proms, homecomings, dance team, concerts, boyfriends, vacations, cell phone curfews and zillions of other high school happenings.... 

...to our WEDDINGS.

Talk about a lifetime of memories.  

It was so fun to get away for the weekend and road trip down to St. George to celebrate this girl's special day.  In the sealing room, after filing in towards the back, Marcie's mom stood up and said, "Lisa! Get up to the front! You're family."  I was so touched.  She was right; to say we're best friends just doesn't cut it.

I remember when I was engaged, Marcie told me that my wedding would be "the second best day of her life," only after her own wedding.  Having experienced both now, you were right Marcie-- experiencing the joy and happiness of my best friend's wedding has absolutely qualified as the second best day of my life.  

I love you, Marce! Couldn't be more thrilled for you :)

summer in review

It sure has been a whirlwind of a summer! Talk about busy, busy, busy. It’s hard to believe we packed in as much as we did…but summers always seem to go that way, don’t they?

Here are a few highlights… It’s been a good one!

We started off with a little trip to Cancun. Not a bad way to kick off the summer :)

Then, after only being married 3 weeks, I left my brand new hubby to go on tour with the Folk Dancers.  It was sad to be apart, but Nauvoo never disappoints.  One of my favorite places in the world.

I started my new job! I love, love, love it.  I work for the Utah Valley Expos and it is just the perfect fit for me. I make my own schedule, choose my own hours, and get to meet with some of the coolest people on the planet.  It’s flexible, fun, DEFINITELY keeps me on my toes, and has already opened up tons of new opportunities for growth and potential in the future. I am loving it.

Went to a different county fair every weekend. Literally. (Strawberry Days, Rodeo Days, Draper Days, Freedom Days, Steel Days, Fiesta Days, Swiss Days and Peach Days to name a few…)

Went to Stadium of Fire!  I had always said that I must make it to Stadium of Fire just once before I left Provo.  Thanks to Al’s family, right at the LAST second, I got my wish :) As patriotic as I am, and with 4^th of July being my favorite holiday, I loved every minute of it!  And now Ryan will have to forever live with “Kelly Clarkson” as his first concert :)

Celebrated the most important, looked-forward-to day of the year in the Bench family—KIDS’ DAY. That’s right. There’s Mother’s Day, there’s Father’s Day, and in this family we celebrate KIDS’ DAY! This year the theme was “Western Round Up”—and boy did they go all out!

Got invited down for a quick getaway to Lake Powell with my awesome boss and her family!  (Did I mention how much I LOVE my job?!) It was beautiful. And a blast. We’re obsessed.

Celebrated Ryan’s birthday!  26 years old.  Joint with his best friend Austin.  Best friends, same birthday. Cute, huh?

Celebrated these adorable newlyweds/best friends of ours :)  Two of our favorite people in the world marrying EACH OTHER—how great of a set up is that?! Such a happy, happy day. 

Totally hit it off with one of the groomsmen ;)

SO much love.  Can't wait to be “best-family-friends” for the rest of our lives :)

Now we’re just kickin’ it here in Logan!  Not too much to report yet, but it’s been kind of nice to take it easy with just the two of us after such a crazy, fun-filled summer.  But, so far so good!  Getting settled and staying busy!