Our baby is cuter

Here are some photos of Gwendolyn Marie Hunt born 10:54 AM December 22, 2006 8lbs 1 oz 19 and 1/2 inches.

And lots of dark hair.

We will be blessing Rachel this coming Sunday (December 3) at 11:00 AM at our meetinghouse on the corner of 86th South and Fayeway Drive.

If you can't make it, I will be terribly offended and never forgive you--unless you have a reason, such as you are giving a lesson in your ward, or you live in North Dakota, or you forgot. If you can make it and you are a worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holder, then please join me in the circle.

And, thank you all for a wonderful day-after-Thanksgiving feast and party. It was great! 'Til we meet again.

Tumbling Gym

We sure had fun here with everyone last Friday!
Thank you for a great Thanksgiving, Mom and Dad!

Family picture

Rachel Winn Benge

What weighs 7 pounds even, is 19 inches long and was born 11/8/2006 at 1:50 P.M.? You guessed it! Rachel Winn Benge.


Rachel doesn't look happy in this photo taken a couple of minutes after she was born, but she is faking. She is happy to be here. And we are happy to have her. Mom and Rachel are doing fine.

More Halloween fun!

The Great Reeses Pieces Cooperative

A beautifully timed chomp by Sam

Is Dave jumping here? What effort! What heart!

It's almost as good as synchronized swimming!
At our next family gathering, we will expand the circle to include all of us--so practice up, everyody.

Phoebe's costumes

I thought Phoebe looked great at the party Tuesday night, didn't you? I especially liked it when she slipped out halfway through, and changed into the Darth Vadar outfit. That Phoebe! What a party animal!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!

Just feeling festive. And I think this is my first post since starting the blog, too.

Abraham's talk

obedience talk.mp3

Women

As the reality of yet another child joining our family starts to assert itself on my consciousness (what little there is), I have been most grateful for my wonderful and beautiful wife, Susan. Whether they are technically mothers or not, women have a real knack for looking out for others. I think Dave Barry says it best:

If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base.

That is so true! Keep up the good work, women. Don't let us guys get in the way.

FYI, for those you who don't know, I am now the YM president in my ward. I will be speaking about treating women, girls and children with respect--one of the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood--this Sunday. I think I will use Dave Barry's wisdom. And, if you have any pearls of wisdom for me (or if you feel I am not qualified to speak on this subject), please comment and let me know.

News

Time just marches on. I've been really busy with school, and homework. Sandin has been working on rearranging our kitchen. Not that I mind, I just wish that he had work to do that he can get PAID for.

A friend who works for the school newspaper has asked me to contribute a poem for it. I probably will, so I'll be published. She's also working on a project in her editing class that she has to publish a book, with a cover, and illustrations, etc., and she's asked me to be the author. I haven't finished whatever yet, but I will, and she's going to give me two copies of the "published" book. Cool, huh?

There really isn't any other news, just life, day to day.

For Dave

All right, fine. I didn't want to get into a contest of "whose baby can kiss the wildest animal," but since Dave seems to be determined to egg me on . . .

We love Fall!

We've been enjoying the lovely weather, especially since I heard on the radio "there are big changes coming up!" (Why do they always keep it such a big secret? And since I hardly ever hear the actual weather reports, just the teasers, I'm always left wondering.) For more pictures, see our blog.

Evidence That Swine Flu Potentially Could Be Transmitted to Humans

What I Need

Pam, I think I need this.

Life's good . . . I suppose

I just thought that it was about time that I update the family, in general, about my life. Not that it is all that exciting or intoxicating. Actually it's crazy stressful. I'm in school again, and although none of my classes are extremely hard, they keep me really busy. I've got six classes and a job (I'm doing the whole tutoring thing). Actually the job has really been a blessing for my school work. I work in the math tutoring lab, but I'm a writing tutor, so I don't get a lot of people asking me for help. Instead I do my homework, and I know how much homework I have because I finish almost all of it at work (19 hours a week). I don't get to eat with Sandin at all anymore because he can't eat late, and I don't make it home for lunch. The good news is that I come home from work extremely tired every night so I sleep great. The bad news is that I come home extremely tired, and I stay that way all day everyday. It makes it harder to do homework when your brain isn't working.

Sandin recently did a lanscaping project for the home show down here, and we are hoping that it will bring him more work, because we definitely need it.

Sandin and I recently got called as Sunday School teachers. We are teaching the Marriage and Family relationship class. I don't have a lot of time to prepare the lesson, so Sandin has taken it upon himself to do that for us. I read through it and do my part in class, but I feel really bad.

On the whole though, I guess I'm glad to be doing something again. I have other people to talk to besides Jane and Sandin. It makes me appreciate summer all the more.

Anyway sorry to all those peoples whose birthdays I missed, (Kari, Dave, Lucy, Gideon, Andrew, Charles). I used to remember everyone's birthday, and I still do, but I don't know what day it is anymore. Time just goes by too fast.

Well, life is going well although I still don't understand a word that comes out of one of my professors mouths.  Other than that I have a new job that I have got to train myself all week through reading whatever I could and asking questions often, some things are still a little hazy and others are totally obscure, but I can hope that it will get better.  Next week I get to add on the responsibility of teaching a basic math class two nights a week.  Work at the college is going well and I am enjoying myself alright.  I only have 12 credits but they are nasty...very nasty.  We are doing well ... I have to keep telling myself that or who knows where I will end up... I guess I should start thinking about doing homework or something... TGIF (I guess)..

sUpEr GuY

40

Thank you for the kind expressions on my (gulp) 40th birthday, and thank you for the very fun surprise birthday party. It was good to see and hear from so many I love. And, I promise to play my drums at least as often as I write in my journal. (Oo. That was a spineless commitment. They really will be used!) Again, thank you all!

Jimmy Deja Vu

My sister just gave birth to a what the ultrasound said was a little girl but in reality is a boy. It reminded me of when Jimmy was born. My sister was kidding that they couldn't decide on any girl names so they might need a boy--and I hope she isn't too disappointed. They now have 5 boys age 6 and under.

Our little girl-but-maybe-really-a-boy is due in November. By the way, Andrew (pure boy) turned 4 last week and he will tell you everything there is to know about it at 100 mph and 100 decibels if you give him a second. You should let him. It is very entertaining.

From the Totally Weird department, we just had a family move into our ward with an 8 year-old boy named Gideon. What are the odds of having two Gideons the same age in your ward?

While I'm here, let me tell you that we just painted the living room and hallway and will be getting new carpet soon. I will be doing base boards this week. I think it will look nice, but I am already tired of trying to get everything to look good.

Also, I am now doing "something else" again for work, but I hope this will be more permanent. I have successfully navigated through a series of interviews--my last one today--and I am now part of the GA Team. GA is for Genereal Authority. I am excited and a little nervous, especially since my duties take me to the Admin Building a lot. But, I think I may be through moving from project to project without doing anything. I hope so.

We are sad to hear about Michael being sent to Kuwait but are also very grateful that there are people like Michael to send to Kuwait. This won't be easy but we know that you will be blessed. We promise that he will not be forgotten while he is away, and we promise to prove it, too. Take care and God speed everybody!

Dave is famous!

It was with great excitement that I spotted a letter from our own dear Dave on the website of my favorite columnist, Mark Steyn. And a very intelligent and witty letter it was, too! I'm proud to be related to him. Here is the link to SteynOnline (which is well worth reading any time, by the way). Scroll down to "Proportionate responses are for kids." Good job, Dave!

Click here to see large view:

ITS AN ALIEN!!!!  (girl)

Have a nice day everyone

Superguy Out

Well,  I am still finding out all sorts of fun things about my new computer and now I have an easier way to post to the blog things are going really well and Jane and I are excited to be looking forward towards December.  She still has apprehesion at times, but I think we are both getting used to the idea of being parents.  I hope everyone is doing well up north and we are excited for August because we will be able to see you all then.  Did everyone have the lesson about journal writing for Priesthood/Relief society yet, I really liked it and I am putting forth a greater effort to keep a record of my life having the accesibility of a personal computer is going to help out a lot.  Have a nice day everyone.   

Update on the Sam Nielsons

For the latest on our family, see our blog

(I didn't want to post it all again here)

Glad to hear from Dave, and hope all is going well with the rest of you. (Happy Birthday, Sandin.)

Whatever happened to sponteneity?

I am very disappointed in all of you. Tomorrow is Sandin's birthday, and I planned a great way to spend it, since he's been dying for a camping trip, and I invite all of you, and only one person said a straight out "yes' and one other is coming, with a "probably". It's very disillusioning. Okay, really, I understand, especially financial proplems. Sandin just got paid for the first time in five weeks, and the entire check went 'kablooey' on bills. It's a little frustrating living for weeks off of $20, if we're lucky.

Still I hope we have lots of fun, for as cheep as possible this weekend. And just so you all know, you are still invited if you can swing it at all. I hope someone else will be able to. In the meantime, I hope that everyone is enjoying their summer vacations. It should be a fun summer, if you do anything fun like family bbq's let us know. I know that at least some of the time we should be able to come.

Anyway, Happy Birthday to Christy, Lucy Nielson, and Alice.

Susan Is Pregnant

I keep thinking that I need to write and update everyone on everything that is going on. Not gonna happen. So, I will just blurt some news in the title. But you already knew that, right?

Oh, I guess I could say a thing or two more. First: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

A bought a little Ranger pickup that is requiring much more work than I thought. I also sold PutterButt (or however my sister spelled it) to Pick-n-Pull, along with another old truck. I recommend them--they actually give you money for your car. (I got $141 for PutterButt.)

Awhile back we went to Disneyland. It was very busy but we had a very good time. If any of you are going, there is one must see attraction: Turtle Talk with Crush. You need to see this. Don't quibble with me. You need to see it. Go twice. Trust me. It is the best thing there.

Andrew really wanted to go back to Disneyland the other day and insisted that I take him RIGHT NOW. I told him it was really far but that I would be glad to go on a walk with him. He was excited and got his shoes on, and insisted that we were now going to walk to Disneyland RIGHT NOW. I admire his determination. I do not admire his grasp of reality. He also dug a large hole in the back yard and insisted that I help him build a house for Grandma and Grandpa Benge there. I fear that the next few years of my life will be spent destroying this child's dreams.

We also still have 5 other children, and like them most of the time. I still have a job. Life is pretty good. We love you all and wish we could see you much more often. We were very glad to attend the Froyd's wedding, and we enjoyed Jacob's baptism very much too.

And, Dad, you are in our prayers for your big day tomorrow. We love you all. Take care and God speed.

Some not so good news

Bryony has an infection in her tooth that will require a root canal. Yucka. We're very sad for her but she's handling it well (I think the codeine the dentist put her on helps.) Anyhow, just letting you all know the latest from our end.

What's up with everyone else? This blog's been a bit dead for a while.

Katy gets married. Finally!! :)

Cloning Clyde Coming to Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360

Hot off their Xbox Live Arcade hit, Outpost Kaloki X, NinjaBee (http://www.ninjabee.com/) is proud to announce they will be bringing a second title to Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Cloning Clyde is a completely unique 3D adventure and puzzle game that may bring new meaning to the word "schizophrenic".

Clyde was an ordinary (but slightly dim) guy before Dupliclone Inc. paid him $20 to take part in a cloning experiment. Now he’s multiple ordinary dim guys trapped in the nefarious Dupliclone Lab. To escape his diabolical captors, Clyde is going to have to get a little creative with himself and those around him. Lucky for him, Dupliclone left a whole lot of strange technology laying around, and it's up to Clyde to clone, combine, and mutate his way out of the evil Dupliclone trap. As Clyde adventures and meets new inhabitants of the Dupliclone labs, he’ll combine with apes, frogs, chickens, and more. Yes, even Chicken-Clyde will aid in the great escape! Cloning Clyde makes full use of Xbox 360’s advanced processing, graphics, sound, and unique Xbox Live® online game service features including achievements, leaderboards, online play, and more! In addition to a single-player story and individual challenging scenarios, enjoy multiplayer split-screen or online play, both co-op and vs. modes, with friends from all over the world. Help Clyde, Clyde, Clyde, Clyde… and well… Clyde on the newest wacky adventure from NinjaBee, available exclusively on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360. Find out more information from the NinjaBee website at http://www.ninjabee.com/ and be on the lookout for Cloning Clyde, coming soon to an Xbox 360 near you!

Scout

Well, Sebastian's been very busy lately, working on his Eagle Scout project. He's coordinating a Baby Food Drive for a certain hungry baby in our community. Anyone interested in helping can just drop off some food--sweet potatoes would be especially welcome--here at our house. Heh, heh, heh.