Do I look younger?

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our Canadian Kids

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the Detroit Bentleys (notice Dave in a suit)

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Dave's new office

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Josh the bball star

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"She lives"

"She walks (she lives)."  quote from Amal

Yes, verily it is true, I'm normal as apple pie.  Sorry about scaring everyone.  When I get home I'll send some fun pictures of the "up north Detroit-London crew,"  and a "blow by blow"  of my adventures.  Much love, Mom
p.s. So sorry, I stand corrected, the quote from William Shakespear's Hamlet is "Frailty, thy name is woman." Not "Vanity thy name is woman." I kind of like my version however.

p.p.s. By the way, do look at Dan and Rachel's blog spot.  Rachel added lots of darling pictures of the girls.Way cute!
--
Wendy W. Bentley

Hi ho,

In light of the dramatic Canadian incident I am writing to say hi and confess my guilt for not writing last month. Oh the regrets if Mom would have got her wish to be dropped off in the forest somewhere knowing that her last month of earthly existence I was the only one of her offspring not to write my BB. Life up in OR is going good. I will take my FAA checkride this wednesday (Feb. 11 ) to see if they will let me teach other people how to fly helicopters. Cool huh? After wednesday I will lack, but one rating, called an instrument rating which I'm already halfway done with. Then I'm done with my training forever!

In other news Josinette is getting really funny. She has some serious dance moves (I taught her). She is very girly, which I guess is good, but likes to throw rocks outside with Dad too. Violet is very smiley, but has no skills yet, unless puking and looking like an angel is considered. Rachel is kind to me and tolerates me most of the time which is good. She just cashed in her Christmas present from me thanks to my paragliding wing. I didn't like the color anyway, and found it very challenging to fly here where there are trees everywhere and you have to travel an hour or more to find a place. Utah is very blessed that way. I also have all the gear I need from my friend in UT who doesn't charge me to use his extra stuff.

Other than this we are exited about a stake youth fireside we are doing for non-member friends this Sunday. The mission president is going to speak and I envision it something like the Saturday night firesides we had in the mission home in Argentina where you could reach out and sample the Holy Ghost in your hand if you wanted. Hopefully it will make some progress for the work here in this part of the vinyard. We love the family and are glad Mom is not surrounded by wolves right now in the Canadian wilderness.

Love Dan, Rach, Josie and Violet, and Kee (Mom, you could visit us and see if Keena will eat you)

Ahhhh February!

Soooo, now that the craziness is over with... Mom wants her stunt to pay off and wishes you all write a little BBB article. I have been instructed to remind you of the very important dates taking place this month: Will turns 9 on the 11th, Cora turns 10 on the 16th and Kar's birthday is the 27th. We love you all and will send more exciting news from the north later in the week. For now we're all well and healthy. :)

90 Days

Steve got his 90 Day notice yesterday.  That means that his work will officially end on May 2, and then he has one month to try to find a job, etc. in which he is still an Intel employee.  On June 2 his Intel employment will end unless he decides to forgo the separation package in order to try to find a job within Intel.    So, we are looking into jobs, and COBRAing insurance, and where we might move and stuff like that.  All in all, I think Steve and I are both ready to do this just so our lives won't be so up in the air, like they have been for the past 2 years.  Unfortunately, the job market isn't so good right now.    We feel really blessed to have had this extra 2 years here in Colorado Springs to hang out and to be with Rick and Marisa's family.  We may end up here anyway, but who knows.  And we trust that this is all going to work itself out in the next few months.  We are also blessed that this new baby will be born in the middle of May and will be covered by insurance too.  Things are good.   We are happy.  I'm sure Steve would take prayers though.   Love you guys,   Rachel…Steve, Eli, Israel, Levi, Cecelia, Francesca, Marguerite (correct spelling)

Christmas eve in Tampico

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Gehring's Jan BB

Hello Family:

 

Matt and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading what is happening in your everyday lives.  Perhaps our lack of funniness is our excuse for not writing.  But to give you the "skinny"...

 

Matt is starting the first day of a 13 day week.  No he does not get Martin Luther King Day off and his jobsite is shutting down Hill Airforce Base (or at least part of it) on Saturday and Sunday to do some critical work.  He continues to play racquetball with a co-worker and will go to winter camp with the scouts at the end of the 13 day week.  You may need to call and give sympathy.

 

I have been blind for the last week as my iritis has flared up and if it is not the actual iritis it is the medicines I take that make it so I can't see.  Anyway, it is a little better today and I'm at least not wearing sunglasses and living in complete darkness.

 

Sam might as well be called the "Lego Man."  He loves them.  If you ever see them on sale at a garage sale, buy them for us.  He is constantly building or creating.  Last week he was the star of the week in his preschool class and so we have had the class mascot at our house all weekend, a large red Clifford stuffed animal.

 

Eliza got a haircut from her brother Sam last week.  Considering what damage could have been done, I'm counting my blessings it wasn't worse (mostly bangs).  We are lucky that we took her three-year-old picture the week before and we just decided to cancel our family picture for last week.  She plays princesses, house, and continues to read all the time.

 

Peter is finding his voice.  Not only is he saying a lot more with words, he reminds me of me as a child.  Yes, he throws tamtrums.  I'm hoping mom and dad didn't wish me to be cursed as long as I cursed them (14 years).  All I can say is...I am so sorry dad, mom, and the rest of you.  Hopefully, it is just because he doesn't have the words to express himself and he is getting lots of teeth still.  Luckily, he is so cute the rest of the time I still consider him an angel and a cuddler.

 

That's us in a nutshell.  Hope all is well with you.

 

Sharon and family

The adventures of Squawman

Dear descendants of Dashing Doe,

Well, it finally came to pass. After faithfully cooking, cleaning, ironing and otherwise caring for most of my wants and needs for more than 500 moons, the great, great, great granddaughter of Running Deer finally gave me notice that it was time to learn to survive on my own. At first it was kind of subtle, like offering to teach me how to make fire in the cooking place, or showing me where she puts her pottery and woven baskets, or how to wash mud from my clothes or what to do with leftovers. But I knew there was reason to worry when she told me in plain sign language that before the new moon appeared, she would leave me here alone in this land of crocodile infested lagoons and cucarachas and go to the place of the five great lagoons and the brave wolverines to see her papooses and be closer to the land of the fierce gophers where she and her tribe dwelt before I took her away to be my squaw. She will take most of my wampum with her but says not to worry because she will leave five kernels of dried corn, enough to last until I learn to hunt, gather and prepare my food for myself. Sometimes I think maybe she will like it more where she is going and that she will not hurry back to me. But maybe she only wants to go away until I learn how much wampum a good squaw is worth. I think I will miss her a lot. If she does not come back to me soon, maybe when she sees me tahen I will be as lonesome and as eager to see her as I was when I first took her away to be my squaw. If I do not learn to cook for myself very soon maybe she will not recognize me then because I look very different without my fat face, bulging belly, hemongous hips and thunderous thighs.

If I don't make it until she returns, I would like to always be remembered as Anthony the Thin, otherwise known as "el Flaco".

Vuestro Abuelito 

--
Wendy W. Bentley

The Bentley Commune

I felt inspired to write to all the "almost" unemployed bentleys.  I thought this might be a good time to start a commune and start sharing everything (except wives - that's yucky).  Think of the benfits...Rick and Charlie could earn most of the money (with zack to take over when he graduates).  Dave and I can earn our keep by drawing pictures for the children and building furnature - The garage is one of my favorite places.  We have James who can farm like no one else, and also has a large supply of animals to eat if the going gets rough.  We can't count on Rick or steve's hunting ability to bring in food, but with a little luck we will have plenty of rabbits and dog to eat.  Dan, you are in charge of looking for a nice parcel of land somewhere in the wilderness.  I think it's got potential. Just a couple of updates from our household.  Most of you know that we are expecting another girl around the 18th of May.  We are pretty excited.  The kids are all doing well in school.  Cecelia and Levi are making pinewood derby cars (CC is too young, but we thought it would be fun) for the race on the 30th.  Francesca seems to enjoy nursery (she has never cryed) which is a milestone for us.  Elijah makes a scary teenager, but is doing good and especially enjoys Jazz band.  Rachel is making another baby and baby quilt, and Steve will see his last day of work around the end of May.  We are looking at jobs in Colorado, Utah and Arizona so we may be near some of you soon.  We especially enjoy being so close to Rick and Marisa and wish we had more of you to play settlers of Catan with - Rick or Marisa usually kick our butts but we have a good time.  We are thinking of coming to Utah for spring break for a few days. We would love to see any of our UT kinsfolk. Much Love,  SREILCF and probably M for (Margarette)

Re: [tHe beNtLeY buLLeTiN] Fwd: should we let it die? feedback please

[Mary even left the job to me and I struggled to send the mysterious creature down the abyss. ]   Classic!  BY the by, Rick had to get a new high flow toilet installed.  He claims it is because Linc keeps flushing toys down, but I suspect it has more to do with being a bentley. Sburger

Family tradition

The Last leg of our flight home after a great month in SLC... STILL SMILING.
O.K. I can't help the biast opinion, this is the cutest 2 year old I know!!! The elephant's not half bad either.

In the same breath, this is the cutest 3 month old on the planet.

Ah, here we are, the whole family at the boat show enjoying a day of make-believe. :)

Look, it's Kaitlyn with Duma the waterskiing dog. She was seriously impressed.

We had such a great time in SL this Christmas and got to do everything we hoped to. We made some great memories and even ended on a good note for the ride home. I will not deny the charges laid against me by my one and only little brother... I have no excuse... well, maybe I can blame my fore-bearers. I think it was "below the belt" (in more ways than one) for James to mention it-what about my lady-like image? I ask you. Now a word from my sponsor...

Yesterday morning, Mary and I set out determined to uphold a long standing family tradition of attending the annual boat and outdoor recreation show. This year took us to Toronto Canada and I must say that we were not disappointed. Owing to the plentiful and large bodies of water there was an assortment of massive cruisers and also our favorite lines of competetion wakeboard and waterski boats. Kaitlyn was like a kid in a candy store with all the lights, color and dautingly massive yachts that each had their fair share of interesting buttons and spiral stairs to play on. Her favorite trick was to turn off the lights on everyone inside or lock herself in the head (means bathroom for you non-boaters, or washroom if you are in Canada). We enjoyed the indoor wakeboard show that was on a giant hockey rink filled with water like a swimming pool with rails and ramps for the riders to launch from. Lots of Ooo's and claps from Kaitlyn made it all the more enjoyable. Her favorite however was the waterskiing beagle from Chicago who nicely posed for a photo with Kait on his board. Liza just mostly slept and barfed all day. After 6 1/2 hours of carting around kids all over the show we headed for home. Winter in this part Canada from Toronto to just north of London is brutal due to the snow belt. We ended up driving through a storm on our way home so our 2 hour drive turned into a 4 hour drive. We stopped for dinner only to have our eldest decide that she wanted no more driving in the snow storm and decided to cry to the point of losing the Wendy's dinner she had eaten an hour before all over the car. When she wasn't crying the other one would start in, I think it was just to fill the peaceful silence. So we had dirty pants and pukyface that were tag teaming the parents the last 90 miniutes of the drive. All said and done we would do it again for the Boat Show. Sick, but true... it was that fun... and memorable.

bennifts of unemployment?

Davey Stu wrote a BBB!  Dad and I think it is a first time miracle (a bonus of unemployment?)!  Good going Dave.  We do feel it is an interesting fact that of our eight children we have, or shortly will have, four unemployed (Steve, Dave, Zach, Dan).  At least you're educated and all good looking!
--

Fw:

David Bentley

---

From: david bentley
To: David Bentley
Sent: Sat Jan 17 13:57:43 2009
Subject:

We had the wonderful opportunity to become a national automotive statistic this week!  it was a bit of a suprise as my team is heralded by

the company as doing things right despite the tough economic times.  but when the teams name is "global automotive group", there you

go.  Autodesk cut 10% of their workforce 750 people, and 15% from my group.  that's us.  even so, things are quite good right now.  We

have money rolling in till mid-march and healthcare coverage through the end of May as well as boxes of rice and wheat that we don't

know how to use.  so don't start clearing space for us in your basements just yet. 

There are lots of options open to us now that we hadn't considered.  for instance, ruler of the world, but if that position isn't open for a

bit, then ruler of a small country would do.  there are also little $1K jobs around town that i can work on till the ruler of the world position

is open.  Kar is the proud owner of a business name.  complete with a tax id # so we can spend money and write if off.  We would like the

right job not just the next job but as we look back the lord has always directed our course and working at Autodesk was good hours,

good people, and good money, and good fun work, so I wouldn't have voluntarily left for a while anyhow.  we will miss the fancy trips that

we enjoyed.  ahh  well.   

timing is everything and as luck would have it "mr. mom" arrived in the mail yesterday.  a story about a family in detroit, with 3 kids, that

loses their automive job and battles vacuums, woobies, and things.  coincidence?  i think not!

Thankyou for all your prayers, love, concern.  We are doing fine.  the kids are healthy, we are happy, the little thumping bean in kars

tummy "nibs" is thumping, and the sledding is great (albeit a bit cold). 

in other news.....

maybe later. 


the detroit for now bentleys. 

David Bentley

586 7700016

bentley.design@hotmail.com

videos of what I do 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUTHIa8LA5w&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVa4HH3w3AY&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJf6kTrfPVM&feature=channel

 images of what I do 

http://picasaweb.google.com/bentled/SampleOfWork#

 

---

Windows Live™ Hotmail®: Chat. Store. Share. Do more with mail. See how it works.

Fwd: should we let it die? feedback please

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jimmy Bentley <jbentley@unitedfirstfinancial.com>
Date: Sat, Jan 17, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Subject: RE: should we let it die? feedback please
To: Wendy Bentley <wendywbentley@gmail.com>

Why don't we just act like a normal family and post articles when interesting or meaningful things happen in our life's. Now I realize most of us won't do that on our own so we could make it at least expected quarterly. That's my vote. To quote the great film Robin Hood, "absence makes the heart grow fonder"…………..or forgetfull?

 

    With that I will write my own bb now because I never learned how to post an article.

     Mandi and I are continuing our quest for "glory" in the spiritual sense as we spend countless hours and dollars at the fertility clinic. Who knew that I had misshapen swimmers? I always assumed I would be fertile as a jackrabbit. There have been positives to this whole experience however. Mandi and I have certainly grown closer and have quit spending money on baby sales. In a strange twist of fate we may actually make $17,000 dollars for reproducing, but that is another story. We are trying to enjoy this time of our lives and in our longing for a brood we have acquired quite the zoo. We now have 2 dogs, 2 bearded dragons, an Asian soft-shelled turtle, and all kinds of insects (although they should be considered food.)

     School is back in session and life is busy again. I have Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and a 45-50 hour work week. Now I know you are all saying wait until you have kids, but I have 5 animals to take care of and Mandi can handle all that baby stuff. (It just occurred to me that some of you may not be inserting my sarcastic tone of voice throughout this article so please don't think me a jerk.) School is going well and at least my classes are very interesting in light of our current economic status. It doesn't look good people! I'm investing in food storage and self sufficiency training. Good thing I have honed my man vs. wild skills and have edible pets on hand.

     We had fun having some family in town and especially having Chubs stay with us for a few nights. He's definitely more of a whiting because he's the only family member to stay at my house that hasn't clogged the toilet. Mary and Steve and maybe a few others (you know who you are) are Bentleys. I wonder if I lack the water pressure. The looks on both their faces were classic and identical as they reluctantly inquired as to the whereabouts of the plunger. Mary even left the job to me and I struggled to send the mysterious creature down the abyss.

     And thus I leave you from the shadows of the everlasting hills. Ps. I feel a longing to use my cell phone on nights and weekends to speak with my siblings. I need everyone's numbers. Mom- Can we make this happen? Love you deeply,

 

James 

---

From: Wendy Bentley [mailto:wendywbentley@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 11:51 AM
To: Charlie Crump; David Bentley; Jimmy Bentley; Karalee Dave Bentley; Kathy Crump; mandi bentley; Marisa Bentley; mary Zach Williams; Rachel Bentley; Rick Bentley; Sharon Matt Gehring; Stephen Bentley; Toney Bentley
Subject: should we let it die? feedback please

 

With half the month gone, and no BBB articles (including from Dad and myself – except the posting of our one birthday), I decided we need to rethink how often we want to do this.  Would every other month be best?  Or maybe just quarterly?  With all of you entering the busiest years of your lives, maybe it isn't practical to do a monthly BBB. 

December is hard because so many of you get together you don't feel there is anything new to say. 

January is hard because you are recovering from Christmas.

The summer is hard because the children are home and during vacations many of us see each other.

Many, including Dad say there is nothing new or "important" to share.

So truly, what do you think and what would you like to do?  Let's try to get everyone's opinions and then form a plan that everyone will commit to making work. 

--
Wendy W. Bentley

--
Wendy W. Bentley

Family,

"Vanity thy name is woman." I think that Charlie originally said that to Kathy. My next best guess would be George Washington speaking of Martha. As a side note, I say it to Marisa all the time. She has several she uses on me to include: Idiocy they name is Richard, and funny smell they name is husband. The phrasiology can be quite useful.

We are coming to Utah for a week for a Neuroradiology conference the last couple days of March and the first few days of April. I would love to go skiing on the first Saturday of April if anyone is interested.

Things are well here. Quick update:

Brig and I just started taking Karate together. I advise you not to mess with me......because Brigham will beat you up if you do.

Linc is doing great in school, and is loving swimming lessions.

Cora is doing great in school and continues to excell in ballet.

Lydia is cute as a bug. She has taken to singing songs from Broadway musicals around the house.

Marisa has become a geneology guru. She has found a few thousand names on her family tree that no one else could locate. The names are now getting prepared to go to the temple. We found out that we are actually cousins, with several shared relatives on the Mayflower. It's gross to think about, but she is really good looking so I try to ignore the fact that we could have a kid with 2 heads.

We love you guys.

Richard, Marisa, Cora, Linc, Brig, Lydia, and Clyde

"Vanity, thy name is woman"

Who can name that quote????????  Anyway it is a great transition into my depressing discovery.

Last night we went to the wedding reception of a sweet couple Dad had sealed earlier in the afternoon.  It was shocking to me to learn that the mother of the bride was born the year Dad and I were married!!!  I often am surprised to see a picture of myself and realize that I've definitely "thickened" around my middle much as my Aunt Anne and Aunt Nellie did; and that I'm getting the same lines around my mouth, and the same wrinkle in the form of a cross above my upper lip, that they had, and which as a child I thought was so weird. The wrinkles I inherited from the Whiting's.  From Mother I have the thin, loose skin that shows the large veins on my hands, the "chicken skin" on my neck and the sad fact that my jowl skin is starting to sag as Aunt Leora's did.  I guess all this is natural and inevitable without resorting to plastic surgery, but it is still a jolt and a shock to look in the mirror.   

All of this is especially depressing since I am exercising, eating less, and I still feel as young as ever inside!

--
Wendy W. Bentley

3 pictures for you

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3 Kings

Another quick note about our holidays.  They ended officially Monday the 6th of January (the Day of the Three Kings).  We took a touch of the Spirit of Christmas to the Salvation Army Children's Home.  The Moss', Batt's, and Burnett's all joined us in filling and taking a huge pinata, some copies of the LDS children's illustrated bible stories, tooth brushes, music,  and best of all pillows and soft snuggy pillow cases, with their names on, that the children clung to and hugged (see the picture).  UNFORTUNATELY, our 4 kings couldn't get the wonderful song figured out that you boys sing each year that Kent Sorensen taught you. 
Afterwards our American friends joined us here for hot fudge sundies and cookies.
UNFORTUNATELY, I'm not able to attach those fotos from here.  I'll have to try to send the two a different way
--
Wendy W. Bentley

my New Years Wish For You

 

I've decided one of the reasons that Elder Packer blessed me with "courage" when he set me apart was that I need to be more "RED in my personality" when handling difficult situations.  You know me, good old "WHITE hate confrontation Wendy," but the Lord is teaching me that I have to make difficult decisions when it comes to dealing with my "unique assistants," and with our sister workers.   Hna. Garcia and Hna. Lopez continue to be a bit challenging; and we have too many sisters who aren't  coming on time, or on the days they've committed to come etc..

I recognize that this is a good learning experience, even if it isn't a comfortable one for me.  How blessed I feel for the fact that I this is the Lord's work and I am receiving His promptings (unfortunately usually at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning), of what I need to do or say, AND most wonderfully, it comes IN SPANISH (well, at least when I get up and write down the ideas I can put them into good Spainsh).

It is just another testimony to me of how the Lord continues to give us learning opportunities (even if we may think of them as "trials and tribulations" at times).  Life wasn't expected to be EASY, but how grateful I am for prayer and revelation which help us through the bumpy times.

Dad and I are very aware of the fact that each of you are facing your own challenges and trials of one kind or another.  Sometimes it may appear the "heavens are closed" to our pleadings for insight and understanding, but I testify that they aren't.  We have a loving Heavenly Father who has a unique plan for each of our lives.  Remember the beautiful lesson taught in the temple and in Moses chapter 5 (Faith + Obedience + Sacrifice = ("after many days") Understanding + Blessings.  SO, my wish for each of you as you face this new year is to Go forward with faith, obedience and continued sacrifice, the Lord's promises are sure, and eventually the light of understanding and the blessings will come.

All my love, Mother

--
Wendy W. Bentley

Christmas

We had such a fun Christmas this year. I am relishing these years while the kids are still young enough to be completely caught up in the magic of Christmas. The best part of Christmas was spending so much time with our family. Sharon and I watched each other's kids a lot so the cousins got to have quite a few "late overs." Dan and Rachel came to stay and we loved getting to know Josie and Violet. Mary is here now and we are so glad. It's been nice having charlie's parents home from their mission again too. We feel blessed to be part of such great families and we are TOTALLY looking forward to the family reunion in August! Love, The Crumps

Kid Quotes:

Emma and Caroline are playing Barbies when Emma says, "Let's pretend that on the way home our boyfriends dumped us and it really hurt because they had a big truck!"

Caroline and Emma are playing Princesses when Caroline (playing the role of Prince Charming as little sisters always have to) says, "A little help here! I've been kissing her all day and she's still asleep!"

Thomas stands on the bench during the absolute reverence of the sacrament clearly says, "Poo Pooh!"

It is a New Year

Happy January!  We're celebrating Joshua David's 10th birthday the 28th


--
Wendy W. Bentley

Good News, Bad News, Extra Children, Anyone?

I hope this works.  We're trying to do this via email. Technically challenged, you know.

Which one first?  Good or bad news?  I'll do bad so that we can end on a good note.

The bad news is that we, at least Dave and I, won't be able to come to the family reunion in August.  We are seriously bummed about that.  It sounds like it will be so much fun.

The good news is that it's for a good cause.  Our due date is August 25th. :)

The other good news is that we're hoping to figure out a way to send Josh and Maddie as delegates, since they really want to see their cousins.  Maybe we'll fly them out or something... anyone up for taking in our orphan children so that they can enjoy even though we can't?

We love you guys, congrats on blessing little Liza tonight.  We wish we could have been there. 

Love,
Dave and Kar and everyone

thinking of you at Christmas time

Sunday 21^st, I'm sitting here waiting for Dad to go to our speaking engagement, and I'm thinking of you.  We have a beautifully decorated Christmas tree with lights and red ribbons, candy canes, dime store glass balls, and silver snowflakes….  I've silver pinecones and red ribbons at the windows and candles with poinettas for a center piece on our table, with our sweet, Mexican nativity in a wooden crèche on the sofa table.  Christmas music is playing and I'm remembering Christmas' past.  Wonderful memories from my childhood and yours come to mind…. But, enough, as for the present:

Last week we were invited to a school Christmas program, complete with the nativity and children dancing and singing.  We thought of you and our darling grandchildren and pictured being with you at their programs.  Yesterday we spent 12 hours in the temple.  Both Friday and Saturday we have had lots of sealings and first time people.  We opened the temple at 6:00 a.m. and closed it at 6:00 p.m..  We were just in time for our Stake's choir Christmas program which took place outside on temple hill.  It was a marvelous way to begin our Christmas celebration.

This morning we visited the Playa Ward and purposely snuck in late so that they won't feel they had to invite us to sit on the stand or speak.  However, we were, and we did.  Tonight we go to the Chiarel Stake for their Christmas program where we are also the speakers.  Tomorrow morning we will open the temple by 8:30 in time for our special session with our workers followed by a group picture outside and then a catered lunch next door in the Stake Center.  We have 97 regular workers and all but five have said they are coming.

Christmas Eve we've invited for the evening, the Moss', Burnett's and Batt's along with Sis. Batt's sister and friend who are visiting.  We splurged and bought a turkey and a ham, and I'll make pies etc.  Everyone else is bringing their favorite dishes too.  Christmas we are looking forward to having you call us when you are done with Santa and have a moment free (we don't want to interrupt your celebrations).  Hopefully, we can set up the cameras so that we can see you and the children. 

We aren't visiting the Children's Home until Tues the 6^th of January (El dia de Tres Reyes) because that is what they requested.  Dad and Br. Burnett are practicing the song Dave, Dan and Jim sing about the Kings, and Dad has completed his Christmas gift to me of  lovingly translating the story of the 3 Kings from This Way To Christmas, which we will share with the children.  Thanks to Rachel and Steve there will be pillows and pillow cases to give each of the 60 children.  The Burnett family is sending toothbrushes and toothpaste, and the Moss' and Batt's have helped me with the piñata etc..

So that is what is happening with us.  It is time to go now, but I promise more later.  Love you Mom

--
Wendy W. Bentley

oops

Please note the correction:  Toney's e-mail address is:  bentley.anthony@gmail.com NOT anthony.bentley@gmail.com

oops

Please note the correction:  Toney's e-mail address is:  bentley.anthony@gmail.com NOT anthony.bentley@gmail.com

Family togetherness reunion style.

Dear Family,

We have a cabin for the family reunion. The goal is for everyone to be so tired being together that they will want to puke. Details: We have an 8 bedroom cabin (8000 sq/ft) in Timber Lakes above Heber for Aug 14-15. Here is the website if you want to check it out: http://www.a1vacations.com/rental-home/p171348 There is no pressure for anyone to contribute to the cost of the cabin unless you want to.

Sorry for those that voted for Bear Lake. As it turns out the cabin we wanted was too small for our family, and the owners would have made us rent a second cabin.

Sharon and I are going to plan some activites for the reunion. We will try not to over-schedule. The reunion will probably start on the 13th with a day at a water park. If anyone has an activity they are dying to encorporate let Sharon or myself know. Rachael (of the Steve variety) has volunteered to coordinate meals. More to follow on that as the reunion get's closer.

On another day I will write about cutting down the 18 ft Christmas tree sitting in our living room right now. Long story short, it's impressive; especially with the family of spotted owls living in the upper branches.

xo,

Pickles

Happy December

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Today is DANIEL FRANK's 30th birthday!  Wow!  And next week on the 16th it is our ELIZA JOSINETTE's 3rd birthday! 

RICK and MARISA  celebrate 11 years of marriage on the 15th!  CONGRATULATIONS to each of you

--
Wendy W. Bentley

Hey Family,

We finished the Nutcracker season, and we are alive and able to write about it. This was a pretty tricky year for the Nutcracker because we let Brigham and Cora perform. They have been rehearsing every Saturday since September, and the last few weeks we have averaged 15 hours at ballet a week. Thats a lot in case you were wondering. The hard part has been that I had to sit there with Brigham the whole time because he is too young to leave. Rick, Lincoln and Lydia clung together for survival. I kept saying to Rick, "Please remind me how hard this is next year when I say lets let Lydia do it too." His response was, "You don't have to tell me twice." The icing on the cake though is the kids did such a great job. We were so proud of them. Here are some pictures to show some of the parts they had. We wish they could have performed for you all. Lots of love and Merry Christmas

Rick, Marisa, Cora, Lincoln, Brigham, Lydia and Clyde

Proud parents after the Saturday Night Performance

Cora as a little snow flake

Brigham the Nutcracker Doll

Brigham as a mouse (3rd one down)

Cora being the cutest party boy in history

Our Colorado Thanksgiving...

As one would expect on the Monday following the Thanksgiving Holiday, accounts and reviews of the "big" meal were hot water cooler topics at work. As such, the tales I was privy to included a 10 am "dinner" start, sweet potato vegetarian wraps for the main coarse, and of course the dreaded "dry turkey" experience. Listening to these reports stirred emotions of complete satisfaction and dread alike. The satisfaction stemming from the most pleasant, savory, and delicious experience that was Thanksgiving Dinner in Colorado as hosted by Rick and Marisa. The dread, as you have probably guessed, came knowing that sharing this satisfaction with the less than satisfied might spawn envy or even be misconstrued as bragadocio. Not giving into my fear, I gave of a full account of the meal that anyone taking on the daunting role of Turkey Day hostess (or host) would wish to duplicate. To me there seems to be two items that usually define the quality of the T-day dinner - the bird and bread. IF the the turkey cooked through, golden brown, and moist are primary criteria for success. All three were easily met, with the latter two exceeding the bar set by the Butter Ball folk. The bar for the bread has an even higher standard by which it is measured. Bread metrics are usually derived from some maternal line dating back multiple generations. Not wishing to show any irreverance to the heavenly creations of my own maternal lines, nor those I share through marriage, I will say that the dinner and orange rolls were a tribute and even rival to those of my own grandmother's and Mom Bentley's. While Marisa attributes this success to the Lion House, remember that poor execution of a great recipe equals bad rolls. Lets just say that a meticulous eye monitored the rate of rise and other important details easily overlooked by the novice or impatient. There were many other delightful dishes included, but due to the time I will say only that they complimented and enhanced the meal. This account would not be complete without noting Rachel's home made apple pie-in particular the filling.

Beyond the meal we had an all around great time with both sets of Colorado Bentley's. We had the opportunity to see much of the Air Force Academy, including the Chapel and take in the festivities of the Broadmoore Hotel's Christmas Lighting Ceremony, gingerbread village, and ice sculptures. Sam, Eliza, and Peter relished the time with all their cousins and already have trips planned to see them again. As Mary mentioned, it would have been great to have more or all of you also. What an awesome family we have!