April

APRIL IS HERE

April 2, 2010:  Jacob Frank Gehring

April 14^th:  Josinette Allison Bentley

April 23^rd:  Francesca Grace Bentley

Baby Jacob is here!

Dear Family,
Sharon wanted me to pass along the great news! Baby Jacob has arrived! He was born at 9:21 a.m. Friday, April 2. He weighed 6 lb. 6 oz. He is 18 inches long and has dark hair. Sharon is at Salt Lake Regional Hospital the phone number is 801-350-4111. She'll be there until Monday afternoon if you want to call. We are so excited for another Bentley/Genring! Way to go Sharon and Matt!

U-High Days - 7th Grade - Mom's Childhood

Wendy felt awkward and the shyness of her childhood followed her as she began U-High. This was the University of Minnesota’s laboratory training school with seventh through twelfth grades. She was still two months from her 12th birthday and her salvation of being thrown into a school which included 18 year olds was that there were only about seventy people in each grade, and her brother John Wayne was only two years ahead of her in school.
After breakfast Dad announced,

“We’d better be on our way,”

She choked down the last bite of toast and headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Looking into the mirror the nightmare of having redeemed a free haircut coupon at the beauty school confronted her. What had been long, brown braids with bangs was now short tuffs of hair poking out in every direction. Crying had done nothing to restore the length, and now there was nothing to be done but survive, and try not to look in the mirror.

“Your hair looks very modern,” said Mother bravely as she kissed her goodbye.

John and Father were in the car. Wendy grabbed her lunchbox and violin and flew out the back door, down the porch and past the raspberry patch. Father had an underground parking space on campus. They walked from there, through a tunnel to emerge on a lovely knoll not far from his office and across the street from U-High.

Wendy’s heart was pounding as John directed her to the hall where the seventh-grade lockers were. She was grateful to see Harriet Schwartz had arrived, and they exchanged nervous smiles.

“What happened to your hair?” Harriet asked.

Wendy thought, “I wish it wasn’t against school policy to wear a scarf or hat,”

Ellen Jean Lovetang who had just closed her locker came over to examine Wendy’s shaved head more closely.

“Wow that is an interesting haircut.”

“Ohhhh, please don’t remind me,” groaned Wendy trying to keep the tears from starting. She deposited her lunchbox and violin and closed her locker just as the five minute bell rang.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Luckily, hair grows and Wendy’s did. She learned to find her way from class to class and around the school. She played the violin in the school orchestra, and especially enjoyed her home economics classes. By the end of eighth-grade she was invited to her first boy-girl party at the home of Judy Levitt. This was a BIG DEAL. Judy was one of the most popular girls in her grade. Mother made her a new dress and helped her curl the ends of her now shoulder-length hair.

Douglas was in medical school with Judy’s big brother and he drove her to the Levitt’s huge home in one of St. Paul’s swankiest neighborhoods.

“Have fun. I’ll pick you up at 10:00,” he said as she closed the car door.

The Levitt’s live-in housekeeper answered Wendy’s knock and welcomed her in. The phonograph was playing and boys and girls were sitting in a circle. Jim and Marty and Judy and Dave were paired off, but the rest of the kids sat in uncomfortable silence. Wendy felt even more awkward than at the after school “sock-hops” where she would stand by the gym wall in agony hoping someone – anyone – even pudgy, Oliver Longbottom -- would ask her to dance. The hands on the grandfather clock in the corner seemed to stand still. What a relief it was when the door bell rang and Doug was there to collect her.

FIRST DATE*

In 1957, between eighth and ninth grades Wendy’s family went west. While they were in Heber, Wendy stayed with her cousin, Annette Young. Annette was popular and good friends with a boy who lived across the street from her house. His friend had two horses and the four of them set out on a sunny afternoon for a ride partly up Sunday Canyon. They rode double which meant Annette and Wendy had to hold on to the boys to keep from bouncing off the trotting ponies. This was so bold that Wendy almost fell off from the sheer daring of it all. That night the boys invited Annette and Wendy to watch “Friday Night Thriller Theater” on the television. The girls walked across the dark street at 9:55 p.m. to be there on time for the 10:00 show. The only light in the living-room came from the television set that was already announcing “The Death of Dracula.” All four huddled together on the sofa, and Wendy covered her eyes through most of the dreadful movie. When it was finished the boys walked Wendy and Annette back across the street, and that was that.

The next morning after breakfast, Fern** sat Annette and Wendy down.

“Girls, did you know that his parents were not at home last night?” she asked

“No.” they both responded

“Well, they weren’t, and the house was completely dark. What do you think the neighbors would assume if they had watched you going into that situation? “

“But, we just watched the movie and came home. Nothing happened.”

“I know. But, remember always avoid even the appearance of evil.”

That lesson cut deeply into Wendy’s conscious.

*Wendy was 13 years old. The Church made no official statements about not dating until 16 years of age until years later when Spencer W. Kimball was the prophet.

** Fern Wright Young was Aunt Nellie’s daughter and Wendy’s first cousin. Wendy was the youngest of all the Whiting grandchildren, and so it was Fern’s daughter, Annette, who was after

S,

No.

R

We Want a Dog!

R, We want a dog! Can we keep it at your house? S

The Williams Report!

Events in the Williams Family:

This week is spring break for us in Canada... they should rename it midwinter recess. You may have heard that the four seasons here are; Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter and Construction. Living here for almost 2 years now has gone so fast. The graduating class will have commencement the week we return and I will be entering my third and final year of Ortho School. We are celebrating by going to Niagara Falls to an indoor water park for 2 days to try and forget that it is Still Winter here. Evidently indoor water parks are a common thing here, as is visiting Cuba. We will go to the water park.

We have been role playing for a little over 2 weeks now with Kaitlyn. We each have been assigned new names from the Little Einsteins. Kaitlyn is Leo, Mary is June and Liza is Annie and I unfortunately was given the name of Queen Quincy. We are starting to wonder how long this will persist. At least we have convinced her to recognize that if we use those names outside of our home people won't recognize who we are talking about. Thankfully now I no longer have to explain to other people why my daughter calls me Queen Quincy.

Liza had recently become ticklish and her laugh is very contagious in our home. She like Kaitlyn has also become very fond of "the flippies." We are currently working on a move that is going to make the panchanko look like child's play.

I will be taking my board exams at the end of April and then begin working on writing my thesis, the research for which I have recently completed. I am not sure what I will do with all my time when those two tasks are completed, hopefully by the end of the summer.

Mary is as you might expect very popular with our young women here. There are a number of people who are trying to convince us to stay here so they can keep Mary. The truth is that we still don't know at this point where we will end up. At any given day of the week we seem to be interested in a new place. We recently upgraded our family map and one of us can often be found at the computer researching areas. We are currently making contacts in many places, including Utah and hope that one of them will provide an opportunity for us. It is a big decision and we are confident that as we prayerfully study out our options that one will be made clear to us that it is the right one.

Congrats Jim and Mandy for the arrival of Olive. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Zach, Mary, Kate and Liza

Hello,

I thought I would help support Mom by adding to BB even though it feels like there isn't much to say. It is kind of tricky to get back into writing every month, but I miss hearing from everybody on a regular basis. Hopefully Mom can return to her former role of creating an environment of guilt which builds and builds until one finally writes. -If not we are just going to have to suck it up and make it happen on our own.

Everything is going well in CO. I don't think that Marisa or I have anything to report, but here are some updates on the kids:

Kate- has been a pretty easy kid which has made the transition nice. For those that don't know, we will be in Utah for Spring Break next week. We are planning on blessing Kate next Sunday, probably at the Thompsons. Hopefully that will work for all of the Utah clan.
Cora- Is now on point shoes in ballet. She got major roles in the "Firebird" ballet to be performed in June. I watched her the other day, and couldn't believe how pretty and graceful she looked. (Of course I am somewhat biased)
Linc- is really in a growth spurt. He now weighs more than Cora. He has started to get certain jokes which seems like a big step forward. It's really fun to get him laughing.
Brig- Is testing for Yellow belt in Karate this week. I have made him promise that he will only use his new powers for good.
Lydia- Has started taking ballet. She comes home and shows me/teaches me her moves after every class. I find her butterfly impression to be very cute, and also very hard to replicate as a man.

Aspen the dog- When we first got her, we talked about letting her have one litter of puppies to give the kids a fun experience. After she had her first period during the week of kate's birth, we swore on all that's holy that we were going to get her "fixed". When we told Cora, she took on all dog responsibilities including poop clean up in an effort to keep the dog fertile. That has kept the door of future puppies minimally ajar. Out of curiosity, how many family members would be interrested in a Golden Retriever puppy in the next 6-12months?

We love you guys. Congratulations Jim and Mandy. That is one cute little kid.

love,

RMCLBLK and dog.

The Gehring BB Entry

Dear Family:

We hope all of you are doing well especially all those who have had surgeries. We too have had or are planning our own hospital visits for the coming weeks. Eliza visited the ER both in January and February. She went in January because she was trying to enter the bathroom when her brother needed privacy. He kicked the door and the doorknob cut her left eyelid open. Three weeks later the exact same thing happened, same door, same brother, same doorknob, just the right eyelid - only much deeper and perpendicular rather than lateral. It was a little hard to explain why we were there for the same reasons. She also knew exactly what was coming and anticipated all the pain and discomfort she felt. Since then, every time she has run into something she says, "Do I have to go to the doctor?"

I have 3 weeks before my C-Section (April 2). Every time I go to a doctor's appointment Peter asks if the doctor is going to "cut me" The kids are really excited for Jacob's arrival. Matt is also excited, but is frantically trying to finish painting, tiling, and getting our house ready before the baby comes. We plan on moving the last weekend of April now as we found some renters for Dad and Mom's house that need to move in May 1.

Anyway, it makes life a little crazy around here, but it is fun to have so much going on. Good luck to Jim and Mandi. We hope you are welcoming little Olive into the world as I write.

Love, Sharon and Family

MARCH

Birthdays and Anniversaries for March

1st Mary and Zach

4th Samuel Bentley Gehring turns 6

10th the due date for Olive Analeigh

22nd Dad and Mom

25th James Edwin turns 27

25th Dan and Rachel

31th Cecelia Ruth turns 7

Dear Family,

Okay I’m repenting of picking up the phone and talking rather than being faithful to write a BBB article (not that the phone isn’t a wonderful blessing and way of communicating, but we need both). It seems everyone has eased off on the articles and Dad and I really miss them. It is good to have a written history of what has happened month by month in the family and I’d like to see us get back in the habit of writing.

With that said. I will begin: After having overdone it last week, I am trying to keep off my feet as much as possible this week and not “bustle”. I’ve had a little setback in my recovery and so I’m trying to be good. Dad has been really helpful around the house, and all the sisters at the temple are treating me gently and not letting me do the laundry.

It is a new month (notice the birthdays and anniversaries). I’ve also started a new project that I can do while sitting when I’m at home. I brought 4 Bibles and Triple Combinations with me (large print (which I need now to see, but is heavy to carry around), tiny print ( that you all gave me when we left for Mexico City, and I love because it is light weight) medium print (that you gave me when we left for BsAs) and Spanish which I take to church and conferences here and have used on our missions so I’ve lots of notes from general authorities in). Anyway I have different notes in all of them depending on which I pick up to use. I began today to go through them each and make sure they have the same cross references and notes. Let me share something that I had noted at one time in one of them. I was reading about Joseph who was sold into Egypt, and how he withstood one of the worst trials anyone has to endure (no I’m not referring to resisting Potifer’s wife (after all maybe she was ugly), but the trial I speak of is being RICH and ADORED!

It took him 20 years of captivity to prepare him to overcome that trial. You will recall that as a boy he wasn’t very wise. He probably even gave in to boasting as he shared his dreams with his brothers and father about how they would one day bow down to him. However, through the years as a slave and prisoner he learned humility and to serve others, so that when he became second in command of the most powerful nation on earth he did not take the credit unto himself, but gave it to God (Genesis 41:16).

Isn’t it wonderful that even the trials of our lives can become blessings to prepare us for the future, if we will remain true and faithful to the Lord. I love you, Mom and Grandma

March Madness

NO, it's not about basketball. Sorry all you hopeful boys out there. Actually things are nice and boring here, which is why we haven't updated lately, but...seeing as how it's been a while. I thought we should.

Steve's job is going well. The kids are doing well in school. (Elijah particularly seems to be having a much easier time this semester. He is on Concerta now and it seems to be making a fairly significant difference in his ability to handle school). Levi just finished a science fair project and Israel does weird things in his classes like carving a statue of some Shakespeare character from wood. (He even got permission to bring a pocket knife and an exacto knife to school for this...HUH???) Cecelia is just SOOOOO excited about her birthday this month. Francesca got a short haircut, now she looks like a cute little Vulcan...or something. (I don't have pictures of this yet, but will soon.) And Maggie got one of her big front top teeth in; she's working on the other one.

That's about it.

Really.

Posting by Email turned off

Someone has a virus or spamware that is using your email to post junk. I suspect it is either Dave and Kar's computer or Ricks because you two are the only ones that have posted since the new email posting process came out. I turned it off for now, you will just have to log onto the blog and post. Your bro,S

Fwd: First hand info on Kate

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: rick bentley <rick.bentley1@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 12:31 PM
Subject: Fwd: First hand info on Kate
To: Mom <wendywbentley@gmail.com>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: rick bentley <rick.bentley1@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Subject: First hand info on Kate
To: thebentleybulletin.wookie@blogger.com

Hi guys,

It's almost been a week, so I thought I had better write a small note
about Kate.  Her full name is actually Kathryn Wendy after her
grandmas.  We kind of think it sounds like a Catholic Nun's name.  All
she needs is a last name like McGallager.  Anyway, mom and baby are
doing well other than Kate having her bilirubin a little elevated.
She might have to go under lights if it goes up more today.

I personally think she looks a lot like Dad.  -That may be because she
has a double chin and jowls.  The kids are all over her.  Sometimes
they are so excited to hold her that they shake her with excitement.
The dog tries to help out by licking her when she cries.   I don't
know if there are a lot of documented cases of shaken baby syndrome
complicated by dog flu.  Kate may be the first.  As Steve and Kathy
can attest, five kids feels like a lot.  It is worth it to know that
we are tied for second place on Mom's wall of pictures/baby
competition.

Love,

RMCLBLK and Aspen

--
Wendy W. Bentley

First hand info on Kate

Hi guys,

 

It's almost been a week, so I thought I had better write a small note about Kate.  Her full name is actually Kathryn Wendy after her grandmas.  We kind of think it sounds like a Catholic Nun's name.  All she needs is a last name like McGallager.  Anyway, mom and baby are doing well other than Kate having her bilirubin a little elevated.  She might have to go under lights if it goes up more today. 

 

I personally think she looks a lot like Dad.  -That may be because she has a double chin and joules.  The kids are all over her.  Sometimes they are so excited to hold her that they shake her with excitement.  The dog tries to help out by licking her when she cries.   I don't know if there are a lot of documented cases of shaken baby syndrome complicated by dog flu.  Kate may be the first.  As Steve and Kathy can attest, five kids feels like a lot.  It is worth it to know that we are tied for second place on Mom's wall of pictures/baby competition. 

 

Love,

 

RMCLBLK and Aspen

Testing this out

I just have to see if this works.  I'm stuck in the last century so I'm trying to see if I can actually use Steve's new email address to post.  We shall see.

We're so excited for Rick and Marisa!  Congratulations on the arrival of baby Kate.  Another cousin to love, hooray!

Around here. . . . Dave is supposed to find out by the end of February if the powers that be would like to give him another contract at CCS.  His reviews were amazing and the department head would love to have him stay,  but it has to go through whatever process it has to go through first before it's a go.  So we'll see what happens.  If not, then that's okay, we'll just see what the Lord wants us to do next.  Dave is really enjoying teaching though.  Kar is emailing this right now because I have BOTH kids down at the same time.  Congratulate me.  That's for sure the highlight of my week.  Josh turned 11 and for his birthday went skiing with his Dad for the first time.  He had no fear and went straight down the hill and off of jumps, and went full-barrell into the half-pipe.  He lived to tell the tale and had a blast.  Dave landed on his keys, which were in his breast pocket, and broke his keyfob on his ribs.  So he's still in a bit of pain, but he's good.  Maddie has been making paper dolls, acing all of her math tests, and working on the concept art and tragic backstory for her forthcoming saga, "The Apache Snail."  There's death and drama involved; the Apache Snail is definitely not for the faint of heart.  Jakey got the croup for the first time last week.  It was actually the first time we have experienced croup in our little family, so when Jakey woke up in the dead of the night struggling to breathe and gasping for air we were sure it was a full-blown-gonzo asthma attack and rushed him to the ER.  After finding out that all we had to do was put him in a steamy bathroom and then take him out into the (sub-zero windchill) Michigan cold and he would be fine, and then testing that theory the next night, we emerged from the experience amazed that something so counterintuitive would work so well.  AJ is rolling over and likes to give drooly hugs by diving headfirst into people.  Slimy, but satisfying. 

Quotes of the week:
    "They need to make a Book of Mormon video game so that we can play it on Sundays." -Josh
[Actually that would be cool.  Can you imagine being Samuel the Lamanite and dodging arrows?  Or being Nephi, and building a ship in a tetris-like game?  There's some cool possibilities with this. . . ]
    "I'm defeated." -Jake, laying on the floor after running around
    "Who's in charge?" -Kar
    "I am!" -Jake

We love you guys.  Have a great week.

Love,

DKJMJAJB

P.S.-- Is there going to be a reunion this summer?  Or is everyone waiting to get together with Mom and Dad when they arrive home?  We would love to somehow see as much of you all as we can at some point (of course that's if we still have a job and can pull together the funds).  Are there any plans in the works? 

Welcome Kate!

Kate Bentley(not sure of middle name?? Rick)

Born January 30th at 12:45am
19 1/2" Long
6 lbs. 14 oz.

Mom and baby are home from the hospital and doing great. The pictures are adorable. She is very cute and we are lucky enough to see her tomorrow night.
Love Steve (for Rick and Marisa)

Change to Posting Process

Famsters,
With the increasing amount of garbage (I don't mean Richards posts) that has donned this site, I have modified the posting process. I am sure that the email address that we all have been using to post somehow got sold to advertising. Anyway, I have changed the posting email address. If you want to post by Email, you need to use the following: thebentleybulletin.?@blogger.com. Replace the question mark with the furry animal that James frequently becomes(you know, rhymes with shnookie :) and you can post. You can always post by logging on to the blog as well. This posting email can be changed as often as necessary, so if need be I will do it again so that we can avoid the smut.
Happy blogging, Steve

Their personalities shine through their words

Will and Emma both had a tooth pulled at the dentists this week. Emma's was lost. She painstakingly wrote a note to Glenda (who happens to be her special tooth fairy) explaining the dilemma.
After two nights of having Will's tooth and Emma's note under their pillows with no response from the tooth fairy, Caroline, followed by Emma and Will, burst into her parent's bedroom this morning to ask,
"What is up with all the tooth fairies these days?" Emma reasoned,
"She is probably just behind schedule and overworked. Maybe she'll bring our money tomorrow night."
To which Will said,
"That's good because maybe she'll pay interest!"
p.s. Glenda did manage to arrive with a disclaimer,
"Tooth fairies with new babies only work the day shift."

I'm a day late, but here is my article

Today is beautiful! After three weeks in the 50's and 60's we've hit 70 degrees and it feels like spring. Now I know those "low" temps don't sound scary to you who are freezing in the North Country, but to those of us who live in cement houses with no heat and with 80% to 90% humidity it felt COLD. I piled on as many layers of clothes I could and did a lot of baking. Hopefully it will stay in the 70's and not jump to the 90's immediately. The locals tell us that they haven't had a cold spell like this since 1993.
The cold, and sickness that have come with it, have really dampened our temple attendance. Last Saturday neither of our excursion groups came and during the week we've had to regularly cancel at least one of our sessions because of no participates. Hopefully, things will pick up soon. I'd much rather be busy than sitting around.
During this month we've said goodbye to two faithful temple patrons. Maria Elena Lara Sanchez,the paralyzed woman I told you about a year or so ago, who would come weekly to the temple passed away. And Br. Tomas Cabrales died unexpectedly, but peacefully, in his home. Both Brother and Sister Cabrales have been temple workers here since the temple opened. They are the parents of nine children and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last year. Like Grandpa Bentley, he had diabetes and had gone blind. He had also had his toes amputated, but he would still come with his wife twice a week and participate wherever he could.
Both Hna. Lara and Hno. Cabrales examplifiy for me the words, "enduring (well) to the end".
I've just finished reading for the second time, Bonds That Make Us Free, by Terry Warner. I recommend it to any of you who want a soul searching read.
It has been fun to visit with so many of you via our computer cameras. What an amazing technical world we live in.
Much love to each of you, Mom and Grandma

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wow, I'm really slow in getting these important dates posted. The days just seem to slip by me.
Two big ones this month:
Joshua David turns eleven on the 28th
AND Marisa assures us that
Kathryn Wendy (Kate) will arrive on or before the 30th!

Hopefully everyone has made a resolution to send monthly articles in to the BBB. Dad and I sure miss the kid's quotes and news. Much love Mom
p.s. I promise an article myself this afternoon.

Our Christmas Break

We have had the BEST time together this Christmas.  It's been a really fun time doing all kinds of silly things.  Christmas week we had rain the whole time so we stayed at home playing games, watching movies, and making gingerbread houses.  :)  Christmas Eve we went to a big party with ward friends.  Santa Clause even showed up with presents for all the kids.  Kaitlyn was in heaven!  She talked to Santa on his lap and got a special present she kept talking about.  Liza on the other hand is deathly afraid of the big man and screamed the whole time. 

Christmas morning!  We had fresh cinnamon buns right out of the oven, egg sausage casserole, and fresh fruit.  YUM!  We had the traditional stockings set up and then took turns opening presents.  The girls were so happy with every little thing that it took the entire day to open the presents because there was a solid hour between each thing.  Christmas night we had a dinner at the ward that the bishop threw for who ever wanted to come.  It was such a nice time with a big dinner, Christmas movies, and good friends. 

Christmas isn't the same without family and having all of you around so we went to Dave and Karalee's house to get some family time!  We love to be with them and we re-enacted the Nativity story and watched Annie and Warren Miller   Good times.  Then we drove up to see my friend Alisa in Lansing and spent a day with her.  It was a really nice small trip for the weekend. 

New Years Eve we had another great party at some friends house and Kaitlyn actually stayed up the whole time.  Today's been kind of exciting with the repercussions of the lack of sleep.  We went swimming today and had another great dinner with some ward friends.  The girls are really growing up and starting to love (and hate) playing together. 

Liza is really growing up.  She seems to love extremes.  She's happy or sad, hungry or full, laughing and then 1 second later crying.  She is always entertaining.  These last couple weeks with Dad home has solidified her "Daddy's Girl" status.  it's amazing that I can try feeding her something and she'll refuse it, but I'll hand her over to Zach and she opens wide. She loves the bathtub, ducks, YOGURT, her baby, fruit, and hoarding food whenever possible. (like mother, like daughter).  She's finally wanting to read books and sing songs. 

Kaitlyn is starting to be SO big it takes us by surprise all the time.  she's saying funny things and asking real questions.  Zach just told me that tonight when he was telling her a scriptures story about the Saviors crucifixion she was really paying attention and listening and when he said Jesus died, she asked "am I going to die?" and Zach got to teach her about the plan of salvation.  This is melt my heart stuff.  Her favorite things are playing house and being a Mom to her babies, making cookies, watching Little Einsteins, and giggling. 

We have had a really fun time but it wasn't without a lot of missing all of you. We've been thinking of you and hoping your christmas was just as wonderful.  We lov eyou all and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Love, the Canadian Christmas Clan

Christmas Highlights

We wanted to share some Christmas highlights. We had a really great Christmas, and wish we were closer to all of you.


This was Lincolns new thing this year. We would wake up every morning to an undecorated tree. Linc would neatly place all the ornaments in a box during the middle of the night - we don't know why. The kids got used to decorating the tree again first thing every morning.



The famous Christmas Pageant. This year Cora, Israel, Levi, Brigham and Cecelia performed in an all star cast of the famous Christmas story. They practiced for weeks, so you can only imagine ... it was magnificent!


This is what Rick and I look like after not getting any sleep the night before. Cute Linc kept us up all night. We finally fell asleep around 5 a.m. and at 6 a.m. the kids gently reminded us it was time to get up. We still feel a little dizzy.




Even the dog got Christmas P.J.s this year. What luck!

We hope you all had a very merry christmas.

Merry Christmas from the Williams!

Dear Family and Friends,

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and hope you enjoy your holiday season wherever you may be.  We are spending our Christmas together as a family here in London, Ontario and will miss seeing many of you this year, so we have included the few recently rehearsed photos of our family and a handful of the candid moments that you just can't plan for.  For us, these are our happiest years in our 9 years of marriage as we see our kids grow and only wish we could be a little closer to family to share them this holiday season. We love each of you and hope your Christmas is memorable and sweet.

Love,

Zach, Mary, Kaitlyn and Liza

A FABULOUS SKI WEEKEND!

We had such a wonderful weekend at Keystone these past few days. I just had to share some pictures because we now have three kids that ski in our family, and each one loves it. Cora, Lincoln and Brigham all LOVED skiing. I think we were the most shocked by Lincoln, because we have never really talked to him about skiing nor has he really ever seen anyone ski. He could not wait to get on the hill and start. It was really exciting for Rick and I. It has always been our dream to have a skiing family, and look at us, well on our way. The other amazing thing is that if you look at these pictures, Linc will blow you away. He was so aware, and excited, and with us, that it just comes through in these pictures. Our own little Christmas miracle.

We were lucky enough to have Steve, Elijah and Israel come too. Thanks for coming guys!


MY FAVORITE SKIIERS

LINCOLN AND HIS AMAZING TEACHER, RICK

THE BOYS SKIING FOR THEIR FIRST TIME

BRIG DOING A SERIOUS SNOW PLOW

PROOF THAT LYDIA AND MARISA WERE THERE TOO

Merry Christmas

CHRISTMAS JOY IN THREES

As our

THIRD

Christmas in Tampico approaches our thoughts turn to

Family, Friends & Savior

THREE

Precious grandbabies were born in our family this year

Marguerite Magdalene to Steve & Rachel, Aaron James (A.J.) to Dave & Karalee,

Joseph Christiansen to Kathy & Charlie

THREE

 Precious grandbabies are due soon,

Kathryn Wendy to Rick & Marisa, Olive Annalee to Jim & Mandi,

Baby boy to Sharon & Matt

(name pending)

THREE

Sons who were without work are now happily employed (Steve, David, Dan)

THREE

Wonderful missions and consequently dear friends in

THREE

Wonderful countries

THREE

Reasons for the season

HIS BIRTH, HIS EXAMPLE, HIS ATONEMENT

With love, The Bentleys (Toney & Wendy)

Steve! Fix the BBB!

Alright smarty-pants computer boy Steve!  Can you fix the crazy bentley bulletin?  I'm angered about the spam e-mails but don't have the presence of mind to figure out how to block that from our blog posts.... I think you have the know-how though.  Any chance?  What do you guys want for Christmas anyways?  Think about it, I'm calling you this week. 

Hey ya'll so we are confused on what was decided for Christmas... did we come to a conclusion? We are all for the instate exchange because we were just talking about how its hard to come up with something for a family you don't see very often, especially with a $25 limit, plus shipping ends up being as much as the gift sometimes... just our thoughts... We could just start in next year since some people have already sent them... PLUS for the last few years all of us Utahns get together for christmas and do a white elephant or something, but we wouldn't have to do that if we could just exchange real gifts!!! Let us know... Love you all! Jimmy and Mandi

I am Happy to have Spurred so much Family Chatting

So, I'll happily withdraw my suggestion about giving presents localyl... it is just WAY less confusing this way.  (special thanks to those of you who actually understood what I was talking about, that's not easy.) I'm addicted to change, it's fun, and healthy.  So on that note: if one change came out of the discussion, at least I just talked to 5 of you I wouldn't have this week. :)   Dave's family and us will just do our own cousin exchange perhaps so we can open something from each other. Rach, I'm diggin Rachomuchacho.  Maybe you should look into updating your drivers licence. :)  Racherrooo--the elder, you can look forward to a x-mas gift from Canada.  Any suggestions or requests???  I'm thinking a maple theme... syrup, parafanalia, cookie cutters, red sweatshirts with sequence leafs?  

Love you guys!!!  Mary

Wow

Don't worry. Everything is as it should be. I Rachel B Bentley @ gmail.com (B is for Brady) am the one who wrote the oh-so-confusing line, "We have already sent Jim and Mandi their gift." So everyone's giving two down. Whew! (I know it must be confusing for us to be on top of it this year, as in years past some have been known to get their gift sometime in Feb.)

Rachel the Younger
Dan's Rachel
Rachbacca (I seem to remember seeing something like this on one of Dan's bulletins)

Re: Huge Clarification

Okay, now Mary and Sharon are telling us two different things.

Duke it out guys, and let us know who wins. : )

Rachel (the old one)

--- On Fri, 11/20/09, Matthew & Sharon Gehring <gehringms@yahoo.com> wrote:

> From: Matthew & Sharon Gehring <gehringms@yahoo.com>
> Subject: Huge Clarification
> To: "Rachel Bentley" <rachelbbentley@gmail.com>, "Mary Williams" <zachandmary@gmail.com>
> Cc: "Charlie Williams" <ccrump@segwayfunding.com>, "Daniel Bentley" <mountdfb@hotmail.com>, "David Bentley" <david.bentley@autodesk.com>, "Jimmy Bentley" <jbentley@unitedfirstfinancial.com>, "Karalee Dave Bentley" <bentleybunnies@yahoo.com>, "Kathy Crump" <mtckathy@hotmail.com>, "Marisa Bentley" <marisabentley@hotmail.com>, "Rachel Bentley" <bstephen_2000@yahoo.com>, "Rick Bentley" <richard.bentley@usafa.af.mil>, "Stephen Bentley" <stephen.a.bentley@intel.com>, "Toney Bentley" <bentley.anthony@gmail.com>, "Wendy Bentley" <mtcwendy@yahoo.com>, "Wendy Bentley" <wendywbentley@gmail.com>, "Bentley Bulletin" <thebentleybulletin.post@blogger.com>
> Date: Friday, November 20, 2009, 8:39 AM
> Dear
> Family:
>  
> Apparently, there is now some confusion concerning our
> Christmas Giving List.  Yes, there are two Rachels in
> our family, but it is actually Dan and Rachel that are on
> top of it.  And good thing because they should be
> giving to Jim and Mandi.  Everyone should be two
> down.  By keeping it that way, we will not get out of
> order.
>  
> So...Steve to Dave  Dave to Sharon  Sharon
> to Mary  Mary to Steve
>         Rick to
> Kathy  Kathy to Dan  Dan to Jim  Jim to
> Rick
>  
> Let's leave the amount at $25 total.  So
> figure out how that works best for the family you are giving
> to.
>  
> Love you all,
>  
> Sharon
>
>
>
>
>
> From: Rachel
> Bentley <rachelbbentley@gmail.com>
> To: Mary
> Williams <zachandmary@gmail.com>
> Cc: Charlie
> Williams <ccrump@segwayfunding.com>; Daniel Bentley
> <mountdfb@hotmail.com>; David Bentley
> <david.bentley@autodesk.com>; Jimmy Bentley
> <jbentley@unitedfirstfinancial.com>; Karalee Dave
> Bentley <bentleybunnies@yahoo.com>; Kathy Crump
> <mtckathy@hotmail.com>; Marisa Bentley
> <marisabentley@hotmail.com>; Rachel Bentley
> <bstephen_2000@yahoo.com>; Rick Bentley
> <richard.bentley@usafa.af.mil>; Sharon Matt Gehring
> <gehringms@yahoo.com>; Stephen Bentley
> <stephen.a.bentley@intel.com>; Toney Bentley
> <bentley.anthony@gmail.com>; Wendy Bentley
> <mtcwendy@yahoo.com>; Wendy Bentley
> <wendywbentley@gmail.com>; Bentley Bulletin
> <thebentleybulletin.post@blogger.com>
> Sent: Wed,
> November 18, 2009 1:21:20 PM
> Subject: Re:
> This X-mas Exchange
>
>
> Just for the record, we've already sent Jim and
> Mandi a gift...so we're good.
>  
> Merry Christmas,
>  
> Rachel
>
>
> On Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 11:30 AM,
> Mary Williams <zachandmary@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Hello Family-cita,
>
> I was just thinking about Christmas this year and I have 2
> suggestions for discussion....
>
> Suggestion #1: We do a x-mas exchange with the families we
> live by instead of doing the rotation.  For instance,
> this x-mas we will be with dave/kar so we'll switch with
> them, The colorado bentley's can swap, and the Salt
> Laker's and Dan can combine together.  That would
> be fun and simple... let me know your thoughts.
>
> Suggestion #2: We could just can the whole idea and do no
> "required" gift exchange.  Traditions
> don't have to continue forever.  Another
> thought. 
>
> I vote for suggestion #1... what do you think?  Mom
> wants you all to know she doesn't care a bit and has no
> opinion on the matter, she's not involved in any way
> shape or form.  She's insistant on this
> point.  She wants none of it.  She's basically
> baa-humbugging chirsmas all together. 
> j/k  
>
> The first 3 to vote get a special gift from me.  No
> telling.  Love you all!!! 
>
> Maria
>
> P.S. I've committed the unthinkable crime of putting
> all our christmas decorations up.  Even listening to
> music.  This is the Canadian way, we celebrated
> Thanksgiving in October.  It's liberating. 
> Sorry to all of you post-thanksgiving decoration
> fundamentalists. 
>
>
>
>
>

Huge Clarification

Dear Family:

 

Apparently, there is now some confusion concerning our Christmas Giving List.  Yes, there are two Rachels in our family, but it is actually Dan and Rachel that are on top of it.  And good thing because they should be giving to Jim and Mandi.  Everyone should be two down.  By keeping it that way, we will not get out of order.

 

So...Steve to Dave  Dave to Sharon  Sharon to Mary  Mary to Steve

        Rick to Kathy  Kathy to Dan  Dan to Jim  Jim to Rick

 

Let's leave the amount at $25 total.  So figure out how that works best for the family you are giving to.

 

Love you all,

 

Sharon

---

From: Rachel Bentley <rachelbbentley@gmail.com>
To: Mary Williams <zachandmary@gmail.com>
Cc: Charlie Williams <ccrump@segwayfunding.com>; Daniel Bentley <mountdfb@hotmail.com>; David Bentley <david.bentley@autodesk.com>; Jimmy Bentley <jbentley@unitedfirstfinancial.com>; Karalee Dave Bentley <bentleybunnies@yahoo.com>; Kathy Crump <mtckathy@hotmail.com>; Marisa Bentley <marisabentley@hotmail.com>; Rachel Bentley <bstephen_2000@yahoo.com>; Rick Bentley <richard.bentley@usafa.af.mil>; Sharon Matt Gehring <gehringms@yahoo.com>; Stephen Bentley <stephen.a.bentley@intel.com>; Toney Bentley <bentley.anthony@gmail.com>; Wendy Bentley <mtcwendy@yahoo.com>; Wendy Bentley <wendywbentley@gmail.com>; Bentley Bulletin <thebentleybulletin.post@blogger.com>
Sent: Wed, November 18, 2009 1:21:20 PM
Subject: Re: This X-mas Exchange

Just for the record, we've already sent Jim and Mandi a gift...so we're good.

 

Merry Christmas,

 

Rachel

On Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 11:30 AM, Mary Williams <zachandmary@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello Family-cita,

I was just thinking about Christmas this year and I have 2 suggestions for discussion....

Suggestion #1: We do a x-mas exchange with the families we live by instead of doing the rotation.  For instance, this x-mas we will be with dave/kar so we'll switch with them, The colorado bentley's can swap, and the Salt Laker's and Dan can combine together.  That would be fun and simple... let me know your thoughts.

Suggestion #2: We could just can the whole idea and do no "required" gift exchange.  Traditions don't have to continue forever.  Another thought. 

I vote for suggestion #1... what do you think?  Mom wants you all to know she doesn't care a bit and has no opinion on the matter, she's not involved in any way shape or form.  She's insistant on this point.  She wants none of it.  She's basically baa-humbugging chirsmas all together.  j/k  

The first 3 to vote get a special gift from me.  No telling.  Love you all!!! 

Maria

P.S. I've committed the unthinkable crime of putting all our christmas decorations up.  Even listening to music.  This is the Canadian way, we celebrated Thanksgiving in October.  It's liberating.  Sorry to all of you post-thanksgiving decoration fundamentalists. 

Re: This X-mas Exchange

This is great feedback, I'm glad we at least all want to still do the exchange.  So since Rach and Steve are so on top of it, and already sent their x-mas package, the subject seems sort of null and void. (you are seriously on top of it!) We continue the exchange as planned.  That's cool.  So if Steve gave to Jim, we're all going backwards one person?  That's good to know.  Wasn't this fun talking?  Does anyone want to exchange cousins like Charlie suggested?  We could you know...

Maria

On Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 10:50 AM, Charlie Crump <ccrump@segwayfunding.com> wrote:

Usually our family rotates year to year.  Each couple exchanges with another couple and rotate annually so that you are always exchanging with someone else.  The cousins do the same with one another.  It works quite well.  Just a thought.

 

Charlie Crump

Segway Funding, Inc.

801-273-7700

 

From: Rachel Bentley [mailto:rachelbbentley@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 1:21 PM
To: Mary Williams
Cc: Charlie Williams; Daniel Bentley; David Bentley; Jimmy Bentley; Karalee Dave Bentley; Kathy Crump; Marisa Bentley; Rachel Bentley; Rick Bentley; Sharon Matt Gehring; Stephen Bentley; Toney Bentley; Wendy Bentley; Wendy Bentley; Bentley Bulletin
Subject: Re: This X-mas Exchange

 

Just for the record, we've already sent Jim and Mandi a gift...so we're good.

 

Merry Christmas,

 

Rachel

On Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 11:30 AM, Mary Williams <zachandmary@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello Family-cita,

I was just thinking about Christmas this year and I have 2 suggestions for discussion....

Suggestion #1: We do a x-mas exchange with the families we live by instead of doing the rotation.  For instance, this x-mas we will be with dave/kar so we'll switch with them, The colorado bentley's can swap, and the Salt Laker's and Dan can combine together.  That would be fun and simple... let me know your thoughts.

Suggestion #2: We could just can the whole idea and do no "required" gift exchange.  Traditions don't have to continue forever.  Another thought. 

I vote for suggestion #1... what do you think?  Mom wants you all to know she doesn't care a bit and has no opinion on the matter, she's not involved in any way shape or form.  She's insistant on this point.  She wants none of it.  She's basically baa-humbugging chirsmas all together.  j/k  

The first 3 to vote get a special gift from me.  No telling.  Love you all!!! 

Maria

P.S. I've committed the unthinkable crime of putting all our christmas decorations up.  Even listening to music.  This is the Canadian way, we celebrated Thanksgiving in October.  It's liberating.  Sorry to all of you post-thanksgiving decoration fundamentalists. 

 

RE: This X-mas Exchange

Usually our family rotates year to year.  Each couple exchanges with another couple and rotate annually so that you are always exchanging with someone else.  The cousins do the same with one another.  It works quite well.  Just a thought.

 

Charlie Crump

Segway Funding, Inc.

801-273-7700

 

From: Rachel Bentley [mailto:rachelbbentley@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 1:21 PM
To: Mary Williams
Cc: Charlie Williams; Daniel Bentley; David Bentley; Jimmy Bentley; Karalee Dave Bentley; Kathy Crump; Marisa Bentley; Rachel Bentley; Rick Bentley; Sharon Matt Gehring; Stephen Bentley; Toney Bentley; Wendy Bentley; Wendy Bentley; Bentley Bulletin
Subject: Re: This X-mas Exchange

 

Just for the record, we've already sent Jim and Mandi a gift...so we're good.

 

Merry Christmas,

 

Rachel

On Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 11:30 AM, Mary Williams <zachandmary@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello Family-cita,

I was just thinking about Christmas this year and I have 2 suggestions for discussion....

Suggestion #1: We do a x-mas exchange with the families we live by instead of doing the rotation.  For instance, this x-mas we will be with dave/kar so we'll switch with them, The colorado bentley's can swap, and the Salt Laker's and Dan can combine together.  That would be fun and simple... let me know your thoughts.

Suggestion #2: We could just can the whole idea and do no "required" gift exchange.  Traditions don't have to continue forever.  Another thought. 

I vote for suggestion #1... what do you think?  Mom wants you all to know she doesn't care a bit and has no opinion on the matter, she's not involved in any way shape or form.  She's insistant on this point.  She wants none of it.  She's basically baa-humbugging chirsmas all together.  j/k  

The first 3 to vote get a special gift from me.  No telling.  Love you all!!! 

Maria

P.S. I've committed the unthinkable crime of putting all our christmas decorations up.  Even listening to music.  This is the Canadian way, we celebrated Thanksgiving in October.  It's liberating.  Sorry to all of you post-thanksgiving decoration fundamentalists. 

 

Re: This X-mas Exchange

Just for the record, we've already sent Jim and Mandi a gift...so we're good.

 

Merry Christmas,

 

Rachel

On Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 11:30 AM, Mary Williams <zachandmary@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello Family-cita,

I was just thinking about Christmas this year and I have 2 suggestions for discussion....

Suggestion #1: We do a x-mas exchange with the families we live by instead of doing the rotation.  For instance, this x-mas we will be with dave/kar so we'll switch with them, The colorado bentley's can swap, and the Salt Laker's and Dan can combine together.  That would be fun and simple... let me know your thoughts.

Suggestion #2: We could just can the whole idea and do no "required" gift exchange.  Traditions don't have to continue forever.  Another thought. 

I vote for suggestion #1... what do you think?  Mom wants you all to know she doesn't care a bit and has no opinion on the matter, she's not involved in any way shape or form.  She's insistant on this point.  She wants none of it.  She's basically baa-humbugging chirsmas all together.  j/k  

The first 3 to vote get a special gift from me.  No telling.  Love you all!!! 

Maria

P.S. I've committed the unthinkable crime of putting all our christmas decorations up.  Even listening to music.  This is the Canadian way, we celebrated Thanksgiving in October.  It's liberating.  Sorry to all of you post-thanksgiving decoration fundamentalists. 

RE: This X-mas Exchange

I personally like exchanging gifts with each other. It maintains the
illusion that we are siblings, and that no one was adopted. I don't
care how we exchange, going local might be fun.

RB

-----Original Message-----
From: Mary Williams [mailto:zachandmary@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 12:30 PM
To: Charlie Williams; Daniel Bentley; David Bentley; Jimmy Bentley;
Karalee Dave Bentley; Kathy Crump; Marisa Bentley; Rachel Bentley;
Rachel Brady; Bentley, Richard W Maj USAF USAFA 10 MDOS/SGOX; Sharon
Matt Gehring; Stephen Bentley; Toney Bentley; Wendy Bentley; Wendy
Bentley; Bentley Bulletin
Subject: This X-mas Exchange

Hello Family-cita,

I was just thinking about Christmas this year and I have 2 suggestions
for discussion....

Suggestion #1: We do a x-mas exchange with the families we live by
instead of doing the rotation. For instance, this x-mas we will be with
dave/kar so we'll switch with them, The colorado bentley's can swap, and
the Salt Laker's and Dan can combine together. That would be fun and
simple... let me know your thoughts.

Suggestion #2: We could just can the whole idea and do no "required"
gift exchange. Traditions don't have to continue forever. Another
thought.

I vote for suggestion #1... what do you think? Mom wants you all to
know she doesn't care a bit and has no opinion on the matter, she's not
involved in any way shape or form. She's insistant on this point. She
wants none of it. She's basically baa-humbugging chirsmas all together.
j/k

The first 3 to vote get a special gift from me. No telling. Love you
all!!!

Maria

P.S. I've committed the unthinkable crime of putting all our christmas
decorations up. Even listening to music. This is the Canadian way, we
celebrated Thanksgiving in October. It's liberating. Sorry to all of
you post-thanksgiving decoration fundamentalists.

This X-mas Exchange

Hello Family-cita,

I was just thinking about Christmas this year and I have 2 suggestions for discussion....

Suggestion #1: We do a x-mas exchange with the families we live by instead of doing the rotation.  For instance, this x-mas we will be with dave/kar so we'll switch with them, The colorado bentley's can swap, and the Salt Laker's and Dan can combine together.  That would be fun and simple... let me know your thoughts.

Suggestion #2: We could just can the whole idea and do no "required" gift exchange.  Traditions don't have to continue forever.  Another thought. 

I vote for suggestion #1... what do you think?  Mom wants you all to know she doesn't care a bit and has no opinion on the matter, she's not involved in any way shape or form.  She's insistant on this point.  She wants none of it.  She's basically baa-humbugging chirsmas all together.  j/k  

The first 3 to vote get a special gift from me.  No telling.  Love you all!!! 

Maria

P.S. I've committed the unthinkable crime of putting all our christmas decorations up.  Even listening to music.  This is the Canadian way, we celebrated Thanksgiving in October.  It's liberating.  Sorry to all of you post-thanksgiving decoration fundamentalists. 

Baby Joseph's Here!

Dear Family,
We are so happy to announce that baby Joseph is here! He was born on Wednesday, November 11, at 2:33 p.m., weighing 7 pounds, 4 ounces, measuring 20.5 inches. Mother is delighted and baby is doing well. All the kids are proud as can be of their new little brother.

Gehring BB

Hey family:

 

We are so excited for Kathy and her family.  I saw their baby last night and he is darling.  Matt and I want to let each of you know that we will also be having a baby BOY  (name to be determined).  We will be closing on our house within the next week.  Life is really fun right now.  Sam sang in the school choir for Veteran's Day and lost his two bottom front teeth.  We've been practicing "All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth"  Eliza helped us build a box car for school.  She was very specific about it having angels on it and then she also wanted a roof.  So Matt and I really had to think about how to do that one.  Peter sings Happy Birthday to anyone and anything right now and he is really talking a lot.  Matt trained a large portion of his office staff in CPR training yesterday.  It is kind of a fun tie-in to his past.  I am 19 weeks pregnant and not sick at all.  So we are in the great part of pregnancy for me. 

 

Hope you are all well.

 

Sharon and Family

Beautiful Mexico

We drove up into the mountains after our conference in Vales.  As you can see Mexico is beautiful.  We finally had to turn around however because of the mud slides and rocks in the road the second set I'll send). iAt one point we passed a truck with African ostriches in it and a flock of turkey vultures, also a lot of pelicans off the coast.

more fotos

fotos

and yet again

The last pictures are a mural of the history of Heujutla which was a native settlement Cortez conquered.

2nd set

--
Wendy W. Bentley