Woo-Hoo

On Tuesday (my birthday) they delivered my double oven, cooktop and vent hood!!

The guy came yesterday afternoon and installed everything. Woo-Hoo!!!!

I have wanted a new oven for soooooooooooooo long but wouldn't spend the money until the old one officially crapped out.

Megan suggested that I get a double oven and I thought it was a great idea and Dad agreed.

Anyway, now I'm almost ready for Thanksgiving. At least the cooking part of it is taken care of!

Next up for the kitchen, new cabinets and countertop (but that won't be for a while).

Sweet Okole #1

A Bennett family tradition began its 21st year with this week's first Sweet Okole.

We have a new player this season, Ashton joined in and was given the nickname of THE PRINCESS by Grampy. Everyone has a nickname. This first week I'll include the person's real name as well as the nickname but after this will just use the nicknames.

Winner - Snookums (Heather) edged out Grammy on the tiebreaker (Who would have thought that OU-BYU would only have 27 points!!!), we both finished with 11 wins out of 15 games.

10 - The Princess, Bear (Bruce), Dinky Dog (Megan)
9 - Bubba (Chris)
8 - Boo Boo Bear (Erin), BroDog (Brodie), Wyatt (Bobby), The Saint (Ricci)
7 - Sweet Cheeks (Jonathan)

Next week will include pro games so there will be a total of 20 games, 10 college, 10 pro.

No money involved, just bragging rights. I think Dinky Dog has won the last two years. Time for her to be dethroned.

The Trophy Moves North

The Bennett Family Wii trophy was won this week by one of our Frisco residents, Bobby. This was the second tournament of the season.

Round 1
Holly - bye
Jon 119, Grampy 110
Megan 202, Chris 180
Erin - bye
Bobby - bye
Ashton 159, Brodie 142
Grammy 165, Ricci 144
Ninny - bye

Quarterfinals
Jon 170, Holly 133 (no way to treat your girlfriend)
Megan 178, Erin 138
Bobby 178, Ashton 144
Grammy 143, Ninny 108

Semifinals
Megan 225 (six strikes in a row), Jon 139
Bobby 164, Grammy 120

Championship
Bobby 180, Megan 174

Congrats to Bobby!!! Had to get a little creative with the picture!

Bowling Tournament

Since we have a Wii now, I thought I'd organize a friendly family bowling tournament which would run before/during/after family dinner. I purchased a traveling trophy (see picture), got it properly "engraved" and displayed it on the fireplplace mantle for all to see.

We had a 10-person single elimination draw then we drew names out of a bowl to fill in the bracket. Brodie, Megan, me, Erin Jon and Bobby all drew first-round byes. Since the Bryce's couldn't make it down for the day, they bowled at their house then phoned in the scores (bummer with this was there was no opportunity for smack talk!).

Ashton and Ricci were paired against each other in the first round and Ashton bowled an impressive 141 but Ricci countered with a 181. Chris and Bear faced off with Chris posting a 164 to his Grampy's 114.

In the second round Ricci downed Brodie, Megan trounced her mother, 199-97, Jon edged Erin, 134-113, and Chris beat Bobby, 180-168.

In the quarterfinals, Megan rolled a 218 to beat Ricci while Jon and Chris underwhelmed each other with a 101 and 117, respectively.

Since Chris had to go to work at 4:30, he and Jon bowled after he got off work and Megan bowled her championship game after she and Ricci faced off. She was a "little" miffed that she only scored 139. After Chris beat Jon, he rolled his championship score of 147, thus beating his aunt by eight pins for the championship.

It would have been much more competitive and interesting if Megan and Chris could have faced off against each other, a lot of smack talk would have taken place as well.

A good time was had by all and the Bottoms are looking forward to the trophy residing in their house in the near future rather than Heather's house.

PS - Megan averaged 185 throughout the tournament while Chris managed a 152. But, it's the head-to-head competition that counts!!!

Beware!!!

Sorry it's been sooooo long since I blogged.

On my last post you saw where Chris was catching fish, on this one, he's about to be bit by one! (see picture)

On our way back to Texas from California, we spent a night in Las Vegas. One of the highlights was going to the Mandalay Bay and touring the Aquarium there. If you ever get the chance, go there it's awesome (but a little pricey).

Another highlight, at least for Jon and Chris, was Grampy and his trick-or-treat bag. Next time you see them, ask them to explain. Also, maybe Bruce will show you his "card collection" from Vegas. :-)

Fishin’ Pros

On Wednesday we (minus Bruce) got up and were on the road early, heading north to the Sacramento River where Becky and Les have their yacht anchored. Upon arriving, after a 2 ½ hour trip, it was so windy we weren’t sure we were going to be able to go out of the river to fish, etc. That would have been fine with us, it would have been fun to just sit on the boat and chill.

However, Les and Becky decided that we could at least take the boat out on the river for a cruise. After getting out there, they decided that it would be fine for fishing if we went back into one of the sloughs (sp?) where it was calmer. So we headed back to their slip, hopped in the car and went to the bait shop to buy day fishing licenses for the boys and sardines to use as bait.

We headed back out to their favorite fishing spot which takes about an hour to get to. First off, Les grilled hot dogs and brats for us to eat and boy were they yummy. Oh, let me backtrack. On the way out to the fishing spot we sat up where Captain Les sits and just enjoyed the weather, ate snacks (SALAMI!) and learned a lot about the river.

Back to the grillin. Les has this neat little grill that he attaches to the back of the boat and cooks away. Jon can attest to what a master griller Les is (we’ll tell you later what else he’s a master at), the boy ate two hot dogs and two brats!

After eating it was on to fishing. Chris has lots of experience shallow water fishing and this was Jon’s first experience fishing. Well, let me tell you, they both did themselves proud. With Les handling all the baiting chores (for which he was deemed the master), the boys both set to fishing and promptly caught fish. The pictures are of Jon with his first fish and Chris with one of the large catfish he caught. Chris ended up with seven fish, four catfish and three striped bass and Jon caught six striped bass. Jon was dubbed the Master Caster for his casting prowess while Chris earned the Catfish King title.

Jon and Chris both though it was pretty cool when Uncle Les let them steer the boat.

HUGE thanks to Becky and Les for letting us come up there and visit with them and their yacht. The boys are already talking about coming back and fishing the other “sweet spot” Les told them about.

New Wheels

Bruce got a new ride last week. His truck "Titus" had some mechanical problems that were going to cost some big bucks to fix so we decided that it was time to get him a new set of wheels.

I have a gold car and Titus was gold so he decided that he would keep in that tradition.

As seen in a previous post, we name all of our vehicles. Since this one is a Gold, Ford Truck, its name had to start with a G, F, or T. This new truck went through several names before we finally settled on one.

First name Bruce came up with was Goldilocks, but we decided that a girls' name just wouldn't do. Next was Gomer, but he was too dignified to be a Gomer. I suggested Tyrone but we decided that didn't 'fit' him either. Next came Thaddeus and Texas but he finally settled on Teddy Roosevelt. I call him Teddy but Bruce uses his full name.

I think Bruce's favorite part of the truck is its Sirrius radio. He can now listen to his Classic Country (Willies Place or Roadhouse) commercial free not matter where he is.

Enjoy the pics.

Our First House

Since I was in San Antonio this past week, I thought I'd go by the house we lived in for the three years that we were there (1977-80). It was the first house we ever bought and it was brand new. This is the house we lived in when Megan was born. Two shots, one closeup and one from across the street.

When we lived there there were no trees at the street and only one in the front yard, the one on the left side of the yard about the middle of the lawn (which you can't see).

Enjoy.

25 Year Award

I recently received my 25 year service award at our national convention. It was held in San Antonio so that enabled Bruce, Heather, Megan and Parker to come down for the presentation. Another special circumstance was that my boss, Nick, is president of the organization (CoSIDA) this year and was the one presenting the award.

Enjoy the pictures. Parker was asleep in his stroller for the picture.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

While the WV crew was here I snapped this picture with Grampy and six of the nine grandchildren. On the couch with Grampy are (l-r) Kelsie, Landry, Ashton and Kaylie. Brodie and Jon are behind the couch.

Chris was working, Parker couldn't miss school (Megan was on call and couldn't get the day off) and Brianna decided not to make the trip to Texas. We missed them.

West Virginia Kin

Jennifer, Kaylie, Kelsie and Kevin made trek recently from West Va. to visit us. The three days passed quickly and a good time was had by all.

They arrive around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday and after they rested a bit (from the 18 hour drive) we went to Waco to visit my mom. Later that night we all met at Cheddars for dinner, compliments of Ninny.

On Thursday we loaded up two cars and headed for Frisco. Spent the day with Erin and her crew, swimming and eating.

Friday was spent shopping and a dinner at our house.

Thought it was cute when they gave Parker a cupcake, enjoy the picture.

They left to go home this morning, travel safe. We enjoyed having you!!!

PS - BJ we missed you.!!!!

10 Years Later

Thought you all would get a kick out of these pictures. Heather's boys in 1999 and again in 2009.

Jon Boy R Graduated

Jon graduated from high school last night, Lorena High School Class of 2009.

Several tears were shed, although not from Jon but mom and Grammy for sure. Megan and Parker were there, Bobby, Erin, Ashton and Landry came from Frisco and Ninny was able to go as well. Grampy had to work and wasn't able to get off.

Thought you all would get a kick out of these two pictures, kindergarten graduation and high school graduation.

Kaylie, Jennifer's oldest, graduated last night as well, but that was back in West Virginia. Congrats KJMW!!!!

Congrats Critter!

Christopher, Heather's middle son, is just finishing up his junior year of high school. On Monday we went to the school's annual Academic Awards ceremony.

Chris didn't get just one certificate, he got THREE of them. He earned outstanding academic achievement in English III and geometry and was named the school's most valuable student athletic trainer.

Way to go Critter, keep up the good work.

He had a whole crowd there cheering for him: Grampy, Grammy, Ninny, Heather, Jon, Brodie, Megan and Parker.

Elvira

For those of you who don't know, the Bennett Clan names all of our cars, a practice started (as far as I know) by Bruce. Currently in our immediate family (me & Bruce) we have Titus (Bruce's 2004 F-250 Truck), Elvira (my 2004 Expedition), Mickey Mustang (a 65 Mustang that sits in our backyard), Lilly Lynx (inhabits our field), Molly Mustang (also in the field) and Ferdinand Ford (in California safely tucked away in a garage). We have also had (among others) Delbert Dodge, Ellie Explorer, Thor (F-350 truck), Freddie Falcon, Mildred Mustang, Sunny Sunbird, Oscar Oldsmobile and Virgil Vega.

Anyway, I deviate from my original thought so I'll get back on track. Elvira, which I bought brand new, just recorded her 100,000th mile on Friday. As you can see from the pictures I recorded the 99,999.9 milestone as well as the 100,000.

I know Brodie (grandson) thought I was crazy. As we were toodling around Waco on Friday I had to time the milestone so that we were on a street that I would be able to pull over and take a picture of the odometer. Luckily we were on Old Lorena Road and it worked like a charm.

One of Life's Best Jobs

One of life's best jobs is being a grandparent and I'm blessed nine times over!!!

Earlier this year Ashton, Erin and Bobby's six-year-old, came to spend a weekend with Grampy and me. The visit coincided with her winter break and home women's basketball games. Ashton called me last week and read her report to me and I was totally impressed. Specifically with how much detail she remembered. Erin typed the report out exactly as Ashton wrote it. I though you'd all get a kick out of it, it's precious. I have provided some translations in red in case you couldn't figure it out).

“My FavoriteTthing About My Winter Break”

{Typed as she wrote it}

My favorite part about winter break was going to a Baylor game! I got to help my gramo the hole game! We got ther around 3:15. Me and my Grammy had to get redea. We had to get the candy for the cochis (coaches). Coch Kim likes the Hony bitse (Bits). I like the Souer appel (sour apple). My most favorit part of the game was Rachol Allison scored her 1’000^th pointe! At a time out they gave Rachol a vaere spechol basketball that had her name on it. By now I think it was 25 to 14. Texas was getting beat. When you sit ware the peapol wrke you can not cheer. It has to be qite because so the peapol can wrke. My Antei Hether wrkes thar. She sits down the rowe. We sat by the end. Evrea ones in uwiol (awhile) a lady woud put a piece of paper that had the score. And the players. Now the score was 95-45. Baylor was 95 Texas was 45. I sat next to a man he called me budy (Buddy, he calls everyone that). When ever I hadide (handed) him the paper. He seid thank you budy and gave it to the man beaside him. The man next to him had a green and white T-shrt that had a yellow BU with outling on it. He was a guy whoe has a computer that shoes (shows) what is going on in case the Referea needs to see wut is hapning in case he or her maks the wrog (wrong) call. The Lady Bares were grate. I got to see the men four a bit. And then me and my granpa and grammy went to Texas Rode house. I love ther rolls with sinumin butter. I had a chees brger. I didn’t like it that much but it was good. I ate a lot of peanuts. The best part about eating peanuts is you get to throe them on the grownde. After we were finished we

Went home. I had a grate time at my gramparints houes.

Isn't that priceless, see what I mean about it being the best job in the world?

Another Ring

Woo-hoo, the Lady Bears won the Big 12 Championship by defeating Texas A&M in Oklahoma City on Sunday. Another ring for me!!!

What makes this one so special is that it was unexpected. So, with that being said, I decided that I was going to savor the moment. This time I actually climbed the ladder and cut down some of the net. I had always been too busy to do that before but decided that I was going to do it this time.

Found out last night that we're a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and will play in Lubbock on Sunday and if we win that game will play again on Tuesday. Both games should start around 8:30 (CDT). ESPN2 will carry the game but if you don't live in the Texas market, you will only get what they call whip-around coverage (they're carrying 4 games during that time slot).

If we win both those games, next up will be Raleigh, N.C., for the Sweet 16 game, that game would be on the 28th.

SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry it's been sooooooooo long since my last post:
1) I've been busy
2) I forgot my password to get into the blog

Today a light went on and I fiddled around until I got into the site to update!!

Basketball has been going well, we're currently ranked No. 8 but have been as high as No. 3. Two home losses dropped up down this week.

We're on TV on Saturday (Feb. 7) at 11 a.m. (Central) on Fox Sports Net, playing No. 18 Kansas State.

When we hosted Oklahoma a couple of weeks ago we had a special couple come to the game. President George W. Bush and Laura made the Lady Bears' game their first public outing since leaving office. I got to spend quite a bit of time with them on the visit and have posted a picture that was taken in the Lady Bear locker room.

That's all for now, more later as time permits.