All American Futurity Trials

So I am so excited because in exactly 2 weeks from today me, Bradyn and Houston are flying to El Paso, TX and then driving to Ruidoso, NM for the trials for the All American Futurity to be held at Ruidoso Downs. For those of you who are not familiar with the term, the All American Futurity is the biggest Quarter Horse Race. It has the largest purse of all Quarter Horse races which is $2 million. The trials run on August 14th and there are usually around 17 to 18 trials each with 9 to 10 horses. The 10 horses with the fastest times run back in the finals held on Labor Day. Last year my dad qualified a horse he trains named Wild Six for the finals but she had trouble and didn't run back very good. He has another good batch of horses paid into the trials so hopefully with a lot of luck and fast times he can get another one in the finals. This has become a yearly tradition for us to go to New Mexico at this time. We have a blast. It is beatiful in Ruidoso. It is located in the mountains and reminds me of Park City. You kind of forget you are in New Mexico since the rest of the state is pretty much desert and flat. We go to the horse races during the day and at night there is a big horse sale. It is kind of fun to watch and it's amazing what people will pay for horses.

Another reason to be excited is that we will be bringing Peyton home with us. She went down with my brother Jason 2 weeks ago tomorrow to spend time with him and my parents and I am missing her like crazy. She has gone with my parents for 2 weeks at a time a couple of times a year for the last couple years and she and I have both done great. This time she is doing great and not ready to come home yet and I am going crazy not having her around. Four weeks is just too long. Bradyn is really missing his little buddy too. Right now he don't have anybody to help him in the yard and to ride the tractor with him.

Wild Six and Tony Guymon

Wild Six winning the Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs in Ruidoso, NM

Wild Six winning the West Texas Futurity at Sunland Park in El Paso, TX

"Memories..."

I did this on Natalie's blog, and it was fun to do...

MEMORY LANE-This will be fun especially if everyone and I do mean EVERYONE will join in! This is just too fun to pass up. Here are the directions: 1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!!!!!!! 2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments. We can make it a competition if anyone wants. Let's see who can come up with the funniest memory and who has the most memories. Please keep it going. ENJOY :)

Houston & Colter

So my sister-in-law Haylee any my due dates were exactly two weeks apart. Mine on June 20th and hers on July 4th. We were scheduled to be induced exactly two weeks apart. Me on June 13th and her on June 27th. Well, we both were not able to go in on our scheduled days because the rooms were full and I ended up getting induced on June 15th and she went into labor on her own on June 29th, exactly two weeks apart. It's funny how things work out. Houston weighed 7 lbs. 9.6 ounces when he was born and my nephew Colter weighed 9 lbs. 3 ounces when he was born. As you can see in the picuture below they are now pretty close to the same size.

Houston Bradyn & Colter Hadley Bennett

Bradyn Turns 30!

Happy 30th Birthday!

On Thursday, July 10th Bradyn turned 30. At first I thought "Wow, he's getting old" and then I realized that I'm not far behind him and in a little over a year and half I will be 30. That will be a really depressing day for me. Well, Bradyn seems to be handling it just fine and last night we celebrated with all of our friends by inviting them over for a barbeque. It turned out really well I think. There was lots of good food, good friends and the kids all had a blast riding their bikes and playing on the swing set.

Funny story about the cake. Peyton really wanted to get her dad a Scooby Doo cake. So we went to Smith's to order a Scooby Doo cake and was told they didn't do Scooby Doo so her second choice was Cars. When I told the lady to put "Happy 30th Birthday Bradyn" on the Cars cake she looked at me kind of funny and said "really, 30" and I had to explain that it was his daughter's idea. Well, Peyton was really wanting some of that cake and asked if she could stick her finger in the frosting and I told her no. Then half way through the party my sister-in-law Mandy glansed over and saw Peyton cradling the cake on the floor like a baby. So Bradyn gave in and opened up the cake for her to stick one finger in the frosting. She did that and then a minute later she took both hands and run her fingers down the side of the cake covering her fingers with frosting and then took off out the back door before she could get in trouble. After that all the kids were at Bradyn's heels demanding cake. It didn't take much begging to get him to dish up the cake cause he had been dreading everybody singing Happy Birthday to him and blowing out the candles.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the cake or of the party cause I was busy taking care of Houston and entertaining. I really wish I could remember to catch these moments on camera more often. Anyways, Happy 30th Birthday Bradyn and we love you!

Swimming Lessons

Last Monday Peyton started swimming lessons at the Riverton pool with her friend Bridger and she just loves it. She attends lessons every Monday through Thursday for 2 weeks.

Peyton waiting for her turn with the teacher.

Bridger waiting for his turn with the teacher.

Houston chillin' by the pool watching the kids swim.

Houston Updates

So after I posted my 4th of July Weekend post I realized I had a bunch of pictures of Peyton and none of Houston. When Peyton was a baby it seemed like I was constantly taking pictures of her. I don't know if it is because he is my second or because right now he really doesn't do a whole lot but lying around and the pictures I get of Peyton are just more interesting. But I am going to start to take more pictures of Houston from now on. It is amazing how much he has already changed in 3 weeks. Here is couple recent ones I took just around the house. Of course Peyton is in them to.

4th of July Weekend

So we had a pretty busy 4th of July weekend. On Thursday night, July 3rd Peyton road a sheep at the Western Jordan Western Stampede Rodeo. She was so excited to ride. Bradyn said that she kept trying to climb over the shute to get on her sheep before it was her turn and she kept saying "I want to ride right now". Well she only stayed on for a couple seconds and scratched her chin and back all up and ended up crying but I think she still had fun. All the kids got a pretty big trophy, a scarf and a silver dollar. On the 4th we went over to Bradyn's parents for a early dinner and Peyton and her cousin Raylee swam in the kiddie pool and played on the slip and slide. Afterward we all went over to the Carnival at the Riverton Town Days and the kids road some rides and then we watched the fireworks. And on Saturday, July 5th we went to Bradyn's brother Shayne's house for a barbeque and lit off some fireworks.

Raylee, Peyton and Bridger at the West Jordan Western Stampede Rodeo.

Bridger, Peyton and Raylee.

Peyton riding her sheep.

All the kids receiving their trophies.

Raylee and Peyton playing on the slip and slide.

Raylee and Peyton.

Bradyn, Peyton, Raylee and Bradyn's brother Shayne waiting in line for a Carnival ride at the Riverton Town Days.

Peyton and Raylee on a ride at the Riverton Town Days Carnival.

Raylee and Peyton.

So I finally updated my blog today. It has been about 2 months since my last posts. I had a problem with my blog and my cousin Calie came out last night and fixed it for me so I am now up and running again. My other excuse is that it has been a busy last few months with Peyton in dance and soccer and our little man born on June 15th. Well soccer is over until next spring and dance is over until until August so I am hoping to have a little more free time since I am also taking time off from work until after Labor Day as well. We still expect to be somewhat busy with Peyton starting up swimming lessons on July 7th, Bradyn competing in the local RMPRA rodeos, Peyton riding sheep, a few camping trips and maybe even a trip or two to New Mexico to see my family this summer. I have put several posts on for your viewing pleasure so enjoy while it lasts until I hit another dry spell.

Our new little man. Houston Bradyn Bennett born Sunday, June 15th, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. 7 lbs. 9.6 ounces and 19.5 inches.

Me and Houston on June 15th.

Houston and my Grandma, Great Grandma Pat.

Houston and Bradyn's Mom, Grandma ReNae.

Houston and Bradyn's Dad, Grandpa Brent.

Houston and my mom, Grandma Jill.

Houston & Peyton on June 15th.

Houston, Peyton & Bradyn on June 15th.

This is what a soccer practice looks like.

And this is what the soccer game looks like. Hey Peyton wheres the rest of your team and the ball. That's alright she had a good time anyways.

Peyton on her dad's horse Rummy in the Bluffdale arena.

Peyton and her cousins Raylee and Preslie out for a ride in the Bluffdale arena.

Peyton fishing near Red Creek on Memorial weekend. Not a whole lot of fish being caught that day.

Fishing near Red Creek on Memorial weekend. I think Peyton was more fascinated with the worms then fishing.

I think the girls enjoyed the rides at Lagoon more than dancing. (Peyton & her cousin Preslie)

Peyton's class dancing at Lagoon on May 10th.

Peyton & her cousin Preslie waiting to dance at Lagoon.