Moab 1/2

It was so fun to run the "Canyonlands Other Half" in October, I couldn't wait to get back to Moab and run down the lower half of the canyon next to the river again!

This time I ran solo, but often I looked around me and imagined my Uncle Al running with me, hair blowing in the wind. I always feel his presence in the desert. Brandon was there to cheer me on and get me through that last mile through town.

My knee was really sore and gave me a lot of trouble this time, but I managed to make it in decent time. 2'06

After the race we got some food and went for a little hike to stretch out the legs. I cut it short since my knee was super painful, but the dogs were in hog heaven running around the red rocks and dirt.

Unfortunately, this is the last pic of our trip since the wind blew my camera into the sand as it was on timer waiting to snap a photo. That shouldn't surprise anyone considering my luck with cameras!

We had such a fun weekend trip down there and I got to meet up with friends who came down for the race as well. We took the bikes out the next day after a beautiful drive through Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point. The poor pups ripped their paws on the rocky trail and I was limping a bit, but all in all it was a blast!

It's all about LOVE

This past weekend was a very special time for the Bench family. Although I don't have pictures of Baby Qhloi's parents, they were "officially" made a family. The court declared the adoption was final, and on Saturday she was sealed to them in the Bountiful temple. Sunday was her blessing in church and what a wonderful occasion that was!

Courtney is part of our family, and being pregnant with her first baby makes Grandma Glad very happy since she has given up on her twin grand-daughters from having babies ;-)

There was quite a spread at the Bench's after the blessing and no shortage of jokes from these guys!

Age of Aquarius

As if we need an excuse to all get together... most of us have February birthdays.

Qhloi brought her party hat to the family birthday celebration.

Grandparenting looks good on them.

Who else but Pat Bench makes 3 different desserts for all 3 b-day girls?

All together we are 96 years old

One of the best b-day/ Valentines gifts ever- Sarah Mc Lachlan at Kingsbury Hall. Thanks babe!

Weekends are for...

Weekends are for breathing fresh mountain air...

For hiking up these beautiful Utah canyons in the snow...

For exploring an icy cave...

And for finding a really steep mountain-side and sliding down on our butts. Even if it did make us sore for days!

What we've been UP to

Bringing in the New Year with a climb up the "Great White Icicle."

Brandon got some new ice screws for Christmas he was dying to try out!

Sometimes taking a picture at the top of a frozen waterfall means you drop your camera case.

Don't worry mom and dad, this is totally safe!

Fond farewell to Grandpa Bench

4 months ago we celebrated Grandpa's 90th birthday, 1 month ago he suffered a stroke but was well on the road to recovery. 1 week ago we suddenly learned he wouldn't be with us much longer.

Our family gathered to spend as much time with him as we could. Many tears were shed, but also true to Gordon Bench humor, we had many laughs- right up until the end. As a nurse I have seen my share of death and dying. But holding my grandpa's hand and laying next to him powerless to do anything about it just about broke my heart.

We were so blessed to have wonderful hospice nurses and caretakers there around the clock to take care of his every need, including those of his sweet wife Jean. During the last 2 days that he was with us, his body was slowly shutting down and he was no longer responding verbally. But every once in a while he would raise his eyebrows just to let us know he was still there. I gave him morphine every hour to make him more comfortable and told him how much I love him.

It was a very powerful and poignant moment when he finally slipped away on Dec. 11, 2010 at 6:27 pm. Of course it was very sad, but with family surrounding him in love it was a fitting farewell to send him on to his joyous reunion with loved ones on the other side.

I will never forget all the wonderful times with my grandfather and for the enduring legacy he left for those that knew him. He was a staple at every family event and milestone in our lives and I have no regrets about anything at all. I feel that I took advantage of every opportunity to spend time with him and was lucky to live so close and be his "chauffeur" for the past 3 years.

As much as we miss our grandfather, father, and friend here on earth, it is comforting to know that he is no longer suffering and is with those who passed before him that were no doubt waiting with open arms.

LOVE YOU GRANDPA.

Giving Thanks Mexican style

Our Thanksgiving week this year was a family affair in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Getting the whole Fallahi/ Fox family to the beach was just what we needed!

We really love this place...

Some of the high lights were: kayaking out to Land's End and having a picnic on Lover's Beach,

Nights out at some yummy Mexican restaurants,

Driving up to Todos Santos where we visited the Hotel California,

Of course spending every day at the beach,

Celebrating Jan's 60th b-day and Thanksgiving dinner at the Pithayas (world-class 5 star restaurant on the property of our resort)

Taking a catamaran out at sunset around the bay,

Deep sea-fishing for the guys,

good old family time,

and some of this too!