Cole Benson, my brother.

Cole Christian Benson, 21, of Lyman, died Sunday, May 10,

2009, at Madison Memorial Hospital of natural causes.

He was born May 16, 1987, in Rexburg, Idaho, to George Harry and Louise Blunck Benson. He attended elementary schools at Lyman, Archer and Adams. He graduated from Madison High School in 2005. He was attending Brigham Young University-Idaho in Rexburg and had just completed his second year. If Cole wasn't playing sports, he was watching sports. He loved being outdoors, camping, motorbiking, snowmachining and anything else that included good friends and family. Cole enjoyed the friendships he had with the youths in our area and the strength and good times that they shared. He loved his family, especially his 19 nieces and nephews.
Cole was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission for the church in the Missouri Independence Mission. He gained a strong testimony of Joseph Smith in Missouri and was forever grateful for the Spirit and witness there. At the time of his death, he was serving as Elders Quorum president of the Rexburg South Stake Singles Branch. Cole was a great example and a choice spirit that blessed our lives for the better.

I AM FREE!!!!!

Not literally.  I am not doing anything illegal.  I am just announcing that I have more time.  Sunday, July 18th 2009 I was released as the Prairie 6th Young Women President after 3 years in young women and 2 1/2 as the president.  I loved it.  But it was time for a change.  I was going to take a picture of myself streaking down State Street, but I didn't have time unfortunately.  Atina will be embarrassed that I said that.

Good Bye, Hawaii! November 1, 2008

Today we cleaned our condo and went for one last look at the beach. We went to Waimea Bay, because our kids love that beach. We were there at sunset and took some great pictures. I was bumbed. I could have easily stayed another couple of weeks. I guess we will just have to go back sooner then later. The next reunion is Austrailia in 2011!!!!! We can't wait.

Polynesian Culture Center, October 30th

This was by far my favorite day. I enjoyed being with the family so much at the PCC. It was the family that made it fun. Elika & family, Maacapi & family, Grandma & Trusilla, Laa'i & Jarrett, Faanu and us all together was what made it fun. We visited villages, took a canoe ride, ate at the buffet and attended the night show. The kids tried to learn fire knife dancing. Taela & Rhita demonstrated samoan dancing. Kailer & Jarret tried tahitian dancing. They all tried the mawarii poi balls. Taela actually acquired a pair and practiced all the way back to Utah.

Later that night was a highlight of our trip. We went on a Haunted Lagoon Ride. The PCC turned the lagoon into a spooky haunted lagoon. We all loaded onto a large canoe and listened to Laa'i scream the entire time. The kids were spooked but it was good for them. Especially since Kailer had a Halloween phobia this year. I think it help him to face his fears. Even if I forced him.

Pearl Harbor & Swap Meet, October 9th

All of the family joined together early in the morning and we toured Pearl Harbor. The kids enjoyed the big ships and the boat ride out to the memorial. The memorial lies horizontal over the Arizona. It lies as a memorial to the men trapped inside still to this day. It was nice to pay respect to these men and to also learn more of our history. I am glad that our children were able to be there.

After the Pearl Harbor, the swap meet at Aloha Stadium, was next. This is where I am proud to say I recieved my tan. Vendors line the circle of the parkinglot around the stadium. Black asphalt is definately a sun attraction. A lady approached me and asked me if I was Mormon. I laughed and said, yes! She said she could tell, because I had capri's on and a layered shirt and that Atina had two shirts on. Well one was technically a shirt. She thought we were ridiciously layered with clothing for Hawaii and we had to be Mormons. She was very nice and very observant.

Swap Meet was horrible. Kailer cried (his persistent cry) the entire three hours. Until he got what he wanted....Myali tried her own version of persistant crying....and then I was done. I was glad we went back on Saturday before we left. The deals were good.

Kahuku Red Raiders!!! October 26 & 27

Atina drove us to his old stomping grounds. He showed us his neighborhood, Laie Park, Hukilou Beach, Kahuku High School & we ate at L&L's. We stopped at kahuku.org and bought his Red Raiders memorbilia. The next day we attended a session at the Laie Temple and enjoyed the beautiful grounds of the temple.

Rain Rain Go Away Where Ever You Are

Wet, Wet & Wetter! October 25th

Today is wet. Usually it does rain here, but it just kind of mists. But today is definately more then a mist. It is the big day! Today is the party for Grandma Tusi's big 80th birthday. We decorated the cultural hall at the Waialua building yesterday. We went to Pearl City to watch Jarret play soccer in the rain. I stayed in the car. I just don't have that black thick hair that looks the same whether it is dry or wet like everybody else. I was trying to preserve my hair. It was a waste of my time. It rained for the entire day. It never had a chance. Atina spent the day helping Laai'. I spent the day with the kids watching t.v. and playing nintendo games at the condo. Finally, it was time for the party. We dressed up and went dancing. The food was amazing. Laai'did an awesome job with the food and entertainment. She is Hawaiian Kumu(teacher) for her own hula performing group. She chants, plays the ukelele, sings & dances amazingly. Atina was the MC for the party. He did great. The grandkids from each family performed in between dancing numbers. Cookie sang first, then Taela, and cousin Pena danced with some of her friends for us, and Rhita performed tahitian dancing. Taela sang a cute song she learned in chior, Jeremiah was a Bullfrog. She did a good job! Atina and I were her stage dancers. If I say so myself, we've got some moves (well not really). Then we danced the night away. Taela and Myali couldn't get enough of the great band that was playing. We had food, entertainment, dancing and made new friends. What could be better then that? Okay, Grandma dancing tahitian with Rhita was pretty good. Who new she could shake it like that?