Way to go Ben!

I am bragging on Ben here, but I just found these pictures and they are so handsome I had to post!


PROVO, Utah – Mar 18, 2011 – Brigham Young University's Marriott School of Management has announced eight MBA students as its 2011 Hawes Scholars. The honor, which carries a cash award of $10,000, is the highest distinction given to MBA students at the school.

"Our students are known for their desire to accomplish great things, but not at the expense of others," says Craig Merrill, MBA program director. "We see this manifest in the way they serve each other. The Hawes Scholars are recognized by faculty and their classmates as excellent examples of personal achievement and service within the MBA program."

The 2011 Hawes Scholars are Benjamin Capell, from Orem; Edgar Cheney, from Rexburg, Idaho; Michael Christensen, from Leawood, Kan.; Brian Clegg, from Salt Lake City; Caio Correa, from São Paulo; Adam Cuppett, from Wilmington, Calif.; John Hancey, from Rexburg, Idaho; Kelsey Harris, from Kaysville, Utah; and Jennia Parkin, from Colorado Springs, Colo.

Students and faculty nominate and vote on each year's Hawes Scholars. Final selection is made by the Hawes Scholar Committee and is based on academic performance, leadership maturity and a commitment to high ethical standards. Having gained a wealth of experience in the MBA program, Benjamin J. Capell of Orem is ready to get down to business. His hard work has landed him a promising career analyzing new investment opportunities at Peterson Ventures, a private equity fund. He has participated in several case competitions and serves as managing director of Cougar Capital, a student-run venture capital/private equity fund. When he's not making investment decisions, he enjoys basketball, golf, skiing and most importantly, spending time with his wife and three boys. Capell loves learning among classmates who live high ethical standards. "I see in my fellow students leaders who will make a difference in their places of work, in their communities and within their own homes," he says. "I am proud to be associated with such a group and anxious to see what we will accomplish both collectively and individually."

New Developments

So since I am catching up on my blog I decided I should post a few new developments. Ben will be graduating from the MBA program in less than a month! He got an offer from the company he interned with last summer. Peterson Partners is a venture capital firm in SLC. So we will be staying here! We are excited for what this opportunity might bring and the chance to stay here close to our families. I am so proud of Ben and all his achievements in school. He has worked hard and done awesome.

the next new development....We are excited to welcome a new little one to our family October 2nd (or 15th with my track record). I am about 12 weeks along and feeling good!

So now I am completey caught up...

St. Patricks Day

Josh turns 4!!

Josh had a fun birthday. He got an overload of fun presents thanks to friends and family! I decided to throw him a friend party since a lot of our MBA friends will be leaving soon. We did a jungle theme. There were 12 kids at the party. (note to self...that is double too many kids) But I think they all had fun. Ben was out of town but my mom came to help with Weston and the party.
Josh opening his razor scooter and play dough. He has gotten really good on his scooter.
The invitation to his party.
Getting ready for the party. It was too crazy to actually take pictures while all the kids were there.
Josh with his Hippo Hoagie.
The Sunday after his birthday when Ben was home we had family over for dinner and icecream cake. Josh reminded me again when I posted this picture that he didn't want strawberries on his cake. He doesn't like strawberries with chocolate....silly silly kid.

I can't believe I have a four year old. Josh is such a fun kid. He is an outstanding big brother. He is kind and always wants Weston to be included. Josh loves babies. He also loves animals and facts about animals. We go to the library almost weekly to check out non-fiction books about his newest obsession, from whales to giant squid to kodiak bears. He can spout off facts about nocturnal animals, symbiotic relationships and echolocation....pretty funny. Yet he has no interest in learning his letters. When I try to work on letters with him he tells me, "mom that is boring for me." He is very coordinated, LOVES to swim, and can play pretend all day long. We love our Joshers and are so glad he is part of our family!

Weston's Birthday Train

I am trying to catch up and now these are horribly out of order...oh well.
We had the family over for Weston's Birthday. I made this cute train cake, which the kids were so excited about. I can't believe my baby is 2!

Christmas

This year we went to Ben's parents house on Christmas Eve. The kids were very excited when Santa showed up at the door.

except Weston, who was just a little bit tired.
but when he woke up he couldn't wait to get up on Santa's knee and get a present.
Josh asked Santa for a Woodie this year. When I asked him if there was anything else he wanted. He said, "you mean for next year?" And I just left it at that. Weston asked Santa for a motorcycle, and with Josh's influence, Buzz Light Year. Josh made a very cute wiseman in the Christmas Story reenactment. Weston preferred to sit on Dad's lap.
We spent Christmas morning at my parent's house. And then later headed back over to Ben's parents. It was a busy few days but so fun to spend Christmas with family.

The Polar Express

My kids love the book and the movie The Polar Express. I think we watched or read it every day all through December. My parents decided to take them on the Heber Creeper (an old working train in Midway) for a night of the Polar Express. They were pretty excited!

Wes was nervous when Santa came on the train.
waiting for a turn with Santa My very imaginative Josh was confused why we weren't actually going to the North Pole. He wanted to get off the train and stay awhile, like the kids do in the book.