Disney

The Benzon girls finally made it to Disney! They had a ball especially because they had their other sister Reese along! Here is the photo book of all the pics:

Disney 2009

Thanksgiving 2009

We were really lucky this year. Every November I feel like we are home with the some sickness(usually pneumonia) but we stayed pretty healthy this fall. The girls enjoyed school, gym magic and their weekly "cheer" class.

Thanksgiving always brings the "Thanksgiving Performance" and this year held a nice surprise: Kate. She went right up with her class and sang away-so much different than the tears and leaving the stage last year. I think she finally feels more comfortable in front of friendly crowds.

Nice Thanksgiving at Queenie and Grandad's house-very relaxed and delicious!

Cleaning

We have a constant battle in our house called "cleaning up". The girls know that once quiet time is over, it is time to clean up their mess and come downstairs for a snack. Most days, they try to come downstairs without cleaning up only to be turned around by mean mom.

A week ago, I was upstairs three times trying to get them to clean up their playroom(which was a disaster area) but the mess seemed to get bigger and bigger each time I went up. Finally I asked the dumb question "Why are we not cleaning up?" Kate looks at me pleadingly and says "Lauren just kept having good ideas." How do you argue you with that?

October 2009

October was fun for us this year. Both girls understood the whole trick or treat concept and both wanted to be girly princesses! We also made a trip to the pumpkin patch with the playgroup-so fun to see how much the girls grow in a year! Here are some fun pics from the month:

The girls and I took a morning to make/decorate some cookies...a sugar high before the real day of sugar!

Halloween was a day long event this year. The girls began the day in costumes at school then went trick or treating with Grandad that night.

Our precious next door neighbor Reagan was also a princess! The girls love any chance they have to "take care" of "Baby Reagan" and glady turn over all "baby toys" at every opportunity.

Riding in style for more candy!

Kate

Have to share a story about the girls from a few nights ago. It had been one of those days-tantrums, tears, sent to their rooms kind of day. That night, the girls tried to sneak into one another's rooms and it took Dan three times before he was forced to take Lauren's beepee(she was in Kate's bed reading a book). Tears and crying but finally we think we got the message across. Soon we hear something and Dan runs upstairs ready to catch them together but instead he finds Lauren with Kate's beepee. Dan looks at Kate and she says "I gave mine to Lauren so she could sleep". For anyone who knows Kate and her relationship with her beepee, you understand how significant this was!

Frist Day of School & Pets!

September is here and the girls were ready to get back to school. Kate is in the 4 year old class and Lauren is with the 3's. They both have new teachers and all of the classrooms got makeovers. The girls also started taking "Cheer Class" which is a compromise-Kate refused to take ballet and Lauren wanted to be able to perform in a recital. They will also be in a fundamental of soccer class at the end of the month(another compromise-who knew pre-teen tendencies start at 3 & 4!).

First day of school pic:

I have failed to mention two new members of our family. One is not the original but they are both being well taken care of. Fu-fu is also still making multiple appearances on my camera... Bella (Lauren's Fish)

Rainbow(Blue's successor) -Kate's fish

The always camera ready Fu-Fu (yes those ski's are Kate's feet...they are only two inches shorter than mine!)

Idaho

We had such a great time in Idaho. The weather was amazing-chilly nights(29 degrees) and beautiful days (anywhere from 60-75 degrees). The girls enjoyed hot chocolate and "deconstructed" smores(would rather eat marshmallow, chocolate, cracker on their own). We were in jeans or warm pajamas everyday-heaven after the summer Austin has had!

Hanging outside in our pajamas

So love their Grandad

Queenie is the best!

The girls


Feeding the birds and other friends....

Had some great meals by Queenie and a few times out...the girls LOVED the ice cream at the end of Prime Rib Night:

The last night we had dinner at the Trouthunter....

Girls never seem to be far from grandparents laps!

The girls favorite time of day-reading with Grandad

Idaho-Mesa Falls/Big Spring

Mesa Falls is gorgeous-so much so that Kate remembers it every year and asks to go back. Big Spring is usually on the agenda too and the girls LOVE throwing food to the big fish/birds.

Mesa Falls:Family pictures are a must here

Girls LOVED seeing the rainbows

Family pic!





Great pic except Miss Priss became a little snarly that she was not the only one in the picture





Big Spring:

On the drive

Feeding the fish, ducks, seagulls

Idaho-Bear World

Bear World is our alternative to Yellowstone-quick in-out and the girls love seeing all the animals. Soon they will be old(ie patient) enough for the beauty of the Park but for now, this is perfect.

Token tourist pic

Loves her Queenie

Bears


Mr Moose-nice to see him again

New discovery-Kate LOVES chicken coop's...spent most of the time inside this one!?!


Kate aka "Chicken Whisperer"


Love petting Mr Pig every year

Lauren not so much

Feeding
or not

Back to the chickens(what else do you come to Bear World for??)

More big fish!

Having fun at Bear World!

Grandad and his two cubs

Bear Family

Had enough of Bear World...