Christmas Day

Will checking out what Santa left behind.  Notice his pants. 
He takes after his father who, even in pajama pants, is too hot.

Jack was second down the stairs this morning about 6:30.

Sydnee with her new bath toy.

Allison enjoying a morning snack.

The girls liked unwrapping the gifts.

Hopefully the girls can keep up with Jack and Will this summer.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve...so excited for Santa to come!

Will taking pictures again.

Getting cookies and milk ready for Santa.

Muscatine Mall 2011

After we saw Santa, we be-bopped around the bustling Muscatine Mall.  Our afternoon adventure was captured through the eyes of Jack and Will as they are the photographers behind these unique photos.

Santa 2011

Jack and Will let Santa know that they will be looking for Gravedigger and Superman under the tree this year.

Allison and Sydnee were not as excited to see Santa as their big brothers.

It's been awhile...

Life has been crazy busy lately.  Finding the balance between home and work has been especially challenging this fall.  If I could ask for anything for Christmas, it would be more hours in the day.

Sitting down to a family breakfast. 
Allsion, Sydnee, William, and Jackson

Over Thanksgiving weekend, Moose took the boys, along with his mom and brother, bowling at Plamor Lanes in Muscatine.

After making a fort with the cushions, the kids took a break to smile for the camera.

Because we have been lacking in the picture taking department, we bundled the kids up and Moose was able to get this shot for our Christmas card on the first try.

Eli turned 30 on Halloween this year.  To celebrate, he hosted a Mel Brooks themed costume party.  Moose was in charge of the costumes (courtesy of the Musctine Goodwill).  We went as Latrine and A-sneeze from "Robin Hood Men in Tights."

Daddy Daycare

While Mom was out on a much deserved shopping trip, Dad thought he would show her what she missed.



Happy Halloween

Trick-or-treating was a success for the Benners.  Mom took the Pink Poodle girls in the wagon while the T-Rex boys ran along tail whipping whatever they could.  Getting good pictures of all four in costume was elusive at best.  Here's a sampling of what we could get:

 Let's go!

 Allison.

Allison.

 The girls in their wagon.

Ready for candy, not for pictures.

 In action.

T-Rex ROOOAAR

"Just one more piece?"



Wilson's Apple Orchard

Blair and Irma visited this weekend.  We decided to optimize one of the last gorgeous fall days by going to Wilson's Apple Orchard in Iowa City.  Our first graders went earlier in the month as a tribute to Johnny Appleseed.  When they returned, they raved about the orchard.  Several staff members have been since their field trip.

Before the orchard, and while the girls were napping, the boys carved pumpkins with Moose and Grandpa Benner.

Will and Jack love leaf piles!

This is pumpkin bowling at Wilson's.

Moose sharing his pumpkin slushy with Sydnee and Allison.

Jack and Will finishing their pumpkin slushies on the tractor ride.

Grandma Irma and Sydnee before the ride starts. 

Sydnee walking the bridge.

Allison on the bridge.