Church

We braved the snow and 4 kids and went to mass on Christmas Eve. The boys were well behaved and Allison slept the entire time. Sydnee had a wardrobe issue towards the end so we left at communion. We didn't want to push our luck.

Partial family picture before church.

Grandma and Grandpa Benner with Sydnee and Allison.

Christmas morning

Where did the cookies and milk go? Will and Jack's reaction to the empty plate and glass. Jack and Will like to surround themselves with their things. More trucks!

Jack modeling his dinosaur feet from Auntie Liz and Uncle Brett.

Auntie Liz and Uncle Brett sent Allsion and Sydnee beautiful dresses for a future Christmas.

Grandpa and Grandma Benner gave the girls their first Gap gift cards.

Snow, snow, and more snow

In the late evening of the 23rd, snow descended on Muscatine. It did not stop until late on Christmas Eve. The boys played outside while Rich cleared the driveway.

Lutz Family Christmas

Uncle Robb and Aunt Kathy indulged the boys with more trucks for Christmas. Uncle Robb made a great playmate for Jack and Will. Kathy and Ken worked their magic in the kitchen by making a delicious pork tenderloin and Kathy's signature green bean casserole.

Even though he wouldn't change any diapers, Uncle Robb did his share of playing the girls.

Mom and Ken taking a break from the action.

The Iowa Benners: Allison, Jack, Will, and Sydnee

Twas the week before Christmas...

Saturday night we put together a gingerbread house. Jack and Will had more fun eating the candy than decorating the house. Allison sitting on the couch.

Sydnee hanging out with her sister.

On Friday, daycare had their Christmas party. The Sydnee and Allison wore their holiday colors.

Jack, Sydnee, Allison, and Will sitting by the tree. Jack and Will think that every gift is a monster truck. Hopefully they are not disappointed.

This weekend

Sydnee and Allison enjoy spending time on their activity mat. Allison needed a little snack and Sydnee's arm just happened to be there. Sydnee's cute, cute smile. Her mohawk is getting taller.

Allison was more relaxed during these photos. Their eyelashes are also getting darker and longer.

Looks like we could have a lefty and a righty. The boys scribbled with pencils on Sunday afternoon.

The boys are currently into dinosaurs. Moose provides T-Rex rides throughout the evenings at our house.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

We were a little disappointed in the boys' interest in decorating the tree this year. Jack started out by helping with the red beaded garland but then commandeered the hooks for the evening. Will spent most of his time taking the ornaments in and out of the container.

The Allison and Sydnee woke up about half way through the decorating. They are sitting on the couch in the light of the tree.

The Will and Jack modeled their "coats without sleeves." They looked especially cute that day.

The Pinters sent us ornaments for the girls. Allison was awake and had her feet molded first.

Sydnee had hers done the next day, just no picture. How different things are with subsequent children.