Heading to the coast

On Monday we packed up 10 people, 2 dogs, and 3 vehicles and headed to the Oregon Coast.  We made a pit stop in Canon Beach for the restrooms.  We stopped at an overlook to see the ocean. 

Sydnee has saying "cheese" down pat.

Sydnee and Allison getting a peek at the ocean for the first time.

Jack and Will posing in front of, to quote Will, "the beautiful view."

Sydnee, Allison, Jackson, and William with the Pacific Ocean at their backs.

Portland, OR

Our trip to Portland began on Friday, July 27 when we headed north to Rob and Katie's (aka Hotel Benner-Crystal).  Moose put in some long days prior to our trip and we were able to leave Muscatine mid-afternoon.  The boys were excellent van riders and enjoyed a continuous loop of 2 Batman episodes (Superheroes are the current craze.)    The girls haven't quite found their comfort zone in the van and thus were not happy riders.  When we arrived the kiddos went to bed and we enjoyed the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics and some refreshing beverages.




Allison and Sydnee watching for our plane.

The plane ride actually went pretty well.  Moose and I each had our moments with the girls but luckily we had understanding passengers near us.  Jack and Will charmed the women around them and Jack may be exchanging Christmas cards with a passenger named Michelle:)

On Saturday, July 28 we embarked on our westward adventure to visit Elizabeth and Brett.  To ensure that everyone was accounted for, we had flying partners.  Uncle Bear and Jack, Aunt Katie and Will, Nancy and Sydnee, and Moose and Allison. 

Katie took a picture of our arrival at PDX.

We met Brett and Elizabeth at baggage claim and headed to their house for the next two nights.

The girls made their way around E & B's amazing bungalow.

Will enjoying a fruity breakfast.

Family photo on the front steps

 On Sunday, we headed to the riverfront in downtown Portland for the annual Oregon Brew Fest. 

Cheers! The Benner boys at the Oregon Brew Fest.

Dentist Appointment

On Thursday all four kids went to the dentist.  It was a last minute reschedule and I figured since the girls have a mouthful of teeth too, why not!  I went in with low expectations and left feeling triumphant.  The girls stayed in their stroller because they need to be contained in public because once they are loose, they are next to impossible to corral.  Therefore, the boys were left to manage themselves through their appointments.  They were very cooperative and inquisitive with the staff.

Will and Jack had x-rays too.  Will hammed it up for the hygenist.

                                                                                             

Allison and Sydnee stayed in their stroller while the dentist counted their teeth.

Will was an excellent listener during the appointment.

Jack wanted a play-by-play of the hygenist's moves.  He was a great participant.

Orange lunch. 
On numerous occasions I have subconsciencouly made monochromatic lunches. Today I decided to do it on purpose.  The things you do to break up long, hot summer days.

4th of July on Pokegama Lake

We spent the week of the 4th at a house on Pokegama Lake in Grand Rapids.  We experienced all sides of Mother Nature- beautiful weather on a great lake, flooding causing a loss of 12 feet of shoreline (but providing plentiful fishing bait of worms/leeches/crawfish), and a thunderstorm that knocked out power for 2.5 days.

Grandma Linda, Papa Ken, Uncle Robb, Aunt Kathy and their baby boy, Andrew, spent the first few nights with us.  Eli, Jim & Michelle joined us later in the week and helped us wear out the kids (as well as Mom & Dad).  Grandma & Grandpa Benner spent time with us during the week, and even watched the kids for a night!  At the end of the week Uncle Bear Benner even got to stay and play.   Got in lots of swimming, fishing, boating, floating, s'mores and general soaking up the lake.

First arrival to the lake... dock is floating, shoreline a little dirty, but 4-year-old boys don't care

Mom with Jack and Aunt Kathy floating with Will

Jack teaching Sydnee how to fish

We caught a Whopper!

Sydnee loves her Cousin Andrew

So does Allison

Breakfast

Another day on the lake

Gary and Ann stopped by with their kids, we had a great time on the Rave trampoline.  Here our kids helped themselves to their dinner...

A short period of downtime.

We got the dock in and boats hooked up.

The boys LOVED jumping off the dock with Grandpa and Grandma

Kayaking with the boys

Jim and Big Girl Sydnee

Jim with the boys on Party Island

Floating Benner party

Kiddos on the swinging chair

Eli taking Jack for a swim "out to open sea"

This pretty much sums up the week

 

Father's Day 2012

This afternoon, we took the boys to the Quad Cities River Bandits game.  It was a perfect summer day for baseball.  They ate pizza, Cracker Jacks, and drank lemonade.  We enjoyed some time with just the boys.

Jack and Will frosting Moose's cake.  They added red and green (their favorite colors) sprinkles too.  It looked more like a Christmas wreath than a Father's Day cake:)

That is cowboy Buffalo Will and cowboy Jack in the background with Dr. Syd.

Sydnee kept the costume on for several minutes.  We were surprised.  She reminds me of the doctor from Sons of Anarchy with the squirt gun in her hand. 

From sunshine to storms

It was a muggy one here in tropical Muscatine.  After a morning of errands (Menards for a new water heater; Aldi for snacks; and Happy Joe's for lunch), the boys returned ready for Benner Beach.   After dinner, Moose made a house out of the water heater box.  It even had a mailbox:)


Sydnee sporting her shades.

Allison kept her sunglasses on for at least 15 minutes today!

Sydnee and Allison enjoyed sitting poolside and dipping their toes in the water.

The kiddos inside their house from the water heater box.

Summer Days

Last weekend, Moose was a bit under the weather.  He took a nap under the tree and was joined by Sydnee and Allison.


Sydnee snuggled with Moose.  Not sure why the picture is sideways.

Allison collided with the end table.  Moose was called home from work for that one.

Dad saying good bye.

Last week, the kids and I went to the zoo.  Jack and Will giggle at the monkeys.

Sydnee and Allison enjoyed the view from the stroller.

Will and Jack busted out their soldier costumes this week.  The camo shorts were completely a coincidence.

This is one way to get laundry folded and put away.