I'm an auntie again!

Welcome to the world Eoin (pronounced Owen) David Benbow.   9 lbs 6 oz, 22in. and perfectly healthy. I am so happy for my brother and my beautiful sister-in-law!
 

And today I got the incredible honor of being asked to be Eoin's godmother!  I am so happy that they felt me worthy of such a role!

Papa with his waffle making crew!

Papa had a lot of help making waffles this morning!  Skylar had to do all of the math and they all took turns pouring and stirring.  It actually went very well (except that it took about an hour to make the waffles and then there was a huge fight about who got the first waffle since they were so hungry)!

Brennen loves his goggles!

Brennen hard at work at the computer!

 "Brennen?  Are the goggles necessary?"  "I can't see without them!"

James' musical performance

For their end of the year show, the performance was Dinostars.

 

 James was so proud that he had a speaking part this year!

 

Piano recital

It's getting to the end of the year for everything.  Lots of recitals and performances to attend.  Here are Skylar and James at their piano recital.  As usual, Skylar was the only one who actually sang along with her song.  I don't think that she can play if she is not singing along!

Here is cutie James!

Grandma's new house!

Marilyn and Jim bought a winter home.  We went to Scottsdale, AZ this weekend to check it out.  We did not have nearly enough time to explore everything, but I am sure that we will be back again.  Here is the view from the deck/edge of the pool.

 

 Brennen loving the hot tub.

 Kellen relaxing.

 Uncle Matt and baby Jackie.

Lotta loving hot tub time with Papa!

 

 

 A very full hot tub!

 Some wildlife running through the back yard.

Showing off her jumping skills.

 

 A very brave bird!

 Papa time!

 

 A tired Papa after Papa time!

 Kellen decides to down this bowl of fruit for lunch!

Brennen fell in love with these goggles!

 Skylar takes a small break from the pool to go exploring/rock climbing.

It just came to my attention, that I only have pictures of the pool and back yard, none of the house!  Shame on me.  Well, I guess you'll just have to wait for our next visit:))

Sibling Snuggles!

Charlotta is the glue in this family. Everyone loves her and she loves everyone (including the dogs)!

Soccer Saturdays Start!

Soccer has officially started and with 3 kids in soccer this year, I will be living at the soccer fields. It is usually freezing cold, but we were so lucky to have a nice day. James had the first game of the day.

The rest of us were on the sidelines cheering him on.

Skylar did a good job keeping Charlotta entertained...


Charlotta really loves to kick the ball around!

Charlotta has worn Skylar out!

Easter!

Have no fear, the Easter Bunny can still hop up the Smoky Mountains to lay some delicious candy eggs and bring nice baskets!

Searching for eggs in our matching outfits that the Bunny brought!





Charlotta says, "I'm good with four eggs, you guys can have the rest!" She sits down and starts cracking them open. Soon, everyone joins her!




"A Birdie!!!" (Lena: Who cares!)

Toren at his first Easter.

Toren and his godmother, Visa.

Papa, enjoying watching his kids be happy!

Unfortunately, after this we had lunch and then everyone had to split up. Lovisa and Papa had to head back to work up north and the rest of us headed back to Nashville. I had a great time with my mom doing a little shopping for our Kentucky Derby adventure coming up! I can't believe I now own FOUR large fancy hats and I am actually excited about wearing them!

See the shutterfly site for all of the pictures from our fantastic weekend!

Day 2 in the Smokies!

Today we decided to reverse our day and do Dollywood first so that the little ones could enjoy it before their naps. They all loved it, but no one liked it more than Charlotta. She was in heaven and her smiles say it all!

Not sure about this reindeer...

OK, I LOVE IT!

Brennen enjoys it as well.

Toren gets his first carousel ride with Mormor.

Of course, Lena had to be with Skylar. However, the ride Nazi wouldn't let Skylar ride on a horse with her or stand next to her so they had to sit on the "boring bench."

The ducks more than made up for the "lame carousel"!

After lunch, we took the little ones home for nap and the big ones and a few adults went for a 2 mile hike! The kids made it with just a little complaining out of Skylar.


If you spent $40 at Dollywood, then you got a free disposable camera. Kellen and James were all about taking pictures with their cameras. Especially Kellen. He took about 25 pictures of Lovisa (and her knee) in the van on the ride over and saved about 3 for the hike. He did enjoy taking the pictures though.

At the top of our hike.

As we were driving home, we had a bear sighting!