We are the {Benners}

guess what?

2007-08-08T15:45:00.000-04:00

I am moving!!! Blogs that is... :)

Please come see!! My husband made me my new blog!! Click here. I am so excited!! I know that I mentioned a couple of months ago that I was going to move my blog soon, so now it's time. Mike just turned it "on" today. :) ***Note: If you are trying to comment on my new blog, leave out your blog address... just for the time being. There is a bug in the code that won't let anyone comment if they have a web address. i.e. blog address.***

**I am leaving my old blog up so you can still check back here for my archives.**

See you at my new place! But first, check out the new blog post below. ;)

It's Wednesday. How are you today? :)

2007-08-08T13:50:00.000-04:00

So, I totally forgot to write about -A Thousand Splendid Suns-.

I don't want to say too much, because I really hope that all my readers will read this book. I will describe how I felt throughout, though. I felt several emotions throughout this book...

Appreciative, Thankful, Sadness, Shock, Happiness. Without giving anything away, you do learn the life of Afghani woman as wives. How being a wife there *can* be scary, and horrible, and so unsettling. This book made me cry in parts of it, which is extremely rare thing for a book to make me cry. I didn't only cry at sad moments, but I also cried at moments where there was such surprising joy that I immediately teared up, and tears were just pouring out of my eyes. Khaled Hasseini knows how to draw in his audience, and leave them wanting to read more. I love writers like that. I love that from start to finish the book was great! It started great, and ended great. With just a little bit of mystery to make you wonder how the character's lived on, and what happens down the road. I give this book and The Kite Runner a standing ovation!!

If and when you finish reading these books, please tell my what you think! I am interested in hearing what other people think of them. :)

*************************************
Went to the gym this morning, but other than that not much else is happening. It is SO hot here that all you can do it avoid going outside. "Who wants to get the mail?" Seriously! It's that hot! Today it is supposed to be 101 degrees. Not only that, but I think 75-80% humidity, which is what makes things miserable here. The air is so thick you can almost eat it! SICK!

Here are a couple pictures for you all!

HOLY COW! An unexpected picture ... of ME!! [gasp] ;)

Always lookin' cute!!

Waiting to get her ears pierced. Full of anxiety!

Playing with her dolly.

This is Zoe right after she pushed herself up from crawling to sitting... and all while clutching that baby doll! LOL.

WHOA! ME again!! *alert the media*! ha ha!

Have a great Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Whew! What a weekend!!

2007-08-06T15:06:00.000-04:00

We had a busy, but *great* weekend!!

Saturday morning we all woke up and went to the North Carolina State Farmer's Market. *Love* that place!! We bought a lot of fruits, veggies, and the best homemade baguette! Yummm! I brought my camera along to the Farmer's Market, and took some pictures of the great produce! The fruits and veggies (and bread) look fantastic and taste even better!! It's always a team effort picking everthing out... And this is the reason I hate cooking, don't usually have to cook, and why my wonderful husband cooks 95% of our meals....

Brushetta Caprese

Chicken Caprese Salad

Baked Spinach & Cheese Ravioli

You see? See why my husband cooks? I cook *average* homemaker meals, but he makes GOURMET! I choose gourmet please! :) My husband is a fabulous cook, and really should consider opening a restaurant someday! :) I am a good baker, so, honey... when you open this alleged restaurant someday, I will make all the desserts. :) LOL. So, the above... that was our dinner last night. :) Yum. Made so lovingly by my handsome hubby!

To see more of my pictures, click here.

Anyway. After the farmer's market, we went hiking a little bit (pictures I took while hiking are below)...

ROBIN... you asked me to photograph a leaf for you... does this work? ...

and then we took Angelina to the mall, and... she got her EARS PIERCED!!! Pictures coming soon! She was *so* brave!! Immediately following that, Angelina and Zoe spent the night at grandma and papa's house (my parents). Mike and I had a date night. I absolutely *love* date night!! We went to a place called Five Guys Burgers & Fries... best burgers EVER!!! Better than In N Out hands down! Then we went to R.E.I. to get a hiking backpack for Mike to carry Zoe in. Went to Starbucks, came back home, and relaxed. :) It was nice.

Sunday, I slept in while Mike mowed the front and side yard.
The back will be finished when this 100 degree and 90% humidity weather goes away! :) Living in NC, it can be hard to get the yard mowed in under 2-3 hours. And that is ONLY mowing. :) I got up and watered some plants, and ended up spending the majority of the day outside while Angelina played with some friends on the slip n slide, and wading pool. It was was TOO hot!! But, I ran through the sprinklers on occasion with Angelina to cool off. ha ha! Zoe napped most of the afternoon. Then Mike made that amazing dinner, we gave the girls baths, they went to bed, and we chilled out! :)

And... this is why I can't stand Japanese Beetles!! Look what they did to my hibiscus' leaves!

Friday Zoe decided to add to the list of things that she can do... she can now go from the crawling position straight to the sitting position! BIG milestone! :) I was a very shocked and proud mama! :) You go Zoe. Mike keeps swearing that she said *Dada* this morning, but I am not so sure. ha ha! We'll see if she says it again. Zoe's 2 teeth are coming in like crazy! She shoved my finger in her mouth earlier, bit down, and for the first time I yelled "YOW!" She looked at me with a perplexed look, and laughed. ha ha.

Here are some pictures of my girlies from the weekend. :)

Hiking.

Zoe looking a lot like Mike in the below picture...

And, this is only half the bags from the Farmer's Market! :)

Just after eating her breakfast this morning. She had Beech Nut's "Good Morning: Country Breakfast". And, of course... loved it!

Buying mommy flowers at the farmer's market

Looking adorable... as usual!

Lashes.

A blanket in AUGUST!?!

Girlie Girls

2007-08-05T23:18:00.001-04:00

Girlie Girls, originally uploaded by *We* are the {Benners}.

Lots to post, but too tired! Will post tomorrow! Enjoy Friday and Saturday's pictures! ;) Hope you all had a great weekend!!

**Oh, and by the way... FINISHED IT!!! What is it? *A Thousand Splendid Suns*!!!! It was EXCELLENT!!!!!! I even cried in parts! It's a fantastic book if I cry!! READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!! :) I will write more on it and Kite Runner tomorrow!!**

See This Movie...

2007-08-03T22:57:00.001-04:00

Ok, so tonight Mike is out with his friends, which leaves me home with the girls alone... obviously! ha ha! Anyway. I rented this movie called, Broken Bridges. I declare it a *must see*!! :) It's really good! Not sure if the men would like it, but I know that many of you have husbands that go out of town... so see it then, and keep a box of kleenex handy!! Great Movie! ;)

Girls Just Wanna Have Fu*un!

2007-08-02T21:28:00.001-04:00

Girls Just Wanna Have Fu*un!, originally uploaded by *We* are the {Benners}.

Here is a different approach to featuring my daily photos. :) If you have a flickr account, you can go to Big Huge Labs, and make some really fun stuff! :)
Today has been pretty low key. That's just our life, I guess. :) Mellow, and scheduled. ha ha. We go crazy on the weekends, though!!! ha ha ha!
I forgot to mention something that happened the other day while I sat in first class by myself. I emphasize *first class by myself* because I am the only one who witnesses this happen... I am sitting in my seat and happened to take a break from reading my book (this is before we take off). I look out the window, and watch the people loading up the plane. As the man pulls the conveyer belt "car" away, I notice my stroller that hasn't been loaded... instead, it was set aside, and then the guy RAN IT OVER!!!! I am yelling in first class (where all the rich people and frequent flyers sit... LOL). "MY STROLLER MY STROLLER!!! YOU JUST RAN OVER MY STROLLER!! WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING???? HELLO HELLO!?" ha ha. Like the guy could hear me! And everyone in first class was just staring at me like I was mentally ill. ha ha! I laugh now. But, I was SOOOO MAD!! Mike had no idea! He was sitting in coach blissfully unaware of the terrible thing that I just witnessed! Fortunately Continental ROCKS, and they are reimbursing our money no haggling no nothing! Just, "We are so sorry about this Mr. and Mrs. Benner!" :) Seriously love that airline, even though they RAN OVER MY STROLLER! ;o)

Anyway... how was your day?

Well, must go! Getting ready to watch a movie with Mike... Yes, we watch A LOT of movies! :) We got Blockbuster Total Access (like Netflix, but WAY BETTER). We got it a couple of months ago, so needless to say, we watch lots of movies.

More tomorrow.

::good day::

2007-08-01T13:11:00.000-04:00

So, today is a good day. :) Nothing crazy has happened, it's just a good day. :) Mike took Angelina to school. I went to the gym with Zoe and worked out. (lost 1.5 pounds...yay). Came home, put her down for a nap, showered, ate lunch, and right now I am blogging, and watching a movie called Premonition. This movie is turning out to be *very* good. So good in fact that it is taking me too long to write this entry. LOL. Good thing I can type without looking at the keyboard. :)
Last night Mike and I watched the movie 300. Outstanding!! Mike immediately went to Best Buy yesterday, and bought it in Hi Definition. Must see this movie! :)

Oh, and A Thousand Splendid Suns... turning out to be a great book!! Khaled Hosseini is a great writer! If you have read *The Kite Runner* then definitely read this one too! :)

So, check out Zoe's new Jumparoo!! She got it yesterday, and she *loves* it! She was a little tired the second time I put her in it... hense the thumb in her mouth. It's really great seeing her in it, though! She gets so excited everytime she pushes off the ground herself. I would assume she is proud of herself. LOL.

Acting silly on the plane.

Angelina & Sam on *Small World* at Disneyland

OK, off to finish watching this movie!! More later!

EDITED: See the movie Premonition!! Just finished watching it... it's awesome!!!

.2 California n Back.

2007-07-30T21:30:00.001-04:00

We got back from our trip out to Cali on Saturday night late. Been getting back into the swing of things. Aren't you amazed that it has been a WHOLE WEEK since my last post? I am kinda OCD when it comes to blogging, so going an entire week with no post is pretty incredible. Not that everyone out there is waiting on the edges of their seats for me to post a new entry. lol.

Anyway. Our trip to California was really short, but a lot of fun! Wish I could have seen more of my old friends while out there, but I am guessing most were unavailable or out of town since I only heard from a couple people. :( Maybe next time, though.
We arrived in Cali on Wednesday at 4:00pm and went to dinner at Lucille's Smokehouse Bar B Que in Brea (YUM YUM YUM! If you haven't gone... you are TOTALLY missing out!). Their BBQ *rocks*! We meet Mike's great aunt and uncle there. We haven't seen them in over 2 years!! It was *so* great to see them!!! I would say that I was posting pictures of our dinner with them, but I ERASED MY MEMORY CARD from that night!!! I cried! :( So sad! Just remember to verify that you aren't telling your camera (DSLR Camera) to format... Format = Erase which = BAD BAD BAD! Thanks for dinner Jack and Jan!! It was so wonderful to see you!
Thursday was my only free day! And it was only free during the day. So, I meet my friend Nikki and her husband for lunch. Nikki and I haven't seen each other since Angelina was *3 weeks old*!!! Whoa! It was SO great to see her! Since seeing her, she has gotten married, and had a baby girl (Hailey) who is a month younger than Zoe. They got to meet each other. It was a typical meeting for babies. They stared at each other for several minutes, and then when on to whatever else distracted them. LOL. Hailey is so cute Nikki! :)
After lunch, the girls and I drove to the beach. It was nice! Zoe *loved* the water! As soon as she saw the ocean, and heard the waves crashing, she couldn't stop staring at it. I put her feet in the water, and she giggled, and smiled the whole time. Angelina looked for seashells and got soaking wet. After the beach, we drove around for a bit. I showed Angelina my parents' old house, where I went to high school, the park she used to play at with grandma and papa all the time, the hospital she was born at (Mission Hospital), and I was even able to show her the apartment Mike and I had while I was pregnant with her, and told her that she lived there for 1 week of her life. :) It was neat to *drive* down memory lane. :) Thursday night, we went to Mike's oldest daughter, Samantha's dance recital. She takes tap dancing. She did really great. Angelina was ecstatic!! Angelina hadn't seen Sam in more than 2 years. After Sam's recital, we went to Buca di Beppo for dinner, and then went back to our hotel.
Friday we surprised Sam. We picked her up, and told her we were taking her to.... DISNEYLAND!! What a day! It was exciting, fun, and tiring! :) Angelina went on *every* ride there!! First time she has shown interest in going on rides. She even went on Splash Mountain, and promptly decided while crying that she would *never* go on that ride again! Ha ha! She even went on Space Mountain, and *loved* it!! I was pretty amazed! :) Zoe went on a couple of rides too! She went on Snow White's Scary Adventure, Small World, and Pirates of the Caribbean. She loved all of the rides! It was so cute to see her laughing during each ride. The look on her face was cute too. She was amazed at everything going on. :) So, needless to say, everyone had a great time!
Saturday morning we meet Sam and her mom for breakfast, and then headed to the airport to come home. It was a whirlwind trip, but it was full of fun! :)

So... Zoe's bottom front teeth *finally* poked through the skin!! YAY! She has been a tad bit cranky, so I figured it was time the teeth came through, and we discovered them Saturday night! :) She wasn't as cranky as Angelina used to get, but she was a bit cranky on the airplane, which made it a little tough for Mike, because she wasn't wanting to relax. My husband is so wonderful! He got upgraded to first class, and once again let me take it! So I got to sit in first class. :) Thanks babe! All in all, both children were fabulous! I flew alone with both kids from NC to Cali, so I was a bit stressed, but we made it! :)

Being in California made me realize how much I do not miss it there. The amount of time it takes to get places at 5pm or 8am is absolutely insane! I had forgotten just how terrible the traffic is. Our hotel was 11 miles from Mike's office, and it literally took us 1 hour or more to get from one to the other. Ridiculous! It's crowded, and stressful. But, we still had fun. But I wouldn't want to live there again.

Anyway, Mike and I are watching a movie. Will write more later. ;) night. Below are picture #'s 64-70.

Pictures from up in the air.

So many houses crammed together in Cali. (taken from the plane)

Her first ear hat!! It also says "Zoe" on the back. :) Thanks Daddy!

Where'd you go Zoe?

Daddy Kisses!!

Trying to pull out the sword in the stone. :)

Angelina and Sam at Disneyland together. :) SO cute!

Beauty.

In line at Pirates of the Caribbean.

Getting dizzy on the teacup ride.

Disneyland makes babies tired!

Angelina playing at the ocean's edge.

Finding Seashells.

Happy at the beach.

First time at the beach, and *loving* it! Little toes in the water.

Can't take her eyes off the ocean. :)

Water's Edge.

.The Pacific.

Tire Swingin'.

I often wonder what she is thinking...

::Downtown Raleigh::, Days {58-63}, The Kite Runner

2007-07-23T23:20:00.000-04:00

Our weekend was *really* fun! Friday night Angelina and Zoe spent the night at my parent's house, which left me a night to myself... AWESOME!! I went to Archiver's and scrapbooked!! Yay! Saturday morning I went and picked Mike up from the airport, and we then came home, and napped. Which was awesome, considering how tired I suddenly was when Mike got in the car. It's weird. I am an insomniac when he isn't home, and I can't seem to fall asleep. But, as soon as I see Mike standing at the curb outside of the airport, a sense of relief comes over me. My husband is my security. When he is home, I feel secure. I feel happy. Our family is complete... even if only for a couple of days. :)

After we napped, we meet my parents and our children in Downtown Raleigh. They were having a street fair called "Raleigh Wide Open". We had a lot of fun! The weather has been phenomenal for the past several days, which is so wonderful!! Not to mention *so* rare! Anyway. Here are some photos I took during Raleigh Wide Open! It is getting late, and I need to *try* and get some sleep. Mike left really early this morning for California. The girls and I leave for California on Wednesday late morning to join Mike, and to visit some friends and family while out there, so we are really looking forward to that. :) I am currently watching the movie Elizabethtown, which is turning out to be a great movie!! :) Check it out if you haven't seen it.

More tomorrow! ;)

*************************************************************

***Oh, and by the way... I finished The Kite Runner. OK. This book is high up on my *must read* book list!! What an excellent book!! The writer is very descriptive. I mean, I could actually envision things. I love that. Love that I can feel like I was there. There are sad parts in this book, but overall, it was excellent!! I can't wait to read his next book, "A Thousand Splendid Suns".***

Flickr*Mosaic

2007-07-22T19:40:00.001-04:00

Pictures I *love*, originally uploaded by *We* are the {Benners}.

Here are some pictures I found of flickr that I am *loving* right now!! Some of these pictures prompted me to tell Mike that "my camera wants to go to Wyoming and/or Montana!!!" So... we are probably going in September!! YAY! Check out these wonderful photographers!

***

Photographer Credits Below...

1. Untitled, 2. Red Horse, Blue Meadow, 3. Morning Glow on the Tetons, 4. A Morning Moment in the Mountains, 5. A Dark Pier at Palacios, 6. The Harbor at Palacios, 7. A Magical Meadow, 8. Alien Landscape Too, 9. A Cloudy Afternoon at Oxbow Bend, 10. A Moment in March, 11. Posterized Moment in Oxbow Bend, 12. A Morning Moment, 13. Red Barn Green Vines, 14. Nature in Hand, 15. Color and Drama at Sea, 16. Yellow in the Afternoon, 17. Endless Track to the Clouds, 18. Red Sky over Texas, 19. A Blue Morning in the Tetons, 20. Back to the Barn, 21. A Storm in Wyoming, 22. The Dark Road to Oz, 23. The Carpenter´s Hand, 24. Untitled, 25. northern exposure, 26. coffeegirl swirls, 27. Untitled, 28. Untitled, 29. Untitled, 30. manzanita beach, 31. North Head lighthouse lookout, 32. Untitled, 33. Mmm... fall., 34. Untitled, 35. barn, 36. Untitled

Music Video's I am liking...

2007-07-20T23:48:00.000-04:00

OK, so normally. Not a big fan of rap, but I have always like Bone Thugs N Harmony, and there new song is no exception! It is really good! I am also liking Akon a lot right now too. He is featured in Bone Thugs' new song "I tried".

I am also loving this music video by Gwen Stefani. It's very good. I love how creative they got with it, and the little acting part in the beginning is pretty funny. :)

I love this song, What I've Done by Linkin Park! This video is *so* powerful. It gives me the chills, and by the end I have tears in my eyes! Watch it and see if you have the same reaction.

night!

57

2007-07-19T23:35:00.000-04:00

OK, so I am playing around with a new photoshop editing software program called Lightroom. This program absolutely *rocks*!!! :) Talk about being able to manipulate photos in some cool ways!! Below are day 57 pictures... this is only scraping the surface!! There are *so* many things you can do with this program!! I am loving it so far!

It is late, and I am tired... *yawn* Nighty Night!

Nine Months!!

2007-07-18T23:34:00.000-04:00

Dear Zoe,

Seems that time continues to go by faster, because it seems as if I was just writing your 8 month letter, and now here I am writing your nine month letter! Amazing!! You have done quite a bit in a month! Your adjusted age is almost 6 months. I would have to say that you are doing pretty great! Crawling already! Pretty great. You still can't sit that well, but that's OK! It's neat to see how different things are going with you. Your sister sat first and then crawled. I love seeing you grow, and seeing what you're going to do next. It is like... "Zoe's Mystery Movie". :)

I am not too worried about how advanced you are when it comes to crawling, sitting, walking, etc. I realize more and more everyday that you will get it when it is time. No rushing. I am savoring every moment of your "baby hood". :) I have watched your sister grow from birth to 5 years old, and so many times I wonder where all the time went!! She grew so fast! I remember thinking a lot when she was your age that I "couldn't wait" for her to walk, or crawl, or sit, or eat food on her own. I don't do that to you, because it seemed like as soon as I would think or say it when Angelina was little, it would happen. I learned not to rush the milestones. Instead, enjoy, and savor every moment of your "baby hood". And I do the same with your sister. Because one day you both will be adults, and I know that I will think at least once, "Wow! They are all grown up... ALREADY?!" I live for the memories, and I can't wait to create more with you... and of course your sissy! ;)

You have also had quite the taste test lately!! I know that I blogged about everything you tried while in Arizona! It's quite funny now. Mommy has spoiled you by letting try pretty much whatever she is eating! Now everytime I eat something, you make noises at me letting me know that you are there. As if I didn't know. And, if I don't react fast enough, you get louder until I look at you and say something. Even then, you bang your hands, and continue to make your sounds until I give you a taste. This happens mostly when ice cream is being consumed. LOL. You have learned the wonderful*ness, that is Ice Cream. :) You also love spaghetti sauce. It's like you know when those things are going to be made, because you start making groan sounds as soon as you see it. :) It's become very entertaining!! I love that you want to try the food, though! You have tried many many things, but I think when you tried Garlic Hummus and then wanted more, that was the most surprising. :) You are probably going to have the exquisite palate your sister has. :)

Zoe, we have had yet another wonderful month! You truly are a blessing, and I thank Jesus for you every single day!!

Love you!

Mama.

.Thunder Rolls.

2007-07-17T23:54:00.000-04:00

Woo! It is really storming outside! North Carolina has the BEST storms! REALLY loud thunder and really bright lighting! And heavy rain! All things I *love*! :) Amazes me that my children sleep through the whole thing! It is SO SO loud. :)

Just a random post and a picture of the storm coming above my house. :)

Here's to great storms! (Zoe's letter will be posted tomorrow!) Going to bed now! Check out the post below this one for happenings of today!

Night!

Wow

2007-07-17T12:10:00.000-04:00

All I can say is WOW!! The pain I feel right now! LOL. I just joined Peak Fitness. I met with a personal trainer today, and can I just say OUCH OUCH OUCH! ha ha! We worked my legs today, and at this very moment I can barely walk. LOL. I feel good other than my muscles screaming at me. :) I am so excited about this, though! I stopped going to Curves, because they don't have a daycare. Peak has one, and Zoe *loves* it, and the women in there love Zoe. :) I was really hesitant about leaving her in the daycare, because that's just how I am... paranoid. LOL. But I left her in there yesterday as a test, and saw how much the woman loved her, and how much fun she was having. It was great! Not to mention, I can check in on her if I feel I need to. So, I am on my way to losing lots of weight!! I am signing on with a personal trainer once a week, I am already watching what I eat. Before joining the gym I lost 17 pounds, so I am on the right track! I will keep you all updated how my weight loss is going. :) I am pumped and excited!! Yay!
Anyway. It's been several days since my last post. I have been pretty busy. Mike left on Sunday for Arizona. He gets back on Saturday. Miss him, but we are keeping busy. Angelina officially started school yesterday, so I have been trying to get us all on a schedule. Which is proving to be hard for me, because I swear I am an insomniac when Mike isn't here. Maybe working my tush off at the gym will help me fall asleep faster. ;) Angelina is loving school! Just a long day, but she doesn't seem to mind. It's funny, because her going to school all day, and then coming home and having more energy just makes me realize just how much energy this girl has! She is endlessly running around, dancing like a ballerina or she wants to go outside and run and play. It just boggles my mind how much energy this kid has sometimes. LOL.
Zoe is 9 MONTHS OLD today!!! I can hardly believe it! The time is going by faster and faster!! It's pretty incredible! I have to do her 9 month letter, but will do that later. :) Still working on it. More later...

Here are Angelina's Day 52-56 pictures... Zoe's will be with her 9 month letter.

**Oh, and by the way, I am on page 150 of The Kite Runner (I know... not very far, but I have a lot to read, so I switch off). Anyway. The book is turning out to be fantastic so far! There were parts that were sad, but all in all... I like it a lot! Definitely recommend it so far. :) **

{Never} a Dull Moment :)

2007-07-13T22:37:00.001-04:00

So, we went to dinner at Applebees for dinner tonight.... wait. Let me backtrack. Well. Remember a couple months back when I told all of you that Angelina had a loose tooth at 2 in the morning? ha ha! Well, at dinner tonight... her tooth was so loose, Mike was able to pull it out!!! :) YAY! She was so brave! So, we now have a little girl with a tooth missing! How awesome is that?! Plus, I am starting to see the form of teeth in Zoe's lower gums. So, we have 1 child loosing teeth, and gaining adult teeth, and one child just plain getting teeth. :) Pretty exciting!
Well, we are in the middle of watching the new 007 movie. More tomorrow! *yawn*. Night!

*goof*

Huh? ;)

California Bound

2007-07-13T16:58:00.001-04:00

Hello to all of my California friends!! My family and I will be visiting!! I was really hoping to get together with at least some of you while out there. :) I have missed you all! The following are our travel dates...

Will be in California at 4pm on Wednesday July 25th and leaving Saturday morning July 28th. So, it's a *very* short visit, but like I said, would love to see you all! :) The girls are coming too. Angelina is thrilled, because she gets to see her big sister Sam, whom she hasn't seen in 2 years! Wow! Can't believe it's been that long!

Anyway. Let me know if you'll be around! :)

More later! Getting ready to go out to dinner. Mike just booked all of our tickets for the rest of our traveling this summer. So, I thought that I would pop in a message letting everyone know about our California trip. :)

Bye for now.

fifty and...

2007-07-12T22:14:00.001-04:00

So, my mom sent me a link. Which you can see here. Raleigh is listed #1 in the United States for business and careers. Forbes basically says that Raleigh is the best place to find a job or start your own business. :) Pretty cool! So ya'll come on down! ha ha! Not to mention... housing prices are pretty fantastic!
We haven't been up to much lately. Today I went to lunch with my mom and my girls, and then came home, and had dinner with my husband. :) He is going out of town AGAIN on Sunday night. Back to Arizona. :( From Arizona he leaves for California, and then the girls and I meet him out there on the 25th of July. The rest of this summer is filled with Mike traveling, but should calm down by September. Can't wait! ;) Things will begin to get *really* busy here within the next couple of weeks, so I am not too worried about Mike traveling. The time will go by fast.
I have been reading A LOT lately... as you can see...
Mostly magazines, like Martha Stewart Living, Body & Soul, Cookie, Creating Keepsakes, and I just started reading a book called *The Kite Runner* which was recommended by Ali Edwards, and I am liking it A LOT so far!! It's beginning to be on my *good reads* list, as it is already at that point where I hate to put it down. I am also getting ready to read every little detail about my Canon and reading about Adobe Photoshop CS3 (PS CS3). :)

Well, Mike just put in the movie *Shooter* so I am going to leave you all now with todays pictures! Have a great night!

Hmmm... Xbox 360 or Playstation 3?

Xbox 360!

No! Playstation 3! Wait! BOTH! ha ha!

The first thing she did when getting home from Kindergarten yesterday.

"I'm a mommy too. Did you know that Mama? Too all my stuffed animals!" ;)

Kindergarten & {day 49}

2007-07-11T23:15:00.001-04:00

So, today was a *really* exciting day! Angelina started KINDERGARTEN!!! Yay!! I can't believe it! Watching her walk the halls to her classroom was... well. Honestly. Weird. At first it was *really* hard for me, because it hit me like a ton of bricks -- she IS growing up, and may I add that I think too fast? ha ha! Really... it seems like just yesterday she was learning how to walk, and eat food. Now she is really independent and in KINDERGARTEN! It has been amazing to see her grow to be 5 years old. What an amazing little girl she is turning out to be! Looks like Mike and I have been doing a pretty good job with our Angelina! We are so incredibly proud of her! She was complimented today by a staff member at her school. Today was testing day. The staff member told Mike that she was a very smart girl, and that we have a very intelligent little girl on hands. :) You go Angelina!!! So, Kindergarten was a big hit! Angelina *loved* it! Which we really had no doubt, since she absolutely adores school, and wants to go "7 days a week". LOL. She officially goes everyday next week.
***
Zoe is doing great as well. :) She is minutes away from crawling, and couldn't be more proud of herself! LOL. She rocks back and forth and laughs. She is actually beginning to move her legs and hands together, but isn't moving forward consistently yet. She is, however frog hopping. ha ha! So, I guess then she can go forward. ;o) Today Zoe tried Hummus. She *loves* it! ha ha. She also tried pancakes in Arizona and loved those too. Oddly enough, she doesn't have any teeth yet, but continues to teethe... so one of these days, teeth will appear. :) Not too worried about it. She is just beginning to grow out of her 3-6 month clothes... although, 6-9 months seems kinds big, but she will grow into them. :) She is in size 2 diapers. Overall, she is such an incredibly happy baby! It's incredible how amazingly happy and all around even tempered, and mellow she is. It's a rare thing to hear crying. We are so lucky! :)

Anyway... off to bed I go!

{Good Arizona Eats}

2007-07-10T22:05:00.000-04:00

*Desert Daisy*

Now that we are home and all settled, I wanted to share some of the *good eats* we enjoyed in Scottsdale, Arizona. If you ever go to the Phoenix area, take the short drive to beautiful Scottsdale and enjoy some of these restaurants...

Blue Wasabi
The Gelato Spot
Cupcakes
Sugar Bowl
Cafe Forte
Baja Fresh
Nello's
Sauce
Z Tejas
Papa Murphy's (Best Pizza... well, not counting *Pizza My Heart*)
Yardhouse
U.S. Egg Their Protein Pancakes ROCK!!
Jamba Juice
Cafe Carumba
Trader Vics
PF Changs
Grazie
Rainforest Cafe
Piscky's

And... since we are talking about Arizona... here are more cactus pics I took. ;)

Night for now! Going to go enjoy the thunderstorms now! :)

Home Sweet Home

2007-07-10T14:39:00.000-04:00

Well, we are back home. Been home since late Saturday night. Been busy unpacking, and trying to get back to east coast time. I have MAJOR jet lag! Angelina has a full day of testing at her new school tomorrow, so she is excited about that. :) Her school starts daily next Monday. She will be in school from 8:45am - 3:45pm! LONG DAY for her. But, she is SO excited to go back to school, and "learn more."
Other than that not much else going on. We have just been relaxing, and keeping things low key. Since being in Arizona for 3 weeks, I got used to the wonderful dry heat! Now back in North Carolina I am having a hard time readjusting to the humidity. We have now lived here 2 years, so I guess you could say that we were used to the humid weather, but when you go somewhere... like the desert for a long time, and then come back, it's hard to get used to.

Here are days #44-47 pictures of our girls... More later! Must go grocery shopping.

Silly faced crawler! ;)

.Playing with sis.

Normal morning do.

.Sister Kisses.

Here comes giant Zoe to get the dolly. :)

**Mike and Angelina decided yesterday to dump all her money out of her princess pig bank... look what they found! So, needless to say, Angelina was thrilled that she had saved so much money... and Mike. Well, he was shocked! LOL. :)**

money*money*money*MONEY!

Woo Hoo money!

We all love *surprise* money. :)

.Hi.

2007-07-07T01:11:00.000-04:00

We are going home tomorrow... I am not ready to go. Isn't that strange? I mean, shouldn't I be at that point of...OK. Tired of not sleeping in my own bed, or having my own things? Well. I am not. I do miss my parents and my friends. But, honestly? I have been so busy doing so much here, and learning to love Scottsdale so much that I don't want to go home right now. I told Mike last night that I *had* to go home, because Arizona is starting to suck me in. LOL. Mike LOVES Arizona, and he always has. Not sure why we didn't move here in the first place... but whatever. :) We still *love* North Carolina A LOT! Not to mention... my parents are there. :)
So, anyway. Going home tomorrow, and I get to sit on first class the entire way home!! SO SO SO happy about that! First class ROCKS! :)

Anyway. I need to get going to finish packing and getting things ready to go home. And, with 2 kids... there's A LOT to get together, pack, and bring! **Everything but the kitchen sick**. ha ha!

By the way... Zoe has tried and loved the following things... Avocado, ranch dressing, bread, cheesecake, gelato, sour cream, oatmeal (real... not Gerber), ice cream w/ fudge, pasta sauce, and pizza sauce. As she gets her teeth, and can chew, there will be more! ;) For now, letting her try things that she can swallow easily.
Zoe is getting *REALLY* close to crawling! She gets up on all fours, and rocks rapidly back and forth. She can go forward once or twice, and she goes backwards really well. Does the backwards army crawl *really* great! LOL. :) More updates to come! ;)

Angelina chillin' with daddy in Anthony's newly finished pool.

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far!!

Angelina and Zoe playing... Their shirts match! I will show their matching pics next post. :)

Zoe *loves* baby food!!

Her Favorite is .....

Happy 4th and Days Thirty Eight -2- Fourty Three

2007-07-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

So, a lot has gone on for the past 6 days!! Monday I had a stress meltdown, and decided that I needed to not go for Scrapbooker of the Year this year. I will do it for sure next year. Since I seem to be an Olympic procrastinator, I still ended up having 5 pages left. And, it may not sound like a lot to most people, but when it takes me at least 2 hours to do 1 page... 5 is A LOT! I just felt that it wasn't fun anymore if I was crying over it. :) So, I will try for *Hall of Fame* in a couple months. And, if nothing comes of that, then I will try out for Scrapbooker of the Year next year. And I won't let my Gold Medal worthy procrastination get in the way. :) You can definitely say that this was a life lesson for me. ;) Anyway....
Over the weekend I got a new phone, which I am really loving a lot! You can see it here. :) Angelina went to a store in the mall which made her eyes pop out of her head and her mouth hit the floor. Which means, she was amazed and SUPER EXCITED all at the same time! Libby Lu is the name of the store. If you have little girls take them! It is an AWESOME place! Or, look forward to taking your daughters their when they get older, because it really is a cool place! She got to make her own lip gloss, glitter body spray and sparkle lotion.
Sunday we went to the Phoenix Zoo... which oddly enough is in Scottsdale. ha ha! Let me just say... going to the zoo in the summer here... hmmm. We must have been crazy!! LOL. Getting to the zoo at 10:30 am it was only 99 degrees. But around 3pm it was 110 degrees and by 4m it was 113 degrees! Fortunately, the zoo closed at 4pm, so we were leaving when it was 113, but still!! ha ha! I forgot to wear sunscreen, so of course I burned. :( Hate that! We had a blast, though! Saw lots of animals, and Angelina got to brush *the real* lambie. :) And, of course, I took a TON of pictures! 494 to be exact!! Too many to post here, but a lot of them will be uploaded to my flickr page.
I have realized since being in Arizona for the past few weeks what a great place it truly is! There is a *ton* of stuff to do, lots of really great and interesting restaurants, and in general just a fun place! We are going to buy a second home out here very soon, which will be cool, because it will be a home for Mike to stay at when he travels out here, and a home we can vacation to whenever we want.
Today is the 4th of July, and I honestly can not believe how fast it came!! I keep thinking about a year ago. Pretty funny how fast a year can fly on by! :) Seems like having kids makes the time go by faster. Speaking of fast... Angelina starts year round school on MONDAY!!! Pretty incredible that she will already be in Kindergarten. Year round! She is *so.so* excited!! She absolutely LOVES school, which is awesome!

**OK** Back from 4th of July party and fireworks show...

We just had a lot of fun at Anthony and Jojo's house. They just had their pool re-done, and their backyard worked on, so they had a bunch of people over to celebrate the 4th and to get some use out the backyard. It was fun! Food, beer, pool time in 118 degree weather (I opted out), and lots of FUN and talking. :) Today was much too hot for anyone! I don't even care if you have lived in Arizona forever! 118 degrees is just TOO HOT!!!! But we had fun non the less. It is currently 10:30pm, and the sun and heat has sucked most of my energy out of me.

All in all, our 3 weeks here in Scottsdale, AZ has been A LOT of fun!! :) I really like all of the people that I have meet out here. Everyone is very welcoming, and accommodating.

We only have a few days left! Saturday we fly home. And... Mike was upgraded from coach to First Class seating on the plane, and he is having me sit in First Class *ALL* the way home!!!! I got to sit in First Class from Houston to Phoenix, and it is AWESOME!!! So, I definitely won't mind sitting there again! ;)

Well after a fun and busy day, I am beat! Off to bed I go!! Enjoy the MANY pics below!

Zoe and Jojo

Baby Blue Eyes

SO hot at the zoo, but still having so much fun, and being SO GOOD!

Like I said, it was hot! That cloth on her head was soaked in water. :)

Wearing her cute zebra onesie, which couldn't have been more perfect for the zoo!

We call this man *Super Dad* But... in 113 degree weather... we call him *AMAZING Dad*

.Dragonfly.

::Cud::

*love* this flower! Called: Passion Flower

LOVE this baby orangutan.

She was *so* hot, but still willing to smile for her Mama.

Brushing the *real* lambie!!

Silly, right? She borrowed this towel from Zoe because she was Really hot!! ;)

One of Angelina's favorite things to do... ride the *merry-go-round*

Angelina playing in the water. Much needed cool down. *love* this pic.

looking at the turtles in the pond.

Conversing with a baboon, whom, I might add was *very* interested in her.

And, of course... another form of cacti!

Pink. Pink. Pink.

2007-07-04T02:21:00.001-04:00

Thanks Dooce! Had to share this with everyone. Hilarious!

This is me

2007-07-03T22:52:00.000-04:00

My creation, originally uploaded by *We* are the {Benners}.

I *love* Flickr!! If you don't use Flickr, check it out!!!

I thought that it would be fun to do a mosaic of some of the *things* I love as well as some of the *pictures* I have taken that I love. I think that I am going to explore Flickr weekly and post a mosaic of pictures that I have found on there that I like. :) That's another cool thing about flickr! You can view other people's photographs, and let me tell you... there are some phenomenal pictures on there!! If you check flickr out, let me know what you think!! :)

Later Gators!

Day 34 through 37 & Blog Break

2007-06-28T19:31:00.000-04:00

Hey Everyone! It's been a while since my last post. Ooops. Been busy! But, I am giving a little update today. :) Then I will be taking another break from blogging. There is a lot going on here, not to mention... I still have 7 more scrapbook pages to finish in about 4 days! YIKES! Need to get busy! Today we went to In-N-Out for lunch!!!! I haven't been there in 2 years! Oh how I have forgotten how delish their burgers are!! Yum yum!! Yesterday we went to a store called *Cupcakes* and got the most {amazing} cupcakes there!! Take a look...

They are sickeningly sweet, but Angelina *loves* them!! :) Speaking of Angelina. Yesterday she and I got pedicures!! Yay! Much needed on my part. ;) She had the most fun! She felt very special being able to get a *pedi* with mama! Here are her 34-37 pics!

Zoe has been like a dream since we have been here in Arizona! Still sleeping totally through the night and taking great naps, even though she is not in her crib. She is in a pack n play. :) She will seriously sleep *well* anywhere!! It is VERY nice! Her Day 34 picture is above... with her big sis. :) Oh, and Zoe is really becoming mobile! She is starting to crawl forward more and more. And, she is sitting up better and better every day! :)

This Anthony and Jojo. :) I know I keep mentioning their names, so I figured I would post them on *the* blog. :) Aren't they cute? They are very nice people. We like them a lot!
Oh, and keeping with the theme, here are MORE cactus!! :) I took these the other day.

Off to scrapbook!!! :)

Arizona Real Estate & Day 33

2007-06-24T21:48:00.000-04:00

So, we went around looking at some of the *amazing* houses here in Scottsdale. WOW! We found one we want to buy......

ha ha. That is if we had 5 Million Dollars!! LOL. This house is AMAZING, though!

We went to Mike's clients house yesterday, and Angelina played with his daughter's. The cutie on the left is Justice (or Justie/Justy) and the cutie on the right is Athena. And, of course the beauty in in the middle is MINE! :) This is her Day 32 picture. Angelina had a *blast* with Justice and Athena! We are going back tomorrow to play as well.

The below picture is of Jojo and Zoe. Jojo is Anthony's (Mike's Client) girlfriend. She is *so* wonderful! She and I have *really* hit it off big time! She *loves* my kids and wants to be with them all the time. :) Everyone is amazed how fantastic Zoe is! :) It's pretty funny to hear others say it, because she really is so low key, and super easy to take care of! Not to mention she is happy 99.9% of the time, and, that is *no* joke! She is the easiest baby I have ever known! :) Oh, and a *big* shout out to Jojo! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

And, here is another cactus!! :)

So, I couldn't not post this...

2007-06-23T21:25:00.000-04:00

Zoe is trying to crawl!!!! She goes reverse most of the time, but has gone forward a few times!! I took some pictures, but they are currently uploading, and, we are getting ready to go to someone's house to watch the UFC fight. I will update this post with a picture of Zoe doing her reverse crawl later tonight! I can not believe it! :) Proud Mama!

{edited} ..Pics added.. will count as day 32!

Thirty One

2007-06-22T23:00:00.000-04:00

Well, it's day *31* already!! Can't really believe that! :) I am totally exhausted, so I am going to bed! Had a busy day! Went to US Egg for breakfast. Then went to Michael's to get the supplies that I need to finish up my 10 remaining pages. Went and got a massage from Mike's client. (Thank you Anthony). Went back to the house we are staying at, and then we all went to The Yardhouse and then to Starbucks. Came back to the house, played with Photoshop, and am now blogging and hanging with my hubby. :) Looking forward to a picture filled weekend! More later!

Night!!

10 down -- 10 to go... :)

2007-06-22T11:57:00.000-04:00

So, I am currently working on my 11th scrapbook layout, but am at a halt due to a lack of a few supplies. But, I am still getting it done, which is good! The girls and I are heading out in a bit to go get a protein pancake (for me) and silver dollar pancakes and eggs (for Angelina) at US Egg here in Arizona, then we will be going to Michael's to get a couple supplies, and then off to get me a massage!!! I have 1o more layouts to go, as well as writing a one page essay, and a list of the supplies I used. :) Not stressed yet... just need to finish at least 1 layout every day. :) Will continue to keep everyone posted! Pray I finish and win!!!!

.Land of Hot Weather, Cactus, Palm Trees and the Wealthy.

2007-06-21T17:05:00.000-04:00

So, this is my 2nd full day in Arizona. Today has kind of been a lazy day, which is good, but can get *old* after a while. I am letting my children catch up on their rest, and just kinda go with the flow. I am getting ready to scrapbook, on the biggest table known to man, which is exciting, because I can spread out. :) It has been really extra hot here yesterday and today, which promotes the lazy... I don't want to go outside attitude in me. I mean, can you blame me? It's a scorching 115 degrees outside! Umm. Thanks anyway, I will enjoy my day in the 72 degree house. :) I don't want to be dragging my poor kids out in this either. Poor babies would melt. So, inside we stay. ha ha.
Until coming to Arizona for the 2nd time, I never realized just how many prickly plants really exist! So many different varieties of Cactus... it's amazing! Then again, there are hundreds of palm trees here too! I hadn't been in Arizona (before this trip) since I was about 12 or so. And, one can forget just how hot it gets. But, you know, I like this heat better than bad humidity. But, I still care not to be out in it. :) It is really nice here, though. All the people that Mike works with here are awesome, and super hospitable. So, they have made it enjoyable for us all. And, they all love with our kids, and love being around them, which is nice!!

**********************************************

Oh, and I keep forgetting to post a couple pictures I took on Father's Day. So, these pictures will include day 29 and 30. :)

Happy Father's Day to Daddy. Message written entirely by Angelina. :)

Pictures of my girls feet together. :)

For Father's Day, we took my dad and mom to The Melting Pot. This is the 2nd time Mike and I had been there, and we love it!! If you haven't been, then GO!!! Angelina *loved* the entire meal!! All of it! Her favorite? Lobster! ha ha! We also found out that Zoe *LOVES* chocolate! :) I let her try some off of my finger. She raised up her eyebrows, smacked her lips and smiled a VERY big smile. :) It was very cute!! There are many pictures below!

Princess Zoe was crowned at The Melting Pot with Angelina's headband. :)

While we ate, Zoe slept...

More later! I am off to scrapbook!!!

Quick Post

2007-06-20T11:20:00.000-04:00

We are now in Arizona!! :) We flew most of the day yesterday, and frankly, I was too exhausted to post anything last night. :) Zoe flew like a champ! She didn't cry at all!! I was quite amazed! She was her usual *very* happy self! She also slept quite well too. :) Angelina had a little harder time. Her ears hurt really bad on the descents, and she threw up as we were getting off the plane when we landed in Arizona, which was quite chaotic, but, thank you God that she threw up as everyone was getting off the plane, and not in the beginning or middle of the flight! :) There were some other chaotic things, like the *huge* misunderstandings that happened, which lead to ALL of Zoe's bottles being packed in the suitcase... which was under the plane! Can I just say that I have the BEST mom in the world? I call my mom crying, because I am so freaked out, and what does she do? With less than 1 hour before our flight takes off, she manages to drive to Target, literally run in grab 2 bottles, run out, and drive to the airport. ALL of this happening in less than 1 hour... 20 minutes to be exact. And, my parents live at least 30 minutes from the airport and that is not including a trip to Target! The Lord truly blessed me yesterday with practically flying my mom's car to the airport. MOM, YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!

Meanwhile, here is are day 28 pictures {yesterday}. And today's pictures will come later. :)

And, here is Angelina playing her Nintendo DS. :)

This proves that she will sleep anywhere. Including on a blanket on the airport floor. :)

This is Zeus. He stays in the house that we are staying at here in Arizona.
He is ONLY the *cutest* cat on the planet!!

{EIGHT} months old yesterday

2007-06-18T12:08:00.000-04:00

Dear Zoe.

Eight months old already?! Wow! I can not believe it! You are growing up too fast! You amaze me daily with the new skills you are learning and perfecting. :)
To this date, you are continuing to sleep through the night. *happy* about this. :) Sometimes you even sleep until 10am or so too, which is amazing! It's funny to watch you laying on the floor because you'll start off laying on your back watching the ceiling fan, and when you get bored of that, you roll on your belly, and then on your back and then on your belly, and so on and so on... I will walk away for 2 minutes and come back, and you will have rolled completely across the room. It is quite funny!! You are "talking" a lot too, which is *so* cute! You actually giggle really wildly when you are being tickled, which of course, makes everyone around you laugh hysterically! You have been sitting on your own for 5-10 minutes at a time, which is quite awesome! Zoe, you are even pushing yourself up off the ground in a crawling motion, which is *incredible*!! You continue to love every baby food I have given you, which reassures me that you will like everything, like your sissy does. Here are the list of baby foods you have eaten...
Bananas, Peas, Green Beans, Mango, Blueberry Apple, Peach Banana Granola, Strawberry Apple, Pears, Apple Sauce, Sweet Potatoes, Turkey, Chicken, Beef, Beef & Vegetable, Macaroni and Cheese, Chicken Noodle, Blueberry Banana, and I am sure there is more, but I can not recall any. :) Oh, you have eaten Rice Cereal and Oatmeal too (you love both of them) and you love the Gerber juices. You are also holding your bottle by yourself a lot lately, which is my favorite part of you growing up, because that means mommy will have a little more time to do the dishes or whatever I need to get done. It also means you are growing up, but let's face it, that part is inevitable, so I might as well embrace it, right? Something new this month... you have been quite "grabby" lately. :) You try and grab *everything* within reach. It is really cool, because it shows that you are being more and more interested in everything around you. Looks like we are going to have to get you some touch and feel books like your sister used to have! Speaking of sister, your love for her continues to grow all the time. It is absolutely adorable to see you track her every move, and smile at anything she says. If you hear her voice, you won't stop looking around until you see her. You love to grab her and sometimes that includes pulling her hair, which she doesn't like so much, but, you don't know any better. :) You can't go a day without holding your feet, sucking your thumb, smiling and giggling! It's very adorable! You have spoiled your Mama BIG time!! You rarely ever cry! Which amazes me, since your sister (when she was a baby), and most other babies I know cry quite a bit... whether they want food, diaper change, are tired, etc. or because they are colicky. Thank you GOD for such an amazing baby! :)
Tomorrow you are going on your *first* plane ride to Arizona!! How awesome! Then we are going to California at the end of July and to Arkansas in September. You are soon going to be my "world traveler". :)

Seeing you with your daddy is incredible! You have definitely formed a bond with him. Not quite as strong as the one you and have, but it's still quite a strong bond anyway. :) Daddy has fallen in love with you Zoe! Everyday I see the love he has for you grow bigger and stronger! Daddy loves being with you and your sister. I must say that the Lord blessed us with this amazing man! He is very involved in yours and sissy's life, and I love that about him! He hates being away from us, but we all know and understand he does all he does for us. And, we love him tremendously for it!! I love seeing you and your sister crawling all over him everyday. It's adorable! Thank you babe for being sweet today, and for being such a wonderful family man!! You ROCK!
You are *one* reason I love being a Mother! I don't ever want to imagine life without such an amazing little baby! :) You complete our family! We all love you very much!

Love,
Mama

:) Happy Father's Day!!!

2007-06-17T16:42:00.000-04:00

Hope everyone is having a great Father's Day!! :) Not writing much, because we are getting busy. But, just wanted to send a shout out to 2 dad's in particular that to me are the BEST dads/papas on the planet! Oh, and included are day 27 pictures!

Happy Father's Day Michael and Dad!!!

{Welcome} Home Babe!

2007-06-16T20:47:00.001-04:00

Well, Mike got home this morning. :) We picked him up from the airport. So, now, all is well in the Benner household! Angelina was more than *thrilled* to see her daddy, and be able to actually hug his neck! For the majority of the day, she has reminded Mike that she has missed him, which is all too cute, in my opinion. This trip was way too long, but fortunately it went by ::fast:: and hopefully another 2 week trip is never in our near future... unless we are all going, of course!! :)
I seriously can not believe that Father's Day is tomorrow! Pretty amazing how fast time goes!! This year is Mike's first Father's Day with 2 kids. :) What a great one it will be! My parents are coming over tomorrow afternoon to spend the day... which leaves me to comment... I still don't know what in the world to get my dad!!! I mean, what do you get someone who has just about *everything*? Any ideas?

Well, here are day TWENTY SIX pictures! Man, I can't believe it's already day 26! Incredible. Off to finish a scrapbook page while Mike and Angelina are playing, and then after she goes to bed, Mike and I are going to watch a movie and just chill out & we are going to enjoy time together, because it feels like FOREVER since I have seen him. LOL. :)

Night! ;)

Bad Weather Sucks When Your Husband Is Supposed To Come Home.

2007-06-15T19:02:00.001-04:00

So, I get a phone call from my husband this afternoon, which was odd, since he was supposed to be on the plane coming home. Well. He says, "Looks like I won't be home until tomorrow morning." WHAT? I say in a shocked voice. So, Texas is having really bad weather right now... I guess. Which means that the plane can not land in severe weather, which means, yet another night to sleep alone. Ha ha. That is *if* I even go to bed. Hey, maybe keeping the theme for this week... which is... **I have SO much scrapbooking to do, so let's stay up as late as my eyes will let me** Hmmm. Last night... or should I say this morning. I didn't go to bed until 3:30 am. Zoe is teething something terrible, so she woke up at 4:45am crying (oh, and since I got into bed, let me add that for some reason I decided to watch a movie). So, poor Zoe is crying because her itty bitty gums are hurting. I immediately scour her room for the man made miracle I like to call *Oragel*. As soon as I find it, Angels sing from the Heavens. ;) I figure while she is up I might as well give her a bottle. So, I do this. She eats, she gets numbed again, and she goes to *la la land*. I on the other hand go back to bed, and proceed to stare at the ceiling for 30 minutes. Last time I looked at the clock it said 6:00am! Whoa, I say to myself! Go to sleep already, so I do. And what time do my kids and I wake up? NOON! Seriously! 12:00 pm. Lunch time. Wowza! :) Pretty spoiled that way, I guess. :)
So, like I said, maybe tonight I will just pull an all nighter, and party. Scrapbook style. ha ha! I have gotten 10 layouts done completely, and only 10 more to go.... I say only, but really I am totally freaking that I am not going to get it done before we leave for Arizona on TUESDAY, which means I would actually have to bring my entire scrapbook room with me in the gigantic suitcase my mom let us borrow, which then would leave me wondering... "Where do I put the kitchen sink?"
Oh, and since I am often forgetting things... I forgot to arrange my kids in the suitcase today, but there is always tomorrow!! So, here are these pictures of my kiddos instead. DAY 25!!

Have a great night! Don't stay up too late... ha! If you do, CALL ME! ;)

::Day Number Twenty Four :: My Hair :: & Other Updates ::

2007-06-14T21:51:00.000-04:00

First things first... I keep forgetting to show the end results of Angelina's now finished {except for artwork} bedroom... check out before and after pics below. ;)

:BEFORE:

:AFTER:

The below picture is just showing the colors up close. :)

So. Mike comes home tomorrow! Can you say *ECSTATIC*? Ecstatic doesn't even say the half of it, but that's OK. :) I, of course have been trying to stay as busy as possible, and, I have obviously succeeded, because these 12 days have flown by!! :) Which, makes me happy. I got my hair done today! Wanna see?

I *LOVE*LOVE*LOVE it!! My hairdresser seriously rocks! What a great job she did. :) I will take more pictures of myself tomorrow in the sun light. Usually, you'll get better pics of hair in natural light rather than using the flash.

In other news... Angelina got in to YEAR ROUND SCHOOL!!! Ummm, another exciting bit of news in the Benner household!! We are thrilled! :) So, school starts in July instead of late August. :) This should be great for her, considering that she was *really* upset that school was over in May. ha ha! She loves learning, so we think that year round school is the best thing for our daughter, whom loves to learn, and can't get enough of it! I love that she loves learning! I want to keep that love for school in her!

So, we are leaving for Arizona soon, and we are getting very excited!! I practically have to take everything except the kitchen sink with me, so my mom let me borrow their ginormous suitcase. I am not kidding... I could pack both my kids in their and they would be totally comfortable. ha ha! Not that I am doing that, nor am I implying that I ever would. ;) Just stating the fact that this suitcase is so big, I bet I could fit my suburban in it! I am not complaining, though, because this suitcase will hold all of my clothes, the girls' clothes, and I may even be able to squeeze in the kitchen sink too... if I so desire. ;) In fact, just to showcase how massive this suitcase is... I will pose my children with it tomorrow for their blog pictures. We'll make it fun!

Oh. Did I tell you that Mike comes home tomorrow?

Today I had to go to court! Why? Because here in North Carolina, if you get a speeding ticket, which I did, then you have to go to Downtown Raleigh and visit the judge! Ummm. How weird it felt when I said the word *guilty* to the judge. Like I was a real bad criminal. I mean, I really only hear *i'm guilty* on CSI or Judge Judy. To actually say it. Well, that's just plain weird, and I did not like saying it... I mean, yes, I do say it at home. Like... who didn't fold the laundry, or who ate the last skinny cow... oh. Uh, that was me, *I'm guilty*. But, let me add that saying it like that is so much less criminal like than it was today saying it to the judge. "Yes, Judge, I am guilty of driving way to fast, and not paying attention to how fast my old beastly car was going." (ya, putting the blame on my car instead of myself would go over well, right?) Maybe it would have been less criminal like if I had added, "oh, and I am also guilty of eating the last of the sherbet ice cream in the freezer."

OK. Enough with the sarcasm. Much more scrapbookin' to do, so I am outta here! Check out the day 24 pics! Oh! Like one of my favorite shows!! 24. ha ha! Bye already, right?

Yes, Zoe is sitting all by herself in this picture!! She is beginning to sit alone for a few minutes at a time! It is *very* exciting! She is also pushing up like she wants to crawl, which is way cool, since that is a *very* advanced movement for her age {since she is developmentally delayed due to her prematurity}. Pretty great, though! The next few weeks should be exciting!

Scrapbooking {Can} Make Me Silly...

2007-06-13T16:46:00.000-04:00

Taking a break from scrapbooking to post some silly *self-portraits*. I was brainstorming the other night, and decided that goofing around would help my brain think... low and behold... it did! :) So, here are some silly pics of ::me::!

I took this picture the other day while driving around... I love how it looks!

:) Back to scrapbookin'!

.Twenty. 3

2007-06-13T16:23:00.000-04:00

Yes, she is a {Ham} ;)
Zoe lounging in the tub. :)

Angelina after her recital performance.

Zoe loves to *lick* the water when it comes close to her chin. It is VERY cute!
Had to capture it, and share with everyone. :)

Here are the girlies!! :) The weather here in NC has been fabulous!!! 70's in June? Ha! But, I am soaking it up while it last, because come Sunday... it supposed to be back in the 90's and {very} humid! Ick! But, we leave next Tuesday for Arizona. So, I won't have the humidity, I will only have the *crazy* heat! :) Looking forward to going! It will be nice to have a few weeks away...

Mike gets home on Friday night!! WOO HOOOOOO! So far, I have made it these past couple of weeks without Mike here, but it's been pretty hard! I miss him terribly, and Friday ::can't:: come soon enough! I think these 2 weeks have been easier and gone by really quick due to my parents! I stayed with my mom for a few days while my dad was out of town, so it was *all* the girls at her house for a few days. Then I went home for a couple days, and back to my parent's house we went for the weekend. And, this week I have been trying to get as much scrapbooking done as I can! So, I guess you can say that keeping busy is the *key* to make the time melt away. :)

Well, off I go to scrapbook! More later!

Angelina and her friend Hayden after their performance.

She loves playing with the sprayer! :)

{Twenty Two}

2007-06-12T22:42:00.001-04:00

Lots of scrapbooking to do, and I am slacking, so off I go! .love, shealynn.

Needing to scrapbook, so...

2007-06-11T22:30:00.000-04:00

Here is day 21 pictures!

Me and my *Girls* Here's to a busy night for me, and it's already late! Had a day full of house cleaning, and now a late night full of scrapbookin'! :) Need to do 12 more layouts to enter in the *Scrapbooker of the Year* contest! Lots to do, and off I go to do it!! Wish me luck! :)

Night!

Shealynn Got Some New Shoes!!

2007-06-10T23:51:00.000-04:00

I got these new shoes last night!! I love them. Took 'em outside today ;) ha ha! Just a random thing I wanted to share, because these shoes are *totally* blog worthy!

{Morning} at the Parent's House. & Day 20

2007-06-10T16:45:00.000-04:00

Posting early today! :) Wasn't as hot today as it was yesterday in Friday, which is a nice relief! :) Friday it was 96 degrees and about 80-90% humidity. Felt miserable outside!! So, today was good. I will be going home tomorrow and staying there the remainder of the week. Then we leave next week for Arizona, and we are all excited about it! It will be very NICE! :)

Love this picture of Angelina below! I was laying on the ground the other day when I took this of her. She wanted to model for me. ha ha!

All the below pictures are from this morning. *fun* :)

Crazy mom! Ha ha!

Apparently, my kids like to pose with their mouths open! ;)

My parents' other dog, *Ginger*.

#.19. & Blue Crabs!

2007-06-09T19:28:00.000-04:00

My grandparents are in town, so my parents went to the fish market and got some Maryland Blue Crab. YUM YUM! They were *live*. So, my dad steamed them, and we ate them. Although it was a TON of work to eat them, it brought back so many fond memories of my childhood. We use to go to Maryland to visit my grandparents, and we would eat them just about every visit. Eating them always reminds me of those times. :) So, of course I *had* to take some pictures!! :)

And, here are the pictures of my girls. Day # 19. Wow. Going fast! OK. More later. :)

8*Teen

2007-06-08T23:34:00.000-04:00

I am pretty tired tonight! I was up until 4am scrapbooking. Told you. I don't sleep well when Mike is out of town. So, why not use it to my advantage, ya know? :) Got lots done yesterday, and I am *happy* about that.
Anyway, I have lots more to write about, but I am at my mom's house spending the weekend, and Angelina is sleeping right next to me, and I think that I may be keeping her from getting the much needed *beauty* rest that she desperately needs!

**OH! Before I forget... Zoe weighed in today at 15 pounds 8 ounces and 26 inches long!! Doc says she is *PERFECT*. Says that other than sitting by herself, she is actually right on with a 7 month old, which is fabulous, since they thought she would be developmentally delayed. :) Sitting is around the corner! Still no teeth, but doc says they will be busting out shortly. So, all good news as expected! :) **

More tomorrow!

# 17 {Angelina}

2007-06-07T23:52:00.001-04:00

*Supa* Cute!, originally uploaded by Moon and Back.

I *love* this picture of Angelina. She is definitely my little model! I will be doing many photo shoots this weekend with my kids... and my kids with their great grandma and grandpa Meyers. :)

Preemie Zoe...

2007-06-07T23:15:00.001-04:00

, originally uploaded by Moon and Back.

I love this picture of Zoe and my husband *Mike*. Zoe was SOOOO small! At one point after Zoe was born she weighed a mere 2 lbs. 14 oz. Pretty scary. But look at her now! :) What a change! Zoe has her 6 month check up tomorrow. Keep a look out for her stats! :)

# 17 {Zoe}

2007-06-07T23:12:00.001-04:00

Zoe Swingin', originally uploaded by Moon and Back.

I think this picture of Zoe in her swing is hilarious! Almost like... "not another one ma!"

Words from my Independent Miss Intelligent Angelina Skye Benner!

2007-06-07T10:51:00.000-04:00

Zoe and I woke up this morning at 10am!

I got out of bed this late morning to get Zoe, because she was trying to say... *Come get me mommy*, but was googling instead. ha ha! So, thinking that Angelina was still asleep, I peeked in her room, and there she was. AWAKE! Sitting in her castle bed watching Peter Pan on her T.V. and playing her and daddy's Nintendo DS. Alongside her... a bag of mini muffins and a juicy box. Here is how the conversation went down::

Mama: "How long have you been awake?"
Angelina: "Oh. Um. All morning."
Mama: "Well, why didn't you come and get me?"
Angelina: "Mama, I saw that you were sleeping, and didn't want to wake you up. So, I figured that I would let you rest. Because you need sleep."
Mama: {Trying not to laugh}, I say:: "Oh, well, next time, just come in and wake me up."
Angelina: "Mama, I can get my breakfast myself, ya know. Besides, you have been sick, and need sleep."

OK, so if that is not the funniest thing ever said by a 5 year old, I don't know what is!!

real quick

2007-06-06T23:34:00.001-04:00

Watched 2 movies tonight that I *totally* recommend!!

10 Items or Less
Because I Said So

Both very good!!

Ok.... back to "work"! :)

Six*teen

2007-06-06T22:33:00.000-04:00

I am back home now! :) What a *fun* few days it was! Now I need to get crackin at all of my projects. Finish painting Angelina's room, finish decorating Zoe's room, household duties, and *lots* and *lots* of scrapbooking!! :) So, off I go to get things done! It is already almost 11pm, so there are no promises of getting much done tonight, but I am committed to finish all of my projects before Mike gets home!! :) I will definitely be updating my progress, though! So, check back often!! For now... here are pictures for day # 16. :)

.Number *One Five. {fifteen}

2007-06-05T22:38:00.000-04:00

Sittin here on my mom's screened in porch and listening to the thunder. And. *Loving* it! This week has been fun so far! No plans, no schedules, no cares! Just doin' whateva! Going with the flow, which I don't seem to do enough of, ya know?! Every once in a while, throwing structure and chores, and everyday life out the window, and just *winging it* should be REQUIRED!! :) Tomorrow morning sometime, we are going to head back to the place we call *our house* and we will reside there for a few days before coming back here to our {2nd home}, my parent's house. We are staying the weekend. My grandparents {dad's parents} Are coming to visit, and Mike is still out of town, so what better way to spend our time than with family! This week is going by VERY quickly, and I am [loving] it! And, Angelina is too, of course!!
So, Zoe has been sick for the past couple of days which I find weird, because, the hospital told me to not go to many crowded places very often during the winter due to RSV season. Which, I did manage to stay in a lot, but did go out too. She didn't get sick once!! Now it's hot as summer outside, and she gets sick! What in the world?! Poor baby is hacking and vomiting and having issues in her diaper {if you know what I mean}. But, through it all, she has smiled, and not cried once!! Though she is sick, she still sleeps through the night!! She amazes me with her *all smiles* personality! I mean to hear her cry is rare! It's awesome! Love how both of my kids are so wonderful! While Angelina has an occasional attitude, she is such a great kid!!! I will take her occasional attitude/bad day, which is totally normal! I mean, if that's that worst I get, then, Thank You, Jesus!!!

OK, well I am off to spend some time with my mom. :) More tomorrow!! Comments *are* always welcome, and loved! So, please, tell me how you are! Haven't gotten many comments lately, so I am going to assume that everyone is getting busy with summer approaching! :) Miss you all!

*Every* morning, and *every* nap time, when Zoe wakes up, this is how I am greeted. :) [Love] it!

Mom's little messy haired puddin' face! :) So *cute*

Angelina's gentle touch. Angelina's love for animals is evident. She is very gentle with them, and *always* has been. She never pulled on the dogs ears or pulled their hair, or poked them in the eyes. She just lovingly pet their fur, and talked/talks sweetly to them. Our ferrets are *no* exception! She loves all 3 of them, and is very gentle with them. So *cute*. :)

LOL! :) Making mini baby beds...

2007-06-05T16:00:00.001-04:00

LOL! :) Making mini babies beds..., originally uploaded by Moon and Back.

Just wanted to post this. It cracks me up everytime I see it in my flickr page. LOL! Angelina comes in one day begging me to make this tiny little baby thing a bed out of half an easter egg. *LOL*. Well, 5 squares of toilet paper and half an easter egg later... we were left with this silly thing. ;)

More later! Enjoy this one! ha ha ha! Kids are so silly sometimes!

***Oh, and on another note, Zoe saw the eye doctor today, and her retinopathy of prematurity {ROP} is completely gone as he expected it would be!! So, that is good news!! It will always be known and referred to that she was born premature, but she is no longer showing any signs of being premature! :) Just wanted to share. I pretty much knew her ROP was going to be gone, but it's always nice to be reassured... ya know?!***

Capturing Every Moment...

2007-06-04T23:45:00.000-04:00

Well, at least I am trying to. :) It is working, though, because this 365 days of pictures is pushing me to take more and more pictures of my girls, and my surroundings in general! I am beginning to take notice of all the beauty around me, which is awesome! And, as usual, I *love* my Canon!! It takes fantastic pictures!
We are spending yet another night with my mom. :) We are having a *blast*!! My mom and I were up until 2 A.M. this morning!! Just talking and laughing, and reminiscing. Having lots of fun! Today we ran some errands, which included buying Angelina a new pair of tennis shoes at Stride Rite. They are very cute!! She begrudgingly "let" me buy them. ha ha! She loves sandals... um. Just like her Mama! ;) But, she has been playing outside a lot with the neighbor kids, and she has been playing in her wedge shoes, which in turn causes her to get terrible shin splints. So, it was time to make a trip to Stride Rite to get some *real* play shoes. :)
We also went to Costco, and Mimi's for breakfast! I was so thrilled that Raleigh was getting a Mimi's, so today, we went there! I was so excited, and actually wanted to order my favorite thing on their lunch menu... the BBQ Chicken Salad, but was shut down by the waitress!! She said that that salad was only at the Mimi's on the WEST COAST!! Sincerely disappointed, I just stuck with my original order... *2 pancakes*. That is life, I guess, but I do hate that they put different things on their menus for different parts of the United States. Bummed out!!
At the end of the afternoon, we headed back to my mom's {and dad's} house to cook dinner. My mom was having some friends over, and these friends of hers I really like, so I stayed. Then decided to spend the night again, because Zoe has an eye doctor appt. tomorrow morning, and the doc is really close to my parent's house. It just made sense. :) Before dinner, I took Angelina driving around and I took some pictures of surrounding nature and animals. :)

All in all, it's been a great day!! So far time has gone by *really* fast! Mike will be home before I know it! :) I need to stay at my house tomorrow and Wednesday night, though! haha! That way I can get more done! Because we will be back here Thursday night {probably} to spend the weekend here. And, I have A LOT to do at home. But for now, I am kinda just goin with the flow of things, and having fun!

Well, time to get going! I am getting tired, and I need to get up at a descent time tomorrow so I can take Zoe to the doctor's office so he can check her eyes to make sure everything in her eyes are still good! :) Just a routine check-up for babies that were born prematurely.

Here are Day 14 Pictures!! Can't believe it's been that long already! :)

Lucky # 13 :)

2007-06-03T23:44:00.000-04:00

My girls and I are having a sleep over at my mom's house! Fun! :) My husband left today for 2 weeks, and my dad is out of town as well, so we are having *girl time* which, is great, of course!! :) But, had to pop in real quick for the Lucky # 13 pictures!! More tomorrow!

Love, S.

And, for good measure, here is a silly picture of Mike with his *new* Apple laptop, ha ha!

The Twelfth Day!!!

2007-06-02T23:45:00.000-04:00

And, here are day 12's pictures! :) Today was a good day! It was cloudy most of the day due to a tropical depression headed our way. That is actually good news, since we are now having a moderate drought. It is currently raining, which is *awesome* and, not only because I absolutely {love} the rain, but because we here in North Carolina desperately need the rain! The weather channel people are predicting 12 hurricanes this year, and 5 of those to hit the east coast... and yes, some of those hurricanes do affect North Carolina, but as long as you don't live on the beach, things don't get too bad.
Tomorrow Mike leaves for *12 Days*!!! UGH! So. Not. Liking. it, but the girls and I will survive, and I *know* fun will be involved! ha ha! I was painting Angelina's room today... PINK! Mike painted her ceiling yesterday... purple! So far it looks really fun! And, more importantly, *she* loves it! :) It will be finished tomorrow or Monday, and then I will be starting on some other household projects that I have been needing to get done for quite a while. Including finishing up Zoe's room!! I have this really neat idea for her room, and I am truly hoping that it turns out exactly as I envision... will update on that when I have done it!

Alright! I need to go! I am *exhausted*!!!

Later Gators!

Oh happy day! :)

2007-06-02T09:40:00.001-04:00

Woo hoo! Yesterday UPS came and brought me this beauty! :) Lovin' this lens already! Just had to share ;)

Here are just a couple pictures that I have taken so far with my new lens. Will share more later. Day filled with painting, birthday parties, and getting ready for Mike to leave tomorrow for 12 DAYS! Not looking forward to that, but that's life. :)

::Eleven::

2007-06-01T23:36:00.000-04:00

Wow, it's already day 11!! Got a busy weekend, and I am already exhausted! Going to bed! Enjoy the pictures. Oh, and I am totally going through comment withdrawl, so some comment "love" would be awesome! ;) *haha*!

Goodnight!

{Super Great} :: Most Favorite

2007-05-31T23:08:00.001-04:00

Cute Sisters, originally uploaded by Moon and Back.

#10.

I love this picture of my girls together!! :) They truly share a genuine love for each other that is pure, and I *love* watching them together! Girls... Love each other *always*!

*Loving* you {both} ::always::

Mama

Amazed Still!

2007-05-31T22:57:00.001-04:00

Fly 1680x1050 Widescreen Wallpaper, originally uploaded by AirBrontosaurus.

I *had* to share this amazing picture I found on Flickr! This woman takes some pretty amazing pictures of bugs. She uses an incredible *macro* lens to take these shots!! Just wanted to share! Are you as amazed as I am? :)

Go here for more: http://www.flickr.com/photos/airbrontosaurus/

# .Nine, Neuf, Nueve, Neun, Nove, Negen.

2007-05-30T23:51:00.000-04:00

It's day nine of my 365 days of Angelina & Zoe pictures venture... :)

Since I have gotten my new Canon Rebel Xti, (11 days) I have taken over 1,000 pictures!! :) I love 99% of the pictures that I take with it. Obviously that is way too many pictures to post on here, so, as you can imagine, choosing which one to post can be pretty tough. ;) But, having 2 cute girly girls helps!

It is getting really *hot* here in North Carolina. I love it here, but I don't really care too much for the summer humidity. I seem to complain all summer long about it. Enough, at least, that Mike literally starts talking about me complaining about the summer, months in advance. haha! And. Once the weather begins to go north... on the thermometer, sure enough. Mike's months of teasing and predicting comes true. :) I HATE hot weather! No secret there. Bummer thing of it is, though, I don't want to go outside. Ever. When it is 90 degrees or hotter and about 80-90% humidity... my want to go outside dies. Thank goodness that the nearest mall has an indoor play area where Angelina can go and get her crazy cooped up energies out! Can you really blame me, though? Who likes to stand outside... in the shade... doing nothing, but standing, and then to no avail... sweat begins to seep out of your pours like a river. Ummm. No thank you. I think I would rather eat a habanero pepper...

Moving on... :)

Mike is leaving this Sunday for 12 days!!!!!!!!!! REALLY NOT looking forward to being "alone" for 12 days! But... here's to being optimistic! ;) Which, I am very prideful of being very optimistic... most of the time. *haha* While he is gone I hope to get a lot done! I need to *finally* finish Zoe's room! I mean, how lame can I be? I have not even finished decorating her room! Poor girl! I would have had it done, but when your baby is unexpectedly born 10 weeks early... that kinda throws a wrench in things. Seems like the last 7 1/2 months have gone by extremely fast! {hense the reason I take SO many pictures} Anyway. So I am going to try and finish some house hold projects. And, I need to do about 12-13 more layouts to submit to Creating Keepsakes Mag for the *Scrapbooker of the Year* contest. Also hoping to get a notice in the mail telling me that Angelina got into year round school. :) That would be a *happy* letter. It is becoming a HUGE thing here. So many people fighting year round school versus traditional school. Pretty ridiculous if you ask me. Mike and I really like the idea of having Angelina in year round school. Think that it would be better for her. So, I am praying that the Lord will let this happen! :)

Anyway. I am going to get to bed now. It is after midnight here, and I haven't been feeling well for the last couple of days, so I need to get my rest. :)

One more thing... Thank you *Mike* for being so sweet today! I *love* you!!

OK, so I absolutely {love} these pictures of Zoe! HAD to post 2 of them!

And. Presenting Angelina's *castle bed* Which, she more than loves I might add!! :)

{eight}

2007-05-29T23:59:00.000-04:00

Day Eight photos. :) Have things to write about, but too tired to do it right now. Time for bed.

The {amazing} sleepers we call Our Daughters

2007-05-28T11:31:00.000-04:00

Real quick. Just wanted to touch on something that I think is pretty ::crazy::

Here in North Carolina it is currently 11:32 AM. Angelina *JUST* woke up!!! This is a record for her! Swimming can be tiring I suppose. haha!

While Zoe didn't wake up until 10:00 AM, this is less surprising, because Miss Zoe sleeps that late at least 2 times a week. ha ha!

We have amazing sleepers!!

.The Sixth and Seventh Day.

2007-05-28T10:24:00.000-04:00

Sorry! I didn't get a chance to post a picture of the girls yesterday! We were out and about most of the day. :) Didn't get home from my parents' house til late last night. I love them! We see them ALL the time! It's so awesome how close my mom and I are! I consider her one of my best friends! We share many things, and I always know she will be there if I need her! Not to mention, they LOVE Mike and are always there for him too! They are *amazing* grandparents! It's so wonderful to see Angelina with them! They are very involved in our kids' lives, and I {LOVE} that about them! It's great to see Zoe interact with both of them too! :) She has melted my dad's heart as Angelina did. :) Anyway. Just wanted to post about them! Because... ::I love you Mom and Dad:: :) We went to their house yesterday for a pool party! It was A LOT of fun! We all had a blast, including Zoe! She was cold at first, but soon began having fun and playing. :) I will be posting those pictures later today. :) Have a great morning!

Below is a picture of Angelina and some of her friends from her pre-school. :) Left of her is Mary and to the right of her is MeKayla. :) So cute!! This was taken on their graduation day.

May = Busy!

2007-05-26T23:59:00.000-04:00

Finally! I have the time to sit down, and actually write. :) Although, I have posted a couple of times lately on my craft blog, Stick Horses. Check it out here!!!!!!!!!!

I do look forward to May every year, but realize a week in how stressful the month actually is for me! I mean, with so many birthdays and so many activities. It just gets totally ridiculous! And, now as I sit here, I am SO glad that it is ALL over! Well, for now, anyway. haha! Though stressful, we did have a lot of fun! Here's just a short summarization of what has happened in only TWO weeks!!!

So, aside from My grandfather's birthday, my birthday and Mother's Day...

Angelina's Birthday party... SO fun! She had a TOTAL blast!! Angelina had a "princess" type party. I don't really go too crazy with the decorations, but I did do some fun things... I will post the pictures of some of the things I did later. :) But, anyway. She had about 15 little friends over. They hit a pinata, did crafts, played on Angelina's play set outside, and opened gifts, and of course ate CAKE! This was her biggest birthday party on record! Our house was packed with kids and parents. Just the way I like it! So fun! Angelina got *so* many great gifts!! One gift she got was a barbie jeep from my parents {grandma and papa to Angelina}. She *loves* that thing!! We are re-doing her bedroom for her. At the end of the day, she pooped out. :)

Angelina's *actual* Birthday... Angelina had her ballet recital on her birthday. Which was totally fine by her! Afterall, her BIG birthday celebration was the day before. She had no complaints. Plus, she really {loves} being on stage and the center of attention, so that was a good birthday "present" for her. :) She did fantastic at her recital!! All the girls in her class looked and did SO great!! We were all SO *proud of our girls. :) For all of you with little baby girls right now... definitely think about putting your girls in ballet! It's a BLAST!! After her recital, we went to lunch/dinner with my parents and celebrated her birthday and great recital. It was low key and lovely! Again, Angelina pooped out at the end of the day. :)

Preschool Graduation... This was a *BIG* one!! I definitely got emotional, and totally tripped out seeing Angelina in a cap and gown! It made me flash forward 13 or so years from now to her high school graduation. It was literally like a real flash forward! Like you see in the movies! Pretty insane. :) Anyway. She looked {totally} adorable! See previous post of her. It was a bittersweet night as I realized that Angelina would no longer be going to Lord of Life Pre-K, and would be attending Kindergarten at public school next year. It is sad, just because Angelina absolutely *loved* her teacher, Ms. Rosie at LOLPK. But, it's OK. Part of growing up for her, and as her Mother, and Mike as her Father, we get to go through all of this with her. Even if it gets emotional. It's a big step, and it is SO exciting!!!!
Anyway, after the lovely graduation, we went to dinner with our good friends Donnie and Chrystal. And their kids, Tyler and Alexis {Angelina's very good friend}. We had fun! It was nice to just go out to dinner with them, talk, eat, laugh, and then go home. Much needed low key night with great friends. :) I took some pictures from that dinner, which I will post either tomorrow or Monday.

Yesterday... um. Can you say FUN??? Angelina, Zoe and I went to my friend Chrystal's house for a few hours, and our girls played on the slip n slide. Which, of course, brought back a lot of memories! It was great seeing Angelina playing on it, because it was totally out of her comfort zone! I was so proud of her, because normally she would never have gone and played if the water was going to get in her face! Yesterday. She was my little "risk" taker. Very brave little five year old! :) Oh, and another thing that happened... Mike got an apple computer! I think that I may have mentioned this already. But, I can't describe in words his excitement, except to say that he hasn't put it down for more than a few hours. *Hilarious* Needless to say, now I have a laptop!! I got Mike's old one! I LOVE having this laptop! FREEDOM! lol.

Today... Angelina got most of her birthday present from Mike and I. She got a new castle bed!! Let me just tell you... she changed her mind about spending the night with grandma and papa and decided that she would beg dad to put the castle bed together for her so she could so enthusiastically sleep in it RIGHT NOW! haha! That bed rocks! I wish they made those when I was Angelina's age! I would have loved to have one!! I will take pictures of her in it tomorrow. So cute!

Right now... Just finished watching Eragon the movie. AWESOME!! Loved it! And, obviously I am writing this blog entry, which I have just been informed, is a novel. Duh, babe! hehe! Hoping that I am not boring everyone with this endless *report* on my life, but oh well. I needed to do this... I look back on my posts when I scrapbook. :)

It's getting late, though, so I am going to go to bed now and get some MUCH needed sleep!

Good night!

Good Quote: "Without Fear There Can Not Be Courage." -Saphira

This is my good friend Chrystal... *I love you Chrystal!! Don't kill me for putting these pictures of you on here!! ;) *

Lovin' this picture of Chrystal on the Slip N Slide!! HA HA! So much fun! :)

And, of course we CAN NOT forget about Zoe!! Here's a pic of her. ;)

Pictures

2007-05-25T23:13:00.001-04:00

.Day Four.

::Little Graduate::

I have been *SO* incredibly busy lately, but sometime this weekend, I will {finally} have the time to actually sit down and write a longer post. For now, however, it's day four of my 365 days of pictures... of my girlie girls! Hope you're all enjoying them!! :) I know I am! Ha! Anyway. Now off to take a shower, and watch a late night movie... Eragon! Mike is in heaven playing with his newest toy... not a cheap one either. He got a Mac Computer tonight. He is overly excited about it! I did take pictures, but will post them tomorrow!

Night everyone!

Day 3... a little late

2007-05-25T08:01:00.000-04:00

Ooops! The day definitely got away from me yesterday!!! Angelina graduated preschool!!! :) More on that later!

Captured this picture of Zoe sneezing the other day!

.Photographs.

2007-05-23T20:54:00.000-04:00

Photographs Day 2!

"No more monkeys jumping on the bed" :)

2007-05-22T20:54:00.001-04:00

So, my photo shoot with Angelina was *really* fun! Especially the part where she was jumping on my bed while I snapped photos with my ::new:: camera! :) Still LOVING it!! Takes *great* pictures!! So, here are {some} of the pictures that I took today! You can see more on my flickr sites to the right of my blog. I am also starting a small photography business. :) You'll see it on some of the photographs. Nothing is set in stone yet. Mainly just playing everything by ear, and will go from there. I already have a couple of clients here soon, so that's exciting!

Well, I am off to spend some time with my wonderful husband! More tomorrow! Oh, and by the way, I am starting something new... every day for the next year, there will be at least one picture of each of my kids on my blog. Just something I thought sounded fun! 365 days of pictures! :) Starting NOW!

Lots of pics... ready, set, go!

My New Diggs!!

2007-05-21T20:59:00.000-04:00

So, yesterday I got a ::new:: camera!!!! :) Happy me! We had an EXTREMELY busy weekend, so it was nice to get this camera... like the icing on the *cake*. :)

I got the Canon Rebel Xti digital SLR camera!! 10.1 Megapixels, 3 pictures per second, takes magnificent photos yada yada yada!! Ummm, I am excited, and needless to say, I took over 250 pictures of Zoe today!! haha! Here are some pictures I have taken with my new *diggs*... my Canon! :)

Pictures of Angelina to come tomorrow! She was at school today. Speaking of, today was her *last* normal day of school! She has half day on Wednesday, and {Graduates} pre-school on THURSDAY!!! This has been a big week for her! Her birthday party was on Saturday, her ballet recital and Birthday was yesterday, and preschool graduation on Thursday! Then, thank goodness, this month will almost be over! haha! As much as I initially *love* May, by the end of the month I am ready for May to be over! ha ha! OK, need to get going!

Night! More pictures tomorrow w/ my NEW CANON!! woot woot!

F.I.V.E. Years Old!!!!!

2007-05-20T18:15:00.000-04:00

Dear Angelina,

Well, it's official! Today you are 5 years old! It's hard to believe that five years ago today you were born!!! *whoa* talk about Flying time!!! It has definitely been a fast 5 years! A learning experience, which was both hard, and fun! As I keep saying, you are going to be in KINDERGARTEN in the fall! Wow*ie! I can hardly believe it! You are such a BIG girl!
I am proud to call you my daughter! You are an *extremely* smart little girl! You are now reading books, and not only reading books, but reading Dr. Seuss books! Pretty soon you will be reading chapter books all by yourself, and you won't need mommy and daddy to read you stories very often. I keep thinking about the last 5 years, and I can't help but smile, laugh, and get teary eyed! We have been through so much together, you and I! And of course daddy too! You have been through more than most kids your age, I think. I think the hardest thing was when we lost *Mum and Ba Ba* {Great Grandma & Great Grandpa Benner}. You were ::extremely:: close with them! Ba Ba past on Christmas Eve of 2004 and Mum past on October 13th of 2005. While you really couldn't grasp what happened then, you still talk about them often, and daddy and I show you their pictures a lot. We are working hard to keep their memory alive for you!
You have become so outgoing, and so much like your father! At times it is quite amazing! I almost feel, sometimes, that I am talking to daddy in a little girl form. *haha*. You are spunky, and can be sassy at times, but all in all, you are {SO} fantastic! Daddy and I are truly blessed to have you!! I thank God each day for you! Even when you make faces like this... *haha*

I think of all these things mentioned, the most *amazing* thing I witness daily is you as a big sister. You stun me! I think it's because I have never seen a little kid have the love for their sibling as you have for Zoe! So amazing, and truly wonderful! I thank God for this too!
Right at this very moment you are spending some quality time with daddy, and Zoe. And playing a princess video game on dad's new Nintendo DS. :) You also love to play on the computer, and just the other day figured out everything on your own! You put in your *My Little Pony* game, and figured out how to play it from there. You are truly amazing! I don't know if you are going to be a prodigy or not {your daddy thinks you will be}, but, if not, we'll *love* you just the same! Our love for your is endless! You definitely make our lives more interesting and fun! And, yes... sometimes hard. But, of course, we will {always} love you! I look forward to the years to come, but I am not rushing you! Please keep your sense of wonder, and your playful nature!

Love you!

Mommy. <3 onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ySGuXcmr0bI/RlDQLeM9PMI/AAAAAAAABco/V_CdAB_nTBk/s1600-h/FIVE3.jpg">

For the ::LOVE:: of Ballerinas

2007-05-18T11:17:00.000-04:00

I truly believe that my little girl, Angelina has the heart of a ballerina! She is currently in ballet, and she absolutely *loves* it! It's extremely cute watching her, because it's like she is in her own little world. SO cute! :) Sunday, Angelina has a ballet recital, so yesterday was her rehearsal. I got a video of her class doing their performance, and wanted to share it! It is SO {adorable}!! There are also some pictures that I took of her while she was on stage practicing. :) She was having a blast... as usual. :) I have a *SUPER* busy weekend ahead of me! Must get going!

Enjoy! :)

7 Months Old {Today}!

2007-05-17T22:44:00.000-04:00

Dear Zoe,

I can not believe that it is already time for me to be writing you another monthly letter! Wow! Time sure is flying! You are getting bigger and bigger by the day, and you are making amazing changes! You are now totally rolling over, and you are actually beginning to change your mind about tummy time. :) You are actually starting to like it! Wasn't sure if that was ever going to happen. You still prefer to be on your back, but you will be on your belly for quite a while before pushing yourself over on your back.
You smile and giggle often. You laugh more frequently, which is the *cutest* thing anyone has ever heard! You are now eating stage {2} baby food... well, you have been for the past few weeks, but I am now documenting this. :) You love exploring new foods, and will hold the new foods in your mouth several seconds before actually mashing it and tasting it.
You are getting more and more character as the days pass. You laugh at things you see not just funny faces people make. You absolutely are infatuated with your sister! You love her a lot already! Your daddy made a comment to Angelina yesterday that he thinks that you and Angelina are going to be "best of friends", which I truly hope and pray for!
As usual, you sleep through the night, and many times you sleep until 10am, which amazes me! Another amazing thing are those BIG BEAUTIFUL BLUE EYES!! Wow! They are the color of the ocean, and ever more beautiful! Your Uncle Ryan {Mommy's Brother} would be so proud to have a niece that shared the same color eyes while the rest of us share hazel. :)

I thank God every day for you little one! You are our little miracle, and I couldn't be happier than I am right now! You complete our family! I look forward to our future together sweet baby! May there be lots more sweetness in the years to come!

I *love* you!

Love,

Mommy

Idol

2007-05-16T22:01:00.000-04:00

Woo Hoo! Blake made it to the finale! :) *Happy*

Farewell Stars Hollow

2007-05-15T23:39:00.000-04:00

My favorite show of *all* time, Gilmore Girls, has just had it's series finale. What a {total} bummer!! I guess I am just weird, but I really loved this show. I looked forward to every Tuesday. I guess one of the main reasons I loved it so much was watching this mother and daughter grow to be best friends. It makes me think of me and my girls some day when they get older. Tonight the show ended by the mother, Lorelai, saying good-bye to her daughter, Rory, who just accepted a job as a reporter. This episode made me cry. Not only because the show is over, but because for some reason it made me think of the future one day when my girls will leave home to pursue their dreams. While I look forward to their achievements, and their careers, dreams and their own families, I think it will be so sad to have to watch them "leave the nest". Not sure why this show made me think so much about that, and made me so emotional, but it did. I can not believe the show isn't coming back. :) Well, I enjoyed watching it while it was on. Watch it if you haven't seen it! Repeats are on all the time! :) Anyway. It's almost midnight! Need to get to bed. Just writing out my thoughts... even if they are about television. haha!

Night.

CHOCOLATE!

2007-05-15T21:12:00.000-04:00

So, my parents just got back from Europe Sunday night. They came over yesterday afternoon to take me and Zoe to lunch for my birthday. Then we went and picked up Angelina from school. When we got back to my house, Mike came down from working... he works from home... on our 3rd story. :) Anyway, so my parents whip out the Europe goodies! And, Mike and I are lucky enough to be in the presence of REAL SWISS CHOCOLATE! Ok, can you say, GOOD?! I bet you can just taste it in these pictures! Had to share my goodies!

Thanks Mom and Dad! :)

Today, It's My Birthday...

2007-05-14T12:32:00.000-04:00

::Top Secret:: revealed!!
Here is the project I was working on last week for Mike... :) Will explain more later. I love it!

*Love* that song. hehe!

I don't have any deep thoughts for my birthday... because, I swear that I will LOVE my birthday even when I am Over that hill! :) Birthday's have ALWAYS been a very big thing in our family, so I *love* to celebrate birthdays to the fullest! Each and EVERY one! Whether it's your first birthday or your 7th or your 35th or your 90th! Just *love* a birthday! :) I am having a great birthday so far. :) Today is a beautiful day here in North Carolina!! Not too hot, but PERFECT! :) It has rained a lot lately, so it smells *GREAT* outside! Like fresh plants, and clean air! :) I love it here! Love it love it love it! My parents are coming to take me to lunch today. YAY! They just got back from Europe last night, and they had a blast, but are so GLAD to be home! :) I am glad too! :) Missed them terribly!

Mother's Day was really nice! Just relaxed for the most part. Went to Old Navy and bought MYSELF some new clothes!! :) And, of course, CAN NOT go to Old Navy and not buy my girls some clothes, so we all made booty. :) Angelina is going to take me to get our nails and feet done, and I am SO excited about that! I will definitely be photographing that! Mike is going to take me to get my hair done! THANK YOU BABE! So in need of some primping! You have NO idea! :) We went to dinner, and just spent quality time together! Every Mother's Day, I realize how blessed I am to be a Mama! My kids are GREAT! This year was my first Mother's Day with 2 kids, and it was so special! :) Being a Mother is a very tough job, and every year it gets harder and harder, but it's all worth it and rewarding. I realized this year that I am doing the best that I can! I don't wonder anymore if I am a good Mother, because {I} know I am! Yes, I lose my patience, I get mad, I get frustrated, and I sometimes get annoyed, and tired of being clinged to, but you know what? When I look back, I am so grateful for all of those things! With none of those feelings, what kind of Mother am I, really? Having babies and older kids isn't all flowers and bubbles! It is HARD work! Sometimes you want to just go hide for a while, but you get through it! And, for all of those hard times you go through, it makes you a better person, and more importantly a better Mother! Being a Mother is a blessing! And, I love being one! :) OK, so those are my deep thoughts. haha! Here are some pictures of ME and my girls! Yes, you read that right! ME!!!

Zoe Kisses!!!

Laughing with my girls!

Oh how I *love* them!

Look at this card my *loving* husband got for me for Mother's Day! OK. Ummm, best husband award goes to Michael B. Benner!!! I cried!

::Love you Babe::

So, it was a good weekend, and so far a good Birthday!! :) Off to Michael's to spend gift certificates that I got from my parents and my grandparents!!! WOO HOO! Then off to OUTBACK for dinner! YUM YUM in my TUM TUM! OK, I am giddy with happiness and now leaving! Bye! ;o)

Happy Mother's Day

2007-05-13T10:42:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to quickly stop in and wish everyone a **Happy** Mother's Day!! Enjoy the day!! :) Oh, and tomorrow is {my} 26th *Birthday*!!! :) YAY!

Lovely Day...

2007-05-11T13:37:00.000-04:00

See this cup? It was mine when I was her age! I love that! Love seeing her use things that used to be mine. :)

2nd attempt at this! My computer decided it didn't like me anymore, and shut off. Was mad, but cooled off, and now I am back for a 2nd go round. Let's hope I can post this! haha!

So, today has been a great day so far! Angelina's school, Lord of Life, puts on a special day for moms every year. It's really great!! This year they called it *Muffins for Moms*. It was very nice! Angelina was awarded for some artwork she did a couple months ago, and today she finally got the award for it. Picture is below. :)
Not to mention, when we got there, there were presents for me! I love presents! But, not just {any} presents... ANGELINA presents. Homemade by Angelina. Angelina Art! Which, I love, and have expressed my love for her art before here... scroll down a tad. :) Pictures of Angelina's presents for me are below...

Window Decoration :)

Votive Holder!!!

Not only did she get an award, and I got presents, but all the kids sang a song. Watching her sing filled my eyes with tears, and just the thought of it even now makes me get all teared up. I suppose it's because next year she will be in Kindergarten, and since I can not seem to get over that fact, I occasionally tear up because she is growing up so darn *fast*! It is exciting, though! And, speaking of exciting, Angelina is reading DR.SEUSS books!!!!! Crazi*ness!

We also have a spirited visitor with us...

This would be my parents' dog. :) Don't ask what her name is. haha! OK, fine, it's Zoe! haha! And, I am NOT joking. And, no, I did not name my child after this dog.
Anyway. Yes, "Zo" is visiting while my parents are STILL in Europe! But, they get home on Sunday! Yay! Can't wait to see them. And I know that "Zo" can't either. But, she is a great dog! And, I love having her around, especially when Mike is out of town. Which, speaking of, he gets home Tonight!!!! Woo Hoo!

Well, I am off to get my Angelina at school, and then off to the Picture People for birthday pictures! 5 years old in 9 days! Wow*ie! :) Be back on later to reveal my "Top Secret Project" I have been working on!

Until Then...

Ummm. Cute.

Her award! We are so *proud*

Angelina and her friend, {Mary}

::Angelina::, *Mary and *Alexis.

Angelina's friend, {Daniel}

Loving Inspiration!!

2007-05-10T21:28:00.000-04:00

So, I was browsing my blogger's sites, and I stumbled across this on Ali Edwards' blog! *VERY* good!! She got this list of great stuff from Body & Soul Magazine.

1. Your home is more than the sum of its walls. Make it a sacred space.
2. Creativity is a lifestyle, not simply an activity. Let is expand you.
3. True forgiveness springs from love, not regret.
4. Learn something new. Emphasize the trying, not the succeeding.
5. Spend some time in the dirt. You'll be amazed at what nature can inspire.
6. You don't have to have a perfect body to feel great in it. {This is *SO* for me!!}
7. Define yourself by who you are, not the roles you play.
8. Find rejuvenation in five minutes of silence.
9. Contribute to abundance. If you no longer need something, pass it on.
10. Find direction in your life by looking where you want to go, not where you don't.

*had* to share!! :)

Oh, and on another note... Zoe rolled from her back to her tummy this afternoon!! Not to mention, she moves herself all over the place! Kinda like the crab walk, but without using her hands. Pretty funny. :) Just thought I'd share! Oh, and since I *love* sharing pictures, here are a couple more *Highway Flower* pictures. :) Want photo ideas to take during the month of May? Go to Stick Horses... {yes, my craft blog}. There are some great ideas on there! :)

It's ALMOST FRIDAY! Whew! Crazy week! Mike comes home tomorrow! Thank you God! OK, back to work... well, scrapbooking, and a *top secret* project for my someone special. ;) I will post it tomorrow in the middle of the day, because he will be on a plane coming home, and he won't see it. hehe. Oh, and Grey's Anatomy was on tonight! Must watch!!!!

{Bonne Nuit}

Finding Feet and [Flowers]! :)

2007-05-09T17:00:00.000-04:00

So, the time has finally come that Zoe has now FOUND HER FEET!! Woo hoo! :) She became interested in them a couple of weeks ago, and then decided to touch them and see what they were all about. :) I wondered for a minute if she could figure out how to let them go, because she looked at me with this crazy look on her face as if to say, "OH MY! WHAT DID I DO?" haha! But, obviously she did let go, and I think she scared herself, because she doesn't have control of letting her legs down slowly yet. *haha*! It was pretty cute, though! :)

Oh, and North Carolina has the coolest thing! They started this *Highway Beautification* project a couple of years ago, which makes a once mundane ride now a oooooooh*ing and awwww*ing experience. So, crazy me... I stopped on the side of the ~~Freeway~~ highway yesterday, and decided that it is so beautiful that I wanted to share it with everyone! Wish every state did this! What a great idea! :) I took a TON of pictures, so I will share more here and there, but for now, here are a couple!

I *love* the poppies! They are gorgeous when passing or photographing! haha!

*fun* with Photoshop. :)

Have a good day *mates* :)

{Sweet} Escape

2007-05-08T23:09:00.000-04:00

Angelina Style!!! :) Here is my little cutie *singing* Dancing and mostly, {giggling} to "our" song! She LOOOOOVES this song! :)

You can not tell me you weren't smiling the entire time watching this video! Smiles and giggles *ARE* contagious! {haha}
No, I was not watching her the whole time... I was driving, and watching the road. I was safe. :)

Here is Gwen's Video... I like Angelina's better... ;) *hehe*

Adios!

in one week...

2007-05-07T13:42:00.000-04:00

I will be 26! Not 25 anymore... Twenty Six! Why is this coming at such a shock to me? Maybe because one year ago I found out I was pregnant. One year ago I was 24, 1 year ago Angelina was *almost* four. One year sure does go by fast... at least this past one did... Could it be because of everything that happened? *haha* Maybe!! Well, any way. I just thought of that, and, decided that I could not believe how fast time has flown by. Seems like I clicked my heels three times and here I am a year later. :) Happy. Content, and *loving* my life, and family! Edwin McCain had it right! "I could not ask for more..." Life is good. :)
Mike left this morning to go out of town again, so I am going this week alone. But, it's OK. :) At times it can be a bit stressful, but I look at it as a time to go crazy, and spend alone time with my crazy monkeys, and when everyone is asleep at night, I throw myself an *alone party*. I really get crazy! I scrapbook or watch movies, or sing, or blog or sometimes I even... stay up REALLY late! haha! Seriously, though. I try and get as much done as possible, and sometimes... that is nothing. ;) I admit, I am guilty of relaxing. And doing absolutely nada for several hours at night. And, I *love* it! :)
Oh, & by the way, my parents are in EUROPE right now! *not fair* haha! They were in VENICE, ITALY over the weekend! Must be nice! :P Today they are in Austria. I know they are having the time of their lives! :)
Anyway, here are some random pics I took over the weekend... some are from last week. I am off to pick up Angelina from school, and then to her last dance class we go! Recital practice is next week, and then the recital!! Oh my goodness! Just another thing to remind me how FAST time is going!

{Later} Gators! ;)

Caught these 2 pictures of Zoe sleeping and sucking her thumb...

So cute!

Cutie Pie!

This is Zoe's new *funny* face. Not sure why she does it, but she does it *all* the time! It's really funny! Had to photograph it! :)

More birthday *love* for me from Mike! :) {Thanks Babe}

My mom and my girls

The following pictures of Angelina were taken for her birthday invitation, which I will post on here soon. I loved the pictures! :)

.i heart may.

2007-05-05T15:54:00.000-04:00

So, this month *Rocks*! :) And, of course for the obvious! It's my {birthday} month! Today is NATIONAL SCRAPBOOK DAY!! It's *Mother's Day*, and it's Angelina's {birthday} month too! And, those are *only* a few things that are going on this month! :) Angelina is just like me, meaning, she can not wait to give me the presents she gets for me! :) So, I got my Mother's Day and Birthday presents from my {girls} last night! Check out *all* the scrapbooking lOvE I got!! WOOT! How fitting for today, huh? hehe!

Scrapbooker of the Year, HERE I COME!!! *haha*

Hopefully I will have time to scrapbook, between Mike going out of town next week, ballet class, ballet rehearsals, my birthday, Angelina's birthday, Angelina's b'day party, Angelina's ballet recital, Mother's Day, My birthday dinner with my parents, friends' birthday party next week, my grandpa's birthday in a few days, Angelina's last days of school, Angelina's graduation, end of school parties. and taking care of Zoe all at the same time... haha! :) Stressing just reading this!

As I think about the school year coming to a close, I can not believe that Angelina will be going to Kindergarten next year!! It's crazy thinking that she will be in *Elementary* school!! Wow! She is growing up SO fast! The only thing I will miss about Angelina in preschool... is Fridays.

Peace out! Be back on Monday!

Me, {Myself} and -i-

2007-05-04T18:22:00.000-04:00

Reluctantly I am putting this picture of *MYSELF* on here! Not liking it, but many people have "subtly" poked me for answers as to why there are no pictures of {me} on here... I am my biggest critique! That is why, but I am going to "man" up and post a picture of myself from the other day. As usual, not a fan of the picture, but, I will get over it! *haha*

Growing Girls

2007-05-04T17:27:00.000-04:00

Ok, it's "see them grow" time!!! :) You all know I *love* doing this from time to time! So, check out these amazing pictures below! I've got me some *Growing* Girls!!!

Picture below: The {day} Zoe came home. November 22nd '06
Weighed: 4 pounds 3 ounces

Picture below: February '07
Weighed: 10 pounds 11 ounces

Picture below: *NOW* May '07
Weighed: 12 pounds 11 ounces (as of March '07) I am sure she weighs more now...

Can you believe the change!!! Wow*ie! :)

The Soundtrack of a 25 year old...

2007-05-02T18:15:00.000-04:00

Yes, below is my Zune that I photographed... *hehe*... I am a total {Nerd}, but, The Zune *ROCKS*!!

OK, so my birthday is in a couple of weeks... May 14th to be exact, which has gotten me thinking about my life in the past year, and what I want to document, and remember. So, the first thing is, the soundtrack of my year 25. Meaning, the music that I have loved for an entire year. Not gotten sick of "them", but still to this very day *LOVE* listening to "them"... So, here goes... it's going to be LONG!!

Daughtry {My favorite} Loving: this, this, and this song, OK, so the whole album is great!! And just for fun. :)

*311* especially this, this, this, and this. Oh, and this. Yes, I do *love* 311. :)
Alana Davis {32 Flavors}
*Carrie Underwood* especially this, this, this and this, and this.
Evanescence. Loving this, this, and this!
Eve 6. These, these, these, these, and these are great songs!
The Fray!! Awesome, awesome, more awesome!
{Flicka Soundtrack}... liking this, this and this. This and this too!
Hinder... This, this and this... GREAT!
Incubus.... LIKE ALL! hehe! Too many to list... OK! Maybe a couple... this and this(memories with Summer come to mind. haha!), and this LOVE!
*Linkin Park* {Another Favorite... not only because I know the bass player...) Love: this, this, this, this, and this and this .... just to name a few. ;) Oh, and this has an AMAZING message! (New Song)
Maroon 5!!! Likin this song, this song, and this song.
Panic! at the disco ROCKS!!! Love this, this, this, and this ... there are more... just check out their whole album! It rocks! :)
Rascal Flatts... do I need to link videos? haha! Maybe just one... beginning is a tear jerker.
I ::LOVE:: Staind -- Especially this, this, this, and of course this! Staind is one of my *all* time favorites, so it's really hard to choose which song to share with everyone... Check Staind out, Aron Lewis is a FANTASTIC singer and a heart throb! haha! Love this band! {Will} go to his concert ONE day. :)
.Stone Sour. This band is *really* hard core, but he has 2 songs that I absolutely *love* that are -not- hard core... those songs are here and here.
Tim McGraw... nothing more needs to be said or linked... :) Tim McGraw is *awesome*!
Trapt::: Like this song, this one and {LOVE} this one.

OK, tag you're it! What is the current soundtrack of *your* life? :)

{Night}

{Memorandum}

2007-05-01T11:56:00.000-04:00

Like Martha Stewart? Like crafting and/or baking? Go to Michael's Arts & Crafts often? Must check this out then!! I am *LOVING* everything! The link is to my Stick Horses craft blog, go look! AWESOME!

Good Day! ;)

Cowboys, Horses, Bulls... OH MY!!

2007-04-30T13:55:00.000-04:00

On Saturday night we went to the Rodeo in our town!! It was SO fun! I hadn't been to a rodeo since I was a kid, and when I heard about this rodeo, I *had* to go!! Angelina {loves} horses, and I knew that she would love seeing all the *action*. So, we went. And, it was SO much *fun*!! Mike made a comment that it was the first "hick" thing we have done since we moved here... haha! Hick thing or not, it was a total *BLAST*! It gave me this feeling of being in the country {and I *love* that feeling}. Angelina {had} to have a cow*girl hat too, so, of course we bought her one, and it couldn't be anything else but ::pink:: *of course*! :) I must say, she sported that cow*girl hat well! She looked right at home in that good 'ole country/ranch setting. Zoe had a great time too, and actually was dressed *perfectly* for the occasion. Her sleeper had cows all over it, and cow feet. :) *So Cute*. Zoe did ::famously:: through the whole thing! Buzzers buzzing, shot of a *fake* gun, hootin and hollerin {like that? do I sound country yet?} hehe, and one girl screeching instead of "hootin" next to us. She would jump, but that was all. She even slept through part of it!! Such a *great* easy baby!!
Well, I think it's safe to say we all had a great {dirty} time! :) And, of course, I did document the moment by taking *tons* of pictures! Which, of course I {had} to share!! There are quite a few, but ::enjoy:: them anyway! :)

We were getting ready to leave, and Angelina decided that Zoe *needed* to wear her sunglasses. haha.

The girls in the {Jeep}. It's *officially* warm enough, so the Jeep is now *Topless*!

Mike and his Girls in the Jeep. Angelina *loves* riding in the Jeep!! Zoe sleeps... haha!

Watching the barrel racing!

See the cows?

The rodeo "clown"

I *love* this picture! It kinda trips me out, because Zoe is the only one in focus, and everything else is pretty blurry. :)

**COWBOYS**!

So ::CUTE:: in her pink cow*girl hat!

This is Angelina's favorite "baby". Her name is Lambie. When I bought this, I would have *never* thought this would be her favorite stuffed animal! But, Angelina and Lambie are inseparable! So, she had to join in on the *dirty fun* too! :)

::Bull Riding::

More COWBOYS....

Our little cow*girl... and, Lambie. :)

I got some pretty great shots of the bull riding!

*Lovin* the Rodeo!

Oh my GOODNESS!! More *COWBOYS*...

Here is a cowboy running for his life! haha!

Right out of the Bull Pin

Watching the horses during intermission.

Happy *LAST* day of April!!

Daddy = Love <3

2007-04-27T16:27:00.000-04:00

Not too much to blog about today, but of-course, I *had* to! Because I {swear} I have OCD when it comes to blogging! I hear this song sometimes, and by the end of it... I am balling my eyes out, because, let's face it! Daddy's with their little girls.... OH. MY. GOSH! It's the cutest thing. Ever! There is nothing better to me than watching Mike with our girls! He is an incredible father! :) So, here are the lyrics to that tear jerking song...

My Little Girl BY: Tim McGraw


Gotta hold on easy as I let you go.


Gonna tell you how much I love you,

though you think you already know.

I remember I thought you looked like an angel wrapped in pink so soft and warm.

You've had me wrapped around your finger since the day you were born.




Chorus:

Your beautiful baby from the outside in.

Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again.

Go on, take on this whole world.

But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl.




Verse 2:

When you were in trouble that crooked little smile could melt my heart of stone.

Now look at you, I've turned around and you've almost grown.

Sometimes you're asleep I whisper "I Love You!" in the moonlight at your door.


As I walk away, I hear you say, "Daddy Love You More!".



(Repeat Chorus)



Verse 3:

Someday, some boy will come and ask me for your hand.

But I won't say "yes" to him unless I know, he's the half


that makes you whole, he has a poet's soul, and the heart of a man's man.

I know he'll say that he's in love.

But between you and me. He won't be good enough!

*We* are the {Benners}

guess what?

It's Wednesday. How are *you* today? :)

Whew! What a weekend!!

Girlie Girls

See This Movie...

Girls Just Wanna Have Fu*un!

::good day::

.2 California *n* Back.

::Downtown Raleigh::, Days {58-63}, *The Kite Runner*

Flickr*Mosaic

Music Video's I am liking...

57

*Nine* Months!!

.Thunder Rolls.

*Wow*

{Never} a Dull *Moment* :)

*California Bound*

*fifty* and...

*Kindergarten* & {day 49}