Independence Day

Happy Birthday America! Isn't it wonderful living in this beautiful country of ours? We are truly blessed.

Last year, for the 4th, we invited a lot of friends over and we had a BBQ and lit off fireworks. It turned out to be so fun that we did it again this year. I didn't capture any pictures last year, but this time I made sure I was armed with my trusty camera. This year was awesome! Everybody chipped in for fireworks, Wyndee and Ben brought a MoonBounce for the little ones, Mikey B. brought a pinata for the kids, everyone made wonderful food, we played Washers and Bocce ball, the big boys had a Roman Candle war (no one was hurt), and we all had loads of fun! It was a great celebration! Here are some pics.

Once again, we are truly blessed!

Thanks to everyone who made this fun and exciting day possible!

You guys are great friends!

Picnic

Since it was such a beautiful day, and the girls asked if we could do something, I decided that we should go on a picnic. That led to where we should go, and Madeline popped up and said "The Lions Park" (she meant Lions Field). So, we got all the trimmings ready for a wonderful picnic, and off we went. We got there, and as I suspected, all they wanted to do was play. But, I made them eat first. Then, they wanted to take pictures so I could put them on the blog. So, here they are, just for you!

Cheese!

Yummy!

They wanted a picture in front of the water.

Then they wanted a picture on the lion.

Sydney showing that she is the king, not the lion.

Kassie thinking the lion is a horse.

Madeline didn't want to have anything to do with the lion.

All she wanted to do was play with my iTouch.

(I have tons of games/activities for kids on it.)

That girl is as addicted to my iTouch as the other girls are to their DS.

Lucky Duck

As part of her birthday present, Sydney got to go to the Mariners game tonight with my parents. These are the pics she just sent me from her cell phone (another birthday present).

Lucky Duck!

Happy 10th Birthday Sydney!

A Mom's reflection, in pictures, of her baby girl on her 10th birthday. Enjoy.

Sydney Alexis Bennett

Born: June 11th 1999 @ 11:55 pm

(after 18 hrs of labor)

Weighing: 7 lbs 11oz

The crawling lasted maybe 3 days. She hated moving slow.

The first pic below is her 1st Thanksgiving. It's a faded picture, but it was with her Aunt Renee, may she RIP. The second pic is her 1st Christmas.

Her 1st haircut in the bath.

We had to do it that way, because she wouldn't stop moving!

Ahh, the Basketball pic. Probably my fav pic of her when she was that young. She still doesn't put the B-ball down.

Below is her 1st birthday and her 2nd Christmas.

Spoiled little girl got all the toys! Wait, she still does.....

Oh yes, the Scooby-doo obsession. That went on for 3 years. I still own all the movies...

Aunt Wyndee visiting, and becoming a big sister. She was so proud of her baby!

Being goofy, as usual, and her 1st best friend, Michael.

Aquatic fun, and her 1st dog, Pongo.

Silliness ensues again, and our second home, All Star Lanes.

Growing up.........

and up.......

and up.....

into the wonderful young lady she is today.

Doesn't that last pic prove it?!?

Happy 10th birthday, my little angel!

Driving Range

What better way to spend a day off together that at the driving range teaching young minds how to golf? Ok, well Sydney already knows how to. In fact, she just got a brand new junior set since her old ones were too small for her. She gave the old set to Kassie and Madeline, which was the perfect size for them. Andy also just got a new set too. Lucky guy. We went to get him a new driver, since he always wants to take mine, and found a really good set on sale for Memorial Day. I'd say it was perfect timing, since his old clubs were, well, old. So, off we went to the driving range. Sydney is so good. She can drive the ball far, and she is pretty darn accurate, too! Kassie is just learning. I taught her just the basics, so she can feel comfortable when she swings the club. It was cute watching her because she wants to be good like Sydney, so she was really determined to hit that ball hard! This was Madeline's first time picking up a golf club, so it was interesting. First off, I asked her if she wanted to hit a ball. She screamed "NO" and ran away from me. Like it was going to hurt her if she touched it. Then Andy asked her, and she reacted the same way. Finally we all were trying to coax her into just hitting one ball, and she finally gave in. Andy showed her how to hit it, and that was it. She proceeded to hit all the balls left in that bucket! She loved it.

By the looks of things I'll have 3 pros in no time! ;)

Shark Pool

New summer, new pool. A shark one to be exact. It's really cool. It squirts water out at you! Ya jealous yet? :)

Madeline's Preschool Graduation

So, the time has come. End of the school year. Today, Madeline graduated Preschool!!! She is now a Kindergartner! Tonight, her Preschool had a Graduation Ceremony. She looked like such a big girl! Her whole class sang for us, and then they got to walk down the aisle with their caps on, and get a diploma. Here are the pictures of her big event.

Her class singing to us.

On her way to walk.

Receiving her diploma.

Madeline, Mom and Dad.

The Graduate with Grandma and Grandpa.

We are so proud!!! Now all the girls are in the "big school!"