Henry Taylor Bennion Blessing

Today was Henry's baby blessing. These are some photos of the day.

Henry doing what he does best... not much.


Henry just before naps in his blessing outfit. Again... lazy.

Family portrait. Seriously, the effort for this was herculean. We need some serious kudos for turning this one out.

Pop Culture Conference

Brooke, Alexis and I went to the pop culture conference in New Orleans this year and had a blast! The topic for the adaptation panels was pedagogy and literature and film and I presented a paper about a class I'm going to teach called Monsters, Villains, and Freaks--we'll be studying Victorian representations of monsters, etc. and their film adaptations. Good times! New Orleans is maybe the craziest city I've ever visited--kind of Disney land with voodoo, prostitutes, and bourbon. We hung out with our professor Dennis Cutchins, who is hilarious, and had a great time. We didn't even really get attacked during our panel's Q&A. Great people, great food, great times. Here're some highlights:



Me, Dr. Cutchins, and Alexis at the cemetery--they bury everybody above ground, which makes for some creepy graveyards.

Alexis, Brooke, and I trying on masks.

Some pretty cool street performers on Bourbon St.

Pirate's Alley


Me, Alexis, and Brooke at the Mississippi R.

32!

3 of my favorite Rob-isms ......

1) His beautiful 'ICE' blue eyes & big Robbie Bennion lips. ;)

2) He gets along well with all breeds and brings out the best in people.

3) He is F-U-N-N-Y and always making me laugh. (Not sure what was happening in the picture--well, just maybe he didn't want his picture taken--but I'd like to title this as Hammer's 'Can't touch this!')

Did you guess who my Bennion is this week? Happy *32* Birthday, Robert.....you're my favorite. :)

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Our last stop was a small town called Rothenburg ODT. This was one of our favorite stops. The town was an amazingly preserved medieval town entirely surrounded by a wall. You really felt like you stepped a few hundred years back in time while walking the streets or walking around the town on the wall (the highlight). We found a small little family owned woodcarver shop and bought a nativity that we really loved.
Amy and Burke going up on the wall by one of the city's several entrances.
Will and Amy on the wall.
A view of the town forge from the wall.

We are so glad to be home finally. The boys were amazingly well behaved and we were happy to be able to see so much in such a short time. Sorry for so many blog posts. Once I started I felt the need to finish... we love you all and wish that we could all see Europe together.

Happy Easter!

Neuschwanstein

Our second to last stop was Neuschwanstein Castle. After too many chocolates in Switzerland and Belgium we opted to walk (carry and push a stroller) up the mountain to the castle. The day was warm and sunny and we got their early enough that it was very pleasant.

Neuschwanstein is an incredible castle and is even more beautiful inside than it is on the outside. They don't allow photography inside so there are no photos. The location is incredible as it is right against a steep mountain and overlooks a valley with lakes below. Evidently the Disney castles are modeled after this one. Neuschwanstein is as amazing and breathtaking as anything we'd ever seen. For being a nutter, Ludvig II had great taste in architecture and decorating... move aside Versaille.

The above photo is a view in the courtyard.
The end of a long hike.
I did not take this photo as this view was under construction, but this gives a great look at the valley below and the amazing architecture.

One of my favorite parts of the trips was Burke's bug obession. Burke and Will are mortally terrified of anything that crawls. One time Amy told Burke to hold still and she brushed some bugs off his shirt and hair. Ever since then any time a little breeze blows Burke gives a blood chilling scream and clutches at his head. We tell him it's just the wind and he calms down. The video below shows him unhappy and clutching at his head. Unfortunately I didn't catch him "in action."

Mt. Pilatus & Lucerne

This is a monument carved out of the side of a rock cliff in Lucerne, Switzerland. Interestingly it is by Bertel Thorvaldsen, the same Danish master who carved the Christus statue. This was an incredibly moving piece and it was carved to honor the 700 Swiss guards who had died defending the palace during the French revolution. Evidenlty Swiss guards are known for political neutrality and their willingness to honor their agreement with the French gov't during the revolution was seen as honorable. Anyways the monument is breathtaking. It is very large and has a reflection pool. Note the broken spear in the side of the lion and the expression on the lion's face.

Burke and Amy in our little 4 man gondola going to the summit of Mt. Pilatus. Yes that is Mt. Pilatus in the distance. The ride was beautiful and very fun, especially since we didn't have to worry about the boys since we had the place to ourselves. The view from Mt. Pilatus was terrific. The video below won't do it justice.

It is rumored that this is the burial place of the roman emporer Pontius Pilate. Villiagers used to avoid the lake on Good Friday since the myth was that Pilate would come out every year and try to wash his hands of Christ's blood in the lake.

Bern, Switzerland

When we misbehaved we were told that we'd get spanked. When Swiss kids misbehaved they were told that they'd be taken and eaten by the man below. He has been immortalized on a fountain in town. That's a tough bluff to call at 3 years old, especially when after you're shown this fountain. I'd imagine that these were some pretty well behaved kids.

A view of the river in Bern.

A giant clock that had a dissapointing puppet show at the top of the hour.

The highlight of the Bern trip for Will and Burke.

Brugge, Belgium

Our 2nd destination was Brugge Belgium. We spent a day here and enjoyed some delicious Belgian chocolates, a Michaelangelo statue, beautiful Cathedrals, *amazing* Belgian waffles, an old convent and a park where we enjoyed the romantic view and the boys enjoyed the sticks and water. It's funny how many people stop and smile and point at us with our three boys. I would like to think that it is because they are so remarkably handsome, but I think that we are really a novelty out here. They are amazed that 1. we have 3 kids so close in age 2. that they are all boys and 3. that we are sightseeing with them. We are grateful that people don't point the finger of scorn but are always very friendly and if we get a chance to chat they always like to talk and reminisce about their children, grandchildren etc. We are grateful for our family.

Will at the Park

The view from our hotel window.

Amy with a hot waffle

Amy and the boys in an old convent. A lot of nuns stopped to admire our handsome boys, pinch Soren's cheeks and we, in turn, admired their beautiful daffodils.

Happy Birthday Nathan

I like Nathan because:

He is smart
He is a great friend
He is a voracious reader
He is a good example
He is very handsome
He is creative
He has a great imagination
He is fun to do Lego's with-he builds great ships
He is kind to his siblings
He is laid back
He likes to play
He is willing to try new things
He listens to others and lets them speak
He is brave
He is honest
He is an ideal first child and great oldest son!

I love you Nate. Happy Birthday!

Day 3

On day 3 we went to Keukenhof Gardens in Holland and enjoyed the morning in the most beautiful gardens we had ever seen. It was huge and we didn't get a chance to see it all even in 3 hours! I'm sure it's even more impressive (hard to imagine) in a month when *all* (there were some already) of the tulips are blooming and the trees are covered in leaves.

We were some of the first ones there and enjoyed the park to ourselves in the morning. It smelled amazing and was so peaceful.

They had an incredible petting zoo and playground.

Every variety of tulip that you had never heard of, plus millions of other flowers as well. This was a small greenhouse where they were displaying and selling different types.

Burke enjoyed the small simple pleasures.

Day 2 Pt. 2

We spent the afternoon in a beautiful little village called Zaanse Schans. It was really picturesque with a lot of fun activities for the kids. It has windmills to tour, clog making demonstrations, cheese making tours and even animals to feed and pet. It was a blast for the kids to be able to get out of the stroller and wander around.

The houses were beautiful, old and green.

The windmills were used and built in the 1600's

Burke wearing Dad's clogs

Some wedding clogs.

Europe Trip Day 2 Pt. 1

So we hate to bury Anna's B-Day blog post so please continue down and let Anna know why she's the best.

Amy and I took (are taking) the kids on a 9 day Europe Trip extravaganza. We will have driven through 9 countries, visited 4, stayed at six different hotels and driven who knows how many miles. Right now we are on day 6 and we are in Germany. So far so good. There have been highs and so far, very few lows. We are lucky to have 3 great children. Our first stop was in Holland and the we spent the morning in Amsterdam.

We enjoyed walking the streets and seeing the amazing houses, bridges and canals. We took a canal tour which was one of the lows. 3 small kids in a small boat was not the best idea. Good thing we learned that lesson early. It was a hard lesson to miss.

We made a quick stop by Anne Frank's house

We were tempted to pick me up a new suit for work but decided against it.

Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy - It's a Girl

After three adorable boys, a girl was born and that pink sweater I had bought at a Church bazaar finally had a rightful owner. On April 9, 1981, Anna Katharine Bennion was born in San Franciso's Children's Hospital - the princess of the Bennion household.... the Queen of all of our hearts! Happy Birthday, Anna!

I love Anna because
She is kind.
She is interesting.
She loves to learn.
She is happy.
She is low maintenance.
She is very bright.
She is brave - takes on challenges that are daunting and makes her way bravely through each one.
She has impressive integrity.
She is a great traveling companion - Dad and I have loved being with Anna in Ireland and London.
She is beautiful (I don't love her for this - I just state it as fact :)!
She is the best sister and auntie - she genuinely LOVES us all!
She is well read and has a great analytical mind.
She is positive and looks at the bright side of life.
She is a participant....she is always game for anything the family is going to do.
She is a fun person with whom to play games - not a sore loser, but a sincere combatant.
She is the dearest friend and this is a priceless treasure for me.
She is wise.
She is a movie-o-phile and a great one with whom to discuss a movie.
She speaks 3 languages - English, Spanish and Welsh!
She loves her hertitage!
She is a very impressive young woman.
I love her, admire her and love every moment I am with her or have her voice on the other end of the phone!
MOM

All Kids All The Time!

Hai.rcut Night!

Our best ever... behaviorally and haircutsly. Classic Katie.

say hello to my little friend

I thought I'd get a little fresh air this evening. South Carolina is lovely in the spring. So, I opened the front door, minding my own business, and there he was. I changed my mind and went back in.

I think I've mentioned before that little green frogs chill around my front door. They freak me out. I was happy, though, to see this little guy today because I've been wanting to get photographic evidence. It took some courage to take these pics (hovering inside with the door cracked just enough to take it)--I was afraid he would jump at me. But, happily, he stayed put for the full photo shoot.



And don't even think that my fears are unfounded. One rainy day Melanie and Aimee and I were heading out to get some dinner. We were in the car when I realized that I had forgotten my wallet inside. My way back in the house was blocked by one of these guys (not this one, though, since he seems pretty tame). I opened the door really quickly, found my wallet, and was rushing back to the car when the frog JUMPED AT ME! Worst case scenerio! I screamed really loud and leaped off the porch. My roomies, watching from the car, were laughing too hard to defend me.