BENDER BUNCH

The gift of Myrtle Beach

2008-09-08T14:36:00.003-05:00

I had to write and share some pictures of our vacation from God (okay from the Snyder's). We were invited to join a couple from our church who were vacationing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They rented a 3 bedroom place on the pent house level of a resort building over Labor Day weekend and invited us to come along. We thought about it..(actually we really didn't have to)...and then readily agreed. It was an unbelievable time, one that all of us will never forget. Here are a few pictures. I know I just sent back to school shots, but I had to share these as well.

2008-09-08T14:34:00.001-05:00

Views from the Pent House! Ian don't get too close to the railing!

2008-09-08T14:33:00.000-05:00

See those poles on the top level? That's us!

2008-09-08T14:30:00.000-05:00

This was Ian's favorite spot. The lazy river! They had two lazy rivers in the complex. One was slow and one went faster.

2008-09-08T14:27:00.000-05:00

They had 8 hot tubs! Can you guess where Jeff and I wanted to spend a large chunk of time?

2008-09-08T14:23:00.002-05:00

Playing on the beach. No, we didn't sculpt this seal, but we CAN take credit for the sand castle.
Good work team!

Mr Stan and Josiah jumping in the waves!

2008-09-08T14:20:00.000-05:00

Had to stop at Kentucky Fried Chicken on the way home.
I was out numbered by my grease loving family.

2008-09-08T02:35:00.000-05:00

Here we are with Liz and Stan Snyder at Hard Rock Cafe, Myrtle Beach.

Today is the first day of school!

2008-08-26T11:01:00.001-05:00

Rebecca began the school year at Dayspring. This is the first year for her to attend private school. Initially she was very upset about this change, but over the course of the summer she got used to the idea, until this morning when she was very excited to begin the first day. It was all new for her today....new school, uniform, teacher, classmates, etc . Zachary, began middle school today - 6th grade. He, on the other hand, was quite bitter about going back to school :-) Getting up early and having homework every day is just not something he easily embraces. Jeff drove them to school this morning and annoyed all the teachers by taking pictures. What a dad!

2008-08-26T10:54:00.001-05:00

Zachary and his friend Harry!

2008-08-26T10:50:00.001-05:00

Mrs Sykes is a very funny teacher. Zachary had
her in 4th grade and really liked her.

2008-08-26T10:46:00.000-05:00

Rebecca at her desk...getting ready to start the big day!

2008-08-26T10:43:00.000-05:00

The big first grader. He was excited to go to school
all day. Mommy was a bit sad.

Good-Bye Buddy!

2008-08-26T10:40:00.000-05:00

All aboard! See you at 3:45 Josiah. Ian and I will miss you today!

2007-10-15T08:10:00.000-05:00

Rebecca had the opportunity to be the flower girl at a good friend's wedding on October 6th. She did a fantastic job and was a great help to the bride all day. Jeff teared up as she walked down the aisle. He said he could imagine her in 10 years coming down again. I said "Good grief...not 10 years, that would make her 18!" He agreed that it should be at least 20 years :-)

2007-10-15T08:07:00.000-05:00

Getting her hair done!

2007-10-15T08:06:00.000-05:00

The end result

2007-10-15T08:03:00.000-05:00

Taking time to smell the roses!

2007-10-15T08:02:00.000-05:00

The Bridal Party

2007-10-15T07:59:00.000-05:00

Waiting in the back for her cue.

2007-10-15T07:58:00.000-05:00

Right before the wedding guests arrived!

HERE WE ARE AGAIN!

2007-09-25T10:34:00.000-05:00

I thought it was time to add a few pictures. There a quite a few....so feel free stop and scan at will.

We went to California this summer to celebrate Jeff's grandfather's 100th birthday. You heard it right - 100! Many family members reunited in the town where Jeff grew up. It was wonderful. In two days Grandpa bowled (and beat everyone), rode a horse, had a large party, and went golfing. He is an amazing man. Before the reunion we had the chance to visit a wonderful friend of ours, Anne Kalugin and her family. We went to Disney Land, and spent some quality time with them. Other than the fact that I accidentally booked an all night flight home accross the entire country with four children.....we had a phenomenal time in California.

I also included some first day of school pictures and a few others.

Disney Land!

2007-09-25T10:32:00.000-05:00

Rebecca and Janie were chosen to become Jedis at Disney Land. They had to learn a rouine and then fight Darth Vador. The boys watched with envy :-)

2007-09-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

On the pier with Anne and her granddaughters. Gorgeous!

2007-09-25T10:23:00.000-05:00

Grandpa riding a horse at 100 years old!

2007-09-25T10:20:00.000-05:00

The Celebration!

2007-09-25T10:16:00.000-05:00

Breakfast with some of the clan the day after the reunion.

2007-09-25T10:14:00.000-05:00

Spending some time with Jeff's family at the beach in California and then at his sister's house. What fun!

2007-09-25T10:11:00.000-05:00

Rebecca at the bus stop on the first day of 3rd grade. Josiah goes in the afternoon, so he's still in his jammies. Ian wanted to get on the bus!

2007-09-25T10:06:00.000-05:00

Josiah's first day of Kindergarden. He was scared, but Ian sat and had a deep discussion with him on the steps before school started. It worked!

2007-09-25T10:01:00.000-05:00

Zachary with his buddy, Joshua and 5th grade teacher on the first day of school.

2007-09-25T09:57:00.000-05:00

SURRENDER

2007-09-25T09:53:00.000-05:00

Rebecca started cheering for the Midget Football Squad this fall. I tried to steer her more in my field, ballet or even gymnastics, but she steered herself this way! We finally gave in....Cheerleader she is! Since she's such a quiet girl....she struggles to say the cheers with volume and energy...NOT!

In Her Element

2007-09-25T09:46:00.000-05:00

The Cheerleader

2007-09-25T09:44:00.000-05:00

A VERY LATE BLOG ENTRY

2007-03-08T14:09:00.000-05:00

AHHH! It's been so long (9 months) since I last updated this. I have a ton of pictures below. Feel free to skip around if the event does not interest you. I started with the beginning of the school year and continued on to the present. I had to change blogs, because my old one wasn't working properly, or else it had been so long that I forgot how to access it. Enjoy!

Ian's second birthday

2007-03-08T14:06:00.000-05:00

Josiah's first day of 4 year old pre-school. He has a fabulous teacher, though not as good as Debbie would be I'm sure!

2007-03-08T14:04:00.000-05:00

Rebecca's first day of second grade

2007-03-08T14:03:00.000-05:00

Zach's first day at his new school - Daysring Christian Academy

2007-03-08T14:01:00.000-05:00

Morton family shot when Erik and Sharon came to visit before Jase's arrival (as you can see)

2007-03-08T13:57:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving with the Seiberts

2007-03-08T13:55:00.000-05:00

Kaitlin and Rebecca dressing up

2007-03-08T13:54:00.000-05:00

Christmas in Vermont

2007-03-08T13:53:00.000-05:00

My "sister Sister" - Yes, she's becoming a nun!!

2007-03-08T13:33:00.000-05:00

Our traditional Vermont sleigh ride

2007-03-08T13:31:00.000-05:00

A visit to see the great-grandparents!

2007-03-08T13:27:00.000-05:00

HEADING WEST

2007-03-08T11:48:00.000-05:00

My mother gave me a fabulous gift this past January- a ticket to visit my family on the west coast. The idea was spurred on by the arrival of my nephew Jase in November. She and I both went to Washington and got to see my brother and sister-in-law, Jarek and Jase, many of my cousins and Aunts and Uncles and to top it all off....I got to see Cyndee, Darby and Jackson as well. What a great treat for me! Thanks Darby and Cyndee for driving a couple hours to see me. I had a great time. Erik and Sharon actually gave me their bed. I got to hear a baby crying in the middle of the night and NOT get up myself. I actually felt guilty thinking of Sharon out there with Jase, but I guess I've put in my time! I should thank Jeff first off, for staying with our 4 and allowing me the opprtunity to get away. Here are some photos of the adorable "J" nephews.

About to be FREE!

2007-03-08T11:47:00.000-05:00

The Newest Nephew JASE WAYNE - Does that say adorable or what?

2007-03-08T11:45:00.000-05:00

The Bender/Morton Clan

2007-03-08T11:43:00.000-05:00

JACKSON - Look at that face!

2007-03-08T11:42:00.000-05:00

Yeah! I'm so glad I got to see Darby, Cyndee and Jack!!!

2007-03-08T11:41:00.000-05:00

JACKSON & JAREK - sitting still momentarily!

2007-03-08T11:39:00.000-05:00

Our visit with the DiBlandas

2007-03-08T10:52:00.000-05:00

Over President's Day our family visited with The Diblanda's. We really enjoy our frequest visits with them. Their children and ours are close in age and get along well...okay not always, but we still enjoy our time together. Joshua did great sharing his toys until finally he'd had enough when Ian began to take ownership of MAC. We had fun getting out in the freezing temperatures to 'skate' on the pond. Even after our large and active family left...they still claim to want us back. Imagine that!

The two Zacharys taking a much needed break from Star Wars to skate with us

2007-03-08T10:41:00.000-05:00

Rebecca and Hannah

2007-03-08T10:39:00.000-05:00

Shoe Skating with the birds

2007-03-08T10:35:00.000-05:00

Ian and Joshua

2007-03-08T10:34:00.000-05:00

Josiah hanging out with Tony

2007-03-08T10:31:00.000-05:00

2007-03-08T10:18:00.000-05:00

We have a few rising stars among us! Last weekend we went to see Kirsten and Kaitlin in their school play of "The Sound of Music". Kirsten played the part of MARIA and did a fantastic job! Kaitlin played a spirited and spunky Gretel. We were floored by the jobs they did. Rebecca....having been inspired by her cousins, sang in the talent show at her school with her friend Abby on Tuesday night.

Kirsten as Maria and Kaitlin as Gretel

2007-03-08T10:16:00.000-05:00

After the Show

2007-03-08T10:13:00.000-05:00

Waiting to go on stage in the Strasburg Elementary Talent Show!

2007-03-08T10:11:00.000-05:00

Rebecca and Abby singing This Little Light of Mine.

2007-03-08T10:09:00.000-05:00