Great Christmas

We hope that you had a blessed Christmas like we did. Everything went very well and we had a lot of people who traveled safely. Mom and Dad got here Friday. Grandma Roberts and Stacy came on Saturday and we had 13 or so people here for lunch on Monday. We had a great time and so did the kids.

Santa called them on christmas Eve and they were very excited to talk to him. They had called the 800 # and were mad that they couldn't talk back to him. When they got up Christmas morning, they found a footprint in the fireplace and some crumbs on a plate. There was a letter for Evan. They loved their presents, the favorites were Evan's Mavericks jersey and the twins was a light saber and now they can hit each other.

Abbie and Drew are spending two days with Grandma Rosemary and Grandpa Mark. They went home with them yesterday and we are going to get them tonight and also will get to see their new place.

Evan is going to go with Granma Dolly and Grandpa Gorday from Thursday until Saturday.

Next week I will start with my two new kids and I can't wait. Tomorrow we are having a test run with Maddy, the baby, for 3 hours. Friday, Trenton is coming over to play and meet the kids. He is in Kindergarten and will come home on the bus with Evan.

Have a great week and Happy New Year!!!!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!!
I thought that I would try and get a new posting on here before the caziness really starts! I was out and about a few times and there are soooooo many people everywhere! I only had a few things to get and I was able to get finished and even get a few things wrapped!

We are expecting a lot of people here for the Holidays and are very excited that they can all come and we can be together. Stacy is picking up Grandma Roberts on Saturday. Mom and Dad are coming on Friday. Sunday, Ken's Dad and his wife Dolly are coming. And Monday, Ken's Mom and her husband, Mark are coming. We are going to have a big meal together on Monday before Mom and Dad head out to get Grandma back home.

The kids can't wait for Santa to come. There is a 1-800 # that they have been calling all week and they can listen to a prerecorded message from Santa.

Also big news, mycousins baby, Jaden, has made it through his second heart surgery and may get to go home today. He has been such a tough little guy! We are so happy for all of them and that they will be at home for the Holidays!

Love,
Krista

Somehow I got 2 of Abbie and none of Drew! Here he is, skating all on his own!

Time is Flying!

We have been busy busy, busy! The house has been alittle crasy this last week. The kids had a flu bug and Evan got the worst of it. Then when that was done, they got croup(sp?)

We had a running around kind of week-end but we were able to get so many things done. Ken got the fence in the front all finished and I was able to get up lights on the house. Aunt Stacy was here and watched the kids so we could get our Christmas chopping done and after 9 hours, we are almost done.

Mom and Dad are going to come up here at Christmas and we are excited that they can make the trip. They will be staying with us and then Gordy and Dolly ( Ken's Dad and his wife), will be staying at a hotel on Christmas Eve. Then Ken's Mom, Rosemary, and her husband, Mark will come down Christmas day and stay that night. They are going to brave the twins at their place for a few days and they will all have a great time. They just moved to anew plave in Minneapolis and I am sure the kids will love being with them for a few days. That also gives Evan and Mommy and Owen some time to enjoy! It will be fun to just have two kids. We skipped that!!!

Daycare is good and I have calls and hopefully a few more interviews and then I will start up in January with new kids. A few have fallen through and that is OK. I have a hard wimt with people that make and appointment and can't call to cancel or just don't show up! I want to be able to depend on the families as they can depend on me! I am getting all of the paperwork organized and my monthly plans made up. I am going to make my owen menus so that will cut out the paperwork a lot!

Please say a prayer for my cousin Stephanie and her family. Their little baby Jaden is having heart surgery today and so far all is going well but a few extra prayers never hurt! They have made it through one surgery and a few bumps in the road but are showing that they are a very strong and awesome family!

I am going to get some pictures from the lst couple of weeks!
Take care!

Day Care

Hi,
I am happy to say that I am getting another day care child. A very cute little girl. She will start in January and I will have her 3 days a week. She did very well with our noisy kids and Drew wasmaking faces at her from the start. I am very excited that my business is going and I haven't advertised yet! YEAH!!!
Have a great week.

Hope everybody had a nice Thanksgiving. We went to dinner at Mark's uncle's farm. It was beautiful out and the kids were outside most of the day. They slept well on the way home. Friday we hung out at home and made some crafts. We weren't brave enough to go out and shop!

Then later Owen woke up screaming and we couldn't figure out what was wrong with him so we had a quick trip to the hospital and found he has an upper respiratory infection, viral so no meds. We decided that since three of them were coughing already that we had better not go to IA and share those germs with our family. With all the babies, Mom just finishing chemo and getting radiation, and Grandma, we kept the crew here. They have been laying around and didn't get dressed until 3 on Friday. It is Saturday night and all four of them are coughing and have a runny nose.

Ken has been very busy at work this week-end, 2 babies this AM and then another 8 hours. Some how he managed to get the posts in for the fence out front. It should slow Drew down a little bit!! Hopefully we will get it finished tomorrow.

Monday I have an interview with another family. YEAH!!! They are new in town and I was the 14th person she called. If it works out that would be great.

Hope everybody had a safe trip home and got to eat a big Thanksgiving meal.

Wishing All A Happy Thanksgiving

No Pictures

Hi, It is hard to believe that I don't have any photos to put up yet. We have a had a busy four days. Ken was off on Thursday and Friday, so Thursday Abbie and I had shopping day and ate ice cream. It was a lot of fun. the boys got groceries and we very excited to ride in Dad's truck (our explorer.) Friday we went to the Cities and got some stuff from Rosemary and Mark's garage and met Ken's Dad for lunch and headed home. Saturday Evan had hockey and Drew went to skating lessons. Abbie decided to stay home and didn't want to go and skate. We got some things done around here and Sunday off to church. Ken worked on the holes for the fence in the front and will get the posts and cement in this week and then finish it next week-end.
We are heading to IA Friday and will have Thanksgiving there on Saturday. We are going to a family farm on thanksgiving day and then will come home and enjoy the rest of the day.
All for now.

Summer or Winter???

We went from 80 on Wednesday to 8 inches of snow on Thursday . The kids are having a great time in the snow. Another crazy week-end but thought that I could get these on quick.

Skating Lessons

Hi,
What a beautiful week-end!! We had a busy day on Saturday with Evan starting hockey at 8AM. Then the twins went on at 10:30. They practiced this week just walking on their skates and loved it. The ice was a different story! Abbie cried the entire time amd finally the teacher gave her to me and said "we will try again next week." Andrew did great! He had a girl that was holding his arms and he was all over the ice and smiling and having fun!
Then Evan, Ken, and I went to a hockey game last-night. They lost but it was a lot of fun. Evan is getting very into it and yelling and cheering. It is really fun.
We missed church since Ken was doing surgery but we got out the park this afternoon. It was so fun!
No school tomorrow for Evan so we are going to get out and enjoy this nice weather while it lasts. I am going to get Evan on his bike again and the other two also.
Have a great week!

Teambentson out on Halloween

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

I am a licensed Day Care Provider!!

Hi,
I had my inspection, and as of Monday I am licensed! YEAH!!! I don't have anybody knocking down the door for a spot so I can get the kitchen painted. I am excited to get going.
We went trick or treating last-night at the Mall. The kids had a great time and got lots of candy.
Ken is in Rochester today for a conference and tonight we have a hockey meeting. Ken will be Evan's head coach and I am going to be the team manager. The twins started skating lessons on Saturday and now have their own skates. I will get some photos this week with the digital camera. Last week we had to use the antique camera, with film!
We are planning to stay home this week-end. Ken is on call so we can get somethings done here and ready for winter. It is 26 right now.
Have a great week!

Inspection

Hi,
We had a great 4 day week-end at the lake. It was very windy but Ken was able to get a lot of the leaves cleaned up and hauled away. Mark and Rosemary were getting things put away and it was a good work week-end. I stayed in and got the kids thawed out after they were outside and we had hot chocolate and a big fire. Sunday we stopped in to see our friends Jason and Denise and their two girls. We ended up staying all afternoon adnt hen went out for pizza. It was a great time and they have 2 four wheelers so we took turns giving the kids rides.
I am having my inspection for my day care license tomorrow!!! YEAH!!! Then I should be ready to go. I am cleaning up today and Ken is off Thursday and Friday. He will take the kids out while the inspection is goin on so that will make it a lot easier. I will be glad to get this done.
Evan is going to head to Plymouth and spend the week-end with Grandma Dolly abnd Grandpa Gordy. the other kids and I are planning a sleep over with Denise and the girls. Saturday Ken and I are going out, YEAH!!!
Have a great week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTA!!!

Happy Birthday! I hope you are all having a great time at the cabin. Hopefully the weather is cooperating so the kids can get in a little fishing! I will talk to ya later! Luv, Stacy

I created a Slide Show! Check it out!

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

The Bus

Finally Got a Bus

After a little bit of a scare, we left for our trip to IA. The original plan was that Stacy would take off with the twins on Friday AM and Owen, Evan and I would go after my daycare child was picked up. Stacy and the twins left and after two hours in the car.........Abbie threw up! We thought it was best if they came back rather than chance giving the flu to Mom. They napped and we all left together at 5PM. With several potty breaks we made it there about midnight. Nobody threw up!!! Saturday we went to a pumpkin patch and the kids jumped in a huge blow up pumpkin, rode in wagons behind a lawn tractor, rode ponies, and laughed a lot! We had a great time! The kids picked out pumpkins and we took them to Grandma and Papa's and painted them. They turned out cute and are out on Mom and Dad's front porch. We then went out for Pizza, to Wal*Mart, naps, to the park, supper, and bed.
Saturday we went to see the Bracy's and I got to meet their twin girls. They are so beautiful! They are may be going home this week and are 3 weeks old today. What a great family. We had lunch with Aunt Karen and her two other grandchildren and all of the kids had a great time.
We got home about 10 on Sunday and it was a quiet ride form Rochester after we dropped off Aunt Stacy. The kids slept and went right from the van to bed. We came home to a a very clean house and supper made for Monday! What a great husband I have.
Thanks Stacy for helping me get the pictures on here so that we could see tham and not need a magnifying glass.
Have a great week!!

Hi,
Another beautiful week-end. Ken had a conference in the cities and we went up there Thursday and stayed the night. Evan missed school but they had a great time. We got to swim and Friday we went to see our friend Bonnie. Evan spent Friday with Grandma Dolly and Grandpa Gordy. Saturday we hung out at home and the kids got to play in the leaves. They had a great time. I finished painting in the familyroom and it looks so much different and brighter. Sunday we went to church and had naps.
We are heading to IA for the week-end and are excited to see Mom and Dad. We are also hoping to see Terra and Tony and their girls. They are all doing great and just waiting to get out of the hospital.
That is all for now. Have a great week.

The Bracy's

Hi,
Here is a picture of my cousin Terra, her husband Tony, and their girls, Kinzie & Kylie. They were born on the 26th of Septmeber and are all doing great. They hope to take the girls home by the end of the week. They are just darling!! Congrats to all of them.
We stayed in Mankato on Saturday and ran a lot of errands and Ken haoued a bathtub insert. Got a lot done around the house. Sunday we went to Emma Krumbee's, an orchard 45 minutes north. the kids could run and play and have fun in the sun. It was 85 and lots to do. There was a huge hay stack to jump in, pony & camel rides, tractor rides, picking apples, scarecrow contest, trike rides, and a big slide. the kids had fun and we met Dolly and Gordy there. It was a great day.
We are so thankful for all of the family and friends that we have and are glad that we can spend time with them.
Mom had her last chemo treatment on Thursday and will have 6 weeks to heal and build up some strngth before her radiation starts. She should be done with that be Christmas but now is considered to be in remission. YEAH!! Way to go Mom!
That is all for now. Still no word on the paper form IA to get my daycare license so we just wait.
Have a great week!
Love,
Krista

Hi,
Not a lot going on here this past week. We have been trying to get out and enjoy the nice weather. The twins got new bikes for their birthday with no pedals and these help them work on balance. They have helmets and they love to ride. Evan got a bike also and it has been in the garage. When is brother and sister started riding he wanted his out and learned to ride it very quickly. We don't have any photos yet as it is hard to chase 3 kids on bikes! They should be coming soon though.
Almost licensed for day care. They lost one paper in the office and the other is coming from IA. Then I get the house inspected and we are off. I have an interview with a potential family on Firday. It would be a new baby. I am excited to get going and I think we are all ready. I have all outlets covered and drawers locked, garbage locked, cats got shots, and now we just wait!!!
My cousin Terra and her husband Tony had their twins on Tuesday. All of them are doing well and we are so happy for them! Can't wait to see those cute little girls!!
All for now.
Have a great week.

Team Bentson at the MS Challenge Walk finish line with Aunt Stacy!!

Another week gone

Hello.

I can't believe that another week-end has gotten away. I am trying to remember what we did all week-end and I have no idea what we did on Saturday. We are battling colds, I call it the back to school germs cold. Lots of naps and kleenex. Sunday we had to skip church. Ken was very busy at work and I wasn't brave enough to take all the kids alone again after the last time. He got home jsut in time for us to run to St. Paul and see Stacy finish her 50 mile walk for MS. It was great to see her cross the finish line and we were both crying, imagine! The kids and I made signs for her and gave them flowers. She said that it was a really fun time and that I am going to have to go nest year...............we will see about that.

That's all for now. Hope that you have a great week.

Busy Week-end

Now that school is back in swing we also start the running with all of the activities. Evan loves school and is getting along with all of his classmates. There is one kid in his class that he had trouble with last year and they are sitting next to each other and so far so good.

Saturday Stacy and I went to IA to our cousin Terra's baby shower. she is having twin girls and looks great. Her pregnancy has gone very well and they are expecting the girls in about 3 weeks. Grandma Maggie was there and had a great time too. We went to Gunder for lunch and then to Grandma's for alittle while. She was having a great day and seemed to know all of us and remembered Ken. I got home about 9:30 so it was al ing day for me but we had a great time.

Ken and the kids were home and then went to the park to meet Evan's baseball team for a picnic and then they went the Bethel church that is a block away for a carnival. they had a good time and slept well.

Yesterday was the rally at church to get Sunday school going and they had a good turn out. Evan likes the kids in his class and they are really making us feel welcome and we are getting to know a lot of people now. I have been helping with the bags that the kids can use during church and that is fun. It helps keep them quiet during the service.

Then we went to Rosemary and Mark's for supper and Jeff's Birthday. (It was in August so we were only a little late.) Had a great time and heard about their trip to Scotland. They got some new books for the kids. Then Rosemary and I went through her toys in the basement and I brought a lot of them home for my day care. The kids will have a blast with all of them. I am hoping to use a lot of them to teacht the alphabet and numbers. There are a lot of building things so they can work on their coordination. should be fun!!

I may not get a note on here at the end of the week......Ken is going to Rochester for 3 days and I will be getting Evan to the bus and home. We may go to Rochester Wednesday night and let the kids swim and see Dad.

Have a great week!!

Forgot this photo

Here are some photos from the Fair.

Catching up

Wow..........am I behind. We have been running for almost 2 weeks. Ken and I took our trip to Bristol, TN to see the Nascar race. We had a great time. We stayed with some of our friends from IA in their coach and we were right next to the track. Both of the races were fun and it was fun to go back, since we haven't been there for at least 4 years. Matt Kenseth won the Busch and Cup race, which was great for Rod and Merelene, since he is one of their favorite drivers. Aunt Stacy stayed at our place with the kids and they had a great time too. They were all worn out by the time we got back. It was a 15 hour drive for us and that is a long time in a car, but well worth it.

My sister Kelly and her family are at Mom and Dad's this week. They got there Friday. We aren't going to make it down to see them since we are still trying to get our kids back into their routine of every day things. Ken and I went to an Alan Jackson concert at the MN State Fair. We have gone to the fair every year for many years. It is a tradition. We took the kids yesterday and met Jason and Denise and their kids there and all of us had a great time. We ate too much and spent a lot of money on food and rides. Evan learned that he hates the haunted house but loves to ride rooler coasters with his Dad.

Evan starts school on Thursday and I still can't believe that he is in second grade. He has all of his stuff ready to go. School shopping was fun. Just he and I went and that was much easier. He doesn't like to try on clothes but did a great job and we got it all done in one night and about 4 stores. I am ready for him to go back to school also.

I start my woodworking class this week and that will be fun again. We are going to make cutting boards and I am not sure what else.

I think should get everybody up to speed. I will try and get some photos on here later today.

Have a geat week!!

Almost Done!!

We made a lot of progress but didn't quite get it all done. Ken was at work until 2 and we worked hard after that. There is about 30 feet that we need to finish. Here are a couple of photos.

How did I do that?

I'm not sure what I did to get the construction photos way down to August 16 but there are 5 photos for our fence construction. Enjoy!

Fence Building

Hi,
We worked most of yesterday on getting the frame up for the fence and we were able to get it all up. Grandma Dolly and Grandpa Gordy came and took the kids to the park after their naps so that helped. We had a lot of potty breaks and needing drinks but got a lot done. We also got started late since Ken had to help deliver a baby. After dinner we went to their hotel and swam and had a great time. The kids loved the water and it was nice that it helped with us not getting sore muscles. We are putting on the pickets today!! YEAH!!! More pictures after we are done today.

I think it worked this time........................Let's see!

Sorry

Hi Everybody,
I have been trying for two days to get some photos on here and I can't figure out why they won't go on. It says that they are uploaded and then they are not there. the kids are in bed and I am going to try again. Thanks for being patient.
Have a great week-end.

Vacation photos

Here are some photos. Evan showing us how old he is, Ken with an actor, acting as Forrest Gump, Abbie and Drew building at the Children's Museum, and Owen the Pirate. Have a great week.

Vacation

We are having a great trip so far. We made it to Mom and Dad's Friday, I ended up leaving Mankato at about 1:30 so we were here for a late supper. Saturday we got up and ready for Evan's Birthday party at Jungle Bungle. It has a huge playplace and we were there for 4 1/2 hours, I think that says that they had a great time. It was great to see all of our friends and see everybody having a good time.

Sunday we went to Church in Maquoketa and that was fun. We left from there and headed to Chicago. It started out a little rought with crabby kids but they slept a little and we stopped to let them run. We went right to the hotel and other than a few rude drivers we made it fine. What a crazy place.

We went to Navy Pier and saw so many things. Boats, old ships, crazy people, and did they ever stare at our triple stroller. It was fun. I don't have the stuff I need to load my pictures so I will have to add them later. My cousin, Karen and her family came down for about 7 hours and that was great fun. We went to the Pier and to the Rain Forest Cafe. That was awesome!

Evan and my Dad are having a great time and have traveled allover. They have been in IL, IN, and WI. I will get the marked map from Dad and let you know more later. They are having a great time and who needs a radio when you have Evan. The truckers come home tonight.

We have been at Mom's since yesterday and helped her get some things done around here and let her get lots of loving from the kids.......good medicine.

Ken is learing a lot at his conference but syas it is much better when there are others there, and I would agree. It is strange for us to be aprt over night but he is done today and will get here later.

All for now. I will add pictures when I get home.

Have a great week.

We Have Post Holes

Hot, hot, hot.....In this heat Ken got all of the holes done for the posts for our fence. Little by little we are getting closer to me getting my day care license. Right now we are waiting for the backgrounds checks to come back fromm IA. She said that IA is always slow. I went to a three hour car seat class last week and need to get CPR yet. YEAH!!! I might have it by the time school starts.

Evan spent the week-end with Rosemay and Mark at the lake and he loved being the only child. Grandpa Mark stood chest high in the water and fished while Evan plaed with trucks in the sand and that way they were both cool.

I took the kids to a pool Friday and the rest of the week-end we stayed in the house. Owen is getting molar in and is not very happy. They were in their pool for about 15 minutes last night after supper and then wanted in the cool.

We head to IA Friday and Evan is thinking already about the stuff wants in Papa's truck. He is very excited to go with Papa. It will be a very fun trip and good for Mom and Dad to see the kids, and us too.

Have a great week!!

Beautiful Week End

What a beautiful week-end it was. We headed for the lake after Evan was done with horse camp. Saturday it was 84 and sun with no clouds in sight. We fished with the kids and here are the fish totals: Evan-16, Abbie-6, and Drew-8. They had so much fun fishing, they all carry the worms and Evan even baits his own hook. Our friends, Jason & Denise, came over with their girls and we went to a beach for swimming. They found a toad to make a house for and they loved to watch it swim. We grilled ribs for supper, fished some more, and then they had to head home. We had a lot of fun.

Sunday we fished, went for a boat ride, and went to another beach to swim. The water was so clear that the kids were chasing fish in the water. We made dinner and came home. It was so nice to get away and spend the time with our friends.

Evan spent last week at horse camp and loved it! This week he is at Day camp. He likes to get out and make new friends.

We are still working on the potty training. We made the whole week-end with no wet pants. YEAH!!

Have a great week.

We had a busy week-end and swam a lot. Ken is working on getting the fence in. The yard was marked last week and Ken is getting in the posts for the corners. I will be so happy when it is in.

Things are moving ahead for my day care license and I am very excited to get started. I have people asking all the time when I am starting and how many kids I can have.

Evan is at horse camp this week and I can't wait to hear all about it. Have a great week.

Where Does the Time Go?

Busy, busy week at the Bentson house. Evan has has hockey camp this week and baseball. Tuesday we went for Owens Dr. appointment and shots. Then home for naps. Evan had hockey and then a baseball game. His game was great. He had a hit that was clear past the left fielder and would have been a home run but they can only run 2 bases unless they are the last batter. He made some awesome plays and got the outs! It is so fun to see him have a great time and do so well with baseball. His hockey is coming right along too. He loves it and doesn't let them push him around. He is skating very well, much better than his Mom will ever skate.

With the hot weather the kids have been out in our pool almost every day and trying to cool off. We may go to a big pool this week-end and let them swim there.

We have the permit for the fence and are going to start taking out the old one and the electric company is coming today to mark the power lines underground so we know where not to dig. YEAH!!!! I can't wait to get that fence up.

I had the fire marshal here to do his inspection for my day care license and now I just wait for all of the paperwork to come back and I will have my license. I know that I won't have any trouble getting kids so that is a relief.

Have a great week-end and stay cool.

Hello,
I am soooooooooooooooooo bad. I have been checking other blogs, wondering when the updates were going to be on there and I finally look at my own today and notice that it has been forever since I put even a little note on here.

We had a good 4th. We went to a parade that was 2 1/2 hours long and the kids got more candy than they will ever eat. And what happened to all the floats that they used to have when I was a kid? There weren't any! Lots of very loud fire trucks and all kinds of different cars. Then we watched the fireworks from our backyard. They shoot them from MSU which is a couple of blocks away from here.

This week, Evan had a friend over for 2 days and they had a great time. And we are still hard at potty training. Some really good days and some really bad days but we are closer every day.

Mom has 2 treatments in the book and she is so blessed that she has not been very ill from them. She has been tired and nauseated but no vomitting at this point and that is so good.

That's about it from here. Have a great week-end!! And get those blogs updated so we know what's going on with you!

ADORABLE!!

I took this this AM and it was too cute to not share it with everybody. I am a little prejudice but I think it is adorable.

ROCK STAR, EVAN!!!

Look at this future rock star. He loves his guitar!! He has started lessons and has had about 4. Ken also got a guitar so he can try and keep up with Evan. So far so good. They are both having a good time with it and that is what is important.

We have lots of plans for this week.....2 baseball games, a trip to the library, and a picnic for Ken's work. It should be fun!

The kids can't wait for the fireworks on the 4th. Have a great week and hope to hear from all of you very soon.

Father's Day Week-End

Here are some photos from our week-end at the cabin. It rained on Sat. but we still had a good time and the kids had Daddy out fishing at 7AM on Sunday. They all had a great time catching the same little fish that they are learning to cast with.

Hope everybody is having a good week.