Merry Christmas!

Another year has passed, but it seems like longer when you look at how much our girls have grown. Lillian (8) is a beautiful, mature, and amazing little girl. And while Anna Kate (5) and Ellie Lou (5) are still as silly as ever together, the two are very different little people. Chris and I have had such fun learning all over again with these three. We have rediscovered our childhood love of sports and arts. We have stood in amazement at what our girls have done. We thank God that He has given us a chance to see life so differently through the lives of each of our girls. We pray for many more opportunities to experience joy, love, and a zest for life with our girls. We are grateful to our loving friends and family who often share these moments with us.

We hope you enjoy catching up on our family through this blog. Feel free to dig around, make sure you scroll all the way down on each entry...and if you get lost, just click "The Benwell Family News" headline at the top of any page to take you back home. You can click on any month to see all the posts within that time frame.

Many Blessings,
Darcy, Chris, Lillian, Anna Kate & Ellie Lou

Eric & Stacey Mlak, Darcy & Chris Benwell
Laird's Christmas Party, 2007

Winter Ski Break

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

You can click on the photo above to launch a slide show from our trip! We just got back from Breckenridge, Colorado. We were blessed with the company of our friends and neighbors the Francis's: Scott, Diane and Alex (8 yrs). Alex is the cutie with the really long, dark hair. There is also a shot of Scott and Diane happily enjoying the ski lodge and their mocha lattes. I was taking the pictures, so I think I got one shot of Chris and I together --and one all-family shot thanks to Scott and Diane!

We spent a week in the mountains in a big, beautiful house. Scott, who is a fantastic cook, made us dinner many nights. It was relaxing to spend that time with our family and friends. The trip was a great jump start to the Christmas season...so much so that Diane and I picked up a "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree at the local market! We had the girls string popcorn, make snowflakes, and decorate pine cones to put on the tree. With the Christmas tree and big ole fireplace in the house, we really warmed up the place. By the middle of the week, it felt like home.

When we weren't lounging fireside, we set the 4 girls up with a super ski instructor, Pete, for couple of days. The girls were up on the big lifts in just one day then cruising down the slopes with ease. They loved the skiing, but every one's favorite thing was sledding. We spent two evenings sliding and screaming down the side the mountain! My camera really stops the action, so it's hard to tell how fast they're going in the shots, but the snow is flying and so are the kids!! I was a little worried at times.

Breckenridge also has an impressive fitness center open to the public for a daily fee. This was perfect for Lillian because she needed to keep up with her swimming with a big meet coming up back in Houston. Lillian and Chris swam 2,000 yards at 10,000 feet! Chris said he could barely keep up with her! And Diane and I know just what he means....we attempted to run a beautiful jog path along the Blue River...well, I was light headed from all the giggling at our pathetic efforts. We could barely breathe! The same was true for our Yoga class AT 10,000 feet! Something about being upside down at that altitude is uncomfortable to say the least. :)

Winter Championship Swim Meet

Lillian has worked all season to prepare for Winter Champs. She swam great and took time off in all her events. As always, we are so proud of her efforts. She received 6 medals and 2 ribbons. Medals are awarded for 1st-3rd finishes. She finished 1st in 100yard Breaststroke for 10 year olds and under...Lillie is 8. Go Lillian! She also won 1st in the 50y breaststroke for 8 and under girls. She place 2nd in 100 IM, 50 Free, & 50 Fly...3rd in Backstroke.

She really loves swimming and has decided she wants to swim for Stanford (ouch!$$$$) and in the Olympics!

"I can do all things through Him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13

Cheerleading

Lillian is a cheerleader for her school. The squad is called Lil' Saints. She has been practicing for months and just got to cheer at their first Basketball game. All the girls were loud and proud! H-O-T..T-O-G-O...whoop, the Saints are Hot-to-go! Fun.

You might also notice that Lillian has BRACES! Yes, she has 6 brackets on her front teeth in 3rd grade! Yes, apparently, the latest in orthodontics is to have Phase I and Phase II braces.

Lillian's Guitar Concert

Here are a few photos from Lillian's performance in a Christmas Concert this month. She plays classical guitar and performed "Greensleeves". She was lovely. We are very proud of her. She is talented and brave.

.

Running

Our family has had a lot fun with races this year. Chris and I finally did one TOGETHER. Although we have occasionally trained together, we usually trade off on races, so somebody can keep an eye on the kiddos. But we did manage to sneak in a 10 mile race in the Woodlands this fall. It was really sweet of Chris to run my pace especially since he did not have swim and bike BEFORE the run!!

I also got in a 1/2 Marathon with my running buddy, Lisa, this month. We had a fun weekend in San Antonio. The river walk was great. We even had time to get dinner and watch a movie without kids! It's always great to get away with friends even if you have to run for 2 hours to do it! :)

Halloween

We had great weather for our spooks and goblins this night. Mimi and Papa stopped by to see the girls before the trick-or-treating began. Papa was dressed as a scary ghoul. I've attached a montage of photos from the night.

Thanks to the Wilson's, the kids and parents started the night with a block party that included white chili, hot dogs, and cool drinks. There was also a hay ride that shuttled the kids from house to house. Each of our girls chose their costume months ago, of course. Lillian decided on "Elizabeth Swan" from the latest "Pirates" movie (the Asian outfit from the 3rd movie). As usual, Anna Kate chose whatever was purple--in this case, a butterfly fairy. Ellie Lou shocked us by NOT picking something with a tutu and instead chose a bright pink kimono.

I think the girls managed to knock on every door in the neighborhood. Lillian and her good friend, Alex, paired off and ditched the hayride in order to run from door to door faster than everyone else as if there might be some shortage on candy. The Cash's house was the best house for candy again this year. Donna and Mark Cash gave out giant one pound candy bars. Thanks!

Click on the photo below to watch a video montage of the night...

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

September News

The first day of school ! Anna Kate (5yrs) and Ellie Lou (5yrs) begin Kindergarten. Everyone was very excited. The twins are in different classes with different teachers, of course. We are very blessed that all the girls love school. We are looking forward to another wonderful year at our school. Lillian (8yrs) is beginning 3rd grade and is anxious to see all her old friends. This year she will be in Mrs. Tally's class. She begins Latin this year...so, we are expecting some tough homework, but she always manages her time and work well. The twins love chapel day and recess --and also lunch in the cafeteria. They especially like library time and checking out books.

Anna Kate & Ellie Lou Soccer

The twins played on the BEARs team. This was their first season for soccer. Great players. They take after their Aunts, Kim and Tracey. Both were fantastic goalies and really could get the ball out of the box. Neither had any problem running up and down the field. With the exception of cartwheels and plies on the field , the girls looked pretty tough all season. GOOoooAAaaaallll!
Anna Kate with her eye on the ball?


Ellie Lou dribbling!

Camping

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We went camping at Lake Sommerville again this year. We loaded up the dog, the tent, and the marshmallows. Chris taught Lillian how to build a fire and Anna Kate and Ellie Lou spent a lot time trying to dig a hole. Hmmm?? We chose the perfect spot next to the water and settled in by the fire. We have stepped up our tent camping as we have gotten older and invested in a couple of air mattresses. The girls and I slept great, very comfortable, while Chris chose to rough it on a cot.
We really had fun grilling burgers and making s'mores. Josey had the best time fetching the Frisbee with Anna Kate.

Triathlon Season '07

Lillian and Chris participated in a few triathlons this spring. Lillian placed FIRST overall in the Austin Kids Tri. Not only did she beat kids in her age group, but she beat kids in the older age group, as well. She has worked really hard on improving her run and it has paid off. Chris also participated in a triathlon while we were in Austin. The water was cold enough to require a wetsuit...burrrrhhh! (Lillian swam in an outdoor- slightly heated -pool, but still had to shiver in the cold before and after! I think she said something about how wetsuits were for wimps!)


Lillian receiving an Age Group 1st medal AND an Overall 1st Place medal. Congrats!
Chris waiting to get wet at the Austin Tri.

Chris going for the finish at the Moody Gardens, Galveston Tri. And post race photo with his biggest fans.

Anna Kate and Ellie Lou also competed in their first tri ever! It was so fun to watch. We had no idea what to expect, but they really did well. Anna Kate place 3rd and Ellie Lou 4th in their age group in The Texas Hill Country Triathlon. Lillian also won first at this event.

Birthday Parties

Ellie Lou is enjoying her cupcake at her 5th birthday party. Anna Kate and Ellie Lou bounced and tumbled with their friends from preschool. We had the party at the same place but split the room between the girls and their own friends. It worked out great. It will probably be the last year that I can get away with a dual party.

Happy Birthday Lillian!

In April, Lillian turned 8 years old. I can't believe how fast she's growing. All the old cliches apply here. It all goes too quick. We had a sweet party at a bakery where all the girls were taught how to make animals on cupcakes with LOTS of THICK icing.

Spring Things

This was such a fun day. These strawberries were Texas HUGE. Lillian and I went to this strawberry patch with Lisa and her two sweet daughters, Megan and Ashlyn . Diane & Alex joined us, too. It was really nice to do something with just Lillian. Lillian had the day off, but the twins were still in preschool. We missed the twins (a little), but they did not miss any strawberries when we brought home a huge box full! Click on the green arrow for a little strawberry patch slide show.


Easter:


Ahhh...my girls look sweet in their Easter Sunday best with Daddy. Also, what a cute photo of Daddy and the twins...nothing like a hot tub on a cold day! :)


Click on the green arrow to view Anna Kate and Ellie Lou's Preschool Spring Program and Splash Day photos.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Field Day 2nd Graders:

Here are some photos from Lillian's field day. Her relay team won 2nd place. She also won first in the sack race. W007 !









Julia, Katie, Lillian & Presley-2nd grade relay team