Summer Vacation Round One

After MANY years at Roy Lodge in Nisswa, MN, the Pocrnich clan (my mom's family) made their debut at Tip-Top Resort of Pequet Lakes, MN, this year. And, it seems the concensus was that Tip-Top was pretty "tip-top". The beach... (which I am just realizing now I really didn't take any pictures of), was UNbelievable... bigger and sandier than you could imagine for this little resort. The weather was one of the best weeks I can remember EVER, and like I said, we have been vacationing this week in June for MANY years. It was about 85 to 90 degrees and sunny, EVERY day we were there! It was beach time every day, instead of half the time like in years past. We stayed in a cabin with my parents, as well as my brother, Mike and his girlfriend, Jenn, for the half of the week they were able to join us. The rest of the Pocrnich clan had cabins throughout the resort.

Gazebo, overlooking the beach.

"Nana" and "Papa" with the kids next to the cabin (best we could do for a picture) :)

It was fun to watch Joel get braver and braver in the water, throughout the week. He really enjoyed the beach.


Grant, on the other hand, was not quite the beach bum that Joel was... he usually liked it for a few minutes, but would usually end up upset about the cold water/sandy hands/sand in his eyes/etc. Inevitebly, he would end up wanting to sit his wet/sandy/greasy sunblocked bum right on mom's lap.

Mitchell, taking a swim

Bathtime! The cabin didn't have a bathtub, but we have found on past cabin vacations that rubbermaid containers work just as well :)

I put together a slide show with the rest of the pictures I liked (WAY too many fun pictures)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Before and AFTER!

During the past month, the back of our house has turned from this...



To this.... !!



I am loving our new porch and I think it turned out exactly how we have been picturing it in our heads for the 5 years. Perfect!

Off to a Good Start!

I am extremely unqualified to tell you about Mitchell's baseball season so far, since my knowledge of the game is a bit lacking (Jeff has had to explain to me twice already that the top of the inning comes first and then the bottom) ya, I know, I know, that's pathetic), but... I can tell you that he is doing GREAT! As evidenced by the TWO game balls he has received already this season (it's kinda like the MVP for the game and they are pictured below). The first one was received for some good hitting (a triple I believe) and some good playing overall, and the second game ball was received for hitting a GRAND SLAM. Very Nice!

Hang Out

Joel and Grant have been hanging out under the stools lately... I have no idea... I guess they think it's fun. I just think it's funny :)

The Graduate

Well, Mitchell is officially a junior high student now (whoa). Tomorrow, (Thursday) is his last day of elementary school (WOW!). I remember clearly the day that Jeff told me about how he cried when Mitchell got on the bus for kindergarten... and then how the bus dropped Mitchell off at home, instead of daycare after school (there was no one home). Luckily, the neighbor at the time was home to help Mitchell find his way to where he was supposed to be.

Yep, I'm a cool 5th grade graduate... (gotta love the upside down diploma)

I think Mitchell and his friend Brady go to the same hair stylist. Wow... and I thought Mitchell's hair had volume!

Outside, outside, outside

For some reason, it seems that Grant and I have plenty of alone time outside this week... hmm, could that be do to SOMEone deciding to skip his afternoon nap a few times this week?!!?! Seems that SOMEone is ready to take the leap to one nap, instead of two. But, I would prefer if this SOMEone would not take this one nap just in time to wake up about 15 minutes before Joel's nap begins.... but, unfortunately, SOMEone and SOMEone else are in charge... not me.

Grant is quite serious about this baseball thing, for a one year old... no messing around, just get the ball on the tee...

... and hit it! (he needs both hands to lift the bat!)

fun at our new water table (pointing to the neighbors dog)

Jeff probably thinks he looks like a girl in this hat, but I think it's nothing but adorable!

Daycare Program

Joel and Grant's daycare had an annual program Friday night and I am still smiling in amazement! If you would have asked me, I would have thought Joel would have participated in about 2 minutes of this program if that, but, oh no, he participated in the entire 30 - 40 minutes (it was WAY longer than I thought it would be, and we kept running out of memory on the camera and the video camera. Here is one my favorite clips from the "Chicken Dance". Joel and his buddy Brady were spinning each other around for so long that Joel falls down because he is dizzy when they are done.... but he gets right up! The show must go on!

Here is the second clip (it was little too big to post on the blog), but you can click here to watch it. You'll need to enter username: katiejeffbenson@charter.net and password: nosneb1776

5th Grade Wax Museum Project - Mitchell "Crazy Horse" Benson

Special thanks to Grandma Benson for all her help with Mitchell's Crazy Horse costume, props, etc, for his project. She actually made the entire costume and it was very impressive.

During the program, the kids actually had to stand/sit completely still, only changing their positions every few minutes when a bell would ring. It was a great project and a fun way for them to learn.

Double Birthday Bash for Mitchell (11) and Grant (1)

11 Big Ones!

Guitar Cake didn't take me ANY time at all to make...


Mitchell, smashing a fake guitar that a birthday gift was hidden in (from Uncle Jon and Aunt Terri)

Joel, liking Grant's new toys a little TOO much :)


The 3 little cousins playing with Grant's new toy cars

Grant, "opening" presents


Great Mama Rose (and George's foot) playing with Grant

Grant loved the balloons!

More balloons


Kind of a bummer, but Grant was could have cared less about the birthday cake I made JUST for him. We waiting too long, and he was so tired, ALL he wanted was his bottle and to go to sleep.

Great Mama Rose and Papa George were special guests at the party.


And more balloons...

The "Greats" in Hibbing

This week brought us (just the little guys and I) to Hibbing for my great uncle Don's funeral. The funeral service was on Monday and it was a nice day with LOTS of people celebrating his life. And of course, anytime in Hibbing means some quality time with the "great nanas" and "great papas" , as we were teaching Joel to call them. The boys had fun playing with all the nanas and papas in Hibbing and Joel was even giving out quite a few more hugs than usual.



Great Aunt Delores (it was her husband who passed away), and she came from Arizona to bury him in Hibbing. It was nice to see her, as it had been a LONG time and she had never met the boys before.


Great Papa Mike and Great Nana Mary Anne


Great Nana Rose and Papa George

ONEderful Benson Boys

Happy Birthday Grant!

Looking at these 3 photos of the boys, at one year old, I have no idea... do they all look completely different, all look the same... do Joel and Mitchell look totally different and Grant is a combo of the two?... I have no idea.

Baby Benson 5.14.08


Little Benson 1.5.07


Big Benson 6.3.98