New years Eve 2011

 The kids getting ready to ring in the New Year with their sparkling cider.

The big toast with our friends, the McGurks and Ryan Seacrest on the Tele!

I have never been a fan of New Years Eve.  You are exhausted from the Christmas hustle and bustle and then are expected to have an exciting and lively night of more celebration which never lives up to any expectation you might have had.  For years we have stayed home and usually get together with another family and chill out by playing games and watching the ball drop with poor Dick Clark propped up muddling his way through the night (even thought not anymore  - RIP Dick Clark - you were so much better than Ryan Seacrest).   This year the McGurk's came in from MO and Mike, Matt, and the boys went to a Blue Jackets game and Sara and I took the girls out to dinner and then back home to relax.  We only make it to midnight because it is important for the kids and then we crash.  We are such party animals! If you are looking for a chilled out night of eating, game playing, and tv watching, come visit us.  If you are looking for a wild night, you will have to go elsewhere.

Baylor Bowl Game!!

Getting ready for the Alamo Bowl! Sic' Em Bears!! If my kids go to Baylor, which is highly probable due to Matt's inadvertent brainwashing of them by being the biggest Baylor fan ever, that will make them a 5th generation Baylor Bear.

Brooke designed her own spirit wear.

Cheering for RG3!!

It was an exciting day in the Bendick house as Baylor won its first bowl game since 1992.  Heisman trophy winner RG3 leading them to victory.  Baylor beat Washington 67 - 56.  We had a great time cheering on our Bears although this is one of those times when it is kind of depressing to live in Ohio where no one can rally with us in excitement.  Matt and the boys did get a lot more attention wearing their Baylor gear out and about now that everyone knows who RG3 is.  Andrew had argued his case with classmates all year over why RG3 should get the Heisman so he was just as happy about that as he was the Bowl win.  He loves being right!  And come to find out this was just the beginning in a great year for Baylor sports.  Sic' Em Bears!!

Christmas 2011

 Uncle Steve and Aunt Cindy with the fam.

 Cindy is a former art teacher and when she comes she and Brooke sit and craft together for hours.  Brooke is in craft heaven!!

 The loot this year.  American Girl Doll accessories, Xbox and games, and root beer? (Matt threw that in at the last minute)

 Always my favorite picture.  Torturing the kids by making them wait on the stairs.

 Christmas Dinner - Italian style. It didn't turn out so well.

 Annual tradition of Dad reading Twas the Night Before Christmas.

 At Christmas Eve service at church.

 Christmas Eve dinner - Italian Wedding Soup

 Dad and me going on a Christmas Day walk.

 Dad tieing flies with the boys.

 The flies they made.

 This year my mom and I took Brooke to see The Nutcracker for the first time.  She loved it!

My crafty Brooke created these iced Christmas trees all by herself.

This year I thought it would be a good idea to have a themed Christmas.  Matt's mom used to do that and it was always so much fun.  Each year we would wait in anticipation until she revealed that year's theme and everyone would bring a dish to go with the theme.  My parents had recently spent a month in Italy so I thought it would be a brilliant idea to have an Italian themed Christmas.  For Christmas dinner we had Italian Wedding soup which was delicious.  Then, our Christmas dinner was a disaster.  We made some kind of pork loin with a sauce, vegetable with a delicious marinade, polenta,  and red velvet cupcakes for dessert with white chocolate frosting.  The recipes came from Ina Garten (except the cupcakes) so you would think they would be great, right?? Wrong!  I didn't like the pork, the polenta was inedible, and the cupcakes were awful (how do you mess up cupcakes for crying out loud!!)!  The veggies were delicious and I love my veggies, but I would have liked a little more for Christmas dinner.  The funny thing is is that two days before Christmas we had Matt's boss and coworker and their wives over for a special dinner and everything turned out delicious!  It was one of those meals where it all worked and ended up being perfect.  So as much as I was disappointed in our Christmas meal I am glad the one we served to others was the one that turned out so well!  We always have so much fun with my parents here and then my aunt and uncle come the day ofter.  We didn't have snow this year but the warm weather allowed us to get outside some which was nice.  The kids successfully stayed in their pajamas all day and we had a wonderful day of cooking, opening presents, and movie watching (Elf this year!) while celebrating the birth of our savior which we all know is the greatest gift of all!



Athletes in Action Christmas party

 Loved having a house full of these great girls and athletes.

 Ornament making.

 Brooke loved meeting all of the athletes.  Especially the gymnasts and cheerleaders.

 The handsome young male athletes.

 The beautiful young women athletes.

The men caroling for the ladies. 

We partner with a couple who is involved with Athletes in Action, which is a program connected to CRU (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ).  They minister to student athletes sharing the gospel and leading them in bible study and working to develop Christian leaders on every sports team.  They have been at Ohio State ministering to the athletes there.  When they asked us if we wanted to host a Christmas party for the athletes we immediately said yes.  All we had to do was open up our house and they did the rest.  We had a great time visiting with athletes from Ohio State and Ohio Dominican.  These young men and women are quite impressive.  The male athletes had escorted the female athletes to our house and then Matt had gone with Jamie and the men to a restaurant down the road.  Kinzi and her ladies did a great job of leading the ladies through some fellowship and sharing.  Then, the men came back and snuck up our front stairs to serenade the ladies with Christmas Carols.  The girls were very surprised and loved it!  It was a very fun evening and we loved having our house filled with all of these students.  I think there were about 75 in all!

Thanksgiving 2011

 Our new niece, Allison.

 Lexi getting a kiss from Brooke.

 Luke cuddling with Ainsley.

Grant calls Andrew and Luke, "My Boys."

So I am realizing that for the first time ever we did not get our annual family picture at Thanksgiving. Instead we did formal family pictures which took the place of the casual one.  But since I don't have those I can't upload them.  So here are four measly pics of only a fraction of the cousins. Every year when we go back to St. Louis there is a new baby cousin for us to meet.  This year it was Abby and Brian who welcomed their third girl into the world, Allison Bendick. As always we had a nice time being at home and spending time with family.  Too bad I didn't capture any of it!



Luke on the big ice at Columbus Blue Jackets stadium.

 After his debut gettting to enjoy the game.

 Luke defending his goal.

 His team getting ready!

Luke practicing his goalie position.

Luke's hockey team was chosen to play in between the first and second period at A Columbus Blue Jackets hockey game.  His team played each other and Luke played goalie. They only played for about three minutes but it was such a highlight for Luke. I wasn't sure how he was ever going to make it through the school day he was so excited for the night.  He couldn't wait to tell his teacher and classmates all about it and he declared it one of the best days of his life.  This was Luke's first year in Hockey so for him to be able to skate in the big arena was extra fun and special for him. 

Trip to the American Girl Doll store in Chicogo

 One of my favorite parts of the experience.  The dinner was so much fun and they had lots of special treats for the dolls.

 Brooke at the hair salon with her doll.  Yes, it is a big reacket but soooo fun nonetheless!

 Elizabeth and me!

 Meghan had had enough walking and decided to sit down and meditate in the middle of the sidewalk in Chicago.  Pure comedy!

 Notice the blonde doll and Asian doll in the background.  The girls noticed it right away and couldn't believe it.

 Brooke giving herself a spa treatment during dinner.

Matching hairstyles!

Brooke had been dying to go to the American Girl Doll store for  awhile.  I decided to take her as a gift when she turned 8. Brooke has loved dolls since she came out of the womb.  Dolls have been such a big part of her life and her favorite doll ever has been her American Girl Doll who is named....American.  She calls her 'Merican' or 'Mers' for short.  She got Mers when she was in kindergarten and her love for Mers has never waned.  It makes me sad to think there will come a day when she won't play with dolls anymore.  I just can't stand the thought.  So Elizabeth and I packed the car and drove to Chicago and had a wonderful weekend.  They were at the perfect ages and we did the whole American Girl Doll experience and we had a fabulous time roaming the streets of Chicago. I LOVE that city!!  Hands down the girls' favorite part of bieng in the city was going through the revolving doors.  We couldn't keep them out of them.  They also walked the streets like they owned the city and had been big city girls all their lives.  I hope to get one more trip in with Brooke before she outgrows it and we can't wait to take Kewogo as well. 



Beautiful Fall Day at Hocking Hills Park

 Admiring the view.

 Our family minus Andrew.  He was on a scout camping trip.

 Luke and Brooke - my nature lovers.

 Brooke being a goofball  skipping stones.

I am so happy we have this beautiful treasure just an hour from us.

We had lived here for over a year before we visited the beautiful Hocking Hills park.   It was so lovely and peaceful and we enjoyed a perfect fall day.  There were lots of hiking trails and Macy was in heaven.  You can rent cabins there which we plan to do sometime.  There is also a zipline but we didn't do it this visit.  Andrew actually came here for a boy scout campout later in December and loved it.  We had such beautiful hiking trails all around Akron and loved to spend time exploring them so we were thankful to discover this scenic area.



Brooke's 8th Birthday!!

 One happy girl!

 About to enjoy homemade pizza with her friends.

 She wanted a pink cake of course.

 Playing with the barbie hair salon which was one of the only things she wanted this year.

Adoring her older brother Andrew!

Brooke loves her birthday and starts planning it several months in advance.  This year we kept it simple with 2 friends for homemade pizza, a movie, and sleepover.  I had decided that this would be the year I was going to take Brooke to the American Girl Doll Store in Chicago.  I made an invitation for Brooke and gave it to her the morning of her birthday.  The trip included going with her best friend, Meghan, so she was doubly excited.  She had a great day and I love the kids' birthdays because it is the one day when they are guaranteed to be extra nice to the birthday child.  Such sweet harmony.  Happy 8th Birthday Brooke!