Dogs are amazing. The story behind this is that the Police officer's GPS system in his car did not have the location of the rural home. He was driving and seaching for the fire - aimlessly and then saw Buddy who led him to the home. The owner only received minor burns. The troopers are giving Buddy special recognition for saving his owners life.
Who can resist a stop off at Gorilla Fireworks on New Years Eve - even when it is -7 outside your nice car with heated seats? We could not.
We headed to Willow Lake where our friends the Knights have a cabin or you could call it a condo in the woods. Cabins around the lake were setting off fireworks under a full moon that was almost like a spotlight. Amazing!
Sparklers are always a hit.
And what do Alaskans do with their beach chairs at -9 degrees in the middle of winter - use them!!
Christmas day and the kids had to burn off energy (sugar induced maybe) so we hit the sledding hill in downtown Eagle River. The following pictures are a montage of Sydney's ordeal as it was her first sledding outing.
So it all started with getting all our warm gear on, packing in the sleds and taking off - all smiles and full of excitement.
Then we get to the hill and Sydney's attitude is a 180 degree turn for the worse. She is not liking the outing much anymore.
So, with full refusal to go down the small hill she walks away dejected and sniffles just loud enough for me to hear a few feet away.
Then brother starts to have fun.
Then Dani starts to have fun and you hear them laughing and you look back at Sydney and she is looking over her shoulder at what is going on.
Even Aunt Andi gets in on the fun.
So then we start thinking of making snow angels - close to the sledding hill where all the fun is.
and when all is said and done, she cries because we are now leaving.
Then it was time to go home and do this.
Mom: Hey, I need you to make a Christmas wish list.
Seth: I would like 3 things: a DSi, santa buddies dvd and moon shoes.
Mom: (ugh, he still wants the moon shoes)
Seth: I have asked for moon shoes from Santa since I was 6 and then 7 and again this year. I dont understand why I have not gotten them.
Mom: Well, maybe they dont make them anymore?
Seth: (in utter shock and dismay) Moooommmmm, Santa can make anything in his workshop.
Mom: Oh, thats right, what was I thinking those elves CAN make anything.
I got accepted into the Anchorage Police Department Citizens Academy - no, its not the academy where you can become a police officer, but is a place where citizens can get an up close look into what goes on in the departments and what the officers have to deal with. One night a week for 3 hours we listened to presentations on counterfeiting, gangs, domestic violence, patrol, accident investigations, K-9, crime scene investigations, homicides, cybercrime, drugs, personal safety, and maybe the most fun - we got to shoot some guns that SWAT get to use. Let me just tell you I now would like to have a fully automatic rifle and a taser.
So now what - well, I joined the Alumni group and plan on helping where I can. They use this group at large events like the Governors BBQ, AFN, and random places that need extra eyes. I will be volunteering for the disaster drill held at the airport each year and get to go on two ride alongs and if they ever get a new officer academy going I will just have to volunteer to get drunk and have them practice their DUI protocols.
I did not get a t-shirt after all of this, but did get an incredible opportunity to see the human side of our police force. Oh, but I did get this cool mug from my detective friend - thanks Sherlock! 
The fluffy snow has been falling non-stop for almost 3 days. Its time to think about sleds, handwarmers, hot chocolate, and rosey cheeks. 
We have watched these 3 trees grow through the seasons and had the intentions on stringing lights on them, but I am not sure I want to knock off the snow. 
On the agenda this weekend - COOKIES!!!!!
Hi Folks
Okay, I have not forgotten that I have this blog. I just sorta went on a sabbatical from it for awhile. As the holidays approach I will get back into this and makes some posts. We have been a bit busy and I will admit a bit lazy. Had a wonderful visit up north for Thanksgiving, spending time with family and of course eating some good food. Now we are pulling out the holiday decor, attending christmas parties, anticipating a fun alumni volleyball tournament (can already feel the pain), and discussing Christmas dinner - Glen and my sister are already in the talks and I think its gonna be something grand.
Well, these seems to just keep coming
Seth: Mom, can I have a phone?
Mom: you dont need a phone, do you know how to dial a phone?
Seth: no
Mom: Do you know any of your friends phone numbers?
Seth: no
Mom: who would you call?
Seth: girls, girlfriends
Mom: oh, and what would you say?
Seth: I would say - and by the way he is using texting fingers - Hi, this is your boyfriend Seth.
Mom: nice, what if it was your wife?
Seth: well, I would say hi wife this is your husband and I am in jail.
Mom: What did you do to go to jail?
Seth: I did drugs.
Mom: yes, you would be in jail for that. Don't do it. Now eat your dinner.
Mom: Seth wanna go to the movies?
Seth: Yes, awesome.
Mom: okay, its a date.
Seth: Mom, you are too old for me, I mean I am too young for you for a date.
Mom: (now thinking I am raiding his piggy bank to bank roll this outing)
Few minutes later:
Mom: we are going to stop by the store and get treats, kay
Seth: I am getting gum.
Mom: okay, and then we are going to sneak our treats into the movie, kay
Seth: no real response, but he goes with it.
At the ticket counter:
Mom: 2 tickets to G-Force
Seth: we only need tickets and no food because we brought our own.
Mom: uh,uh,uh. nudge seth with elbow while noticing the manager 3 ft away.
Theatre manager: I did not hear that, I did not hear that.
Seth: (repeats alittle louder and alittle slower at the manager) I said we only need tickets because we have our own food.
Mom: ugh.
Seth loves ice cream and he is starting to help himself in the kitchen. Last night, before brushing his teeth and bed, he reminded me that I said he could have ice cream. Granted I had told him that about 5 hours prior - the boy has a memory!!!! especially when it comes to ice cream. He will even say, "mom, remember you said I could have ice cream yesterday and I never got any?" oops.
So he helped himself with a bowl last night and the talk went like this:
Seth: where is that big scooper?
Mom: in the green crock by the coffee maker.
Seth: yes, thats the big one.
Mom: you want me to do it?
Seth: no, I can do it. {gets scooper} boy, this ice cream is tough, but I am tougher.
Mom: Let it stand and melt some, it will be easier to scoop.
Seth: Mom, I am stronger then the ice cream.
Mom: fine, don't eat the whole carton.
few minutes later:
Seth: mom, I finished with the scooper and put it back.
Mom: back where? (no, he could not have)
Seth: back where I got it.
Mom: (walking to the crock, yes he did) Did you wash it before putting it back?
Seth: Oh, darn it, no.
Mom: Good grief child!!
1
This is how Sydney likes to watch her morning shows. She is curled up in Seths blanket only because Seth has left for school. Here she was watching Bambi (her new favorite movie)and I think the scene where the mom was telling Bambi to run. Sydney likes to yell at the screen Rum, Rum (of course that could be Glens influence as well, I dont drink the stuff).
Here are just some fun things that Sydney is up to:
* we are bribing with beads (M & Ms) to try potty training - its a slow process.
* we like to wake mom and dad up at 7:30am on weekends.
* we do a shakey, shakey dance when we mix our chocolate milk in the am (ovaltine)
* we dont go anywhere without baby (yes, the one she is holding in the picture).
* we yell at the top of our voice "Dah" when mom walks in the door - we are working on parental identity
* when we are done eating everything is "Yuck"
* When we get the chance we love to pound the computer keyboard and open mysterious pages and somehow change the color of the keyboard lights. Today we are back to red.
* when asked what color is this? the answer is always PINK - I am in trouble.
* we like to only let the daycare lady do braids and ponytails - that I am ok with.
* we do not understand the meaning of stop - especially when pestering brother.
* we still love to take naps - thats how I know she is mine.
* we can put our crocs on "all myself, I do it"
* we are afraid of cars in the parking lot "scary me, yikes" 
We packed up the camper and headed south last weekend. To increase the excitement of getting out of town we also brought along Emma, Dani, Beth, and Andrea.
We got into Russian River campsite around 8:30 and the kids were already exploring the grounds on their bikes. Meanwhile, the chilled beers were brought out, grilled cheese sandwhiches were made and the fire got rolling.
Beth was the firemaster as she was able to start the fire by using the coals left by the previous campers. She is now reffered to as Beth Fireball Bennett.
Andrea working the grill
After a lazy morning that ran into the afternoon (1 early morning Aasland riser has no chance against 3 late riser Bennett girls)- we headed to the river - no one was there because no fish were there. 5am is better fishing, but I offered to stay back in the camper if Glen wanted to go and that just never happened (he is learning the ways). The fishing gang did go out at 10pm (another decent time to fish) but when they saw the grizzly fishing in the river - and he actually did get a fish - they decided to come back to the campsite.
In our short summer season we try to jam in yardwork, camping, sports, relaxing, bbqs, birthdays, and of course outside home improvement. This summer is continued work on the deck with the start of the outdoor kitchen and deck railing. We also upgraded our windows in the back and while we are doing that we might as well take down the siding and replace it (hopefully before it snows). Glen started the demo and had a little cheerleader yelling "Go Daddy Go"
Mom: see that car over there - that is an unmarked police car and the guy driving it is a detective.
Seth: what is a detective?
Mom: a police officer who does not have to wear a police uniform.
Seth: What does he do?
Mom: He investigates and solves crimes.
Seth: ohhhhh, like Scooby-do, they solve mysteries
Mom: Exactly.
So the day started out with a nice hike into the Catalina Mountains moved on to a nice breakfast of apple sausage and fresh squeezed orange juice, spent some time relaxing at the pool and then I decided to climb up a 35 ft pole and step off of it. Just your typical day. I am not much of a risk taker, but it seemed like a doable challenge and sometimes I think an opportunity to see what you have in you is a bit cathartic. 
