Sorry I have been SO pathetic at keeping this blog updated . . . we are headed back to the States in a little over 3 weeks and I am feeling quite overwhelmed (emotionally and otherwise) so much to do and so little time (as it always feels before a big trip) . . . we will really miss Malaysia while we are away . . . we have really grown to love it here, it has become a home to us in so many ways! We are really looking forward to seeing all of you that we love so dearly in the US though . . . it will be AMAZING to hug all of you once again!! Please be lifting us up as we pack and get everything in order before we jump on that plane, and be thinking of us as we say our goodbyes (see you laters) and make the trek over the ocean with our 3 little tykes for our time in the States (from our KL, Malaysia doorstep to Andy's parent's doorstep in Ormond Beach, FL it will be a travel time of about 34 hours) We fly from KL to Beijing to Washington DC to Orlando. Here are some recent photos of our Benezette crew . . . the first few are of us celebrating Hari Raya here, the kids are growing way too fast . . and the last two are photos of the cutest 9 month old I know . . . thanks for checking out the blog and we are SO excited to see many of you VERY soon!!

Mmmmmmmmmmmm . . . .

VACATION IN THE PHILIPPINES!

Here are a bunch of photos from our amazing vacation the the Philippines with my sister and her husband and their 3 amazing kids!! What a blessing to be able to spend such sweet time with family! The beauty in the Philippines is awe inspiring, we love it there! (Just double-click on the picture to see it bigger.)

Andy doing the zip line in front of the volcano, Mt. Mayon.
My turn at the zip line, it was really cool . . those are trees below me . . . it was pretty high up!
5 out of the 6 cousins . . . we couldn't get Zoe to hang there . . . she was being very disobedient . . hehehehe ;) ! (left to right, Kayla 10, Ben 6, Eli 4, Gabby 6, and Zach 8) It was sooo special to be together!
Eli and Kayla at the wakeboard park . . . the kids had SO much fun there and really surprised both Andy and I with their bravery and willingness to try it out!
Gabby kneeboarding all on her own, she was a pro!
Gabs and Kayla on the kneeboard.
Andy and I in front of Mt. Mayon . . . it was a beautiful day!
Daddy's littlest girl :)
The kids climbing on the ruins there by the volcano . . . so much fun!
I love getting a good family photo . . it doesn't happen very often!
ALL the cousins this time . . . Zoe too! :)
Another picture of the gang!
The boys!! SO TOUGH!
My (Bethany's) Dad showed up and surprised me!! It was so great to be able to spend some time with him, and he had fun being with all his grandkiddos!
Tubby time!!! We don't have a bathtub at our house here in Malaysia, so when we are on vacation and there is one, they REALLY enjoy it!!
Andy at the wake board park . . . he had such a blast . . . he ripped his hands up and got really sore muscles . . . but he said it was very worth it!
The kids hanging in the backseat of the car on the way to the wake board park . . . bunch of goofballs!
Hope you enjoyed these photos . . . we are looking forward to seeing a lot of you this upcoming year when we are stateside!!

Eli is 4!! I can't believe our little man is growing up so fast! Here is a picture of him the evening of his birthday eating at Chillis . . . with a brownie sundae for dessert . . . Mmmmm.

We are headed to the Philippines tomorrow for 10 days and will most likely be out of touch for a while, if you need us, send us an e-mail, we will try to check it periodically. We are sooo excited to spend some extended time with my sister and her family! LOVE you all!!

Some recent pictures of the kids, sorry it has been a couple months since the last time I posted, we have been really busy with visitors for the last month and a half. It has been really fun, but really busy! Zoe is now 6 and 1/2 months old and Eli will be 4 tomorrow!! Love to all of you!

The kids on the 4th of July!
Yeah for big smiles and learning to sit all by herself!
Big man has a new haircut . . . handsome anyway you cut the boys hair!!
Hope you are all having a rocking summer!!

Zoe loves to rock back and forth on her hands and knees now =) No crawling yet, probably soon though!!

Hey hey hey . . . Can't believe that 2010 is nearly halfway over!! Time is flying by at an insane pace!! Here are are a few pics of this last month!

Gabby is finished with Kindergarten!! WOW!
Zoe giving Gabby and Eli a cute look while they were eating ice cream . . . looks like she was feeling a bit left out :(

Celebrating Gabby's (and Mommy's) accomplishment of finishing Kindergarten by going out for ice cream =)

Zoe's first meal of solid food . . . avocado . . . yummy!!

Baby Zoe Grace is already 5 months old!! Thanks for checking out the blog . . . looking forward to seeing a bunch of you while we are stateside from October 2010 to October 2011!!!!

Hangin' at the Zoo!

Zoe's first trip to the Zoo . . . at 4 and 1/2 months old. Double click the pictures to see them bigger and clearer.

Gabby feeding Zoe, she is an amazing big sister!!
CUTIE!!

Zoe in action . . . chewing her hands like there is no tomorrow = )

Batman and Bumblebee = )

Bright eyes!!
Daddy and Eli watching Gabby's fashion show yesterday.

Gabby with her b-day gift from Uncle Nathan and Aunt Tsitsi = ) . . thanks guys!!

ZOE GRACE! 3 months and 3 weeks old = ) Thanks for checking out the blog, we love and miss you all!! Those of you who are stateside, we look forward to seeing you guys near the end of the year this year!!

Some recent photos . . . kids growing like weeds!!