New Orleans, Awesome Weather, Soccer and more!

We flew out to New Orleans early last Monday the 17th and stayed until late on Thursday the 20th. The weather was gorgeous, sunny and warm -- high 80's -- great for shorts and sundresses! Simply lovely! We were flying to New Orleans to give a couple of speeches at the ATS Conference from a patient's perspective. I was to give a short 5 minute speech on my experience with pulmonary rehabilitation, and then I was to give a longer 15 minute speech on how being diagnosed with LAM has changed mine and my family's lives.



I didn't have to give the speeches until Wednesday morning, so once we arrived there Monday we had a couple of days to just hang out, sightsee, and have some fun. I've never been to New Orleans before, and Kenny had once before when he was a teenager.

The streets were VERY narrow, it seemed most everywhere. The shuttle buses and taxis drive through there like maniacs! It seemed like they barely had a quarter of an inch to spare at times. I kept cringing, and I know my mom would have completely freaked out. :-)



Kenny REALLY enjoyed all the New Orlean's food. We ate several places throughout the week:







I am not a spicy food eater, so I was doing all right at the beginning of the trip with the food; however, but by the end of the trip -- I was COMPLETELY SICK of food that was spicy in any-way-shape-or-form!!!! Even my prime rib that we got at The Crazy Lobster was spicy! UGH!!!

We did a little sightseeing, we went to Bourbon Street:



So I can say I've been there, but since it is pretty much just bars and strip clubs (and I don't drink at all), I was pretty much ready to leave after a few minutes and find something else to do. :-)

We rode the street cars around, and we got to see a lot of New Orleans that way (a lot less walking for me!).









And we found this adorable little restaurant off the St. Charles Line and ate up on their beautiful terrace:



We also went to the Riverwalk a few times. We had some meals in restaurants around there, like The Crazy Lobster, did some shopping, and checked out the Mississippi River.







After the speeches were over Wednesday (THANK GOODNESS), we had the rest of Wednesday and Thursday to relax. We slept really late (heaven!), no rushing around, and just relaxed. So different, from our average day at home with kids in school and various activities and, of course, soccer!!! We apparently also brought the warm weather home with us, as it has been simply gorgeous here at home since we've been back. You're welcome!

But the laid-back time had to end unfortunately, we came back late Thursday night. Friday we had to do TONS of laundry (for both us AND the kiddos who stayed at their grandparents), then pack and get ready to leave town again for a soccer tournament in Fort Wayne for Delaney! YIKES!

Since Kyle had an early morning game Saturday, Delaney went ahead Friday night with another teammate and her family. Then Saturday morning for Kyle's game, we were not sure where the projected sunny weather was, as it was misting pretty much the entire game. It wasn't really raining, but it was just drizzling enough that I kept up the umbrella because I didn't want my camera to get wet.

The ground was really soft and muddy -- pretty gross if you ask me! Just by walking slowly to sit and watch the game, we were getting mud splattered up on our clothes. Their game shirts were simply awful, with the mud that was splattered up while they were playing. I didn't have a good picture of one of Kyle's shirts, so here is one of a teammate of his:



Nasty! Then we had to get them clean for the team picture afterwards, nice. NOT!

After Kyle's game, we had a quick breakfast and headed out to Fort Wayne. We had to miss her first game of the tournament, which apparently was a very good one. She scored like 4 really great goals, and we missed it. :-(

We did make her second game though, and we got to see them win again!





Delaney had quite a few runs to goal, but she got overwhelmed by blue with this one and couldn't quite get it in.

Their third game was with a team that they beat twice easily, so coach decided to switch up the offense and defense. It made for a really strange game, seeing Delaney in defense the entire time AS WELL AS a goalie!!!



So we got some different shots than normal, like Delaney throwing in the ball.



Apparently coach had asked for any volunteers to play goalie, since everyone was switched around, one of our goalie's got hurt, and the goalie in there wanted to get out in the field. Delaney piped up and said, "I've played goalie before, but my parents said I'm not allowed to volunteer to play goalie anymore." Then coach said, "Well, how about if I put you in?" And next thing we know... here is Delaney as goalie!!!





Too much stress with Dee being goalie, let's put her back on offense. :-)

Since they won all three of their games, they'll be moving on to the next Challenge tournament. So... we have at least three more tournaments to go!

Dani

Brrrrrrr! Is it Spring or Winter?

Geez! Even with layers of clothes, hats, gloves, scarves and WINTER COATS -- we were still freezing at the soccer games. Why is it we can't have beautiful, warm and sunny weather for a game again?

A couple of weekends ago, Kyle got to hang out at Grandma & Grandpa's house to go to his soccer game and a birthday party. He had a blast! Delaney, Ken and I headed up to Elkhart to hang out with some friends for the weekend while Delaney had a game Saturday in Elkhart and Sunday in South Bend.

Delaney had a blast with our friends' two cats: Simon and Simba. Simon, shown below, decided he liked Delaney because she was always willing to pet him. We even laughed when Delaney was trying to study, and he sat down right on top of her book because she wasn't paying HIM enough attention. :-)

Saturday, May 1st, Delaney had a game in Elkhart. We were afraid it was going to rain -- but we somehow lucked out and avoided rain all weekend. I think they won this game.



Their second game on Sunday, May 2nd, was a tough one. They did score one goal, but I think they lost 1-2.



Then we get through another busy school week, only to go out of town AGAIN to Fort Wayne for a tournament over Mother's Day weekend. Now this is where the winter-like weather reared its ugly head -- and we had to endure five soccer games in this frigid weather!!! UGH!

We started off Saturday morning with Kyle's 9:00am game on Saturday, May 8th. This was definitely the coldest game of the weekend. The wind was strong and biting cold, and everyone's eyes and nose were watering, and it was simply pretty miserable. The kids still had fun though!

Kyle even got to play a quarter as goalie. He really likes playing this position (unlike his sister!).



Then we dashed back to the house, where we were already packed, and took off for Fort Wayne. We had JUST enough time to drive straight there, run through a drive-through for a quick lunch, and make it for Delaney's first game. (What a long, boring drive it is on 30 from here to Fort Wayne.)

This first game of the tournament was a definite win. They shut out the other team and won something like at least 6-0 or more.

Their second game was a really tough one, against a team that was a year older. It was sort of raining on/off throughout the game, and we got a really pretty rainbow to enjoy:

It was a rough-and-tumble, very physical and high-paced game. They worked really hard and kept the other team to only one goal for a while, but then they were able to score right towards the end of the game for a 0-2 loss.

Then on Mother's Day, we had two more games! This was yet again another physical game, and Three Lions rallied to fight the fight. This game ended up in a hard-fought tie, I think 2-2.

Then the tournament provided flowers for all the teams to give to their mothers. Their coach Graeme walked over with the pretty pink carnations.

And the girls ran over with the flowers before the game. So sweet!



With the 1 win, 1 tie, and 1 loss -- they ended up in the consolation game of the tournament playing the team that they beat the first time around. Coach switched the offense and defense around and everyone got experience playing in different positions. They still shut them out, and the final score was something like 8-0.



I'm looking forward to some games here at home with hopefully MUCH WARMER WEATHER!

Dani

And our hectic schedule continues...

We had another busy weekend here at the Benich household with birthday parties, homework, soccer games and anniversary celebrations! Whew!

We started out with not one, but two soccer games for Kyle Saturday morning. It was pretty much calling for rain all day, but we lucked out and somehow made it through both of Kyle's games without any rain. That was definitely nice.



It's such a different game watching the younger kids play, but they were playing very well. Kyle made several runs on goal.



And was having a blast on defense, kicking those balls back the other way!



If you look closely at this pic, he has SUCH a look of determination on his face. :-)



Coming in for another run...



Kyle had a great two games today!



Then, Kyle had a birthday party to attend later in the afternoon, while Delaney worked on her homework (two posters to finish up), and I got to work on some craft stuff (while giving advice on Dee's posters).

Then Sunday afternoon, Delaney had a soccer game. Unfortunately, we did NOT avoid the rain for this game. (* sigh *) It was cold, a bit windy, and QUITE wet. UGH!!!



I guess at this age, the game just simply starts to get a bit more physical. Everyone works really hard to get that ball!



If you look closely at this pic, you can see the rain in the background!



She pretty much looks drenched in this picture.





Look at the row of unbrellas in the background! That's pretty much what we all looked like too, watching their game. We are definitely ready for some warm, basking in the sun soccer games!!!



Then after Delaney's game, we all ran home, changed into dry clothes and met my family to celebrate my parents 40th Wedding Anniversary! Their anniversary was Sunday, April 25th. We had a nice dinner out at Tequila Si's then came back here for some cake. Mmmmm! Here's their wedding pic (Mom will probably kill me):



Then 10 months after this picture, I arrived into this world. (Which, if you read between the lines, lets you know what I can look forward to next year!)

Dani

Another busy weekend in the Benich Family...

Let's see, we had soccer games, a gathering, Little 500 at Saint Joe, never-ending homework, and my Mom's birthday to celebrate -- while Kenny had not one, BUT TWO poker games on Friday and Saturday. (He said I cursed him on Saturday's game since his cards weren't lucky, which I said served him right for playing two nights in a row. Hmmmph!)

Kyle and Delaney had overlapping soccer games this past Saturday morning. So Kenny and Kyle went to his game, and Delaney and I headed out to her game. Brrrrrrrr! Why can't we ever have that unseasonably warm weather for some of these early Spring soccer games? It was COLD! I had on my winter coat and gloves with a blanket -- and it was STILL chilly.

Delaney's team was playing very well Saturday! Everyone was hustling from the get-go, and the other team was fighting for the win until the very end -- but Three Lions came out on top with a final score of 3-2. Here are some pics from the game:

Dee getting a goal:



Dee making another run at goal:



It was a bit of a physical game, but Delaney didn't let them push her around:

Delaney hustling for the ball:

Delaney said she felt like all she was doing was running:

Kyle's game ended early enough, that Kenny and he were able to make most of Delaney's game. Then after Delaney's game, Kenny and the kiddos headed out to Saint Joseph's College to hang out at Little 500 for a while. (I chose to hang out at home SANS CHILDREN and get some crafty projects accomplished -- and, of course, some never-ending housework.) While I had a wonderful hard-to-come-by-day all to myself doing whatever I wanted, Kenny and the kids had a great day at Little 500. While it was still a bit chilly out, the sun was out and the day was beautiful!

Delaney and Kyle had fun enjoying all the kid activities. They went down slides (yep, that's Kyle, not sure how he ended up in that position):

Our brother-in-law Ed's cousin, James, raced at Little 500. They even met up with their cousins Teresa and Michael there! All of them caught the race:



And Delaney even went rock climbing for the first time ever:



Check out this video -- she really went up high:



Then Sunday, we celebrated my Mom's birthday. Danah made an awesome cake for her:

And we had a great time, eating too much yummy food and playing some cards: Bid Euchre (Kenny said that the guys let the gals win for my Mom's birthday -- I say, "Whatever! We won fair and square!") and Texas Hold'em. And just like that, the weekend is over before you know it! LOL

Danielle

Dierks Bentley is the best!

Kenny surprised me with concert tickets to see Dierks Bentley in West Lafayette this past Saturday.



He puts on a GREAT show, and we had a wonderful time. It sure made for a long day, with a travel soccer game in Plymouth for Delaney (a ton of driving for poor Kenny); but it was worth it!

Notice we were "properly" attired, both wearing Dierks shirts!!! The kids had fun hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa, and apparently even got to go on a late night call to see a brand new filly with their Aunt Danah. What fun!

Dani

Delaney has braces!!!

This is NOT an April's Fool's joke (although Kenny wishes it was due to the cost), Delaney actually got braces today. She is supposed to have them for two years, and she is doing very well right now. They said that she may be more sore tomorrow, so we'll see.



Here's her start on a long road to a better smile! :-)

Dani

Kyle is seven years old!

Somehow our younger child just turned SEVEN! How in the world that happened, I have no idea. His actual birthday was Friday the 26th, so we let him open a gift that morning from Delaney. He got a new card game and a new Webkinz (a goat he named Billy Bob). We also made him a quick cake to celebrate that evening just us.



But, of course, we had to have a birthday party too! On Sunday, the entire family came over to celebrate Kyle's birthday. He found his birthday crown from school and wanted to wear it the entire party. :-)

His cousins were right there watching Kyle and helping him open his gifts.

Kyle received a ton of awesome soccer clothes:

And several DS games for his DSi (he was super excited about those):

And really, a lot of wonderful gifts from his family -- what a lucky little boy!

And for his birthday cake, his Aunt Danah made him an AWESOME birthday cake -- complete with his requested Captain Rex and everything. (I wonder if we can convince Aunt Danah to make cakes all the time.... )

He quickly blew out all his candles as everyone was more than ready for some cake and ice cream! Mmmmmmmm!

Happy Birthday, Kyle! We love you!!!

Ken, Dani & Dee