Halloween Fun

Amber the Kitty Cat!

First word: ba ba

Logan's first word is: ba ba. What does that mean? Personally, I think he is making a bold statement about the sad state of partisan politics that is keeping our lawmakers from accomplishing real change. ;)

The Next Opry Star: Amber Rose

Amber was quite the star on the mock stage set up in the Opry Museum.

The Collins take Nashville by Storm

We had a lot of fun in Nashville, visiting Uncle Doug. He showed us the town. We loved seeing all the clubs on the main street in Nashville, where music star wannabes play at all hours of the day. We met Kelly, Doug's main squeeze, and all went to dinner at PF Changs! Yum! Thanks, Poppa!

Also, note my genius photography skills with the picture of Amber and Ben at the Aquarium.

Ben got a kick out of our visit to the Grand Ole Opry House. He plans to go back someday . . . as a HUGE Star!!!!!!!!!!

At the Opry House, binkys on the mind

We went to see the Grand Ole Opry House. It was pretty cool, but Amber could only think of her binky, which lay hidden in my purse.

Amber having fun in Nashville

There was a wedding at the Parthenon, and Amber enjoyed dancing to the music with Uncle Doug.

Cutie Patooties

I couldn't resist posting some new pics of Logan and Amber. I'm just so proud.

Back to my roots . . . I wish

I went blonde again. Not so dramatic, but I like it well enough. Here are cute pics of the kids too.

Testing

ben loves [URL=http://www.politico.com]this website[/URL]

Logan's Blessing

Logan's blessing was great. Here are pictures of him after church. He looked so beautiful in Amber's dress, but we decided to go with the little vest combo. He looked so cute. Oh, and BTW Amber LOVES her binkie shirt. Loves it.

More Diana Pics

Diana comes to Ohio!!

Here are some pictures of Diana's visit! We had a ton of fun. We went to swimming, to Cosi, the children's museum, and we also went to the State Fair. Diana and I caused quite a stir with our matching outfits. Just as planned . . . mwa ha ha.

Becca comes to Ohio!!

We loved having Becca here! It was alot of fun. We went to the Zoo, among other activities, but I only have pictures of the zoo. Becca took a bunch of videos, but they are all really long and . . .well, it might be a little while before I post them.

Logan's on a roll

There were five in the bed and the little one said . . .

Logan Tummy Time

Here is cutie Logan enjoying some tummy time.

When Mom and Dad aren't watching

For some reason, Amber loves to draw on herself. This work of art was done one day after dinner when Ben and I were talking at the dinner table

The Requisite Birthday Song

A cute, albiet out of tune Birthday Song.

The Princess Ball

Amber and her fellow Princesses loved to dance to the music.

The Gals at Amber's Princess Party

Here are the guest princesses at Amber's party! So Cute!

Amber's Princess Party!!!!

Enjoy these adorable pictures of Amber's Princess Party. We had so much fun. The girls who came were Kate, Kathleen, Emalyn, Risa, and of course the famous Maddie. It was a pretty laid back party, with not very many structured activities, mostly just playing. Though, believe me, I did my share of crisis management, mediation, and heavy duty clean up in the two hours that they were here, so perhaps laid back is the wrong term. Well, it was a lot of fun anyway. Enjoy the pictures. Video clips are coming soon.

Apple of My Eye

Lately, Amber has been on my good side. Just last week she has started saying that she wants to be an eye doctor too. Today she lamented that she is just a kid and not an eye doctor. Although I know Amber's comments are just one of those phases kids go through, it's a fun thing to say and I feel cool when she says it. Amber has also wanted to dance with me like Cinderella dances with the Prince. Also very cute.

Amber in Time Out

Here's another little video of Amber. We put her in time out because she woke up Logan from his nap. You can see her true remorse.

Funny Stories

I think this blog might be a good place to share a couple funny stories about the kids. So here's one. The other night, we were eating dinner together. I don't know why but I was thinking about what jobs our kids would have in the future. I looked at Amber and I said "Amber, you know that Daddy is going to be an eye doctor right?" "Ya" she said. So I said "Well, you know that you can be anything you want to be. Anything at all, a doctor, a nurse or anything." She continued to stare at me so I thought she may be understanding what I was talking about. "So what do you want to be?" I said. She thought about it for a minute and then said "I know, I want to be a giraffe." I realized this conversation was way too early for her. At least I started instilling some kind of a value in her anyway. I don't look forward to the day when I have to break the news to her that she can't actually be a giraffe someday.

Summer time in Columbus

Here are some pictures that highlight summertime here in Columbus. We went to the Asian Festival one Saturday. They had a lot of food, and Ben said the chicken smelled just like the kind he ate in Hong Kong, so we of course had to try some. Also, there were several dance performances, and for one of them (a Cambodian dance I believe) they called some voulenteers up on the stage. Amber was desperate, so we went up. And there she is, dancing in full glory.

Also, you'll note the picture of Amber in her new bathing suit. And Logan in my favorite outfit of his.

Logan Smile Columbus

This is a video of our cutie Logan. He is smiling now. And he loves to smile for Mama.

Amber Logan June 2007

Here is the video we first posted on YouTube. Enjoy it one more time.

The Journey Begins!

Our Fam, bringing our extended relatives into the New Millenium. Hello! Can we say wave of the future?

Here at the Ben and Ren Family Page, we will be posting regular updates, photos of our adorable children, and (if Blogspot is what Ben claims) videos for all to enjoy.

So, sit back, relax, and prepare yourself for some wholesome family entertainment.

Hu-rah.