Before...
Before...
Goodbye, tangles!!!! 
The challenge: Let the girls decorate your feet with magic markers!!!
Above, Bennett is just getting started.
Oh, a lovely blue snowman, drawn by Ainsley.
The completed masterpieces!
This is obviously the foot Bennett did. It says something about Octavius and I think I see a Roman guard-stick man of some kind.
This year we decided to give Dad a silly prize for his efforts. It's a t-shirt from Shirt Woot entitled "Smores Code." You know, kind of like Morse Code only made with smores ingredients! Thanks to a wonderful dad for being up to the challenge again this year. He was a very good sport and he has helped make great memories for our family! 
Here he is, ready to head out the door and into complete discomfort and embarrassment! The girls were quite pleased.
Unfortunately, when we arrived at our destination it was completely packed with people for a Christmas concert. We decided it was not worth the trouble to stay so we left. We ended up getting treats via drive-through at another restaurant. Therefore, this challenge didn't provide quite the entertainment it could have. Dad did actually go into the place he was required to though and he did have his clothes on backwards in front of the masses, so the challenge was completed!
Dad did some sled-pulling in the yard while I ran errands over the weekend. Here is his newest invention...Snowtocross. It's like motocross with ramps, speed and catching air. The difference is the use of snow and sleds instead of dirt and dirt bikes! I think Ainsley expression says it all. She actually lost a boot, sock and mitten in the landing on this one!
Last night brought Candle-Kazam challenge #5: Run around the perimeter of the yard twice in the snow wearing a t-shirt, shorts and no shoes! The deep snow definitely made this challenge more fun! Above, Dad is getting ready to run! 
Those of you who know Dad well, know how much he despises animals of all varieties. This is no joke. I am shocked that he could even muster up a fake smile in the photos. The dog looks alarmed and it's understandable why. I imagine she knows how Dad feels and she is in shock. She probably thinks he's about to strangle her, as a hug would be completely unexpected!
Here is Dad, making eye contact with Bridget just prior to the embrace. It's as if they both are realizing what is about to take place.
Next up was the attempt to hug Otis. Now, Otis is really more of a stray cat than she is a tamed pet. In fact, it was assumed she was a boy for a very long time because she couldn't be captured to determine otherwise. It wasn't until she had a litter of kittens that everyone found out, and by then her name had been made permanent by the grandchildren. Anyway, the attempt to catch and pick up Otic was made, Grant went in for the smooch, and the claws came out. Above, you can see the rear left paw scratch in action!
What a wound! Bennett examines the worst of the scratches. As you can imagine, both girls were very concerned for their father.
Do you like how the decorative grass behind Dad's head makes him look like he has green, spikey hair? It's the longest his hair has been in years!
Dad, passionately doing a "Y" during his performance. Bennett is also participating, and with a safari hat and a lemur on her head, no less! 
If I had a dollar for every time that ridiculous Webkinz lemur causes a problem, I'd be rich. "Leemie" ruined a perfectly good action shot of Dad. The point of posting the picture is just to show you how much fun the girls had while the lip lync was going on. There was a lot of action going on in the living room. Ainsley was getting down with her bad self, too. I just didn't capture it on camera. Again, way to go, Dad! Only four challenges left!
This evening brought Candle-Kazam challenge #2 to us! The girls could not contain themselves...they were so excited. They prompted Dad as to which candle to choose, which is normally not permitted, but tonight we let it go. The challenge: Have a sleepover with Bennett and Ainsley! 
Every sleepover needs a pillow fight! They had a very brief one. 
We decided to put both girls' mattresses on Bennett's bedroom floor, along with Dad's self-inflating sleep mat and many a blanket and pillow. They should have a lovely rest with all of these luxuries. No sleeping bags and hard floors for this family! I'll be enjoying my Sleep Number Bed...both sides!
The girls wanted to look the part, so they had me take a photo of them doing "real-looking, fake sleep." The cats would be proud!
The girls made seven candles, seven challenges, for their dad this year. That is one challenge, every three days until Christmas. Every third day he must choose a paper candle wick out of one of the toilet paper tube candles, read the challenge and complete it. Fun, fun!!!
Challenge #1...Eat a peanut butter and dill pickle sandwich. We're starting him off easy!
Delish! I went pretty heavy on the pickle for him, and the bread had been in the freezer, so I had to unthaw a slice, thus making it warm. Nothing like a warm, peanut butter and pickle sandwich. But this man is a hero. He did it, no complaints and no gagging. He is slightly nauseous and has a bad taste in his mouth, as we speak. Oh well, Dad...take one for the team!
Bennett and Dad got to celebrate Grandpa's birthday with a hike! Ainsley was sick and had to stay home. She was devastated, but has managed to pull through. Also on the hike were aunts, uncles and a cousin! Everyone had a great time!
Bennett, with Uncle B. and Aunt J.
Bennett loved hiking the cliffs! She even carved her name into the side of them, which was totally her kind of fun. It probably seemed very Man Vs. Wild-ish to her.
We had our annual Thanksgiving weekend getaway with Mom's family. We all had a great time, and the girls loved being with Baby Cousin S. so much. What could be more interesting that watching a diaper change!?!?
The girls paid a visit to Santa. Bennett said, "Oh, sure. I'll sit on his lap if it means I get candy!" All she ended up with was a lousy coloring book though. She was a good sport about it, anyway. 
Bennett is proud to have aquired the skill of holding S. with no adult assistance. He seemed pleased, if but for a moment.
Here is the view from the top of Bennett's dresser this morning. We have a vintage, naked baby doll slow-motion punching a plush capuchin monkey, all while two little ponies act as though they've witnessed nothing. I'm not even kidding about this. Bennett herself told me the punch is specifically a slow-motion punch. Why? Why not, I guess. Strange, strange girl we have on our hands.
Above are two little ladies, posing for a picture at the pumpkin patch. The mums were beautiful!
This pumpkin patch was something else! It featured an automated pumpkin-eating dragon.
Bennett and Ainsley got to do something they love...ride ponies. At first, Bennett declined the offer to pony ride because she said the ponies were too small. What?! She quickly changed her mind, and then proceded to choose the smallest pony to ride. What?! 
Ainsley had a blast riding her pony, Jellybean!
The pumpkin patch also offered a Storybook Land. Bennett and Ainsley enjoyed seeing a display for Hansel and Gretal.
We got to take a little train ride together. Ainsley got to ride and visit with Nana!
We also stopped by the pirate area of the pumpkin patch. Ainsley tried out the stockade! What a cute prisoner.
Bennett enjoyed jumping "off the plank" and into some hay!
And finally, a group shot with Nana, Cousin M. Aunt J. and Aunt C. while waiting for launch time at the pumpkin cannon! It was a great day!
The girls wanted really simple costumes this year and I was more lazy than usual. This combination worked well! They still looked cute!
Bennett and Ainsley got to hang with Cousin S., Mr. Giraffe, for a bit. The poor boy doesn't know what to think of Mother Mary and Cat. Even when the girls are in normal, everyday dress, he isn't sure what to think about their company though. Bennett and Ainsley, however, love him to pieces!
Cousin M. did some trick-or-treating with them as well. She, like Bennett, was a cat...the preschool version. Once again, it appears my girls are thrilled and the little cousin is not so sure. I sense a theme developing. It's a good thing Cousins A. and L. weren't around. Bennett and Ainsley might have had an ill effect on them as well. We better work on our peer relations, Girls!
