Thanksgiving In Illinois

Trying to catch up...

Illinois was fun. We had a minor hiccup in the beginning when Martin realized after we parked the van and got on the shuttle for one those park'n'fly places that he forgot his drivers license. He called Mom and asked her to go get it from his house and bring it to the airport. We started getting checked in and they actually let him check-in without it and so we headed to security to see if they would let him through without his license  and as crazy as it sounds they let him through without his license (he had something else with his picture on it). It took him longer than the rest of us since they checked his bag and wanded him after he got through the gate but we finally got through.

When we got to Milwaukee (it was cheaper to fly into Milwaukee and drive to Plainfield) , Jeff and I rented the 2 vehicles since Martin didn't have his license. Driving down to Plainfield was my worst driving nightmare...in an unfamiliar large vehicle (an SUV), on unfamiliar roads with construction going on, at night and in heavy rain; but I did it! We got to our hotel and got checked in; it was a pretty nice place. Then we headed over to Will's house to hang out for a bit that night. The next day we shopped for all the pie ingredients and then spent the afternoon making pies; I made all the crusts, Chellie did the apple filling and Jody made the pumpkin. We just hung out the rest of the day and waited for all the stragglers (Mom) to arrive.

The next day we all got together and did what everyone should do on Thanksgiving...eat, talk, laugh, play, and nap. The food was good, the kids had fun playing (even the big kids), Matthew just loved trying to make Bella laugh, and of course there were naps. Of course, I snuck away to go get in on a good deal at Old Navy. We tried to get a picture of all the kids together but Bella was not enjoying the moment as you can see from the picture below.

On Friday, Mom and I got up before everyone else to go get a few Black Friday deals for Christmas shopping. We had breakfast at Will's before we headed out to the mall so Aunt Jody could spoil all her nieces and nephews a little bit before she went home. (Getting all the extra things home We only got lost a little bit and missed one toll booth on the way. After we were done shopping we went back to the hotel to have deep-dish pizza and swim (I think we swam that night).

(Matthew liked leaning against the "sun".)

Saturday was our sight-seeing day...we went into Chicago to the Adler Planetarium and The Shedd Aquarium. We got kind of delayed getting there so we didn't have as much time at either place as we would have liked, but what we did see was really fun. There was a pretty cool show at the aquarium but since my camera battery died at the planetarium I personally have no pictures; Martin took a few so I will try to get some from him to add. We were going to go to the Sears Tower but the time got away from us with our late start so we decided to stop back in Chicago on our way to the airport on Sunday. Of course it was completely overcast on Sunday so there was zero visibilty when we got to the top, but hey there was no wait to get to the top and we still got some fun pictures.

(These are at the top of  Willis Tower (formerly Sears) and no, they are not hanging upside down...they were laying on the floor and I was standing above them.)

The rest of our trip home was pretty uneventful...we got home really late and went straight to bed. Poor Jeff had to get up early the next day and go to work, but he got through. We had tons of fun and a few weeks after we got home Matthew asked me when we were going to go back to Chicago? Why I asked? Because he wanted to see Bella again.

Christmas Wishes

While Leah wants a Barbie Dream House and Matthew wants a Wii and stuffed animals and a Star Wars light saber and I can't even remember all he wants, all I want for Christmas is my littlest boy home and sleeping soundly in his own bed with no fever. He is currently in the hospital with a slight case of pneumonia so if you are reading this please keep him in your prayers.

Michelle and Kids' Visit

It was a short but very fun visit...we went in to Seattle and up Mt Rainier and also took the kids swimming at their hotel pool. Lots of pictures, so here are a few...

Alder Dam (I think that is the name of it.)

Owen and Kallise at one of the stopping points.
All 7 of 'em, from left to right (on the ground): Leah, Kallise, Owen, and Ethan;(on the rock): Hailee, Jaron, and MatthewJeff with Owen, Matthew and Leah at the visitors center on Mt Rainer.

All 8 of 'em at the bottom of the Space Needle in Seattle:
Owen, David, Kallise, Leah, Hailee, Matthew, Ethan, and Jaron.

These Are The Pictures of Our Lives

I know I have been horrible about updating this for those that look at it for updates...but by the time I do all my other computer stuff (news, email, couponing, etc.) I feel as though I have spent enough time on the computer and it is time to go do the dishes, get the kids lunch, kiss a "scrouchie" (as Owen calls them) and the list goes on. First we will start with a few random pictures (with info, of course).

This one is at the end of of Leah's Kindergarten year (I know, it goes back a ways). They had an awards ceremony and she received 3 awards; the first was a Kiwanis Terrific Kids award (this one was given to 2 kids in each class and Leah was 1 of the 2 chosen for her class), the second was a certificate for Academic Excellence and the third was a Certificate of Participation for 100% Homework Completion.
This one is from Father's Day...Jeff and the kids with his present. The kids love Daddy's homemade burgers. (Don't mind Matthew, he was having a disagreement with the sun and the sun won.)
Grammy came up for a visit over 4th of July and we drove up Mt Rainer. The first is, of course, Matthew and Grammy, at one of the scenic viewpoints.
This is Leah and Grammy at the top of one of the waterfalls on Mt Rainer. I can't remember the name of it off hand...but it sure is pretty.
This is Leah and Matthews' reaction when we gave them their birthday presents early so they could get some use out of them before it got too cold and wet. Razors are awfully hard to use in October (well you might get a little use still) and December.
This is a picture that I am assuming Matthew took one time when he and Owen got a hold of the camera without our knowledge.
Leah wanted to learn how to ice skate and we have an indoor skating rink just down the street from our house so I signed her up for an 8 week course this summer. After a few "tummy aches" and lots of tears we finally found her a group where she felt comfortable and she finished out her lessons. She has decided though that she wants to go to ballet school and be a dancer when she grows up.
Here is Leah again, this one on her first day of school.

More to come...Michelle and kids' visit in August, Leah's 7th Birthday Party and Halloween. I know I am a bit behind...but I vow to get caught in time to go to Illinois for Thanksgiving.

I Promise.

I promise to update tomorrow or maybe tonight, but probably tomorrow. I will put Leah's first day of school pictures and pictures from our trip to Seattle when Jeff's sister Michelle came up for a visit. Of course I'll put an update on how we all are doing too...

Such A Big Boy

I am so excited to say that Owen is finally potty-trained (after months of battling and debating about where he should go potty)...it took me about 2 days this time and letting him run around naked from the bottom down, but he finally got it. Yay!!! No more diapers or pull-ups (except at night of course)!

Now an actual update

Leah finished up her first year of school on June 16th. She did very well on her final report card and ended the year reading at 2.0 level (I think this is considered almost 2nd grade level) is going to be in a 1st/2nd grade split class next year. I knew she was going to good in school but I had no idea she would take to it as well as she did. I wouldn't be surprised if she skipped a grade eventually. She is starting ice skating lessons on Monday and can't hardly wait for her first lesson. She is truly a girly girl right down to wanting her own make-up, but she thinks worms and snails are awesome.

Matthew is very excited to start school so in addition to planning our summer outings I am also going to be searching for preschools for him. He recognizes most of the numbers between 1 and 10 and is anxious to learn to write the alphabet. He has so many interests it is hard to know where to start with him; he enjoys playing video games, riding his bike and dressing up with Leah and wants to be a super hero when he grows up. Hopefully I can find a preschool that I am satisfied with and that is in our budget.

Owen lives in Owen's World and occasionally lets us in to enjoy it with him. If he wants something he better get it or else and by or else I mean full on screaming and kicking temper tantrums. Although when he is not screaming and kicking he really is adorable and is able to carry on fairly understandable conversations. He is very independent, I mean what kid isn't at his age, but he is almost scary independent between trying to cross the road without Mom or Dad's help and climbing up the dresser to get his own clothes and stuff.

Jeff has been enjoying his new earlier shift; it has been nice having him home for dinner every night...even though he has to work on Saturday's now. He has taken up the game of folf or disc golf (a mix of throwing frisbees and golf) and would like to go every Sunday but sometime life gets in the way.

I have taken up a new hobby of couponing and deal hopping. Whenever I try to "talk coupons" I am met with blank or confused stares but I don't get any less excited when I score free laundry soap and shampoo or conditioner for $0.33 a bottle; not to mention free salad dressing and BBQ sauce. It does take a little more of my time to put it all together but I consider it my part time job and Jeff is super supportive of my late night runs to the store and tries to understand all my coupon lingo.

I suppose that is enough for now...I hope you enjoy all the pictures I put up.

Multnomah Falls in May

From the bottom...

On the way up...
At the top...

Zoo Play

The Zoo in April:

Then we had to figure out where to go.

Of course, we said hi the animals.

Most of them were just hanging out.

Then Leah's school did a field trip to the zoo in May.

Some animals were shy.

Some weren't.

Leah with some her classmates.

Matthew (hiding under the Disneyland hat) is petting the starfish.

Because it's been a while...

Leah's first bike ride without training wheels.
We were so proud because she figured out how to do it with the help of her friend from school.The look on Mom's face when she saw her Mother's Day/Birthday present.
(We got her a Kitchen Aid Stand-up Mixer that she has been wanting for years.)

Me with Leah and Owen on Mother's Day.

Water Play!!!

Balloon fight; it was all the kids against Chellie.