tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654228758104549072024-03-12T18:21:09.715-05:00a few of my favorite things...Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.comBlogger268125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-29634801748534850412012-07-07T09:24:00.001-05:002012-07-07T09:24:28.848-05:00Truck NirvanaWritten by Craig<br /><br />On Thursday June 21st through Tuesday June 26th we took a little trip back to Iowa. We drove to Davenport to my parents on Thursday evening and boys did great, they were very excited to see Grandma and Papa. Friday morning Papa took the boys and I for a Gator ride to Uncle Corey and Aunt Erin's house were they played in the dirt pile with their cousins Cole and Colin's trucks. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/07/07/1198.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/07/07/s_1198.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/07/07/1199.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/07/07/s_1199.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Then I took the boys for a tractor and backhoe ride. As you can see below they loved it. This is what they said when we got there: "Daddy, look, a forklift, oh, and an excavator, oh and a dump truck, oh look, I see a scraper, oh and a tracked tractor daddy, and oh, oh, look, a semi!!!!". They were in truck nirvana. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/07/07/1200.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/07/07/s_1200.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/07/07/1201.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/07/07/s_1201.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />More to come on the trip as we headed out to Winterset IA for a family reunion with my mom's side of the family, the Faust family. <br /><br />- Posted by Craig<br />Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-16466662236566506672012-05-20T21:19:00.001-05:002012-05-20T21:19:39.526-05:00Under Construction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VN7ddJ0_BDo/T7mmHTnzAwI/AAAAAAAACws/4vo3A7quWUM/s1600/Under+Construction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VN7ddJ0_BDo/T7mmHTnzAwI/AAAAAAAACws/4vo3A7quWUM/s320/Under+Construction.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-11190057486654636002012-04-10T14:55:00.004-05:002012-04-10T15:14:34.120-05:00Getting Used to ThingsWe are (or more likely <span style="font-style: italic;">I am</span>) getting more used to our new eating plan as time goes on. The boys have adjusted beautifully, it's me that craves the McDonald's and SUGAR! I am just thankful that I can sneak it here and there...just don't tell the boys that!!!<br /><br />Some recent pics:<br /><br />Making bread with Grandma.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ITCjNQ6cKI/T4SRATi5pwI/AAAAAAAACwM/WBImahzESP8/s1600/304.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ITCjNQ6cKI/T4SRATi5pwI/AAAAAAAACwM/WBImahzESP8/s320/304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729864060354799362" border="0" /></a><br />Enjoying time with GrandMary.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yv0cEIeuXUI/T4SR-Ex4LTI/AAAAAAAACwY/2HE39fIsWXI/s1600/352.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yv0cEIeuXUI/T4SR-Ex4LTI/AAAAAAAACwY/2HE39fIsWXI/s320/352.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729865121542974770" border="0" /></a><br />A rare moment of brotherly love.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zGAYF75a794/T4SSaQOZ5aI/AAAAAAAACwk/qWGqjYnHxNI/s1600/371.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zGAYF75a794/T4SSaQOZ5aI/AAAAAAAACwk/qWGqjYnHxNI/s320/371.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729865605651752354" border="0" /></a>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-53933245999613506552012-04-04T14:37:00.008-05:002012-04-05T20:05:32.307-05:00Our Life NowThere is a reason I have been unable to keep up with blogging, and it is this:<br /><br />PARENTING IS HARD!!!!<br /><br />And I am exhausted. Even with two babies 11 1/2 months apart, even with the second one being extremely collicky and difficult for the first year of his life, even with two moves in our household all before anyone turned the age of three, I am just now really experiencing how hard parenting is.<br /><br />I was feeling a little down recently because I thought life was supposed to get <span style="font-style: italic;">easier</span>, not <span style="font-style: italic;">harder</span>. And someone reminded me , "Well you do have a <span style="font-size:180%;">2 <span style="font-size:100%;">&</span> 3</span> year old!!!" Probably the hardest ages to deal with at the same time!<br /><br />What makes it a little more difficult right now, is the fact that we have been dealing with Eli and issues that seem to be a little more than just typical two year old issues. My mother-in-law recognized them as behaviors she saw in Craig's oldest brother when he was that age. Tantrums and screaming fits, happy one minute then falling on the floor in a tantrum the next, battling everything from getting out of bed, to getting dressed, to eating breakfast, etc., waking in the night screaming and inconsolable, and contradictory behavior such as wanting something, but hitting it away over and over.<br /><br />Grandma to the rescue! She introduced me to the Feingold Diet, which did wonders for them over 30 years ago! The Feingold Diet eliminates artificial colors, artificial flavors, preservatives, and salicylates found in a lot of common fruits and vegetables like tomatoes and berries. <a href="http://www.diet.com/g/dr-feingold-diet">Dr. Feingold</a> developed the diet in the 1970's after much research on the link between behaviors in children, specifically hyperactivity, and the foods they eat.<br /><br />After taking away Eli's paci in February we found that his difficult behaviors were much more apparent, and getting worse. At first I thought it was just coping without paci, but I realized that those behaviors had just been <span style="font-style: italic;">masked</span> by the paci all this time.<br /><br />Almost two weeks ago we decided to take the plunge and become a Feingold family. I was so overwhelmed with the idea of preparing almost everything from scratch, from bread to ketchup. I called my MIL in tears and practically begged her to come and help me get started. She came without batting an eyelash two days later. We got started shopping at the health food store and then cooking up a storm, and within a few days, <span style="font-style: italic;">Eli's behavior started to change</span>. I didn't know what to expect, but I surely did not expect immediate results! Amazing.<br /><br />I can now say that Eli is a happy, cheerful, <span style="font-style: italic;">normal</span> two year old again! We can communicate and "get through to him" now, such as encouraging him to "eat three more bites" so he can have a snack later. That never worked before, and now he eats the food on his plate! He understands consequences. I have witnessed firsthand what a difference food makes. What a difference the <span style="font-style: italic;">right food</span> makes. It is incredible.<br /><br />I no longer cook with sugar, I replace it with honey, and I prepare all of our meals from scratch. I love the fact that we are <span style="font-style: italic;">all</span> eating healthier! The hardest part is not being able to drive through McDonald's anymore or pop in a frozen pizza. This initial stage of the diet we're in is very strict, but eventually I can bring back foods and monitor their effect on Eli. I plan on cutting out sugar as much as possible indefinitely, although I think ketchup is going to be one of the first things we try to bring back! There is just no good replacement for store-bought ketchup!<br /><br />Changing your entire way of cooking and eating is not easy. In fact, it's a lot of work and sacrifice. But God is teaching me that not everything is supposed to be easy, as much as I want it to be. I'm seeing my precious little Eli smile, laugh, and giggle all the time now! And in those long hugs and cuddles I get, it's as if he is saying, "Thank you, Mama, for fighting for me!" That makes it all worth it.Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-27121507297291169002012-03-07T13:57:00.004-06:002012-03-07T14:40:48.961-06:00A Big Month - Part 2: Eli's Broken WristWell to add to the drama of February...a particularly cute, and feisty, little two year old decided to dive head first out of his crib one afternoon. As I had mentioned previously, we took away Eli's paci earlier in the month and we have been paying for it ever since! He has not wanted to go to bed and has been desperate to get out. I didn't realize just how desperate until that dreadful afternoon he took a nose dive.<br /><br />Although he was crying and mad at naptime, I hugged him and walked away, and even before I got to the door I heard a big thump. Of course I knew exactly what happened before I turned around. He was laying flat on his back, probably more stunned than I was. I checked him all over and he seemed fine. He did say his arm hurt, but I laid him down again and he fell asleep fairly soon. In hindsight I feel so dumb that I didn't just bring him back downstairs to monitor him more closely over a period of time, but it's that ingrained don't-give-into-a-sleep-resistant-child mentality that kept me from doing it. Later that night it was more obvious to me that something was wrong. So I took Gage to the neighbor's house to play (which he couldn't have been more delighted about!) and drove Eli to the nearby Urgent Care. Wouldn't you know it, while there, Eli seemed perfectly fine. He wasn't fussy and grumpy and asking me to kiss his hand anymore. The doctor thought it was probably just a sprained wrist, since there were no obvious signs of bruising or swelling. I had to agree, so we left, untreated.<br /><br />Over the next few days we were noticing that Eli was holding his left arm close to his body and wasn't using it at all. He would wince and cry out when I dressed him or put his coat on. By Friday I felt pretty sure that it was more than just a sprained wrist. So back to the urgent Care we went and I asked for x-rays. Sure enough, a buckle fracture to his left distal radius. Immediately I felt like the worst mother in the world! How could I have not insisted on x-rays the first time?? How did it take me 3 days to bring him back?? Every single memory of his sad little face, holding up his hand for me to kiss, was like a dagger to my chest.<br /><br />We left with a splint, to be casted in a doctor's office a few days later after the weekend. Dr. Kotis, the orthopedic surgeon, said that Eli was his best patient ever...even including all the adults! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dI5JcgCvsD8/T1fGm3czDDI/AAAAAAAACv0/gNiudGSJnwQ/s1600/IMAG0463.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dI5JcgCvsD8/T1fGm3czDDI/AAAAAAAACv0/gNiudGSJnwQ/s320/IMAG0463.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717256622992198706" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwfvzqxUovA/T1fGneOJBNI/AAAAAAAACwA/_44FC_k2Aso/s1600/IMAG0467.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwfvzqxUovA/T1fGneOJBNI/AAAAAAAACwA/_44FC_k2Aso/s320/IMAG0467.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717256633399706834" border="0" /></a>Yes, my outgoing little spit-fire sure knows how to charm people! :) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SFCbmuPiskA/T1fGmgLyokI/AAAAAAAACvo/m9Tn_QHU9ew/s1600/IMAG0465.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SFCbmuPiskA/T1fGmgLyokI/AAAAAAAACvo/m9Tn_QHU9ew/s320/IMAG0465.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717256616746852930" border="0" /></a>He did amazing, and is still doing amazing. I am so proud of him! Only two more weeks now to put up with the ever growing dirty and smelly little cast!<br /><br />And you know what, I think the cast has distracted him from missing his beloved paci. His sleep is getting back to normal - hallelujah!Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-2949062488316832512012-02-24T14:21:00.005-06:002012-02-24T14:44:52.962-06:00A Big MonthFebruary has been a big month for us! The trip to Puerto Rico, the boys' first trips to the dentist...<br /><br />I took them each one at a time, and was really dreading each time. I had no idea how they would react. Gage's was the first trip, and wasn't I surprised when my "big little boy" ("I'm not a big boy Mama, I'm a little boy") was right at home in the dentist chair!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7xnVQ5BFfw4/T0fyGB4w17I/AAAAAAAACvc/Pz9zRBjXWjE/s1600/Gage%2Bdentist%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7xnVQ5BFfw4/T0fyGB4w17I/AAAAAAAACvc/Pz9zRBjXWjE/s320/Gage%2Bdentist%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712800837742417842" border="0" /></a>He knew just what to do with the air-sucking thing, and he even smiled and giggled! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxQc5zRO-ac/T0fyF5xVblI/AAAAAAAACvQ/26jR9utQj8Y/s1600/Gage%2Bdentist.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxQc5zRO-ac/T0fyF5xVblI/AAAAAAAACvQ/26jR9utQj8Y/s320/Gage%2Bdentist.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712800835563777618" border="0" /></a>I was SO proud of him! The awesome pediatric staff was wonderful and helped a lot I am sure.<br /><br />Eli's trip was on Valentine's Day and he amazed me too! I did have to hold him so I didn't get any pictures, but there was no screaming, no tears, and lots of cooperation. He did clamp his lips shut a few times (which <span style="font-style: italic;">didn't</span> surprise me at all) but overall he was a trooper!<br /><br />While we were there the dentist talked to him about his beloved paci. She told him that "paci's are for babies, and you're not a baby anymore...", which actually caused a lump to form in my throat as I pondered that fact. But it was a very good talk, and perfect timing then to tell him later that "The dr. said no more paci..."<br /><br />So away it went as soon as we got home. And 10 days later it is still gone. (We were down to just 1 after all the others had disappeared and I refused to buy more. Where do they all disappear to anyway??)<br /><br />We have been paying for it these last 10 days honestly, even though he has hardly said a word about it. He has had a terrible time getting to sleep; it reminds us of the old days of letting him cry himself to sleep as a baby to teach self-soothing. It dawned on me that that is exactly what he needs to do, learn to self-soothe again without paci. And it breaks my heart for him! But it is slowly getting better and I know he will be completely over it soon.<br /><br />It is definitely a relief to now know the answer to: How are we going to get rid of that paci??!!Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-39936330532979017542012-02-11T14:51:00.016-06:002012-02-12T13:21:50.557-06:00Puerto Rico!Taking a business trip to Puerto Rico hardly seems like "work"... at least for me, the lucky wife who got to tag along! When Craig told me about his upcoming meetings in San Juan, I jumped at the chance to go along! Thanks to my mom, and Grandma and Grandpa E, it was possible! My mom stayed with the boys for the first 2 1/2 days, then Craig's parents took over the last 3 days. This was my first trip away from the boys that I truly relaxed and didn't worry about them. It helped that they are 2 and 3 now, I think. And the gorgeous views didn't hurt either.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ij5Wpu4BSNI/TzbYNFYwNrI/AAAAAAAACuU/ySk51apVjwU/s1600/281.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ij5Wpu4BSNI/TzbYNFYwNrI/AAAAAAAACuU/ySk51apVjwU/s320/281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707987297034581682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7tnV6muGwiY/TzbX23jGvrI/AAAAAAAACt8/kwjSFMHO9rQ/s1600/263.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 207px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7tnV6muGwiY/TzbX23jGvrI/AAAAAAAACt8/kwjSFMHO9rQ/s320/263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707986915362782898" border="0" /></a><br />We arrived a few days before Craig's meetings. One of those days we took a tour of the coast and rain forest.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCRi8pM2Iag/TzbWGWMsuSI/AAAAAAAACtY/MM8_lVxDa_0/s1600/018.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCRi8pM2Iag/TzbWGWMsuSI/AAAAAAAACtY/MM8_lVxDa_0/s320/018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707984982265084194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--5XgFk_CRYo/TzgOKlUZu9I/AAAAAAAACus/Y3j019EDzsU/s1600/085.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--5XgFk_CRYo/TzgOKlUZu9I/AAAAAAAACus/Y3j019EDzsU/s320/085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708328102671268818" border="0" /></a>Along the way we stopped at a local artist's gallery, and then a little hut across the road where a local woman was selling her goods.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFK0_-E9fcw/TzbWQkTqQvI/AAAAAAAACtk/U8VpyX-sfPA/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFK0_-E9fcw/TzbWQkTqQvI/AAAAAAAACtk/U8VpyX-sfPA/s320/026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707985157851071218" border="0" /></a>I love the bright colors!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DadWNK4gBQY/TzbWx9Y1V8I/AAAAAAAACtw/ib-fAYm5ywQ/s1600/024.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DadWNK4gBQY/TzbWx9Y1V8I/AAAAAAAACtw/ib-fAYm5ywQ/s320/024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707985731519338434" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5F3CUNJ5umU/TzbYM4u7jeI/AAAAAAAACuI/KL2zfzs5tlo/s1600/264.JPG"><br /></a>One day while lazing by the beach, I looked over and saw this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-un-T2F_4xpY/TzbVv94TKfI/AAAAAAAACs0/YsfH49t_0I0/s1600/160.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-un-T2F_4xpY/TzbVv94TKfI/AAAAAAAACs0/YsfH49t_0I0/s320/160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707984597779950066" border="0" /></a>How startling! After that we saw iguanas and lizards of various sizes everywhere! (Thankfully none in our <span style="font-style: italic;">hotel room</span>...)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-spftEQfn3Q8/TzbVwFwnZUI/AAAAAAAACtA/cuMAAHkej5Q/s1600/238.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-spftEQfn3Q8/TzbVwFwnZUI/AAAAAAAACtA/cuMAAHkej5Q/s320/238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707984599895205186" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zLRxQGLMvcc/TzbVvegqXzI/AAAAAAAACso/Iq3I10Dyo14/s1600/131.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zLRxQGLMvcc/TzbVvegqXzI/AAAAAAAACso/Iq3I10Dyo14/s320/131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707984589359308594" border="0" /></a><br />On our last day in San Juan, Craig had the morning off from work stuff and together we toured a nearby historical fort.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCCi8C0fHHQ/TzbV2gnQ3jI/AAAAAAAACtM/Iw_5VAdY9rU/s1600/166.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZG0wxnIMpk/TzgPOtM2NiI/AAAAAAAACvE/-P1qWn3D-x8/s1600/200.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZG0wxnIMpk/TzgPOtM2NiI/AAAAAAAACvE/-P1qWn3D-x8/s320/200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708329273018168866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nEDgSi1B3Ok/TzbYiMLhw3I/AAAAAAAACug/6KuRKynFJJQ/s1600/247.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nEDgSi1B3Ok/TzbYiMLhw3I/AAAAAAAACug/6KuRKynFJJQ/s320/247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707987659635409778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXn6ZQEeZxA/TzgOfXoq5DI/AAAAAAAACu4/e31BoQhn1v4/s1600/209.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXn6ZQEeZxA/TzgOfXoq5DI/AAAAAAAACu4/e31BoQhn1v4/s320/209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708328459775435826" border="0" /></a>My honey and me. My favorite co-adventurer. I am spoiled.Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-8278909805709862192012-02-01T14:43:00.007-06:002012-02-01T14:55:05.399-06:00Winter PicnicI think we can all agree that this has been an amazing winter! I mean, to be able to have a picnic on February 1?!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jg5iel3X8OQ/TymlvjgSqmI/AAAAAAAACsQ/AK1uuuq1UYo/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jg5iel3X8OQ/TymlvjgSqmI/AAAAAAAACsQ/AK1uuuq1UYo/s320/012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704272639444560482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tt-Oa9KeUgg/TymlmQmILXI/AAAAAAAACsE/HctYyrIhW44/s1600/027.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tt-Oa9KeUgg/TymlmQmILXI/AAAAAAAACsE/HctYyrIhW44/s320/027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704272479749942642" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--UFp1ug8KUI/TymlZ080EXI/AAAAAAAACr4/aXWR0dFwWX8/s1600/029.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--UFp1ug8KUI/TymlZ080EXI/AAAAAAAACr4/aXWR0dFwWX8/s320/029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704272266170470770" border="0" /></a>Incredible! I couldn't even get a very good picture because the sun was so bright!<br /><br />They really would much rather prefer the snow though - crazy kids!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CKyAY684YRI/Tyml8_6X7wI/AAAAAAAACsc/xFRwYsG9db0/s1600/033.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CKyAY684YRI/Tyml8_6X7wI/AAAAAAAACsc/xFRwYsG9db0/s320/033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704272870408449794" border="0" /></a>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-24665538724084598862012-01-14T15:02:00.018-06:002012-01-15T08:48:46.620-06:00For the Love of Curious George!We could not let a birthday (two birthdays!) go by without a PARTY! Of course, Curious George it had to be!<br /><br />I figured it would be a good time to have it when all of Craig's family was here, including all the cousins, over the holidays.<br /><br />Checking out the decorations.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2MKJ3C0fdfY/TxH3xQH_7zI/AAAAAAAACrg/hmS5UBkvl2Y/s1600/112.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2MKJ3C0fdfY/TxH3xQH_7zI/AAAAAAAACrg/hmS5UBkvl2Y/s320/112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697607429114556210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5n1Lg6C6XUY/TxH3xPpO-OI/AAAAAAAACrU/5lIBJhJxcEc/s1600/126.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5n1Lg6C6XUY/TxH3xPpO-OI/AAAAAAAACrU/5lIBJhJxcEc/s320/126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697607428985518306" border="0" /></a>I found a clever idea on Pinterest to make a yellow cup and plate look like a yellow hat!<br /><br />I had the kids rotate through four different Curious George activities:<br />Making pictures with monkey stickers.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-brlc2Mk8YPg/TxHyVLwf8LI/AAAAAAAACqY/6MvOYgfgXhA/s1600/137.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-brlc2Mk8YPg/TxHyVLwf8LI/AAAAAAAACqY/6MvOYgfgXhA/s320/137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697601449347772594" border="0" /></a>Gluing together monkey faces.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3SgDdI7YPKM/TxH0arhSO3I/AAAAAAAACqk/pa1PadvUmDo/s1600/139.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3SgDdI7YPKM/TxH0arhSO3I/AAAAAAAACqk/pa1PadvUmDo/s320/139.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697603742796495730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LGevgDwNYF0/TxH1xPT8tBI/AAAAAAAACrI/Sld0G03U-do/s1600/141.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LGevgDwNYF0/TxH1xPT8tBI/AAAAAAAACrI/Sld0G03U-do/s320/141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697605229872985106" border="0" /></a>Doing some matching activities.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SmzgO9j1oO8/TxH0vXmrybI/AAAAAAAACqw/TNj9w_UL4xc/s1600/163.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SmzgO9j1oO8/TxH0vXmrybI/AAAAAAAACqw/TNj9w_UL4xc/s320/163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697604098227685810" border="0" /></a>And this one cracks me up...I put Uncle Kevin in charge of reading Curious George books<span style="font-style: italic;">.</span> Looks like he had a captive audience!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QEx7AlNFtcE/TxH1U5Fwf-I/AAAAAAAACq8/Ox9agTlsJFQ/s1600/179.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QEx7AlNFtcE/TxH1U5Fwf-I/AAAAAAAACq8/Ox9agTlsJFQ/s320/179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697604742871547874" border="0" /></a><br />We turned the kitchen into Chef Pisghetti's Restaurant.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-52GoVz9qD1k/TxHvqLS_xOI/AAAAAAAACp0/__7UcVbyDmo/s1600/263.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-52GoVz9qD1k/TxHvqLS_xOI/AAAAAAAACp0/__7UcVbyDmo/s320/263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697598511466398946" border="0" /></a>The kids made their own pizzas!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NDcj8Qy_TT0/TxHw_AV_H2I/AAAAAAAACqA/vGdhwwlZh94/s1600/Dec%2B2011%2B177.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NDcj8Qy_TT0/TxHw_AV_H2I/AAAAAAAACqA/vGdhwwlZh94/s320/Dec%2B2011%2B177.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697599968815030114" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_yXn0D-tQHg/TxHxw6o_tgI/AAAAAAAACqM/7EXJd1qK29w/s1600/236.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_yXn0D-tQHg/TxHxw6o_tgI/AAAAAAAACqM/7EXJd1qK29w/s320/236.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697600826277606914" border="0" /></a>No big cake this year, just monkey cupcakes.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u797b0pFB24/TxHut4i4-4I/AAAAAAAACpc/6hy2cWccRZM/s1600/257.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u797b0pFB24/TxHut4i4-4I/AAAAAAAACpc/6hy2cWccRZM/s320/257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697597475640638338" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d9joUuV9Sog/TxHvJAukkKI/AAAAAAAACpo/l86mSkNlYd8/s1600/246.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d9joUuV9Sog/TxHvJAukkKI/AAAAAAAACpo/l86mSkNlYd8/s320/246.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697597941693583522" border="0" /></a>And presents!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh85CZ3iaFc/TxH7OYV2IlI/AAAAAAAACrs/l6xVilcIlkg/s1600/298.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh85CZ3iaFc/TxH7OYV2IlI/AAAAAAAACrs/l6xVilcIlkg/s320/298.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697611228071207506" border="0" /></a><br />It was a lot of fun! Big thanks to everyone, especially Aunt Erin, Grandma, and Daddy, for all their help! :)Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-71147017515092555422012-01-06T14:37:00.010-06:002012-01-06T15:30:58.113-06:00Birthday Time!We celebrated two birthdays this holiday season!<br /><br />Eli turned TWO on December 16th!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwLw4A_SiWU/TwdcnbDCEdI/AAAAAAAACnw/JZ3WZ5FPNKk/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwLw4A_SiWU/TwdcnbDCEdI/AAAAAAAACnw/JZ3WZ5FPNKk/s320/014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694622086178410962" border="0" /></a><br />Chocolate chip pancakes for supper!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ldn3NGiYfsw/Twdc7ZZQeuI/AAAAAAAACn8/iVs46K5KzJ4/s1600/022.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ldn3NGiYfsw/Twdc7ZZQeuI/AAAAAAAACn8/iVs46K5KzJ4/s320/022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694622429332142818" border="0" /></a><br />Gage enjoyed helping Eli open his presents!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfghH7BINUM/TwddgX3jEaI/AAAAAAAACoI/qET4s-s52s4/s1600/060.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfghH7BINUM/TwddgX3jEaI/AAAAAAAACoI/qET4s-s52s4/s320/060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694623064577479074" border="0" /></a>Cake! (Daddy was in charge of the candles...He made a number "2" plus some...)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qns8qFuI2QQ/TwddgtxQfhI/AAAAAAAACoU/8oN1erH68p8/s1600/072.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qns8qFuI2QQ/TwddgtxQfhI/AAAAAAAACoU/8oN1erH68p8/s320/072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694623070456675858" border="0" /></a><br />Gage turned THREE on January 4th!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCGEeSk2bzM/Twdf5_ChaJI/AAAAAAAACog/6cZclJetopk/s1600/022.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCGEeSk2bzM/Twdf5_ChaJI/AAAAAAAACog/6cZclJetopk/s320/022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694625703612475538" border="0" /></a>Enjoying some new trucks. Eli of course thought they were his...Gage was a good sport too!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yAzWrLtaGPw/TwdlyhXkVLI/AAAAAAAACpQ/RRUy5XR4QN4/s1600/056.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yAzWrLtaGPw/TwdlyhXkVLI/AAAAAAAACpQ/RRUy5XR4QN4/s320/056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694632172458366130" border="0" /></a><br />Pancakes for breakfast, mini pizzas for lunch, and mac & cheese for supper...and cake for dessert!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5N4_UcoTHJ0/TwdlR4xhJaI/AAAAAAAACpE/VRN3tbnxqes/s1600/072.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 201px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5N4_UcoTHJ0/TwdlR4xhJaI/AAAAAAAACpE/VRN3tbnxqes/s320/072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694631611805541794" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TdpdR8BJGj0/TwdlBuGsjjI/AAAAAAAACos/8eIcEpntNls/s1600/095.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TdpdR8BJGj0/TwdlBuGsjjI/AAAAAAAACos/8eIcEpntNls/s320/095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694631334063672882" border="0" /></a><br />I am a big one on birthdays! Something I so gratefully learned from my mom, who made our birthdays very special growing up.<br /><br />As much as I'd like to spoil them with lots of gifts, we go pretty simple on the birthday gifts, but BIG on the LOVE! We decorate the kitchen, make special meals, do fun things together. It is my JOY and DELIGHT to shower my boys with lots of LOVE on their birthdays!<br /><br />Inwardly, I celebrate them as my "birth days" too. January 4, 2009 and December 16, 2009 will always be two of the best days of my life!Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-48362177398773926432011-12-08T14:02:00.010-06:002011-12-08T19:00:47.987-06:00It's Christmastime!Oh how I love this season! The white lights and Christmas music playing everywhere....And I love the opportunities to share the Christmas story with my boys again and again!<br /><br />This year we bought a Fisher Price nativity set. Wow, was that ever a wonderful purchase! I found a book at our church library called "My First Story of Christmas" by Tim Dowley. It is perfect! They can act out the story using the nativity set while we read it. I also checked out a movie called "The Very First Noel" which I also love, and which the boys act out also! It is a joy to watch.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fjKdzBy2vy0/TuErT5WUdPI/AAAAAAAACmE/Uh1KOIT0GbM/s1600/033.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fjKdzBy2vy0/TuErT5WUdPI/AAAAAAAACmE/Uh1KOIT0GbM/s320/033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683871825530221810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qD3hdW2QXqY/TuEqo5B2wpI/AAAAAAAACl4/0KZMzNJAfQQ/s1600/052.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qD3hdW2QXqY/TuEqo5B2wpI/AAAAAAAACl4/0KZMzNJAfQQ/s320/052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683871086710014610" border="0" /></a><br />When I started unpacking our Christmas decorations this year, I found something that brought tears to my eyes...Our Christmas Binder! I just started this tradition last year, and I was so happy that I did that I actually teared up!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZgVyWTk3E4/TuEvkmt7dpI/AAAAAAAACmo/7AhHDgC3FyI/s1600/009.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ExioFVGn_o/TuEvkqgItfI/AAAAAAAACm0/f-KHLwyLIlQ/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ExioFVGn_o/TuEvkqgItfI/AAAAAAAACm0/f-KHLwyLIlQ/s320/010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683876511649150450" border="0" /></a>It includes photos of Christmas Day 2010, our Christmas card and letter, addresses of friends and family for sending cards, favorite Christmas recipes, and photos of some crafts that I have done or would like to do for gifts. I love having traditions, and although this is just a small one, as the years pass I know it will be very meaningful.<br /><br />Some favorite Christmastime pics so far:<br /><br />Helping decorate the tree...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-knXbPeoqOBQ/TuEtmRcPyNI/AAAAAAAACmQ/hd7hcB2UYQw/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-knXbPeoqOBQ/TuEtmRcPyNI/AAAAAAAACmQ/hd7hcB2UYQw/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683874340258433234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FGS3hIM_UM8/TuEw3pi3jpI/AAAAAAAACnA/WTLzI-UFABs/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FGS3hIM_UM8/TuEw3pi3jpI/AAAAAAAACnA/WTLzI-UFABs/s320/010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683877937321315986" border="0" /></a>Fun times at lunch after church:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l1cdytYEVvY/TuEx3Ery91I/AAAAAAAACnM/6HslADLiBMU/s1600/047.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l1cdytYEVvY/TuEx3Ery91I/AAAAAAAACnM/6HslADLiBMU/s320/047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683879026938279762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uWy4skxjQnA/TuEx3Tl0VeI/AAAAAAAACnY/Mq0UqnSLfhM/s1600/050.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uWy4skxjQnA/TuEx3Tl0VeI/AAAAAAAACnY/Mq0UqnSLfhM/s320/050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683879030939735522" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fowh0dYW7Uw/TuEyOrFul5I/AAAAAAAACnk/EsERO5Kbu_k/s1600/044.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fowh0dYW7Uw/TuEyOrFul5I/AAAAAAAACnk/EsERO5Kbu_k/s320/044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683879432384583570" border="0" /></a>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-90240298909156983392011-11-17T13:19:00.013-06:002011-11-17T14:01:14.527-06:00Fall FunHello! I'm back! :) I have been so busy with my new obsession, I have neglected my blog.<br /><br />My new obsession is... <span style="font-style: italic;">drum roll please...</span> searching for preschool activities to do with the boys! I am putting together a binder to keep us busy through the upcoming winter months. Truly, I.Am.Obsessed!! One great blog leads you to another and another and another! I feel so blessed to have such great, FREE, resources right at my fingertips. (I think Craig misses my obsession with hunting for recipes...)<br /><br />These are a few things we have done so far:<br /><br />Searching for numbers in the rice, then hammering them in place - so fun!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vDMZ90leqIc/TsVf1KVWUpI/AAAAAAAACkA/UtifVILt-F8/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vDMZ90leqIc/TsVf1KVWUpI/AAAAAAAACkA/UtifVILt-F8/s320/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676048272281981586" border="0" /></a><br />Mixing paint colors!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8EYrv7pQTs/TsVgSg7vrtI/AAAAAAAACkY/qNnNZfbzghE/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8EYrv7pQTs/TsVgSg7vrtI/AAAAAAAACkY/qNnNZfbzghE/s320/012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676048776564813522" border="0" /></a><br />A paper plate pumpkin! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h4SkDw1G5PU/TsVfqXJzkGI/AAAAAAAACj0/nl1n-cUCl98/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h4SkDw1G5PU/TsVfqXJzkGI/AAAAAAAACj0/nl1n-cUCl98/s320/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676048086744666210" border="0" /></a>I just love this...had a hard time taking it down!<br /><br />Bath paint! <span style="font-style: italic;">Before</span> it got messy...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aGLRnU7hKIo/TsVgFWXlmYI/AAAAAAAACkM/HkXgfWdGpBg/s1600/021.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aGLRnU7hKIo/TsVgFWXlmYI/AAAAAAAACkM/HkXgfWdGpBg/s320/021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676048550390503810" border="0" /></a><br />Sensory Table Fun!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbR0Wl0dqvI/TsVn0AGzw3I/AAAAAAAACls/VIQaXTxkE18/s1600/047.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbR0Wl0dqvI/TsVn0AGzw3I/AAAAAAAACls/VIQaXTxkE18/s320/047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676057048449794930" border="0" /></a>Craig built this table himself...pretty awesome!<br /><br />Making leaf people! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7IX5Mu4n21c/TsVhBfHJXHI/AAAAAAAACk8/tThc2rDvWj0/s1600/095.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7IX5Mu4n21c/TsVhBfHJXHI/AAAAAAAACk8/tThc2rDvWj0/s320/095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676049583529614450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VWFRHvB07cA/TsVhBo8ov1I/AAAAAAAAClM/2qyGAkhlbRA/s1600/097.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VWFRHvB07cA/TsVhBo8ov1I/AAAAAAAAClM/2qyGAkhlbRA/s320/097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676049586169888594" border="0" /></a>Examining the finished product!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yxk7DQ4PP04/TsVhA-Kjp8I/AAAAAAAACkk/zbEaywgfJmM/s1600/101.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yxk7DQ4PP04/TsVhA-Kjp8I/AAAAAAAACkk/zbEaywgfJmM/s320/101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676049574685550530" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j4EHmv2bLrk/TsVju0fPlpI/AAAAAAAAClU/Jn-M351xDFw/s1600/113.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j4EHmv2bLrk/TsVju0fPlpI/AAAAAAAAClU/Jn-M351xDFw/s320/113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676052561385199250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LGGyu9ackVU/TsVju_HPReI/AAAAAAAAClg/n4fNmT7ar0s/s1600/114.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LGGyu9ackVU/TsVju_HPReI/AAAAAAAAClg/n4fNmT7ar0s/s320/114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676052564237305314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wV18m5LPCxE/TsVhBDi-ekI/AAAAAAAACkw/BD2t6mce-Ng/s1600/102.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wV18m5LPCxE/TsVhBDi-ekI/AAAAAAAACkw/BD2t6mce-Ng/s320/102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676049576130148930" border="0" /></a>Having FUN!Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-33942852488021784132011-11-02T13:54:00.014-05:002011-11-02T14:47:02.465-05:00Halloween At Our HouseI loved dressing up and trick-or-treating as a child. I have fond memories of costumes, pumpkin carving and candy! Now that we are parents, we are faced with the decisions to celebrate... Halloween? Santa? The Easter Bunny?<br /><br />At this time we are focusing on the friendly side of Halloween. Friendly costumes, decorations, pumpkin carving (although Craig's pumpkins are a little spooky as you will see! :) Although I don't like the evil side of the "holiday", I don't want to deny our kids the fond childhood memories that it can bring. This year more than ever we've been faced with the question of to celebrate or not-to-celebrate...<br /><br />We're going to celebrate!!<br /><br />The night before Halloween we carved pumpkins. Gage wanted to be a part of <span style="font-style: italic;">everything</span>! From scooping to cutting...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a4Sb3Htko3k/TrGWhsSvjCI/AAAAAAAACh8/gdutiA-6mk4/s1600/032.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a4Sb3Htko3k/TrGWhsSvjCI/AAAAAAAACh8/gdutiA-6mk4/s320/032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670478911405788194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjXLTf3W29I/TrGV-4jBKsI/AAAAAAAAChk/LKnVvmYaJU4/s1600/029.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjXLTf3W29I/TrGV-4jBKsI/AAAAAAAAChk/LKnVvmYaJU4/s320/029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670478313399855810" border="0" /></a>No, we did not let him have a knife! But we did give him a marker...<br /><br />Eli was more into playing with his tractor... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x7cqyEHsNuo/TrGWHUdQT6I/AAAAAAAAChw/xrTH6XbDuMY/s1600/035.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x7cqyEHsNuo/TrGWHUdQT6I/AAAAAAAAChw/xrTH6XbDuMY/s320/035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670478458330828706" border="0" /></a>Then he came around. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Wvw3qov08g/TrGWh76CbfI/AAAAAAAACiI/aFcFG2PhDmk/s1600/051.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Wvw3qov08g/TrGWh76CbfI/AAAAAAAACiI/aFcFG2PhDmk/s320/051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670478915597135346" border="0" /></a><br />The boys loved the finished pumpkins, especially with candles glowing in them! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GPeJWmBP1pE/TrGXMIT7aPI/AAAAAAAACig/DsylRE2FTVM/s1600/075.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GPeJWmBP1pE/TrGXMIT7aPI/AAAAAAAACig/DsylRE2FTVM/s320/075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670479640481458418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t6lcweFT2xM/TrGWxgbI8-I/AAAAAAAACiU/ifYZWGCuEng/s1600/072.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t6lcweFT2xM/TrGWxgbI8-I/AAAAAAAACiU/ifYZWGCuEng/s320/072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670479183097689058" border="0" /></a>The small one scared Gage a little.<br /><br />Trick-or-treating around here was very different than what we're used to. It went from 2 - dusk.? I was so confused as to who will be home at 2 in the afternoon to hand out candy, and aren't kids in school?? Anyway, we found out that people take time off work to be home and kids get out of school early! I guess Halloween's a big deal around here! So we joined the neighborhood crowd and went out at around 3:30.<br /><br />Look at my "Lil Punkins" from last year! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uFvX6m-ZISc/TrGZ5OerGPI/AAAAAAAACis/7Cw5GFujwMw/s1600/052.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uFvX6m-ZISc/TrGZ5OerGPI/AAAAAAAACis/7Cw5GFujwMw/s320/052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670482614254508274" border="0" /></a>And this year, Gage is wearing a hood again and Eli still has very little hair - ha! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uioy8xm8AF8/TrGakrjJDbI/AAAAAAAACi4/9SlPY-UFUw4/s1600/107.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uioy8xm8AF8/TrGakrjJDbI/AAAAAAAACi4/9SlPY-UFUw4/s320/107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670483360792251826" border="0" /></a>Oh, my boys are growing up! In my opinion, they were the cutest little Buzz and Woody ever! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-onQe1mFAXKY/TrGbPeVlvgI/AAAAAAAACjM/ff-oBuPbr9o/s1600/094.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-onQe1mFAXKY/TrGbPeVlvgI/AAAAAAAACjM/ff-oBuPbr9o/s320/094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670484095980125698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kOZrL83M-e8/TrGbPEvBnFI/AAAAAAAACjE/p9IpRTmrC8Y/s1600/089.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kOZrL83M-e8/TrGbPEvBnFI/AAAAAAAACjE/p9IpRTmrC8Y/s320/089.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670484089107487826" border="0" /></a>We took some time out to dance in the leaves.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kwdnAtFVifw/TrGb8njSZyI/AAAAAAAACjc/z6XagNucli0/s1600/104.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kwdnAtFVifw/TrGb8njSZyI/AAAAAAAACjc/z6XagNucli0/s320/104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670484871547610914" border="0" /></a> The boys looked so cute. I had a lump in my throat the whole time because I felt so weird going around without Craig. He was missing it. At least he got home in time to see them in their costumes. Next year he's just going to have to take off work early too!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-La53kDxI27c/TrGb891omKI/AAAAAAAACjo/8qU-OPQbLj8/s1600/122.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-La53kDxI27c/TrGb891omKI/AAAAAAAACjo/8qU-OPQbLj8/s320/122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670484877530142882" border="0" /></a>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-65450602291397002252011-10-26T13:51:00.004-05:002011-10-26T13:55:25.787-05:00Best of Friends......and worst enemies sometimes! But that doesn't usually last long. Just until someone gets his toy back!<br /><br />I have to share these pictures that I just LOVE! So wish they were better quality, but they still tell a good story!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eO_SFFbSfKQ/TqhXUxZYrmI/AAAAAAAACgY/qbvI6Ke3dRw/s1600/116.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eO_SFFbSfKQ/TqhXUxZYrmI/AAAAAAAACgY/qbvI6Ke3dRw/s320/116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667876145414581858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Eoec2ZRV2I/TqhXMBXh0-I/AAAAAAAACf0/G3cPIfeoVIg/s1600/117.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Eoec2ZRV2I/TqhXMBXh0-I/AAAAAAAACf0/G3cPIfeoVIg/s320/117.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667875995082937314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OyZdhxwoRH8/TqhXMxnKIXI/AAAAAAAACgQ/VxqBhElCXRU/s1600/119.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OyZdhxwoRH8/TqhXMxnKIXI/AAAAAAAACgQ/VxqBhElCXRU/s320/119.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667876008033395058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtdf8Sv8fzM/TqhXMdNGyuI/AAAAAAAACgA/YIaq_FmqwDE/s1600/118.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtdf8Sv8fzM/TqhXMdNGyuI/AAAAAAAACgA/YIaq_FmqwDE/s320/118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667876002555415266" border="0" /></a>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-90715057011308548632011-10-24T04:44:00.002-05:002011-10-24T04:51:49.153-05:00Corn!While I was in Galena a few weeks ago, and Craig was at his parents, he brought back a little treat for the boys...and me...<br /><br />CORN!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Us-m6hQml98/TqUzqrHrcQI/AAAAAAAACfo/AifGZLXb50U/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Us-m6hQml98/TqUzqrHrcQI/AAAAAAAACfo/AifGZLXb50U/s320/006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666992514338091266" border="0" /></a>I found a pool recently on clearance at Target and was saving it for just this purpose! The boys have been enjoying it immensely, thus I have been enjoying it too!<br /><br />It's the perfect indoor activity now that the weather is changing. Well, perfect as long as the corn <span style="font-style: italic;">stays in the pool</span>...which the boys are doing a pretty good job with!Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-15747641131341707232011-10-17T15:11:00.012-05:002011-10-18T21:03:05.510-05:00Pumpkin Festival<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hsux_qWK3K4/Tp4tGpVJjzI/AAAAAAAACeg/CCdfw81NlbM/s1600/062.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hsux_qWK3K4/Tp4tGpVJjzI/AAAAAAAACeg/CCdfw81NlbM/s320/062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665014973475688242" border="0" /></a><br />Our toughest decisions lately on the weekends have been, <span style="font-style: italic;">just wha</span><span style="font-style: italic;">t</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> to do</span> with the boys...since there are SO many options around here! It really is a good problem to have I guess!<br /><br />Last Saturday we decided on the Pumpkin Festival at Wagner Farms. First up on the to-do list was a tractor ride!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9jOBYTWjars/Tp4ta3vy6WI/AAAAAAAACes/k8f5FWt56mc/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9jOBYTWjars/Tp4ta3vy6WI/AAAAAAAACes/k8f5FWt56mc/s320/017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665015320942930274" border="0" /></a>Then we rode it again of course!<br /><br />The boys enjoyed looking at all the animals,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iv7nDmQlnjw/Tp4saPBVyvI/AAAAAAAACdk/2h5Rcc1PymQ/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iv7nDmQlnjw/Tp4saPBVyvI/AAAAAAAACdk/2h5Rcc1PymQ/s320/012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665014210499037938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8bTaBL6Lk6k/Tp4s2O9Tr_I/AAAAAAAACeI/94bdEy3e_gY/s1600/081.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8bTaBL6Lk6k/Tp4s2O9Tr_I/AAAAAAAACeI/94bdEy3e_gY/s320/081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665014691518459890" border="0" /></a>and playing in the straw (or was it hay? I can't remember which!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ej58ralD-7w/Tp4snEGTAgI/AAAAAAAACdw/DbZfj8earjo/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ej58ralD-7w/Tp4snEGTAgI/AAAAAAAACdw/DbZfj8earjo/s320/019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665014430905336322" border="0" /></a>Gage even got to milk a cow!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W0RhtvYgtls/Tp4stJps13I/AAAAAAAACd8/EuRxWWuJD4o/s1600/025.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W0RhtvYgtls/Tp4stJps13I/AAAAAAAACd8/EuRxWWuJD4o/s320/025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665014535475222386" border="0" /></a>We had a nutritious lunch of chocolate chip cookies and potato chips.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0N_sB136-ZM/Tp4u-XkPanI/AAAAAAAACfQ/xNZ_l9pj8BA/s1600/048.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0N_sB136-ZM/Tp4u-XkPanI/AAAAAAAACfQ/xNZ_l9pj8BA/s320/048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665017030291450482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1SwOoS7O3jU/Tp4uiMl33WI/AAAAAAAACfI/rt-VZvM8uoo/s1600/041.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1SwOoS7O3jU/Tp4uiMl33WI/AAAAAAAACfI/rt-VZvM8uoo/s320/041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665016546309168482" border="0" /></a>Gage's favorite thing was being buried under pumpkins. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C9VEr0O0eWM/Tp4tACXHMtI/AAAAAAAACeU/eBRn8k-3erc/s1600/077.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C9VEr0O0eWM/Tp4tACXHMtI/AAAAAAAACeU/eBRn8k-3erc/s320/077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665014859935724242" border="0" /></a>And although it was very chilly and blustery, we had a great time! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vYh8UwS-Tac/Tp4vavingiI/AAAAAAAACfc/XABsdvTafKU/s1600/056.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vYh8UwS-Tac/Tp4vavingiI/AAAAAAAACfc/XABsdvTafKU/s320/056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665017517763428898" border="0" /></a>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-7965949290109811962011-10-13T13:27:00.002-05:002011-10-13T13:35:23.176-05:00CountingMy baby isn't a baby anymore! He's talking more and more, helping pick up toys and whatever else I ask, and he's growing hair!! (I realized that as I was looking at pictures from last year recently!) He's even counting to 10 now...and beyond! I caught him in action at lunch today:<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzULvW-gNWqgHfhJw-pNyTy1sC7UoZggdMlIDn5N0I7zWiAOfZ8GbzH0JJWSrMxyXf6xOrNdMruLLhdfAXzbg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Big brother Gage had to have his turn too!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy3bSenmQgAhUxifrUQ1mS5eRTbqkk6KnVvfbmVMsFPWWBrSVxc1Sjng_fwSBv7iaOTwNeXuV5U43fMxHdq' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Oh how these two crack me up!Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-73965322773047235692011-10-10T13:36:00.008-05:002011-10-10T14:34:00.784-05:00Girls Weekend!!A tradition is born: Girls weekend in Galena over the Annual Craft Fair weekend!<br /><br />Remember <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://engelbrechtnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/girls-weekend-in-galena.html">last time</a> we went and how cold it was??? What a difference two years later! It was downright hot this year!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aayUWHX8Mn0/TpM-Vtg0hQI/AAAAAAAACc8/H96-r43KG_U/s1600/111.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aayUWHX8Mn0/TpM-Vtg0hQI/AAAAAAAACc8/H96-r43KG_U/s320/111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661937699250275586" border="0" /></a>And I was not 7 months pregnant this time! Two reasons to enjoy it even more!<br /><br />Oh, how we had fun shopping, laughing, eating, drinking, and no responsibilites... It was heavenly! And came to an end much too fast!<br /><br />We stayed in a lovely B&B over the weekend. It was my mom and sister's first B&B experience! Captain Harris Guest House<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D2vbI4E7Zro/TpM-ky8X9wI/AAAAAAAACdM/JD43-_yzk0g/s1600/102.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D2vbI4E7Zro/TpM-ky8X9wI/AAAAAAAACdM/JD43-_yzk0g/s320/102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661937958406059778" border="0" /></a>We had the entire lower level (The Captain's Quarters) to ourselves! What a treat!<br /><br />My mom and I met at our B&B late Friday afternoon, and Holly met up with us on Saturday morning. We hit the Craft Fair after breakfast, then shopping downtown in the afternoon/evening. On Saturday night we went to a magic/comedy show, and sat in the front row, no less! We were amazed by his simple tricks, which we couldn't even figure out sitting so close! So fun!<br /><br />Dining at one of our fave's, Fried Green Tomatoes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-80qLDk4pQSc/TpNHmmMAReI/AAAAAAAACdc/pbTpeyxBpvM/s1600/IMAG0311%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-80qLDk4pQSc/TpNHmmMAReI/AAAAAAAACdc/pbTpeyxBpvM/s320/IMAG0311%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661947884946343394" border="0" /></a><br />More eating and shopping on Sunday.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u83ThpOOSDw/TpM_7tUa21I/AAAAAAAACdU/n3pgrRjkFvE/s1600/110.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u83ThpOOSDw/TpM_7tUa21I/AAAAAAAACdU/n3pgrRjkFvE/s320/110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661939451544918866" border="0" /></a>Mom found a walking stick for Russ!<br /><br />Enjoying a yummy, and messy, shake at Dirty Gurt's!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GdRPVuuBOns/TpM-WDaNR4I/AAAAAAAACdE/pHDFXU_ne8M/s1600/112.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GdRPVuuBOns/TpM-WDaNR4I/AAAAAAAACdE/pHDFXU_ne8M/s320/112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661937705128118146" border="0" /></a>All too soon our fun weekend came to an end. I'm already looking forward to next year!Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-27667741513409701952011-09-21T13:46:00.004-05:002011-09-21T14:05:45.327-05:00Boys Will Be BoysI do not know where the time goes. Or what I am doing to pass the time.? Have you ever thought back on things, such as naptimes, and wonder "What have I been doing with myself?" Well I couldn't tell ya! <span style="font-style: italic;">But I do know that time flies and I am busy doing something!</span> So I apologize for my sporadic posting. I am going to try to be more consistent (especially for you family members who anxiously await!).<br /><br />Lately we have been busy enjoying this beautiful weather outside while we can!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n-dfqpc-uv8/TnozwaNM3DI/AAAAAAAACb8/AwlbxU-M7Vs/s1600/IMAG0231.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n-dfqpc-uv8/TnozwaNM3DI/AAAAAAAACb8/AwlbxU-M7Vs/s320/IMAG0231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654889188878507058" border="0" /></a>I just have to giggle at my BOYS! They are attracted to sand, dirt, water, mud, you name it, like a magnet! If it's dirty, they are all about it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhCyZ4ZpyZM/TnozyOuYe8I/AAAAAAAACcU/gYskwywKEh8/s1600/IMAG0220.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhCyZ4ZpyZM/TnozyOuYe8I/AAAAAAAACcU/gYskwywKEh8/s320/IMAG0220.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654889220156193730" border="0" /></a>We were at my mom's sometime in early summer and the boys were playing outside in her backyard, in the dirt of course. She was trying to persuade them to play in a cleaner place and they didn't want anything to do with it. I had to remind her that "they're boys Ma, that's what they do." <span style="font-style: italic;">She only had girls mind you.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOYdSI19KPI/TnozxingfaI/AAAAAAAACcM/4f8rg4zEewk/s1600/IMAG0224.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOYdSI19KPI/TnozxingfaI/AAAAAAAACcM/4f8rg4zEewk/s320/IMAG0224.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654889208316198306" border="0" /></a>Sometimes I want to keep them from getting dirty too, and then I remind myself that I need to let my boys be boys. A little dirt won't hurt anything. And hey, if it keeps them busy and happy, <span style="font-style: italic;">I am all about that!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oc-Y2TYstzk/Tnozw7VotbI/AAAAAAAACcE/b-UT0T2uJ2E/s1600/IMAG0225.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oc-Y2TYstzk/Tnozw7VotbI/AAAAAAAACcE/b-UT0T2uJ2E/s320/IMAG0225.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654889197772256690" border="0" /></a>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-19832182146412994322011-09-01T15:20:00.008-05:002011-09-02T12:57:53.555-05:00The BeachWow it has been much too long since I have posted! It is really something when your husband reminds you because he keeps looking for a new post and it's not there...(especially when it's <span style="font-style: italic;">my </span>husband).
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<br />We have had lots of visitors over the past few weeks! And the sad thing is I don't have many pictures to prove it! I am not sure what my problem is that I am not grabbing my camera. I have been telling Craig that I need a new camera...one that I will like using! So I am hopeful when my birthday rolls around in a few months...
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<br />First my mom and Russ were here for part of their vacation. We had fun celebrating my mom's birthday. Then Kevin & Hannah and their boys were here for a week. And today we just said goodbye to Craig's parents after they were here for a few days. My boys have been spoiled! Now it's back to reality - just boring old Mom and Dad!
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<br />Some of our favorite times lately have been at the beach. It is pretty cool to live near this:
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-voAzp0fG81Y/TmEBgYI9AbI/AAAAAAAACbk/J3MyUDpSNWo/s1600/128.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-voAzp0fG81Y/TmEBgYI9AbI/AAAAAAAACbk/J3MyUDpSNWo/s320/128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647797063446757810" border="0" /></a>
<br />Gage likes to dip his feet in the water.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6rBTI71PuC0/TmEA6ynF7oI/AAAAAAAACbc/GK5jO9SFpD8/s1600/IMAG0188.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6rBTI71PuC0/TmEA6ynF7oI/AAAAAAAACbc/GK5jO9SFpD8/s320/IMAG0188.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647796417717464706" border="0" /></a>Eli is content just playing in the sand.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EQ1uQvSDe8A/TmEA50oLh-I/AAAAAAAACbM/cw9GeUi7jN8/s1600/IMAG0181%2B-%2BCopy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EQ1uQvSDe8A/TmEA50oLh-I/AAAAAAAACbM/cw9GeUi7jN8/s320/IMAG0181%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647796401079027682" border="0" /></a>Craig likes to play too,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RH81HVCDIQ/TmEA6eWsA2I/AAAAAAAACbU/LZRAKuQ4Vig/s1600/IMAG0183.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RH81HVCDIQ/TmEA6eWsA2I/AAAAAAAACbU/LZRAKuQ4Vig/s320/IMAG0183.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647796412279948130" border="0" /></a> and I just enjoy the view.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_lTeufU5vFo/TmA-MVYi3ZI/AAAAAAAACbE/DJBK4c9xZiE/s1600/034.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_lTeufU5vFo/TmA-MVYi3ZI/AAAAAAAACbE/DJBK4c9xZiE/s320/034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647582314342047122" border="0" /></a>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-7794309957337116862011-08-09T13:30:00.010-05:002011-08-09T14:01:20.975-05:00Fun Times in Chi-TownI keep telling people we meet how much we love it here! Mostly because of so many options of great things to do and places to eat! One of my favorite finds so far is a place called <a href="http://www.nibblesplaycafe.com/index.cfm">Nibbles Play Cafe</a>. It's a place where you can order food and/or coffee and the little ones can play! They often have theme parties there like a Thomas Party:
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EX1NBHG9uAE/TkF-Adb3P8I/AAAAAAAACZk/PIdh6UAtqC4/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EX1NBHG9uAE/TkF-Adb3P8I/AAAAAAAACZk/PIdh6UAtqC4/s320/012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638926754811166658" border="0" /></a>The Conductor came and sang songs and did games with the kids. Gage was a little reluctant to join in at first. It wasn't long until he got right up there too!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-olALjdLHrFU/TkF-ZI08PCI/AAAAAAAACZ0/Nyp_gdO-c9g/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-olALjdLHrFU/TkF-ZI08PCI/AAAAAAAACZ0/Nyp_gdO-c9g/s320/013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638927178775936034" border="0" /></a>He even waited in line with Daddy for his turn at the game. Getting a prize was a good incentive! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--FOtKvuUle0/TkF-AphxRbI/AAAAAAAACZs/ulEoD9osnVg/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--FOtKvuUle0/TkF-AphxRbI/AAAAAAAACZs/ulEoD9osnVg/s320/017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638926758057166258" border="0" /></a>Eli wasn't interested in the games and songs this time, but he sure loved the cupcake decorating party we went to the next week! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j5uzz6c32Lg/TkF_y4b7tbI/AAAAAAAACZ8/Qx727j7GVwM/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j5uzz6c32Lg/TkF_y4b7tbI/AAAAAAAACZ8/Qx727j7GVwM/s320/009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638928720564303282" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--B1-D9ObfzA/TkGAX29J3KI/AAAAAAAACaU/MAxuDUgfBnQ/s1600/018.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--B1-D9ObfzA/TkGAX29J3KI/AAAAAAAACaU/MAxuDUgfBnQ/s320/018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638929355821931682" border="0" /></a>Gage didn't mind it either! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xp8iVeB6aTY/TkGAXUAhK_I/AAAAAAAACaM/J0Vfhawz7po/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xp8iVeB6aTY/TkGAXUAhK_I/AAAAAAAACaM/J0Vfhawz7po/s320/016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638929346440801266" border="0" /></a>We found a fun hot dog joint called Portillos! We've been there twice already! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWLMn5reMSk/TkGA1Zmw5lI/AAAAAAAACac/O0-20ewUyfg/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWLMn5reMSk/TkGA1Zmw5lI/AAAAAAAACac/O0-20ewUyfg/s320/006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638929863339468370" border="0" /></a>Wow, that is a big drink for a little guy... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zjpiuw8t998/TkGA1p5AKUI/AAAAAAAACak/2axo4LDGls8/s1600/007.JPG">
<br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1N2BMPPorm8/TkGDOSysUVI/AAAAAAAACa8/A8ypNZrbTKo/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1N2BMPPorm8/TkGDOSysUVI/AAAAAAAACa8/A8ypNZrbTKo/s320/007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638932490030436690" border="0" /></a>And finally, here is Gage getting his first Chicago haircut...in style!
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m0NKG3iEQgc/TkGCAVh-vAI/AAAAAAAACa0/CivpUU-8agg/s1600/029.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m0NKG3iEQgc/TkGCAVh-vAI/AAAAAAAACa0/CivpUU-8agg/s320/029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638931150735850498" border="0" /></a>Oh yeah, things are over the top here in Chicago Land! Can you see why we love it??
<br />Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-60757597198217458172011-07-29T14:10:00.003-05:002011-07-29T15:31:59.114-05:00Gager-GooMy little Gager Goo (a nickname from my sister) is growing up! I realized that one day recently when I looked down at him in my arms and noticed he has arm hair!! And leg hair too?! No more baby arms and legs! I wondered when that happened?!<br /><br />I also realized that we can understand everything he says now too. No more words or phrases mixed in with gibberish. And boy he is cracking us up with what he is saying! I have to share:<br /><br />One night, during those long days/nights when Craig was working in Chicago and we were by ourselves in Ames, I was putting the boys to bed and Gage said, "Eli cranky." And I said, "Yeah, and you're a little cranky too bud." And he said, "Yeah, and you cranky too Mama!" Oh it made me laugh so hard! Such a great note to end the day on.<br /><br />Then one day before we moved we were walking up the stairs side by side and Gage was saying something that I couldn't quite understand. So I asked him to repeat it and he said, "It's a long story Mama, it's a long story."<br /><br />Whenever I have Eli and Gage both on my lap, or we are sitting together somewhere, Gage <span style="font-style: italic;">always</span> says, "We a happy family!" It melts my heart everytime.<br /><br />We were eating dinner one night recently and he turned and put his feet on my legs so his legs were stretched out. Then he leaned back and said with a sigh, "I relaxin!"<br /><br />With everything that he is saying these days it really makes us realize <span style="font-style: italic;">he is paying attention!</span> When I wonder <span style="font-style: italic;">where did he get that</span>, I can usually remember, or catch myself saying, a word or phrase that he has picked up on. What a good reminder to watch what I say and realize what kind of attitude I have!<br /><br />Our new mailman's name is Bob. I don't really even remember telling Gage that, but the other day when we were driving he saw a mail truck and exclaimed, "There's Bob!" I just went with it and agreed, knowing it probably wasn't <span style="font-style: italic;">our</span> Bob. Then he spotted another mail truck and said, "There's Bob again! There sure are a lot of Bobs out there today." (Now, his speech isn't quite that articulate so you have to imagine it's more like "dare" for "there" which is so much cuter anyway!)<br /><br />Gage makes me laugh a lot, those are just a few classics that I could remember. So often I think, I need to write that down. It makes me excited to think of Eli talking a lot and making us laugh in a year from now! I will leave you with a comical video that captures both of our boys at their best! Enjoy!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy0TvsQtXQp6v8YCSXZbnZOjCnH19VBuW9wzf7xufgoVuooUnR1CF-iwFYq0ScFqZE9b-XQQZdPRkYZ5Lwvcg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-13365643698176073222011-07-23T20:31:00.013-05:002011-07-23T22:02:39.698-05:00What a Day!So many things to say, what should I post first?! Let's see, how about this...<br />Our doorbell rang at 4:45 this morning. It was Bill, our next door neighbor, coming to see how we were doing and if we even knew about this:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_dh5AHq4ipA/Tit40xFTJDI/AAAAAAAACX4/AtPlGphWjrA/s1600/018.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_dh5AHq4ipA/Tit40xFTJDI/AAAAAAAACX4/AtPlGphWjrA/s320/018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632728606881031218" border="0" /></a>We had heard thunder all night long but did not even think about the possibility of flooding! We went down to the basement and discovered about an inch of water covering the floor. We were actually lucky, Bill's family already had water halfway up to the ceiling in their nicely finished basement! In these early morning hours we also received calls and texts from other neighbors wondering how we were doing, as well as various men showing up to help. Our house and the Johnson's next door were the hardest hit.<br /><br />I have never been in this bad of a water situation before and felt a little panicky. I asked Craig if we needed to evacuate! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BAOnNVQZVT4/Tit2ZmH87wI/AAAAAAAACXw/i837CpcXhp8/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BAOnNVQZVT4/Tit2ZmH87wI/AAAAAAAACXw/i837CpcXhp8/s320/026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632725941059645186" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-znfyCtpcK_o/Tit8ef-MKhI/AAAAAAAACYA/pmYVtJtH3q8/s1600/IMAG0171.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-znfyCtpcK_o/Tit8ef-MKhI/AAAAAAAACYA/pmYVtJtH3q8/s320/IMAG0171.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632732622377200146" border="0" /></a>I love this photo! The boys were so fascinated by all the water. They really wanted to go outside and "jump in the muddles" as Gage said!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kbQNLG8sPw/Tit_r68xe3I/AAAAAAAACYY/CEd3vjHzNBc/s1600/064.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kbQNLG8sPw/Tit_r68xe3I/AAAAAAAACYY/CEd3vjHzNBc/s320/064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632736151492197234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VmRSf24Pt28/Tit9NllUXbI/AAAAAAAACYI/e6ud5ymkn2Y/s1600/033.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VmRSf24Pt28/Tit9NllUXbI/AAAAAAAACYI/e6ud5ymkn2Y/s320/033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632733431337344434" border="0" /></a>All morning it continued to rain and we were worried about the basement! Craig sandbagged around the window well, but other than that it was just a matter of waiting and watching. By late morning the water finally started to recede! The peak of water in our basement was 8 in. Unfortunately all the flooring was damaged and the walls will also need to be replaced, but we were able to salvage the furniture thank goodness.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qLFYgITzsU/Tit9bPl3FvI/AAAAAAAACYQ/E4Z3ADMkti0/s1600/063.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qLFYgITzsU/Tit9bPl3FvI/AAAAAAAACYQ/E4Z3ADMkti0/s320/063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632733665952208626" border="0" /></a>By early afternoon the water had receded quite a bit. You can see our sidewalk again! The neighborhood kids had a great time frolicking in that murky water!<br /><br />After the boys woke up from their naps we went outside to check things out!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gpOkH6oTpKo/TiuA14xxqnI/AAAAAAAACYg/tbN_lSRjJv0/s1600/070.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gpOkH6oTpKo/TiuA14xxqnI/AAAAAAAACYg/tbN_lSRjJv0/s320/070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632737422219520626" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZ5ILAommxY/TiuA2dnhdyI/AAAAAAAACYo/XP3KwPMruvY/s1600/073.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZ5ILAommxY/TiuA2dnhdyI/AAAAAAAACYo/XP3KwPMruvY/s320/073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632737432108627746" border="0" /></a>What a remarkable difference! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-anj7wg4Gdn0/TiuBPkWDm1I/AAAAAAAACYw/B5WCSLxvGww/s1600/075.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-anj7wg4Gdn0/TiuBPkWDm1I/AAAAAAAACYw/B5WCSLxvGww/s320/075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632737863411145554" border="0" /></a>We spotted some visitors in the field behind our property...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aea1Yeae-gY/TiuBYkFuG-I/AAAAAAAACY4/NuWxti27_3M/s1600/081.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aea1Yeae-gY/TiuBYkFuG-I/AAAAAAAACY4/NuWxti27_3M/s320/081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632738017961450466" border="0" /></a> Our day was not quite what we expected, but it was a fascinating one at that. We marvel at the awesome wonder of God's design in nature, and the blessed hearts of the neighbors that surround us! What a beautiful picture of community we saw firsthand today. <span style="font-style: italic;">So thankful.</span>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-26087543446768472532011-07-21T13:50:00.012-05:002011-07-21T14:15:28.318-05:00The ZooLife is good! I'm sure I sounded a little depressed a few posts ago, but I am doing great! I know that a little loneliness is to be expected when you move away from all of your friends and familiarity!<br /><br />Overall, we are enjoying our new <span style="font-style: italic;">home</span>! Gage is beginning to call it "home" now too. :) So far we have had several great adventures! One includes visiting the Lincoln Park Zoo with our friends, the Gibson's, while they were here. It was the boys' first zoo experience, and they were so excited!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbGRZBqNUkg/Tih2ujVVNeI/AAAAAAAACWo/u-w25oK6WNg/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbGRZBqNUkg/Tih2ujVVNeI/AAAAAAAACWo/u-w25oK6WNg/s320/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631881876157576674" border="0" /></a>(Eli was a little more concerned about getting his sippy cup back at the moment.)<br /><br />Right off the bat we got to see a lion having some lunch! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aFV6DnR72-E/Tih2-IUr8rI/AAAAAAAACWw/EQN67sSA09w/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aFV6DnR72-E/Tih2-IUr8rI/AAAAAAAACWw/EQN67sSA09w/s320/006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631882143785022130" border="0" /></a>(Of course Craig and I had more fun watching the boys than the actual animals...)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7JH_lvPaZVY/Tih3OZQ3ffI/AAAAAAAACW4/GJzuDZzUEiU/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7JH_lvPaZVY/Tih3OZQ3ffI/AAAAAAAACW4/GJzuDZzUEiU/s320/011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631882423210311154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wI0NzQWabOM/Tih3V-rPW9I/AAAAAAAACXA/2zxG3LdfHcQ/s1600/025.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wI0NzQWabOM/Tih3V-rPW9I/AAAAAAAACXA/2zxG3LdfHcQ/s320/025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631882553512123346" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JDB0ILDEzuw/Tih5x0BjB0I/AAAAAAAACXY/3Bk09lBQUWs/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JDB0ILDEzuw/Tih5x0BjB0I/AAAAAAAACXY/3Bk09lBQUWs/s320/017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631885230712489794" border="0" /></a>Gage did not like being this close to an alligator. Get me outta here!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PZaB1DjRy-o/Tih5yGzR6AI/AAAAAAAACXg/TGH68PjDejs/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PZaB1DjRy-o/Tih5yGzR6AI/AAAAAAAACXg/TGH68PjDejs/s320/019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631885235752921090" border="0" /></a><br />After we saw lots of fun animals the boys found their FAVORITE part of the zoo:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDXwdQVX3qI/Tih3f8y-yQI/AAAAAAAACXI/RKoHNPZiKxM/s1600/031.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDXwdQVX3qI/Tih3f8y-yQI/AAAAAAAACXI/RKoHNPZiKxM/s320/031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631882724806412546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohFsF5Q0Ub0/Tih6VtAYSCI/AAAAAAAACXo/gqs6JypgV0Q/s1600/029.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohFsF5Q0Ub0/Tih6VtAYSCI/AAAAAAAACXo/gqs6JypgV0Q/s320/029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631885847303833634" border="0" /></a>Note to self: Next time take an extra pair of clothes each!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ElI0YtSd8Q4/Tih3rvA8LWI/AAAAAAAACXQ/Fl5UXLiLHCA/s1600/035.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ElI0YtSd8Q4/Tih3rvA8LWI/AAAAAAAACXQ/Fl5UXLiLHCA/s320/035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631882927265295714" border="0" /></a>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365422875810454907.post-6816361736828900742011-07-15T13:50:00.005-05:002011-07-15T14:16:23.214-05:00Eli-Eli-Oh!My little Eli is growing and changing so much - I realized that I haven't kept a good record of his changes!<br /><br />He will be 19 months old on Saturday! I am enjoying him so much lately, more than ever. He is doing such "little boy" things...like this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w20Eo_RmqIA/TiCNe-kQtLI/AAAAAAAACWY/guj3GrzptvQ/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w20Eo_RmqIA/TiCNe-kQtLI/AAAAAAAACWY/guj3GrzptvQ/s320/011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629655097543799986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jdXBwPhuUmM/TiCNfj-JrvI/AAAAAAAACWg/cyaKr9eAZhg/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jdXBwPhuUmM/TiCNfj-JrvI/AAAAAAAACWg/cyaKr9eAZhg/s320/012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629655107584503538" border="0" /></a><br />He just recently started taking an interest in driving cars and trucks. Now he lays down next to his trucks while he drives them along! So cute!<br /><br />He is saying things like: "Dada, where ahhh you?" and "Hold you!" with his arms reaching up to me.<br /><br />He answers a lot of questions with "uh-huh". And he loves to say "Hi!" to everyone in the grocery store, or wherever we are!<br /><br />Anything round is an "apple". For a long time everything flying in the sky was "elicopter" but now he does say "airplane" since we see them so frequently now.<br /><br />His favorite book is "Old MacDonald"... I wonder if maybe it's because I sing "Eli-Eli-Oh"...<br /><br />I found some fun Mickey Mouse videos online and Eli absolutely loves them! He often points to the computer and says "mouse!"<br /><br />And now I leave you with a little video, where you can see our Eli getting very excited about a Mickey Mouse DVD that we were watching. I can't even get a word in! See if you can pick out some words here and there...:) And I must add that we do dress him, occasionally...ha!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyN_p38ixqkEyCYsVt3tlAizUYQovyks1OreI82e-9Ozi0V_zmhfQlwZBDOjr0rPyW2Pc_I5WRJbbnxrrXNrA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12210826790508534422noreply@blogger.com2