It just cracks me up! Little brother Eli is definitely the aggressor, clobbering Gage out of nowhere.
Gage puts up with it, but would rather not be clobbered.
I have to say, I love it! I'm sure one day big brother will reciprocate.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Eli the Great
This is what I am seeing a lot of these days:
It just cracks me up! Little brother Eli is definitely the aggressor, clobbering Gage out of nowhere.
Gage puts up with it, but would rather not be clobbered.
I have to say, I love it! I'm sure one day big brother will reciprocate.
It just cracks me up! Little brother Eli is definitely the aggressor, clobbering Gage out of nowhere.
Gage puts up with it, but would rather not be clobbered.I have to say, I love it! I'm sure one day big brother will reciprocate.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Chicago Here We Come!
Why am I not updating this little blog you may wonder... Among the day to day tasks that can bury me sometimes, we are preparing for here.
Chicago. One of our most favorite places. This picture was taken almost five years ago when I accompanied Craig on a business trip. Little did we know that five years later we'd be moving to this very special place! (A northern suburb to be exact.)
Craig was offered a wonderful job opportunity with Seimens, located in Buffalo Grove. We are so excited for this new adventure for our family! We have a great house/neighborhood near Craig's workplace waiting for us. In one short month we will be headed to our new home.
Chicago. One of our most favorite places. This picture was taken almost five years ago when I accompanied Craig on a business trip. Little did we know that five years later we'd be moving to this very special place! (A northern suburb to be exact.)Craig was offered a wonderful job opportunity with Seimens, located in Buffalo Grove. We are so excited for this new adventure for our family! We have a great house/neighborhood near Craig's workplace waiting for us. In one short month we will be headed to our new home.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
A Lost Ring Found
I commented on Facebook awhile back about my tremendous joy in finding my lost wedding ring and promised the story would be posted on my blog, so here it is:
One morning, several weeks ago, we were getting ready to go to Craig's parents' house in Davenport. Gage was with me in the bathroom while I was getting ready doing his usual "playing" with the bathroom stuff. Later, on our way out of the neighborhood I noticed that I didn't have my ring on so I made Craig turn around and go back. When I went to the bathroom counter where I usually put it when I take it off at night, it wasn't there. I looked all around and couldn't find it anywhere. I went back to the van and said "Gage, do you know where Mommy's ring is?" Of course I didn't get an answer from an oblivious little 2 year old.
I felt so naked without my ring all weekend. The next week Craig and I looked thoroughly around the upstairs. I was just baffled and sick to think that my ring could be lost forever. (Craig was too, and not for sentimental reasons!)
A few weeks later we were in our hotel room in Las Vegas for a getaway weekend. I was in the shower when I heard Craig gasp. I peek out and what should he be holding? My beloved ring... that he found in his toiletry bag! Our dear little son must have put it in there that morning when it was out on the counter. The amazing thing is, Craig did not see it the entire time at his parents, or when he was in Chicago the next weekend!
Doesn't this picture just seem fitting?!
The find made it a great start to our Vegas trip! I couldn't have been happier. I suppose the few weeks I went without my precious ring made me appreciate it even more...and vow to never take it off again! Now Craig and I each have a good story about losing our rings...his is even more amazing. Maybe I'll write about it sometime. :)
One morning, several weeks ago, we were getting ready to go to Craig's parents' house in Davenport. Gage was with me in the bathroom while I was getting ready doing his usual "playing" with the bathroom stuff. Later, on our way out of the neighborhood I noticed that I didn't have my ring on so I made Craig turn around and go back. When I went to the bathroom counter where I usually put it when I take it off at night, it wasn't there. I looked all around and couldn't find it anywhere. I went back to the van and said "Gage, do you know where Mommy's ring is?" Of course I didn't get an answer from an oblivious little 2 year old.
I felt so naked without my ring all weekend. The next week Craig and I looked thoroughly around the upstairs. I was just baffled and sick to think that my ring could be lost forever. (Craig was too, and not for sentimental reasons!)
A few weeks later we were in our hotel room in Las Vegas for a getaway weekend. I was in the shower when I heard Craig gasp. I peek out and what should he be holding? My beloved ring... that he found in his toiletry bag! Our dear little son must have put it in there that morning when it was out on the counter. The amazing thing is, Craig did not see it the entire time at his parents, or when he was in Chicago the next weekend!
Doesn't this picture just seem fitting?!
The find made it a great start to our Vegas trip! I couldn't have been happier. I suppose the few weeks I went without my precious ring made me appreciate it even more...and vow to never take it off again! Now Craig and I each have a good story about losing our rings...his is even more amazing. Maybe I'll write about it sometime. :)
Monday, April 25, 2011
Brotherly Love
Has it really been a month already?! Wow, since two people pointed out that it has been awhile it makes me realize that I DO have readers so I better get crackin! :)
I was just thinking the other day that I have not been taking as many pictures of the boys lately, and I'm not sure why that is. So I got my camera out and started snapping!
Here is Eli checking out Gage's train of trucks.
Here are the boys playing together, one of my very favorite things no matter how messy it gets! 
This one cracks me up! I'm not sure why Eli has such a grumpy face. 
Here is a close up of his shiner. It actually is worse than it looks. Poor bud fell into a table while we were at a friend's house and caught his cheek. After naptime that day it became his first black eye.
I love catching these two together!
I was just thinking the other day that I have not been taking as many pictures of the boys lately, and I'm not sure why that is. So I got my camera out and started snapping!
Here is Eli checking out Gage's train of trucks.
Here are the boys playing together, one of my very favorite things no matter how messy it gets! 
This one cracks me up! I'm not sure why Eli has such a grumpy face. 
Here is a close up of his shiner. It actually is worse than it looks. Poor bud fell into a table while we were at a friend's house and caught his cheek. After naptime that day it became his first black eye.
I love catching these two together!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Recipe Organization and Menu Planning
I have been realizing more and more lately that I love cooking for my family! It brings me such joy to make them happy with the food I prepare. I am constantly looking for new recipes to try. That is actually one of my favorite things to do! The other night I was telling Craig about how much I love to do that, and he kind of snorted-laughed and said, "That sounds so boring!" Well lucky for us he isn't the one doing the cooking!
I wanted to share a great new system that I have come up with. I have recipes galore, and they are on cards, papers, magazine pages, in cookbooks, everywhere! I wanted to come up with something that organized all of our favorite recipes in one place. This is my answer:
I LOVE my little binder! I found it online through Amazon. It has tabs that I have labeled "Breakfast" "Lunch" "Dinner" "Sides" "Breads" "Desserts" etc.
When I find a good recipe to try in a magazine I tear it out and put it in another binder that is my "To Try" binder. When I find a recipe online I copy and paste it to a Word document and save it on my computer. Then after we have tried it we determine if it makes the cut or not into the Recipe Saver.
Every Saturday morning is my time to prepare the next week's menu and grocery list, then go do my shopping. I write out the menu on a white board that we have sitting on the kitchen counter. Craig refers to it often throughout the week when he is curious about what's for dinner. I love this routine! It works great for us. I would love to hear what you do! So come on all you "shy commenters" out there...Let me hear from you!
I wanted to share a great new system that I have come up with. I have recipes galore, and they are on cards, papers, magazine pages, in cookbooks, everywhere! I wanted to come up with something that organized all of our favorite recipes in one place. This is my answer:
I LOVE my little binder! I found it online through Amazon. It has tabs that I have labeled "Breakfast" "Lunch" "Dinner" "Sides" "Breads" "Desserts" etc.
When I find a good recipe to try in a magazine I tear it out and put it in another binder that is my "To Try" binder. When I find a recipe online I copy and paste it to a Word document and save it on my computer. Then after we have tried it we determine if it makes the cut or not into the Recipe Saver.Every Saturday morning is my time to prepare the next week's menu and grocery list, then go do my shopping. I write out the menu on a white board that we have sitting on the kitchen counter. Craig refers to it often throughout the week when he is curious about what's for dinner. I love this routine! It works great for us. I would love to hear what you do! So come on all you "shy commenters" out there...Let me hear from you!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Good Times
It is definitely time for an update from the Engelbrecht Household! As I previously posted, Craig is now lifting the boys again, which makes my life so much easier! Those 6 weeks were grueling, but we had some great times in there too!
Craig's brother Kevin and his family came to visit! Dalton is just one month older than Gage, and Bentley is 3 months now (2 months when they were here!).
We had lots of fun having them here!
And these two little leprechauns were here for a few days during Spring Break.
Gage had fun watching Will play the Wii.
And we went to Jordan Creek for some shopping and playtime.
That afternoon while we were enjoying the beautiful weather, Gage locked himself in the Envoy ...long story! But the good news is that our 2 year old is so smart, he can also UNLOCK the door as well!
We also visited Gma & Gpa E. in there, and had visits from GrandMary too. So really, as you can see, those 6 weeks went by very WELL!
Craig's brother Kevin and his family came to visit! Dalton is just one month older than Gage, and Bentley is 3 months now (2 months when they were here!).
We had lots of fun having them here!
And these two little leprechauns were here for a few days during Spring Break.
Gage had fun watching Will play the Wii.
And we went to Jordan Creek for some shopping and playtime.
That afternoon while we were enjoying the beautiful weather, Gage locked himself in the Envoy ...long story! But the good news is that our 2 year old is so smart, he can also UNLOCK the door as well!
We also visited Gma & Gpa E. in there, and had visits from GrandMary too. So really, as you can see, those 6 weeks went by very WELL!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Here I Come!
Well, a GREAT thing happened last week...We (or should I say Craig) hit the 6 week mark of post-surgery recovery!!! So that means he can start lifting more. He is still taking it easy, but I am no longer tied down to being the only one who can lift Gage and Eli, which means I can actually leave the house, alone! Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore my boys, but everyone needs a little freedom too!
So miscellaneous appointments, women's Bible study, Bunco, and girls night out...here I come!
So miscellaneous appointments, women's Bible study, Bunco, and girls night out...here I come!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Gage-isms
My sweet Gage is 2 years and almost 2 months old now. Being that age, he can truly exasperate me and stretch my patience sometimes, but mostly...Oh how I delight in him!
Our bedtime ritual consists of this these days:
We read books, say prayers, sometimes rock and sing, and then every time I lay him down he says, "Wait Mama, wait Mama!" I lean on his crib rail and say, "I'm waiting sweetpea." And he relaxes and smiles and we talk about things like what he is going to dream about. Usually "Thomas" is first on the list.
The camera is his favorite "toy"! He loves to take pictures of himself,
and other things as of late. 
"My's" is his word for "mine". Something about that makes it easier on the ears. Although I am sure his little brother doesn't think so.
He so cutely and neatly lines his cars and trucks up in a train.
And then little brother comes along...
You can see he's starting to move his cars away from those approaching little hands...
"I need that _____!" is his newest phrase. He fills it in with whatever he thinks he needs at the time.
He says in the sweetest voice you can possibly imagine, "Holda Mama, holda Mama" when he wants me to pick him up...usually it's a ploy to take him out of the grocery cart so he can walk, or have me put him up on the counter, etc. He sure knows how to get me to do it.
His belly is his favorite place to draw on, and place stickers.
Gage is definitely a typical two-year-old who likes to test the limits, but more than anything he makes being a mama so much fun!
Our bedtime ritual consists of this these days:
We read books, say prayers, sometimes rock and sing, and then every time I lay him down he says, "Wait Mama, wait Mama!" I lean on his crib rail and say, "I'm waiting sweetpea." And he relaxes and smiles and we talk about things like what he is going to dream about. Usually "Thomas" is first on the list.
The camera is his favorite "toy"! He loves to take pictures of himself,
and other things as of late. 
"My's" is his word for "mine". Something about that makes it easier on the ears. Although I am sure his little brother doesn't think so.He so cutely and neatly lines his cars and trucks up in a train.
And then little brother comes along...
You can see he's starting to move his cars away from those approaching little hands..."I need that _____!" is his newest phrase. He fills it in with whatever he thinks he needs at the time.
He says in the sweetest voice you can possibly imagine, "Holda Mama, holda Mama" when he wants me to pick him up...usually it's a ploy to take him out of the grocery cart so he can walk, or have me put him up on the counter, etc. He sure knows how to get me to do it.
His belly is his favorite place to draw on, and place stickers.
Gage is definitely a typical two-year-old who likes to test the limits, but more than anything he makes being a mama so much fun!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Valentine's Goodies
I give credit to my mother for my love of holidays! Growing up she would always make them special, in very simple ways. Just waking up to my valentine gift waiting for me on the table every Feb. 14 was so fun!
This year, more than ever, I really got into Valentine's day! I think having children to indulge makes it so much more fun, even more than indulging my sweetheart (sorry hon!).
It all started with the adorable yarn hearts I found in a magazine that are super easy to make. Just a little homemade corn starch glue, yarn, and heart shaped cookie cutters are all you need!
To start the day off right the boys found their little presents on the table (red baskets from Hobby Lobby filled with Target dollar spot items) and then we had heart-shaped pancakes.
Eli still doesn't really have a clue what's going on, but he liked his pancake!
For lunch we cut out cheese hearts.
Between breakfast and lunch a little neighbor friend and her mommy came over for some Valentine fun (playdoh, coloring, and cookies!).
During naptime I worked like mad to finish Craig's homemade gift (a heart-shaped candy box filled with his favorites - Reeses PB Cups!) which I had to redo after a frustrating battle with the hot glue gun. The gun won the first round but I eventually conquered!
I did not expect it to be so challenging! The boys' homemade heart cards are the best part. :)
These are the cards we made for the grandparents:
The card I made for Craig: 
Which I presented to my sweetheart after the boys went to bed, along with steak, garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, and this:
Whew, what a much needed treat after some very early mornings and late nights lately due to a teething baby/toddler (still not walking yet, can he be called a toddler??), and long days trying to keep my head above water! There just seems to be so much to do and so little time these days.
But how I love to craft...and will always make time for that, even if it is at the last minute! :)
This year, more than ever, I really got into Valentine's day! I think having children to indulge makes it so much more fun, even more than indulging my sweetheart (sorry hon!).
It all started with the adorable yarn hearts I found in a magazine that are super easy to make. Just a little homemade corn starch glue, yarn, and heart shaped cookie cutters are all you need!
To start the day off right the boys found their little presents on the table (red baskets from Hobby Lobby filled with Target dollar spot items) and then we had heart-shaped pancakes.
Eli still doesn't really have a clue what's going on, but he liked his pancake!
For lunch we cut out cheese hearts.
Between breakfast and lunch a little neighbor friend and her mommy came over for some Valentine fun (playdoh, coloring, and cookies!).During naptime I worked like mad to finish Craig's homemade gift (a heart-shaped candy box filled with his favorites - Reeses PB Cups!) which I had to redo after a frustrating battle with the hot glue gun. The gun won the first round but I eventually conquered!
I did not expect it to be so challenging! The boys' homemade heart cards are the best part. :)These are the cards we made for the grandparents:
The card I made for Craig: 
Which I presented to my sweetheart after the boys went to bed, along with steak, garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, and this:
Whew, what a much needed treat after some very early mornings and late nights lately due to a teething baby/toddler (still not walking yet, can he be called a toddler??), and long days trying to keep my head above water! There just seems to be so much to do and so little time these days.
But how I love to craft...and will always make time for that, even if it is at the last minute! :)
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