Christmas with our OTHER family!

The day after Christmas was spent having lunch with the Perry's, buying a new washer, and spending the evening with the Perry's! The picture above shows the two best buds (when they aren't cranky) telling 'secrets' to each other. I love this picture!

Here's the 'family' playing games and hanging out. The men are drinking hot chocolate I made. Andy is playing dead when Aaron shoots him. Kim is keeping warm after Andy and I had to turn the fan on after we 'boxed' on the Wii! Maybe boxing on the Wii isn't the best idea for a 7 month pregnant woman! *giggle* It was a BLAST though! John Michael and Ryan are playing Ben 10 on the Wii in this picture.

Aaron is such a character!!!! You see him in the picture above sporting the new pajamas Kim made him for Christmas.

So we've known Ryan since he was a little guy at my mom's day care. John Michael and Ryan have been friends since they were itty bitty. I think it was over the summer when we started having Sunday dinners with the Perry's at my mom and dad's. It started out as a good idea for the boys to play together, and I thought Kim and Andy were nice. Now it's blossomed into a wonderful friendship!

Okay, enough of the mushy pregnant talk. I just feel very blessed that we have very good friends that BOTH of us like. John and I enjoy spending time with the Perry's! We're looking forward to many more trips, laughing, nights playing games, just hanging out, dinners, and shopping (okay, shopping for Kim and I!) ! You three are great! Okay, I promise I'm done!

Christmas at HOME!

Christmas morning began with John Michael waking me up (in the chair), and wanting to open presents. It had been a late night, and I didn't want Aaron up yet... So I let him open a couple of presents. To my surprise a few minutes later John pops out! I figured we would have to wake him up, because he stayed up way too late. The boys opened their presents. The Nerf guns were probably the biggest hit. The Wii was definitely appreciated!

I quickly started breakfast. My parents, Ben, and Shavonne came over for breakfast. My Mom and Dad brought over biscuits and gravy! I made waffles and bacon. Oohhhh yummy, it was a feast! I ended up burning about 10 waffles. *growl*

John and my Dad put together the Lionel Train set that John wanted the boys to have! It was so precious to see all four 'BOYS' enjoying the train! Aaron seemed to stick to it the longest.

The rest of us bowled on the Wii! We had a very nice Christmas morning! The rest of the day was spent lazing around....Until we found out we needed a new washer! MERRY CHRISTMAS! :-)

Christmas Eve With The Family!

My mom is going to kill me when she sees this picture of her, but I think her expression is hilarious! I helped my Dad pick out a few Christmas presents for my mom. The pajamas were a hit... BUT the random scrapbooking items were a mystery to her. I think she wondered why the hell my Dad would be giving her a bunch of scrapbooking/stamping stuff. In my brilliant fast thinking I thought she would love getting more 'stuff' to play with. As you can see on her face... I think I was wrong!
Here we are celebrating our Christmas Eve with our family and adopted family members! The Gleason's and the P's (not sure they want their last names here) ARE family! We had a great time playing Balderdash, eating, looking at pictures on the t.v., and opening gifts. Thanks to J, I get to feed my Indian food craving SOON!
My Mom and Meghan (my 'daughter' I'll never have) decorated the Gingerbread TRAIN! Once again, I think John Michael ate more candy than what was put on the train. I know all three of them had fun! I think Aaron joined in for a few minutes.

So I didn't get my Dad's present right for my mom, BUT the three of us (children) DID get one of the presents right! We chipped in to buy her a 10 inch digital frame. She absolutely loved it, and the boys did too. Melissa added pictures and scanned slides (when we were LITTLE) to the frame before hand. This was a big hit! We actually made her cry.

Aunt Melissa and her nephews! The picture says it all! The boys LOVE their Aunt! They were 'helping' Aunt Melissa wrap a present. Christmas Eve was very enjoyable. The boys chased their Uncle Ben around, and when the Gleason boys got there John Michael and Aaron had a blast with them! Although Shavonne was with us last Christmas, this is the first Christmas she is officially part of the family as Ben's wife. Welcome! We love you!

Candy and Cookies!

The week before Christmas we decorated houses at John Michael's preschool. As you see the boys mostly ate the candy. Sadly, we weren't able to take the houses home the next day because of school being canceled.


John Michael helped me make the Oreo balls and the cookies for his SIX teachers! Part of me wanted to just make a big platter of cookies (lazy part of me), but the part of me that likes to create and give won over the laziness! I made the Oreo balls, almond crescents(not shaped as crescents), and chocolate chip cookies. I have to say the almond crescents were DELICIOUS! I'm glad I was able to get the cookies done before Friday. The teachers would not have gotten them! I look forward to years and years of making cookies and such for teachers!

Aaron turns Two! Our Buddy Ryan turns Four!

In the picture above the boys are devouring cake from Ryan's birthday party. His party was at the Indoor Park at a local church. I have to say it was fun for the children and relaxing for the adults! Happy Birthday, Ryan!Aaron and Ryan share the same birthday, December 6th. Later that evening the family celebrated Aaron's 2nd birthday! The boys had a blast with the Gleason boys! John Michael received some wrestling pointers from Bradley and Jared.

Next they both had their feet tickled by Uncle Ben! As I'm typing this Aaron is repeating, "tickle, tickle!" while giggling.
These are my favorite pictures. Anything with both boys in it and they are smiling! Aaron loves to wrestle with John Michael... Okay, mostly climb on top of John Michael!

The next day we had a birthday party at Mcdonald's (his FAVORITE place, YUCK) with his friends. Next year I'm hoping their will be a better solution for that! John Michael's birth month is so much easier to decide where to have his party. Pool party at Grandpa & Grandma's or party at the park?? ANYWAY, everyone had a really nice time at McDonald's even though I wasn't too excited about it.

I think I'm almost caught up on my blogging. We'll see!

Bonding With Daddy

This is what you'll see most nights before bed. Daddy reading to John Michael and HOPEFULLY Aaron joins in. Aaron is getting better at sitting for part of a book. He mostly carries a book and and he will look at it while Daddy reads to John Michael. I had to catch this moment on camera when BOTH of them were enjoying a book with their Daddy! What precious moments in life!

This is Daddy enjoying football with his two sons; soon to be three sons! John was pretty happy to have both boys on his lap AND football on the television! John Michael asked me if I liked football. I told him I liked it, but I had a hard time concentrating on it when it takes so long for the plays to happen. He told me that he could do that better than me. I'm sure he can! Once again, a beautiful image of my BOYS!

Chicago with friends

In October we took a trip with Kim, Andy, and Ryan to Chicago. It was a first great trip with friends! All of us road in our van, but Andy thinks next time we should get a full size van. When we first left the boys were arguing in the back, but we were soon over that rocky start.

We started our morning at Brookfield Zoo. The boys seemed to enjoy the zoo! Of course it was stinky in the Gorilla house!

After a long walk the boys needed their feet massaged.



The rest of Saturday we did some shopping around. We planned on eating at the Indian Garden, but it was closed for a party. I was SO sad!! I needed my Indian Garden fix! We ended up eating at a Giordano's for dinner with three tired children.

The next morning/afternoon we ate at the Cheesecake Factory. The seven of us made our way to the Naperville Children's Museum. The boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves there! All together we had a wonderful time with our great friends, Kim, Andy, and Ryan. Next time we want to take a babysitter with us so that the adults can enjoy the evening while the cranky children sleep! We're hoping to make a trip in January before our baby boy decides to make his entrance!

Entertaining Pictures from October

For the month of October John Michael's favorite color was red. He was so excited to wear his first rain boots! We were on our way to swim lessons at the U of I.

Aaron had this great idea to get on his brother's shoulders! They had so much fun! This was another moment that gave me the 'I'm So Lucky' feeling!

Aawwww, another memorable moment! They grow up SO FAST! Those two love the tricycle.

I realized that I had never had the boys play in leaves. Aaron and John Michael had such a great time playing in the leaves! John Michael kept throwing leaves at Aaron, and Aaron would run and hide. Just beautiful!! :-)

This pictures makes me laugh every time! John Michael decided he didn't want to nap in his bed. He said he didn't need a nap! He ended up laying on the sofa playing with a car that obviously parked itself on his face! He slept that way for 40 minutes!

Yes, I'm still here! AND We're having a boy!

Yes, those are boy parts!! The morning of the sonogram I was in the shower thinking of ways I would tell people if I were having a girl. All of a sudden I was afraid I was going to be more let down that I thought if I were having a boy! I told myself then and there I was having a boy, and to STOP!



Well, this is what he showed me right away! Right when she started the sonogram there his penis was! I felt like he was saying, "Mommy, forget it! Here it is, and stop thinking of pink!" As soon as she told me all of his organs looked great, and his heart was great I wasn't sad at all. How could I be sad when I love my Aaron and John Michael so much? Another boy can say 'I love you' just as well as any girl can. :) I think three boys are going to be a blast! John Michael and Aaron are really bonding lately. Any time John Michael is on his hands and feet, Aaron is climbing on top of him! I really think we need a padded room for them.

If you look closely, our little man is sucking his hand/thumb. The tech was saying it would be good to have a self soother! I'm not sure about the whole thumb sucking thing. I keep hearing horror stories about it. John Michael gave up his pacifier pretty early. I think it was at 11 months. I was planning on working on it after he turned one, but thank god he did it on his own! Aaron would not take the darn thing for anything! We tried so many pacifiers!

This is the latest sonogram of our nameless baby(our alien)! I had to go in for another sonogram, because I was spotting and having major lower back pain. They were baffled, because every thing looked great! I always tear up when I get to see their little bodies inside.

The baby is starting to move a lot more now! John Michael was pretty upset that he missed the first time I could see the baby move. He thinks that he's going to miss it all. After he said that I realized right then and there that if he's at school when I'm having the baby I'll have someone pick him up and bring him to the hospital. Obviously, I won't let him be there for the delivery. I don't want to scar him for life! *giggle* He was able to come in the room right after Aaron was born, and I know he'd like to be there for this one. Aaron will also be there I'm sure.

Michael Buble, AMAZING!

A few weeks ago I asked Janet when we were going to our next concert. I told her I'd LOVE to see Michael Buble. A few days later she asked, "How about October 8?" I didn't know what she was talking about at first. ANYWAY, we went a couple nights ago, and I am ready to see him again! We drove over to Moline and spent the night. We ate at some Mexican restaurant, and found our way to the concert. WOW. WOW. WOW.

The first act was Heavenly 7, very enjoyable. After an intermission Michael Buble sang. We had floor seats which were good, unless you weren't willing to get cozy with your neighbors.


I know some of these pictures are just ridiculous, but I wanted to get some evidence that I was there! His voice was heavenly AND he was funny and a bit racy! I was in heaven with his voice and his big band. I LOVE horns, saxophones, etc. It takes me back to my days playing the saxophone. I really miss making music. John and I need to go to more Krannert concerts! We haven't been forever! They even had a baritone sax! AMAZING music! He knows how to put on a good show.

There were all ages there. I was actually surprised there were so many young people there.

Thank you for thinking of me, Janet!! We need to figure out our next concert!

No Parking Overnight

This was one of the afternoons John Michael needed a nap, and he gave me a hard time about it. We both fell asleep on the couch. I awoke to find a car parked on his face! I figured after a few minutes it would fall off of his face. He slept like that for at least 40 minutes! Even after two of his friend's giggled at him on the couch he stayed that way! I LOVE it!

Afternoon Nap Shortened by Little Brother!

Aaron loves to rub John Michael's head when he's sleeping. For some reason he also likes to poke John Michael's eye. We never know what kind of mood John Michael will be in when Aaron wakes him up. As you see below we got lucky!


They spent about twenty minutes playing on the couch. Aaron enjoyed climbing on John Michael and falling off. He's done this with Daddy and me quite a lot, and now he's found out he can do it with his brother!

Another Afternoon With the Boys!

Melissa and I keep racking our brains for something else for the boys to do. They always want to play light sabers and guns. A lot of the time we put our foot down, and say no to the guns and sabers. It is always a VERY strong possibility that someone will get hurt during the games. This game with the ball and sabers wasn't too bad until Jack and John Michael decided to tease Chase with making the ball go into the road. *sigh* It will be interesting to see what they do this winter when we're stuck at my house or her house. Hopefully we can find crafts, games, and other things to do rather than shooting each other!

My Little Romeo!

Today in the car we had a discussion about his friend, Cassie. They don't see each other much any more because she started kindergarten. We see her at swim lessons once a week. He asked me if Cassie didn't like him any more because she was acting shy. I told him that if we spent more time with her she would warm up to him again.

He said, "Maybe if I buy her flowers, and take them to her then she would play with me again."

I told him that she would probably really like that, and it was a very nice idea. I told him he could give her one of our roses from my rose bushes.

He said, "Oh roses! She would love a rose!"

My little romeo! I wanted to tell him to continue to think like that. Maybe give some Daddy's he knows some lessons! The Mommy's would be very happy!

Busy Day With Friends!

We had a crazy yummy lunch with Melissa and Chase at Jupiter's II. Melissa was there to check it out for a birthday party after I told her it was so nice not to have to clean up! I was actually able to enjoy our guests since I really didn't have anything to do! So the boys were pretty crazy that day. They played a few games and we ate lunch.

Later I rushed home to clean since we were having company over the same night. I sat on the couch contemplating how long it would actually take me to do some cleaning and if I had time to take a nap. The cleaning won over! K, A, and R came over for steaks and games. I also made strawberry shortcake for dessert. R, John Michael, and Aaron are playing in the picture about. Don't you love the helmet and diaper?? We had a GREAT time! The next night we had a babysitter and went to my parents' house for food and games. John and I had such a fun time playing games that night too. We played Therapy V.I.P. and Apples to Apples. If you're way too logical Apples to Apples is probably not a games for you. It was another night full of fun with great people!

Dinner at 5...no 6...no 7?

Melissa and I made dinner together a few weeks ago, and we thought it would be nice to do it a little more often. Our first dinner was waffles with blueberry sauce and bacon. Everyone LOVED it! This time we decided to make lasagna, a salad, and garlic bread sticks. We had planned on having dinner ready at five. WRONG. We weren't very good on our time planning. I had picked out the no boil noodles which can be difficult if you don't put the foil tightly around the pan. The recipe calls for 35 minutes of baking. We ended up eating close to 6:45. The men enjoyed teasing us about our cooking time. In all we had a great time next door! The boys LOVE when we do this. They get to play together and I get to enjoy my time with Melissa. Bob and John watched a little of the Cubs game. Aaron wandered around the upstairs opening and closing the doors. I think we're doing Fondue next dinner. Mmmm! We'll make sure it doesn't take as long! Good times!

Pumpkin Patch and Friends!

The Great Pumpkin Patch of Arthur is a fun place to visit with four boys! Just make sure all four of them are in good moods. Aaron has entered the tantrum stage AND he was tired! We made the trip to the Pumpkin Patch with our friend's Melissa and Bob with their two boys. We tried pumpkin ice cream and visited their bakery.
John and I decided to be King and Queen for sixty seconds. Thanks for the picture, Melissa!

John Michael at the time was cooking a fever that we didn't know about! I should've guessed something was wrong when he rested on the pumpkin!

I had to show this picture because the boys are just so gorgeous! My little sunflowers... CRANKY sunflower!

Last but not least are our friends! We're quickly becoming great friends with our neighbors! They are a pleasure to hang out with. After the pumpkin patch we had dinner at Dairy Queen and the children played outside. It was a long and enjoyable day.