1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

 (1) Mémé

9-13 September 2014

Mémé took over all of my responsibilities while she was in town.  She took care of the kids (colored with Brie, read books, played grocery store), made meals, kept the house in order, dishes & laundry done, got groceries, ran errands, played chauffeur.  All while I rested on the couch.  Bless you, Mom!

(2) Uncle Tim

16-30 September 2014

Uncle Tim was a trooper!  He was here for two weeks during a time when I was starting to feel a little better, but was still grumpy and nauseous and not much help.  He was so great to come to my aid when I needed to lay down or didn't feel up to playing with the boys or putting them down for naps.  He whipped up some great meals, brought gifts for Brie & Alex, showed Alex the animals at Petco, had a tea party with Brie (with very cutely cut out sandwiches)...earned LOTS of uncle brownie points!  He even entertained the kids during our road trip to Nauvoo.  Some other highlights were dinner at Meatheads (I thought I was going to barf on the drive over, but was able to stomach the food), bringing home our first ultrasound to show him & having ice cream to celebrate, skyping with Matt & Erin and Rach during their cooking competition, going to the Nauvoo Temple, Bry & Tim doing game nights, and late night cereal.  Tim, thank you for spending two weeks to come help out your grumpy pregnant sister and play with your niece and nephews!

 (3) Grandpa & Nana Julz

1-7 October 2014

This was Grandpa & Nana's first time to Normal, Illinois!  We tried to get the house spic 'n span for their first time seeing our house (we shoved everything into our disaster of a bedroom ;0)).  Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate and it was COLD and rainy for a lot of the time, but that didn't stop us from making fun memories.  There were treasure-finding and corn husk collecting walks, grocery store and construction, LDS General Conference weekend, painting nails, making Grandpa's chili and Nana's marinara sauce, a super fun early Christmas (presents all boxed up under the tree, Christmas breakfast and all!), magazine cut outs and vision boards, great heart 2 heart conversations, lots of yummy fall food, an early birthday breakfast, crafts, fingernail painting, muffins and cookie baking.  Wowsers, it's amazing what you can squeeze into five days!  Not to mention what GREAT help Grandpa & Nana were!  They kept our kitchen clean, helped with shopping and meals and played with you kiddos so I could rest.  Thank you, thank you!

 (4) Bompa & Mémé and Grauntie Elaine

7-14 October 2014

This was Grauntie's first time visiting us in the Midwest AND in our new house.  Dad & I were so grateful that you kids got to have some special time with her and with Bompa & Mémé.  They blessed out with a few beautiful days while they were here, one of them we spent at Rader Farms & Pumpkin Patch.  Aside from that there were walks, tractors up close and personal ;0), a Princess Date to Olive Garden, a Prince Date (for Alex) to the Aviation Museum (with a souvenir plane that Grauntie got you), McDonald's and popcorn & "Planes" with Bompa.  Grauntie & Mémé helped me to decorate for Halloween, Bompa was our home maintenance man (repairing things, installing others, mowing & edging the lawn), drawing and coloring, Halloween costume finding, stocking up from Sam's Club, pushing Grauntie around in her wheelchair, dance parties, pumpkin carving, and even a tea party for the grand finale.  Thank you for coming out to visit, for the great memories and for taking care of us!

(5) Aunt Emmie

15-19 October 2014

Em was our last visitor, but not least.  As has been tradition, she came out and spent every last minute of her Fall Break with us.  What big sister spends ALL of her time of from teaching to take care of her little sister and play mom to her nieces and nephews?  Mine :0)  I was amazed how she had everything planned out.  She had a special breakfast to make for each morning, yummy dinners, LOTS of outings and projects with the kids (food color fun, Tipton Trails and Zoo with Alex, volunteering in Kindergarten and lunch in the cafeteria with Brie, church bazaar and fair), a double date to Bandana's BBQ with our little men, GNO to Peoria to see "Meet the Mormons", date in with the kiddos (hot dogs, homemade mac 'n cheese, carmel corn and "Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin") while Bry & I went out on a date.  Oh and we can't forget the Chicago Pizza Buffet with GF pizza :0)  Em, thank you for seeing us to the end of first trimester and making it so much fun!

Can we say BLESSED?!  Thank you to EACH OF YOU for coming all the way out to lighten our load and brighten our days.  WE LOVE YOU and truly couldn't have made it through so joyfully without you!

Mom?

Yesterday I was running late to get out the door and get you (Alex) dropped off for preschool. Wanting to speed up the car seat process, instead of allowing you the time to do it yourself, I quickly jerked your coat off of you, plopped you in your seat and got you buckled.  I was frustrated that we were going to be late and was brooding about it as we headed towards the high school.  When we were rounding the last corner I heard a sweet little quiet voice from behind me...

Alex: Mom?
Me: Yes Alex?
Alex: Thank you for buckling me.

I probably said, "you're welcome" and then melted into tears.  It hasn't been typical for you to thank me for things and you caught me off guard.  But more than that, I was so touched that you would sweetly thank me for something I had done with such frustration and haste.  Thank you for being such an example to me.  I love you dear Alex and hope to have more and more loving interactions with you.

ready, go!

The last week Lij, you have started responding, "go!" when I say, "ready?" or "ready, set..." Like when I am helping you jump down from something or about to squirt medecine into your mouth.  It's so cute.

According to iPhone, 12.

 Back in August there was an evening (for all incoming faculty) at the Illinois State University's President's house.  President Dietz and his wife (along with all of the provosts, deans and department chairs) were so down-to-earth and welcoming.  It was a lovely event.  I even got to use my French.  Although, note to self: next time pull out the greys and blacks instead of dressing like you're going to a nice summer picnic...I felt like a flower in the middle of Winter with everyone else in professional wear and business attire ;0)

 Skyping in to Rex & Heather's wedding reception.

 Heather showing me her sign in book the morning of her sealing.  We skyped (early early) while she put on her makeup for the big day!...glad the good ol' internet helped me to be a part of her sealing day.

 Alex helping Dad to install a shelf that Grauntie Elaine gave me for my craft room.

 Walking you in to Grove for your first day of Kindergarten

 Ice cream from Carl's

 Now I only have 2 shopping helpers.

 Leaving a little note in Brie's lunch on picture day.

Brie's first school picture :0)

 Brie and her friend, Eden.  Apparently they pretend like they're sisters....or super spies ;0)

 Garage sale find: all 4 bar stools for $10!!

 Popcorn: a FREQUENT snack for me & the boys.

 I don't know what this enthusiastic response was about, but it's typical Alex ;0)

 Making bean bags for our carnival.

 A picture that you drew of you & me.  Just love it!

 Attending a Cornbelters Baseball game in the Corn Crib (thanks to free tickets from the Summer reading program).  It was a super hot and humid evening, but the second we went up the stairs into the stadium it was perfect temperature and made for a fun evening out as a family.

 Alex, you were SO excited to see a red car (like Lightning McQueen), but may have been even more excited to pretend to drive a cob of corn :0)...

 Our last time having Elder Prince & Elder Smith over for dinner.  We loved these 2 elders!  They were such great representatives of the Savior and we felt privileged to have them in our home.

 Practicing the monkey bars over at Grove Elementary one evening.

 Me & my Brie :0)

 I think I was 5 weeks pregnant when I took this picture and smiled knowing that Lij is indeed going to be a big brother :0)

 I was SO sick my first week of pregnancy...a cave dweller down on the basement couch, trying to escape my symptoms through sleep.  It was really early to be telling people (5 weeks), but I was worried Brie that you were concerned about your SICK mom that wasn't seeming to get better.  This was your reaction after I told you, you were very excited to say the least :0)

 That's one thing to do with a popcorn bowl ;0)

 Dad watching a scripture video with you kids.

 Alex & I watching the episode of Daniel Tiger when his baby sister, Margaret, is born.   You were so excited for Daniel to have a baby sister and are excited about your baby brother/sister.  You keep telling me that the baby is going to be named baby Margaret :0)

 A note that one of my dear visiting teachers, Andrea, left after straightening up our main level and cleaning our bathrooms in preparation for Mémé visiting.  BLESS HER!!!

 Cute & Crazy boys!

 The day I went for my first OB appointment and found out that the baby was measuring at 8 weeks (instead of 7).  So exciting to see our little baby and hear its heart for the first time...what a miracle!  Still wasn't feeling super, but what a milestone!

 Alex getting his "show 'n tell" ready for preschool. Guinea in the dumper :0)

 I saw this ice cream flavor at Meijer and of course thought of Kate!

 Brie at Eden's birthday tea party.

 The next day you came downstairs ready for church, wearing the pearls that you'd gotten from Eden's party.  So cute :0)  No, you didn't wear your dress up princess heels to church ;0)

 Made porcupines and thought of Grahams.  I think of her so often!

 Alex & I volunteering at Brie's school (Wednesdays) for literacy centers.  Other than church, during first trimester this was about my only weekly outing...

 Alex was ready to stay for class.

 Roo wanting to be my little vacuum helper.

 Lij looking so grown up in nursery!

 You loved chasing the bubbles and would even lay on your tummy each time a bubble would land on the ground, trying to eat/pop it with your mouth.  NOT sanitary but you sure had fun! 

 Brie, the first book you brought home to read to us.  I was amazed at how well you read it all by yourself!  You've made such progress with reading the last few months.

Making scrub pants for Brie from a large pair I bought at a garage sale for $1.  I was so excited to find PINK ones :0)

IT's crazy how the months have flown and here we are in November with the cold weather setting in!  September and October are blurs, but good blurs.  I'm glad I got a few snapshots here and there.  Now I need to do a post about all of the visitors that we had.