So I gotta brag a little

We're at the Metropolis Shopping Center in Plainfield near Brownsburg when a news person comes along and asks for an interview. She is gathering stories on the mild weather and busy shopping the last week before Christmas. Who should jump at the chance but my little sister, Jaimie. Natch'! She was so eloquent, bubbly, and articulate! I believe she missed her calling! So anyway, here are pictures of that night. She made the 10 o'clock news!

Merry Christmas...almost!

So after a fabulous time at Kohler, we had another fabulous time of family togetherness pre-Christmas. One brother and one sister and their families live in Brownsburg, IN and were kind enough to be the midway point for everyone else to come visit and spend some holiday time together. Plus it helps to have 2 houses to stay at with a big family. We did a little shopping, a little cooking - thank goodness! You'd think we were feeding a small country with our whole herd! - a little praise-sharing, and present-opening. Good times. Here are pictures of family: Parents, Sally, Kirby, Jonathan, Mathew, Jon, Shannon, Jaimie, Tony, Claire, Gil and us...SHEW! By the way, the shots of everyone in jammies and presents...that is Christmas tradition in the Zajicek household for no one to shower or get made up for the brunch and unwrapping fiasco. It's a sight, which is why I am on the OTHER side of the camera. There are those present in the pictures that did not adhere to set guidelines, however it is still a learning process and we are sure there will be even more scuzziness next year. HAHAHA! (Guess there is only so much morning breath and B/O that can be stood before someone has to cave...EEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!) Precious, isn't it?

Where have we been?!?!?

Well, I know it's been a bit but we are finally home after some major traveling. Eric and I always go to Kohler, WI to stay at the Kohler Waters Spa ( http://destinationkohler.com/spa/spa_index.html here's the link to enjoy some visual "spa-ing") and enjoy some rest and relaxation. Of course, once again it was heavenly. The food, the services, the food, the shopping, the food, the quiet time together...and did I mention the food? It is one of the few times we get to literally do nothing, and I get to have my hubby dress up for dinner. He always looks so good! :) So here's pictures of the Design Center we enjoy visiting, a shot of part of our room in the Immersion Suite, and us at the Wisconsin Room. I can't wait for next year's trip already!

Baby, it's cold outside, but warm at home!

We have basically had nothing to report other than gross weather that has kept us in. It has snowed, iced, rained and snowed some more here...BLEH! So here is our darling daughter, bringing in the sunshine despite the gray skies. She ASKED me to take a picture of her - "Smyo, Mommy! Take you pitchew!" Which as you can see, I happily obliged. By the way, she has asked me to take more "pitchews" on the potty. GGGRRRRRRREEEAAATTTT...

Wonder if she'll forgive me for this some day...

Ok, so I find my child funny. We go together to work at church on Tuesday mornings for the MOMs groups - we take care of the two year olds (and what was I thinking exactly when I signed up for that?!?! Like my hands aren't full enough with ONE toddler, I need to immerse myself into a small herd!?!?! HA!). Anyway, this past Tuesday, I tell Elena it is time to get ready to go to church to help with the kids and she runs off to get "ready". There she is waiting at the door, her cowboy hat on and jack-o-lantern in hand to take along. Well, the hat coordinates, at least!

And then today, we got back home from the gym and Elena ran upstairs to - I thought, anyway - get ready to watch Elmo. I come up after her to find her ON THE BIG POTTY!!! Sure enough, I see her and she hollers "Mommy! I go pottys and then I get beans!!!!" "Beans" are M&M's that we give for rewards. So, I may take this off...but I could not help myself! I tried to be super modest with this shot. I am just too proud and too tickled by this not to show her off!

And yes, I have to figure out how to fix these darn side-way photos...Eric, HELP!

Merry almost Christmas...

Well, we are still plugging away at remodeling, repairs and getting ready for the holidays. We also have gotten some snow...funny how that works in the Chicagoland Area! So here are some shots of Snow, Elena getting ready to get into it, and a few attempted Christmas card shots.

This is our child...

So, the new toddler bed is a treat to get used to for all of us...if I could, I would post the video of Elena escaping her crib. It's a hoot! Anyway, she is like mommy in that sleep is WAY over-rated (I do not feel that way now, mind you!). So here's where we found her last night before we went to bed. At the end of the day, we clean up all our toys and get into bed - well, she uncleaned and thought the stuffed animal bed was better than her own. Then there are pictures of her watching Peanut's Christmas for the first time...aaawwwwww memories.

So what have we been up to?

Well, the big thing has been home renovations...I DO NOT recommend being in the midst of it with a toddler! I have found though that this has been a learning experience for all of us...Eric has had the joys of Man-Land all over the house. He has learned rewiring, painting, flooring, sawing, and being in a constant state of encouragement to his wife who is not the same visionary that he is. I have learned the very real physical, tangible reality that nothing is truly mine in this world. God has given it all to me to take care of. I have learned patience, that messes are ok and will happen, and that it is good to have small spaces (small spaces = small messes). Elena has learned the joys of stepping in paint, getting splinters, rewiring Daddy's computer, and that there is nothing better than being where you're not supposed to be. So here are some "during construction shots"..we are still working on things...oh, and yes, that is the toilet in the living room. Last week, the microwave was in there...

Yes, we have now decided to Blog, too...

I thought for sure I would never do this. I am as computer-dumb as they come (praise the Lord above for my genius husband!), and honestly I thought I would not have time for something like this. As it turns out, time is what is helping me to do this. It SAVES time to put this up so that I do not have to remember who I caught up on what with, who I need to call, etc. No, I am not stopping regular correspondence as I love you all way to much! This is for when I am forgetful...now what was I doing again?!?!