Happy 30th Birthday, Jaimie!

We surprised my youngest sister by having all the family come be with her for her birthday. She even had friends from Kentucky come all the way to see her and wish her well! Nice planning, Tony! He's an excellent surprise party master! :)

We grilled out and all the kids played...destroying poor Claire's room! Diva was also a big hit with the kids, and she was super patient allowing them to pass her around. It was nice to get to see everyone and spend some good family time together. Happy Birthday, Jaimie. We are glad you were born!

Photos:

-We stayed the night before the big event at Sal and Kirb's - even with the flood damage they are still dealing with, they open their home as if they have the world to offer. They give with their whole hearts. Thank you, guys! This shot is in their basement with Eric and the kids all exercising together! (PS - please continue to be in prayer for their situation. It's a hard one, and they deal with it all with such grace).

-Surprise!!!

-At the party

-Honor holding Diva

-The Jonathan, Matthew, and Elena at Donato's Pizza that night...I don't know what's going on here. Pilgrims? Quakers? Crazy napkin-head people...

Halloween Party!

Elena had her very first School Halloween Party Friday. She was so excited for all the fun and getting to dress up. She wanted to be a "Lady Bug Family" for Halloween, and I did find costumes for all of us. Even the Dog! As it turned out though, we wouldn't be using them since we'd be surprising my sister for her 30th Birthday Party. So we promised that we would come in parts of our costumes for Elena. The kids got to "trick or treat" the halls at school, and Eric was even recruited to help! Then there was a big snack time of special treats, and afterward the "Parade of Costumes"! So cute! Elena was really excited to see a "bee" in her class to fly around with her. ;)

More work...I helped!

Here's some more shots of home improvements...the attic is getting closer and closer to be done. Can you believe I spent 2 days helping insulate everything with my hubby?!?! Wow! Anji, getting dirty?!?! I feel a massive sense of accomplishment, folks! Yep...all for getting more storage space...now if we could just clean the insulation puffs from all over the house. I have a feeling I'll be doing that for a while!

More Photos

Photos:

-FireWOMAN Elena

-Trying to organize preschoolers for a group photo...guess how long that took?!?!

-I love this shot of Elena's reflection in the door

-Elena and Daddy looking at the fire truck

Field Trip!

Monday morning was spent at the Grayslake Fire Station as part of a preschool field trip...awwwww, Elena's very first one! And it was perfect, because she is HUGE into the whole Fire Fighter thing right now. Books, pictures, every time we hear a siren, "There goes a fire fighter's, Mommy! Listen! They on a rescue!"

They watched a movie with Elmo at the Fire Station and then got a tour. They got to sit in the "an-gu-lance" and sit in the driver's seat of the fire engine. You'll see the glee on Elena's face when it was her turn! I will have a couple posts for photos.

Photos:

-Yep, Daddy wanted to go, too!

-In the "an-gu-lance"

-In the driver's seat

-Elena is on the floor enamored by the attire - she was a little disgruntled that there wasn't a fire coat, hat, etc in her size...but she got her very own soon enough!

-Elena looking at the Fire Engine. She couldn't take her eyes off of it for the longest time!

Babies...

Yeah...this one just speaks for itself...Elena put her "babies" to bed while playing...aaawwwwww...

Happy Anniversary!

Eight years ago today, I married my best friend. Thank you, Lord, for the blessing that is Eric! He is truly from You and You alone. I love you, Eric. Thank you for making my life wonderful!

Song of Solomon 2:16a "My lover is mine and I am his"(inscribed on the inside of our wedding rings)