The rest of Aug and Sept 2013

-Benson's First Day of Preschool-

Benson started the 3's program at the Eola Community Center on Sept 3. We went for his first day to meet the teachers. He has two teachers this year, Mrs. Renee and Mrs. Sharon. He was very nervous to talk to them and I barely got a picture with them. His best friend Cailyn is in his class this year. He is so excited to see her and his other friend Stella at school. I am interested to see how Benson does this year. He doesn't sit well for me and doesn't really have an interest in projects.  

-Allyson came to visit-

So happy to have Allyson come and visit and for her to meet Finn for the first time! We had a great time having her here. I got in a little shopping and craft time with her which is always my favorite. It was nice to have a little extra help while I was getting my kids off to school. We made our annual trip to the Last Fling, which my kids look forward to each year. They loved all the rides and the yummy food. This is one of my kids favorite traditions we do every year. We love downtown Naperville!

-Herrick Lake-

We took the kids to Herrick Lake and let them ride in the kayak for the first time. They both were very excited and couldn't wait to get out on the water. As soon as Christian got the kayak in the water we found out that they didn't allow personal ones in the lake. So we had to go and rent a canoe instead. 

Addy was not thrilled about the canoe at all. She was so scared and I could here her screaming and crying across the lake. Sitting in the back made her really nervous and every time the canoe would tip she would scream. I convinced her to try again and to sit in the middle. She loved it and went out a few more times! Benson had a great time in the canoe but loved throwing rocks in the water the very best. We packed a picnic lunch and the kids had just as much fun pretending to row the kayak on the grass. Addy begged to hold Finn in the kayak. Such a sweet sister!

-Finn 1 Month Old-

My sweet boy is 1 month old. He continues to be such an easy going sweet natured baby. He is sleeping so well for me at night, around 7-8 hours, and naps off and on most of the day. His stats at his Dr. check up: 10 lbs 14 oz 75%, 22 in long 70%, and his head is 15 in 75%. He is a healthy and growing baby. I am loving every minute I have with him. My transition as been so much easier than I ever thought thanks to this little cutie.

 -First time riding the bus-

Addy rode the bus for the first time. She was so excited and felt very grown up, which made it easier on me to let her go. I wasn't all about the bus at the beginning. After I drove every morning and waited at the school every day at pick up with the boys in tow, I knew there had to be an easier way. Having Abbi at our house every morning before school to help Addy on the bus and to her classroom made it all the easier. The bus stop is at the end of our driveway and I can stand on the porch to see her off.  All kindergartners have to sit at the from of the bus and can only be let off after school if their parents are at the stop.  It really has made my life easier while adjusting to 3 kids!

-Steck Fun Run-

Our family participated in Addy's school fundraiser this year. I didn't think I was going to be able to run it with her, but I surprised myself and did. We chose to run the mile and she did such a great job. She ran the entire time and only stopped when I gave her a drink of water. She was so proud of herself and I loved seeing her accomplish something that she had been really wanting to do. Benson did pretty good and took off running really fast in the beginning, rode with Finn in the stroller for a little bit in the middle, and then ran at the end to cross the finish line with his sister. 

-Andrea came to visit-

We had a great visit while Andrea was here. We got in some serious shopping and made a few trips to downtown Naperville. We ate lots of yummy food and spent the day at Blackberry Farm. Definitely one of my kids favorite places to go. They got to ride the paddle boats for the first time. Chris and Andrea really had to paddle hard and Benson and Addy had a blast on the back of the boat. Love seeing these two cuties so happy! The weather the entire trip was gorgeous. It really has been a beautiful start to Fall.

July, August, and September 2012

We celebrated with a few of our friends for the 4th of July. We had a low key BBQ at our house and visited through out the afternoon. Later that night we drove to watch some fireworks that were close by our house. We all sat on the car to watched them. Of course my kids were mesmerized by all the bright colors and the loud noises. They love fireworks!

Pretty much all of my free time from about February- July was spent preparing for girls camp. I did the crafts for our stake camp in Wisconsin again this year. We had a great turn out and the girls all seem to love the crafts. We had an amazing opportunity for our girls this year. Each ward was assigned a country and we filmed our girls for the other country to see and they filmed their girls for us. We asked the girls to answer a few questions and to bare their testimonies. It truly was amazing to hear all the responses from around the world. It was a great thing for all the girls to see that they truly are the same. Even though they don't live the same way, the youth are all experiencing similar trials in their life. Each night we would gather on a big grassy area and watch the movies under the stars. It was an awesome experience! Our ward had Zimbabwe and a woman there beaded our entire stake these cute braceltes. Such a fun memory for these girls to have. Our camp was being filmed the entire time by the church so that added a little stress for us. I was trying to stay out of the cameras way because I did not want to be filmed! They are using the footage for training purposes for future girls camp. The youth videos just released for the new curriculum for 2013 has some of our camp footage on it. 

In August my sister Andrea and her husband JC came to visit us. We had a fun weekend with them! We spent two days in Chicago shopping, eating delicious food, sitting in terrible traffic, and checking out the aquarium. This was JC's first time coming so we had a lot to show him. On that Saturday we went to the Arlington racetrack. It was a very big race, the Arlington Million. My kids love to be there and of course it's one of Christian's favorite things to do! We went out that night just the four of us to a restaurant in downtown Naperville. It was fun to walk the river walk with them and stop off at the end to get some treats at Napersweets. Probably my most favorite store here in Naperville!

My kids wait all summer for The Last Fling. We have gone very year since we have moved here and it has become a tradition. Benson was big enough to ride the rides this year so it made it extra fun.

The dragon coaster of course is still their favorite ride! Nothing makes me happier than seeing these two laughing and having fun together.  We got a delicious funnel cake and snow cone to share. It was extremely hot but my kids didn't mind at all! 

We went out on the paddle boats for the first time this year. It was really fun! I was very nervous at first not being able to strap my wild boy down. Benson did great and only climbed around a bit. Addy helped her dad paddle and steer for almost 30 min of our boat ride. It was very relaxing and fun and something I  hope we will do again next year. 

Addy started her second year of pre-school the beginning of September. Her teacher this year is Mrs. Buscher and she has 3 other kids from our ward in her class. Addy loves school and wishes she went every day like all of her older friends do.  We are excited for this school year and look forward to all the learning and things she is accomplishing! She is a very smart girl and she loves to learn new things. She is very interested in learning how to read. I am not sure how to teach her, but I am trying!

August 2011.....Andrea's Bridal Showers

Back in August my kids and I flew home to help throw two bridal showers for my little sister Andrea. We had such a great turn out! The pictures don't do the shower justice! We all worked hard and made some really fun stuff for the shower. Thanks to my sister Allyson, a few friends, and her fiance J.C., the shower turned out so cute!

All the details.......

The guests......

For the second shower we met at Goodwood for dinner with my Dad's side of the family. It was so fun to catch up with some of my cousins that I don't get to see very often. I had such a great time celebrating my sister!

When we were leaving I dropped my camera in the parking lot and broke my brand new lense. It makes sick to think I had only had it for less than two weeks. I still need to get it fixed or replaced. Good thing it happend the day before we left to come home.

Andrea came to visit

A day after I got back from Utah, my little sister Andrea came for a quick visit. She wasn't able to come to Disney World with us because of her work and school schedule, so she came and stayed the weekend at our house. This is her first visit that the weather wasn't super cold. Of course we shopped the entire trip!

Her first day here we went out to lunch and to the outlet mall. She found a ton of cute stuff at the guess store including a purple bag that I wish I would have gotten! That night we made some yummy stir fry and then I went to a friends baby shower. Christiann stayed home with the kids and Andrea and I went to the movies to see Life as we know it. Loved it! Definitely a cute show and of course I cried. It's a must see!

The second day Christian was off work so we went into Chicago for the day. We shopped Michigan Ave and enjoyed being outside in the great weather. That evening Andrea and I went out to sushi and at the last minute went to another movie. I hardley ever get to see movies so it was great! That was the most time I have been without both my kids in a long time. Christian is an awesome husband for letting me get some time alone with my sister!

The last day she was here we slept in and went to downtown Naperville. We walked around the shops and had lunch. We took Addy over to the fountains and to see the ducks. There were lots of red leaves everywhere. So we took the kids pictures and let Addy go crazy in the leaves. She had so much fun!

We had so much fun seeing Andrea while she was here. My kids always love all the attention they get from her. She always plays with them and is so silly with Addy.

Here is my Benson boy at 7 months. A few things about him at this stage:

-He is wearing 12 month clothing

-He weighs around 19.5 lbs

-He is rolling everywhere and pushing himself up

- He can sit by himself until he gets excited and then he falls over

-He is taking 2 naps every day

-Sleeping around 10 hours a night

- He is now sleeping in the same room with Addy and it's actually working out

-Favorite foods are bananas, sweet potatoes, pears, and squash

-He loves to play with Addy. He watches her every move!

A little catch up

Since I have had Benson the computer has taken the back seat. So I am behind on what we have been doing. We stay home most of the time because it's too hard to get out the door. It seems like all I do is feed Benson. This little guy is always hungry! My body can barely keep up with him.

Benson is staying awake more during the day. He is smiling a lot and loves when you talk to him. He is such a sweet little baby! He will be 7 weeks tomorrow. Wow the time is flying by fast! Benson's 1 month check up stats: weight 10lbs 10.5 oz, 22 1/4 inches. He has out grown all his
0-3 month clothes and is now sleeping around 6-7 hours through the night. Last night he slept 7.5 hours!

2 weeks ago the weather started warming up, so we have been playing outside more. Addy has been really enjoying the sunshine. The kids rode in the double stroller to the park for the first time together. Addy loved having Benson next to her. Christian is so good about chasing Addy around. The two of them have so much fun together.




Both my sisters came to stay with me toward the end of March. Allyson came to visit first. Of course it was bad weather almost the entire time she was here. We did a little shopping, but mostly just hung out at my house, relaxed, and played with the kids. Sadly I didn't take one picture! We both kept thinking we would take some once we got ready, but instead stayed in our jammies most the time. I am sad I don't have one with her and Benson. I am happy she came and got to meet my little guy though.

Andrea came two days later and stayed for four days. The weather was a little warmer so we were able to get out more. One of the days we went to Brookfield Zoo for the first time. Of course Addy enjoyed seeing all the animals. Some animals were still inside from the winter season but we were able to see plenty. Christian bought us a year pass so we will be going there throughout the summer.

This last week the weather was in the 70's. We met some friends at the park and played outside in our front yard coloring with chalk and blowing bubbles. I was able to snap my first picture of Benson's little smile. He melts my heart! His smile is getting bigger and is sweeter than ever!

Andrea came to visit...

My little sister Andrea came to visit us on Thursday. We went to Dirty Dancing that night at The Cadillac Palace Theatre. I LOVED IT!! It was so fun to sing the music. I have that show memorised! Billy (Johnny's cousin that carries a watermelon with Baby) had the most amazing voice! It made the show 100 times better. I was a little worried that the play was going to be a little too risky. But to my surprise it was great! Of course the end dance made the show! My heart raced through the whole thing!!!

We stayed the night in Chicago so I could show Andrea around the next day. Boy does that girl like to shop! We found her so many killer deals on the cutest stuff. She has a funky style which is perfect for the city shopping.

Saturday we took Jellybean to Johansen Farm to pick out her first pumpkin. It was so cold! The wind here makes it 10 degrees colder. They had a petting zoo, pony rides, hay rides, and a blow up playground. We decided not to stay for all the fun because Jellybean was shivering. I was a little disappointed but I'm sure she will enjoy it so much more when she is a little older. We will definitely take her next year!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTIAN!!!

Christian turned 31 years old today! Can you believe it? He worked both jobs today so we didn't get to do anything to celebrate. Earlier this week we had a combined party at my house for him and my sister Andrea.

We made Yaki-Soba...

Tempera shrimp and veggies...

Sushi from Wendy's Sukiyaki....

and cheesecake with fresh strawberries! Yummy!

They opened their presents together. We got Andrea a gift card to the spa and to Sephora, and Christian got a gift card to Sportsman's and to get some new shoes that he wants. He picked out new patio furniture set from me. I can't wait to hang out on our deck!

This is Andrea and her boyfriend JC

Jellybean has a thing with sucking water out of towels and wash cloths.

Make a WISH!

Hope you had a great birthday! Thanks for always working so hard, I love you!