We're happy

I don't have a whole lot to report right now...life is good. We're loving the summer weather (when it's not raining, but even that's nice once in a while) and enjoying time with friends (now that we're all healthy!).  Here are a few pics of the kids doing what they love to do...play, play, play and eat! Enjoy!

Hannah and Ellie are enjoying some quality morning playtime. Don't these sisters look sweet?

I swear (except that I really don't!) that Sam is getting bigger/taller every day! Look at this big guy!

Sam met his first avocado and as you can, he thoroughly enjoyed it! 

Ellie has a little boo boo on her forehead, courtesy of a little run in w/ the baby swing that she was pushing. Let's just say her depth perception isn't that great yet! But, hey, she's still only 2 (for only 2 more months!). :O)

I love this picture for some reason...my precious firstborn, looking more and more like a little lady.

Sam's new OBSESSION....SAND!!!!! He cries when I pick him up to take him out of it!! 

 

God-Honoring Support

This is Brian writing. I wanted to express how amazing my mom has been through the Grego's ordeal (my Uncle Ron, Aunt Chris and Ronnie). Her support and love especially in a time like this has shone through so clearly. God is truly using her in a powerful way and He is ultimately receiving the glory. It is a great thing to witness the selfless love that we are each called to share, especially in such a tough time as Aunt Chris and Ronnie are going through. I love you, mom.

Thank you for your prayer for the Grego family. Praise God for His sovereignty and that Uncle Ron is now home with Jesus. Please continue to pray especially for my Aunt Chris and Ronnie.

Resting in His Peace

With Aunt Chris by his side, Uncle Ron passed away this morning at 9:15am. He was at peace and in no pain. (see post below)

Please visit The Grego Blog to watch a special video that my sister-in-law Heidi put together of Ron. Thank you for your continued prayers for the entire family.

Family in Need

Brian's Uncle Ron has been battling a rare form of leukemia for over a year now and has recently taken a turn for the worse. We know his time here on earth will be over soon and we would just ask for prayer for him and his entire family. Recently Brian's Aunt Chris, Ron's wife, was also diagnosed with cancer, breast cancer. How does this happen? Spouses both battling the same horrible disease! It's almost too much to handle! While Chris' initial reports looked good, she will be undergoing additional surgery and treatment in the coming weeks. Please pray for her! The circumstances she is in right now are beyond words...only God and His infinite mercy and love will uphold this family during this time. Please also remember their son Ronnie...he is an amazing man with his own burden to carry and we just love him so much! Praise God for the Hope that Chris and Ronnie have in Him and we pray that Ron has that assurance as well...he will see Him soon!

You can read more about the family at their blog here: The Grego Blog

Please also keep Connie, Brian's mom and Chris' sister in your prayers. She has been an amazing support for them, being with them as much as possible and I know this is taking a huge toll on her as well. We love you mom!

What a trouper!

Sam did great this morning and, it was a good thing we were there! The doctor told me that there was so much think fluid in Sam's ears that he had to suck it out! (apparently they don't always have to do that?!) 

We were home in a little under 2 hours from start to finish...isn't that great? Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers!

This picture is obviously pre-op! He was so stinkin' cute...all of the nurses kept peeking in on him, Oooing and Ahhing...they couldn't keep their eyes off of him! 

An Earful....of tubes

Tomorrow morning (Wed, June 3), our little Sammy boy will be having ear tubes put in both of his ears. He has been plagued with ear infections all winter and after a visit to the quirky ENT doc last Friday, we decided it was time.

Please pray that he will respond well to the anesthesia and that the procedure goes well and goes quickly. Brian and I are thanking God that we have a peace about Sam having this done and that He will protect our little man!

Bye Bye Preschool!

Hannah's last day of preschool was a couple of weeks ago and sadly, I'm just now posting about it. Sorry H!

She had a wonderful time with Mrs. H and Mrs. M this year and of course all of her friends! She was actually quite sad on the last day, shedding a few tears, saying that she was going to miss them all so much! Of course, it was nothing a trip to a little friends' birthday party couldn't cure! :o)

Here are a few pictures from her last field trip (the day before school ended) and then the last day with the special chapel program.

Field Trip to Red Oak Nature Center

Mrs. Holmes talking about the bees. Eek!

H and her little friend looking for the Queen Bee.

Our big girl with crooked pig-tails on the observation deck

overlooking the 'glorious' Fox River! :O)

Hannah's class and teachers

Last Day of Preschool looking all grown up!

Waiting one last time in her cubby to go home.

Good-byes

Hannah and her teacher Mrs. Holmes

Once again, our little princess poses for the camera...even in the front of church!

We are so proud of you Hannah!!!

Joining forces - Yummy Appetizer Recipe!

Last year I started another blog for moms...it was meant for us to fill with favorite recipes, favorite kid books, favorite deals at Baby Gap...you get the idea. Well, let's just say, that blog didn't really "take-off," so now, I'm joining forces...that blog with this blog. So, whether you like it or not, instead just cute pictures and stories of my kids, I'm going to try and add some other things here as well. AND, please, please, please, feel free to leave comments and add your own favs. as well! (that's what I was trying to do w/ the other blog, which didn't really work...we'll see if my readers here will do as I ask! :O)

So, to start things off I wanted to share a recipe I tried last night for the first time. And, let's just say, there was hardly a morsel left on the plate! It's a must for a summer BBQ party! (or winter gathering in your home!)

I found it in the Kraft Food and Family Magazine and it was super easy (like most recipes in their mag)! Thanks Kraft!

Click on the recipe title below to find the recipe on their site (you can print it there or here):

Warm Italiano Spread

1 pkg. Philadelphia Neufchatel Cheese (I'm guessing regular cream cheese would work equally as well)

1/4 cup pesto

1 plum tomato, chopped

1/4 cup Kraft Finely Shredded Italian Five Cheese Blend

Triscuit Crackers (or other...)

Heat grill to medium heat. Place unwrapped Neufchatel cheese on 8-inch square sheet of heavy-duty foil; top with pesto, tomatoes and shredded cheese.

Place foil on grill; cover with lid. Grill 8 to 10 minutes or until shredded cheese is melted and Neufchatel cheese is softened but still holding its shape.

Transfer foil to platter. Serve spread with crackers.

How to prepare in your oven: Prepare as directed above - bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 14 min. or until shredded cheese in melted and Neufchatel cheese is softened but still holding its shape.

***Note from me: I set the timer for 8 min. to grill it and it was really melted...maybe check it at 5 or 6 and you'll be good to go! (it was still delicious, but softer than it was probably supposed to turn out.)

Birthday Party #2 - Morton Arboretum

We spent a wonderful afternoon celebrating Sam's birthday last Saturday with Brian's family and our great friends The Glavach's. We met at the Arboretum for a picnic lunch and play time. And, after a strong debate that morning if we should move the party inside, we were so thankful that we stuck with the plan and got to enjoy the gorgeous day!

Birthday Boy!

YUMMY! More monkey cupcakes!

Kiddos enjoying lunch!

Sammy showing off his new swim trunks!

On to play time!

Sammy enjoyed the fun from the stroller.

The tadpoles are out and the kids just couldn't wait to check them out.

Heidi and Jeremy walk out to see what it's all about.

Yes, the little black things are ALL tadpoles...there had to be thousands of them!

The water was just too tempting for Jackson!

Jake and Ellie

Best Buds Hannah and Peter inspecting the tadpoles.

All partied out! I had to sing and clap as loud as I could to keep

Sam and Ellie awake on the way home! I'm proud to say, I did it! :O)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMMY!

I can hardly believe that our little Sammy boy is 1 year old already! Brian and I feel so blessed by this little boy. He is a true joy and we just love watching him grow each day!

Yesterday was his big day and let me tell you, we threw him the best 1 year old party a family could throw! Okay, I'm totally kidding, but we did go out for dinner to Hannah's favorite restaurant and therefore, Sam's favorite restaurant, Red Robin. :O) After dinner, we came home and gave Sammy our gifts (sadly, I didn't even wrap them, isn't that terrible?!) and what do you give a sweet little boy living in the Chicago area? A Cubs shirt and hat, of course!

Sam's first party was last weekend when we were in MI last weekend for Mother's Day and celebrated Sam's birthday with my family there.

For some reason, I'm a little obsessed with monkeys right now (maybe b/c our little man IS a monkey!) and found the instructions to make these adorable cupcakes online. They were really a piece of cake to make, literally! hee, hee, hee! ;O)

"Happy Birthday to you!"

Stripped down and ready to attack his treat!

Mmmmmmmm, this is SO GOOD! How much can I fit in???

I love this look...like he's looking around wondering if he's going to get caught for something he shouldn't be doing. :o)

Stay tuned for more birthday fun...we'll be celebrating Sam's with Brian's family on Saturday!

Mother's Day and Tulips

We were lucky (just ask Brian!) enough to see the wonderful Dutch Dancers perform last Friday night in Holland, MI and the kids just loved it! (well, maybe the girls, more than Luke :O) We enjoyed our evening and even convinced the kids to pose for a few pictures. Thanks kiddos! 

Back at Grandma and Papa's, the kids had a blast playing together. Hannah, Ellie and Taylor are sporting their matching pig-tails! 

Great Grammy Smith came on Sunday to celebrate Mother's Day and Sam's birthday with us. She was so sweet and you could see the love in her eye's when she saw the kids that day. 

Sammy loved sitting by her, making sure to check her out from every angle! :O)

The kids with Grandma and Great Grandma on Mother's Day.

We love you moms and grandmas!

Pretty Pretty

Last Friday the kids and I stopped at a few garage sales on the hunt for a wagon and instead, came home with a new play vanity! For $5, I got this cute little thing and the girls just love it. Of course they had to have Sammy in the "customer" chair right away! Oh my, he has no idea what he's in for w/ these two girls! 

All dressed up for spring!

Since I failed to get pictures of the kids all dressed up for Easter, I thought I'd have a little photo shoot a couple of weeks ago after church. I LOVE Spring and have been so happy about the warmer temps and brighter days!

Lovely sisters

Hannah - age 5 years 5 months

*she just lost her 2nd tooth last weekend!!

Ellie - age 2 years 8 months

*we are just marveling at her expanded vocabulary lately..she's such a sweet little girl

Sam - age 11 months and 24 days

*He's a proud 'almost' walker!! He'll take 4 or 5 steps!

Look how excited he is!

Our little blessings

Unfortunately when we tried to take a family shot using the timer on the camera, Sammy didn't quite figure it all out...no matter how many times I said, "Sam look at the camera!" I wonder why that didn't work?! :O)

After pictures, Hannah decided it was time to let her butterflies go free. I thought she'd be hesitant about it...missing them, but she wasn't at all. She thought it was great to watch them fly out in to their new home. Ellie liked it too. :O)