Christmas Week

Christmas 2008

We had such a fun week! I didn't want it to end...but we had to come back to reality. On Christmas Eve we drove to Holland to my Grandma & Grandpa Metzler's house. My brothers and sister in law met us there. We had dinner, hung out with cousins and then went to 11pm church. Justin stayed awake and was such a good boy during church! I don't know how much him and Uncle Mikey paid attention, but at least they were quiet :) We woke up on Christmas morning and Santa had been there! We all got spoiled. After hanging out for the morning, we got ready and drove to Kalamazoo where my other side of the family was...my mom's side of the family. We always have a great time and Justin loves playing with all of his cousins! It's nice for Rob and I because we have lots of babysitters and nothing to worry about! On Friday we went to the Rivermen game in Grand Rapids with Uncle Mikey, Uncle Ry and Aunt Manda. GG Brooks and Uncle Kurt and Ashley met us there too. The Rivermen won in overtime, so it was a great game to be at! After the game we went to BW's on the way back to Kalamazoo - Justin was in such a good mood and we had a lot of fun. It would have been better if Mom and Dad were there so our family would have been complete, but we'll all be able to go out together in March!!!

Here are some pics from the weekend. I will post a link to our picassa site tomorrow, so check back to this post and I'll put it right at the top!



Justin and Great Grandpa Metzler














Justin and Great Grandma Metzler












Justin opening his cool new DVD player from Gramma Airplane and Papa














Justin opening presents - this present was 2 fatheads from his uncles and aunt manda...pics to follow tomorrow of them hanging up in his room!


















Playing air hockey with Uncle Ry













He's happy to have his white tiger back from Las Vegas - we forgot it there when we went in November.













Justin loves his Great Grandparents!














Such concentration....













I really like this picture :)












When we got to Kzoo, Uncle Mikey decided to get one more use out of his Halloween costume :)



















Justin would not go anywhere near him!!!!












Cool present from his Godmother....I can't wait until we get enough snow to use it!













Opening the first present with the help of his cousins.













Justin and Grandma Mickey Mouse














Uncle David and Aunt Connie.....we really miss living close to them :(













Grandpa Rosebush opening his presents!













Probably talking fantasy football.....












Uncle Tom cutting the prime rib....it was so yummy! I wish this picture could be a scratch and sniff :)











Helping Grandma with breakfast













Playing air hockey with Morgan.... He LOVES Morgan and she is so good with him. She has so much patience and plays with him non-stop. I asked her to drop out of school and be our nanny, but her mom didn't like that idea :)









Justin with Grandpa and Grandma Brooks at the hockey game....he ate the whole dish of ice cream!














I like this pic - the puck not quite hitting the ice.














Silly Uncle Mikey and Justin. Uncle Mikey taught him how to give wet willies....nice :)

He also taught him to say "what's on your cheek"....and then Justin gives you a kiss on the cheek. So cute :) When he does it (all the time) he says "Uncle Mikey told me that"..... We wish Uncle Mikey lived closer - you need to look for jobs down here!

Ice Skating 101

Hello! We had such a fun weekend :) After seeing Santa on Friday, we came home, ate dinner and were off to the Rivermen game. Justin is getting braver and now likes to yell at the players, scream "Go Rivermen" and bang on the glass. Saturday morning he slept in until 9am - what a treat! We went to the store and got all of the stuff to make cookies all day. We made cut-outs (they turned out grandma!), chocolate with peanut butter chips and peanut butter blossoms...yummy! Justin was such a big help, too! Saturday evening we took Justin ice skating and then went to dinner with Katie & Josh. Sunday we stayed inside as much as possible until it was time to go to the Rivermen game. The temperature is around zero and the wind chills are so cold!!!

After the Rivermen game they had a post-skate with the team. This was Justin's 4th time (two time in Big Rapids with G&G Brooks, once on Saturday and then tonight). He did SO GOOD! Rob and I were so proud of him! There is a video below that is almost 2 minutes long because he just kept going....he didn't fall! In the video, you hear the buzzer going off to signal that open skate was over, then you hear Josh (COO of the Rivermen) say "he's doing well" - I think he was the youngest one out there - and then at the end the Zamboni fires up, so we really had to leave :)

We are really excited for our short work week and then a fun Christmas!

Visit with Santa....

Hello! This is going to be really quick - we have to head out the door to the Rivermen game. Last night we got an ice storm...see the tree to the left in the first picture? That one we can usually mow under on the rider. There are so many broken trees and downed power lines around and 40,000 people don't have power. We were pretty lucky!

The other pics are from this afternoon - we met the REAL Santa! Seriously. He and Mrs. Claus were amazing. It was at the outdoor mall in an empty store and the best part - it was free! You just had to bring your own camera. Justin saw him in the window first and he waved; then hid behind the Christmas tree and peeked around at us. When we went in Justin's eyes were so huge! Of course, he would not go sit on his lap, so Santa told me to hold him and we could read a book...Thomas the Train! After reading the whole book, Justin was warmed up and sat on his lap. Of course he told him he wanted hockey stuff... We had a good 10 minutes all to ourselves with Santa and Mrs. Claus. It put me more into the Christmas Spirit because I really think he was the real thing :)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

.....in Las Vegas!

This is Papa and Gramma Airplane's house. I thought that mom might have been exagerating a little when she told me how much it was snowing! I hate to think of what traffic is like there. Just think - cab drivers who have never before seen snow...AAAHH!

Bah Humbug...

Hi - sorry it's been a while again. Not feeling too bloggy lately. This is usually my absolute favorite time of year, but I'm not really feeling it this year. I have no lights up outside, not much up inside, didn't really enjoy shopping this year and have not baked a singe cookie - although I do have a cookie exchange tomorrow, so that is my plan for tonight on top of bidding a job due tomorrow morning. I think that living so far, yet trying to still please everyone all the time with seeing us (read: Justin) is catching up with me. It's one thing to do it, have fun and enjoy our time while we're away. Lately it just seems like no matter how hard we try we are not pleasing everyone. I guess I'm going to have to let go of that guilt feeling because it's really taking a toll.

Quick updates:

*Justin is good - he had fun in Michigan with G&G Brooks. Highlights include ice skating for the first time, playing in the snow, helping Grandpa plow, seeing Grandma Ellen & Grandpa Don. Lowlight include an incident with Taylor - their 15 year old crabby chocolate lab. It looks so bad and I had a picture appt scheduled for this week...scrap that idea. I got him Mederma today becuase I have heard that is supposed to be the best to avoid scars - $29.99 for a little tube! Seems like a rip off, but if it works it's worth it.

*He is loving his new hockey toys he found in the attic while in MI. They used to be Rob's and he loves them.

*He has 2 favorite movies - hockey monkey (which Katie/Josh & Evan/Sandy got to watch last night!) and the Grinch cartoon. He also loves Mickey Mouse and Little Einsteins.

*I'm sure there is more, but Rob just called and I forgot he doesn't have a car seat in his car so I have to go pick him up....and he'll probably be the last one. I feel like a terrible mom lately :(

:(

I miss my baby.......

The Hills 12-9-08

Hello! Sorry it's been a while again - that time of year! Work is busy, we have not all been healthy and we have had a full schedule :)

Friday night we went to a hockey game; the Rivermen beat Chicago twice in a week...that has never happened! Saturday I woke up and didn't feel very well so my wonderful husband let me sleep in!!! After we got ready we met the Gibson's at the planetarium for the Holiday Lights laser show and then we went to the knock-off build a bear place that is going out of business (see pics below!) and then we went to Longhorn Steakhouse....yummy! After dinner it was back to hockey...they won in a shoot out - what a great game! They are only one point out of first place! I am glad that we have something in town that all 3 of us enjoy and we have fun doing it!

Sunday we drove to Schaumburg and met Grandma Brooks & Godsie and they took Justin back to Michigan for the week. Rob and I then went to Oakbrook for my company Christmas party - a good time was had by all! They do gift baskets and this year I got an ipod nano. I already have one, but it can be returned and I have $150 to spend at Best Buy! We stayed at the Hyatt after that...super nice hotel for $72 - gotta love Hotwire! We came home Monday morning and we have been busy with work ever since!

Saturday we are going back to Michigan for Christmas at Rob's grandparents house - this is with Kent's extended family. We have gone the last 4 years and it's fun to see his uncles....we usually only see them once a year so there is always a lot to catch up on!

Rob is on his way to my office now - he's going to hang my bulletin board and then we are off to hopefully finish our Christmas shopping!

Oh, and what a proud day for Illinois - Blago gets arrested. What a class act.




Justin getting his elephant stuffed.













Putting his elephant through the "bath".












Luke getting his dog stuffed...he later named him "elephant" :)

Justin decorating his tree.....after eating spaghetti.

We need to remember to clean his face before we use the good camera!

On the mend....we hope?

As soon as we got home from Michigan, I started feeling sick. I got a really sore throat and finally went to the doctor to get a strep test - it was negative! I was so happy. She said I have tonsilitis, but I can live with that....I am feeling fine doped up on Motrin. Justin has been digging at his ear, so I made him an appointment for next week. He woke up in the middle of the night telling us his neck hurt and then that his tummy hurt. Rob and I kept him home from school, but then he seemed better mid-morning so we took him in. He had a bad diahrea but seemed a little better tonight. I really, really, really hope that his tubes are both still in. We have not even paid off the last bill yet :(

I have a few cute pictures of him putting up his Christmas tree tonight (his little 3' one in his room) with hockey player ornaments - I will try to get them up tomorrow!

Good night!

Thankful.....

Since I only had a day between Vegas and Michigan, I didn't get a chance to do my "Things I am Thankful For" list last week. Better late than never....and in no particular order :)

*Our son - I can't even put into words how much we love him. He is funny, smart, energetic and reminds us about the important things in life. He does not care if I have no make-up on, the house is a mess, the dishes are piled up, etc. He loves us unconditionally and teaches us to see life through the innocence of a child. I am so excited this Christmas that he actually understands some of what is going on. I have the best Christmas memories from growing up and I hope that Rob and I can create some that he will look back on and smile when he has his own kids someday.

*My husband - my best friend, my love, the best daddy in the world. I don't know what I would do without you. We share in eachothers joys and you are there for me when I need to cry/vent/be sad...and usually end up making me laugh :) I love you.

*My parents - you have shown me how marriage should be. Anyone can be happy when times are great and smooth sailing. You have shown the boys and I what unconditional love is....not something that most kids have the benefit of these day. You are the best Gramma Airplane and Papa in the world; Justin adores both of you. I wish the miles didn't keep us so far apart, but we'll make it through!

*My siblings - rarely does a week go by that I don't talk to my brothers and my now sister! I wish I would have listened to my parents 15-20 years ago when they told us that someday we would like eachother. We wasted a lot of time living in the same house and not wanting to be together...now we drive hours on end just to see eachother for a day (or a few hours!). Justin talks about you guys all of the time - he loves his un-kles :) I love you guys!

*My grandparents - all of you! I am very, very, very fortunate to still have all of my grandparents...and a great-grandma! Up until high school, I had 5 great grandparents living. Not many people have that treasure. I am so glad that Justin is growing up with so many loving grandparents too!

*My family - aunts, uncles, cousins, and everyone in between! Our family has stayed so close over the years and I know that we can count on eachother for anything. Even though we live in many different cities/states now, we still make an effort to all get together and that means the world to me!

*My in-laws - Kent, Sue, Kurt, Godsie, Buzzy, etc. You have welcomed me into your family with open arms since Rob and I met. If we are even in a pinch you guys are willing to drop anything and help us out...it is truly appreciated and not taken for granted! You are so good to Justin; he loves coming to the country :)

*My friends - make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold. I never really understood that when I was younger, but that is becuase there was not a difference between the two. Now it is perfectly clear. It goes back to childhood friends like Kristi. We don't talk as much as we used to, but we can still pick up on a conversation right where we left off. Then there are the college friends; nights we will never remember with friends we will never forget :) And now Rob and I are so lucky to have the friends we do; especially K&J - life here would not be the same without you.

*My job - I am so fortunate to have a job that I truly love. A job that allows me to do engineering, sales, golf, dining out and most importantly be a mommy with a flexible schedule...all the while paying a few bills along the way.

*Health - knock on wood here. Sure we have ear infections, colds, etc. but we have been VERY fortunate health-wise; especially for the size of our family. On Thanksgiving we lost my Uncle Bo to cancer. He will always be remembered as the barking uncle - he had a dog bark down to a pat and he would always scare the kids :) For my great-grandma having 11 kids, and most of them having kids and so on we have been very lucky as far as health and longevity!

*Home - Everynight we do prayers with Justin. After we read them from his book, we do "special prayer" where we let him bless anything he wants to. Not too long after we started doing this, he would of course do the whole family, the dogs, hockey, etc. and then one night he said "home". That made Rob and I smile. We really have found our home. We've moved a lot in the last few years, but finally it feels like we are home. We love our jobs, our house, our town, our friends and life in general in Central Illinois.

*PALS - Justin's daycare. I can't say enough good things about this place. Sure it's a beautiful building with a nice playground, great security and such but it's the people that make it so special. Ericka and Stephanie are so good with Justin. We know he's probably not the easiest child in class (read: bully), but they are so good with him and they really give us piece of mind when we are at work. I am glad that I have gotten to be friends with his teachers...they are truly special people!

*This blog! If it were not for this blog, I would have lost touch with a lot of friends from college. I am closer to some of you than I was at Tech, but it's the bond of going to a small school and knowing everyone that is really special. Sure college was fun - drink, taco bell, sleep, class, repeat - but now is when it's really nice to have friends like you to share thoughts, ideas, hard times, good times and everything between with!

Okay, so this got really long - but it really comes from the heart. I am going to be printing all of these blogs and the comments that follow and put them in a binder for Justin for when he is older. I want him to know the things that I am thankful for and how lucky he is to have such a loving family/friends.

Thanksgiving - Part II

Here are some more pictures from Thanksgiving!

If you want to see the rest of them, here is the link (click on pic below of grandpa and justin):

Thanksgiving in MI

Grandpa Kent trying the Wii fit (btw - thank you GG Brooks for sending one home with us!!!! We love it!)

He's lucky I didn't video tape his hula hoop skills :)

















Godsie carving the turkey and Ashley supervising!













Godsie and Bob












Grandpa Kent and Justin on the four-wheeler. I wanted Justin to wear a helmet because I'm a chicken, but they only went a few mph :)

Grandpa, Justin and Ashley playing Kurt & Rob's old rod hockey game....Grandpa and Justin played this for HOURS this weekend!

Godsie, Sue and Rob planning our black friday attack!

Grandpa Kent, Bob and Justin (on the sled) walking over to Godsie & Bob's new polebarn / apartment

This is when we got home - Godsie sent our Christmas gifts and Rob put them under the tree. Before the car was unpacked we all knew what we got....Justin likes to open gifts!

Hockey - go figure.

The dogs....and you can see the snow we came home to! Yeah :) It finally felt like the holidays!