Erik will be getting his first stem cell transplant using his own cells on February 10th. Then we are praying everything will go well so he can get his second transplant with Kirsten's stems cells in June. Please pray that everything goes well so he can be back at work in August.

The Best of Friends!!

Just imagine! I heard a little noise coming from upstairs and I thought I will go check it out. One of the children must be awake. As I am heading upstairs I hear a loud banging noises, and playtime not nap time music. I look and the door to Hans room is wide open, so I think I am going to open the door to Elle's room and find Hans playing with Elle giving her toys in her crib. I open the door and find Hans and Elle jumping in the crib laughing and having a blast. Trying not to burst out laughing in front of the kids, I run downstairs and grab the camera laughing the whole way. I took two quick picks and got out on my serious face holding back the laughter. I gave him serious talk how dangerous it is for him and Elle. Although this is the happiest I have seen Elle in recent days since she is sick.



So I figured out how Hans gets in he climbs up the side and flips himself over. My wild crazy kids!! As you can see Elle thinks it is the best thing ever.

We went to Max's Deli. It is the best Jewish deli on the North Shore. I got a Turkey Reuben and Hans had soup and of course I ordered a milkshake to share with him. He drank the whole thing. He was so proud of himself. At the restaurant Elle and Hans were getting so much attention. Hans put gel in his hair and spiked it. Everyone commented on how they loved it! He was so proud of himself. Elle got the comments what a beautiful baby! She is a lucky girl to look like grandpa Peggy's sister Lillian.

We spent the night at my grandparents because I had to go to the dentist, plus Mark and I got back late. In the morning I decided to take Hans out sledding. I have found one of his favorite activities. Next time remind me to make sure the sled has no leaks before we use it.

We went out for my birthday and met up with friends for dinner and a movie. My mom took care of Elle and Hans was with my sister. Karen and Dennis brought Kevin with and it was so nice to have him there. Dianne and Andy got me a book that I am looking forward to reading!

This is about the only time Elle is silent is when she has food shoved in her mouth. At Our Kitchen she yelled so loud everyone jumped because she was hungry.

Hans got to spend the weekend with his cousins. At Kirsten took Hans and the boys to a Willowbrook basketball game. When Hans got there he did a Dwight thing, he climbed the bleachers and sat in the back row cheering for team. Then he decided it was time to run under the bleachers with the boys.
These are some pics of Elle last week! She is my photogenic darling! When I look at Hans and Elle, I think how could the be any more different. Elle has all the personality in the world, which is definitely good for me. Hans is so much like me! He is laid back, easy going and reserved. Elle is loud, talk active and outgoing. I am interested to see how she will be when she can talk. Anytime we go places with kids she has to be heard by everyone!

Great news! Kirsten is a 100% match for Erik for the transplant.

Elle bell has already taken over my nickname legs, although it is not official until auntie Shirls calls her that. At church I was talking with a women about her daughter who is Elle's age. She asked if Elle was about the same size. I said on no she is much longer, but what do you expect with parents like Mark and me. As we waited for Mark to pick us up, she saw Elle and said she is all legs. My friend Karen was the first one to say look at those legs she is going to be a supermodel, but now others are picking up on it. That is why I think she will take over my nickname.
I pulled out a t-shirt for Elle to wear with jeans, but then I noticed the shirt matched some legging I bought. I went to get a bow and found we also had a bow that matched. How fun it is to dress girls!

Off to church! We actually made it there on time. Although Hans was disappointed because "no lights"! All the Christmas lights outside on our way to church are gone. When he saw church he kept saying chuchu then train. He get excited to go down the train slide at church. When we went to drop off Elle the women came out and said what is she wearing. I guess the look forward to seeing what she is dressed in. Well she is the best dressed kid, one of the ladies said.

Hans and Elle played in the basement today. I decided the need to go outside, but since it is still snowing we ran around in the basement.

On the radio, there was a discussion about how this is the most stressful week of the year. I thought about it and said I can understand people make all their new years resolutions and have to pay all the Christmas bills. Although this is how it started for us. We went to get a new sticker for our license plate and they told us our car need an emissions test first. It was frustrating, but I thought I could go later sometime during the week. I took Mark's car to the Volo emissions test site and found out they closed it. Great! I called the number at the closed site and they said the nearest one is in Waukegan. That is an area I am not going to go in especially with my kids. They said my other alternative is to schedule an appointment at Meineke. That is what I decided to do because the car also need brakes badly. Mark and I took the car in during the crazy snow storm. We couldn't even find where the road was to pull in because it wasn't plowed. Real safe with kids! Well then Mark got the call when I was at work that it didn't pass the emissions test so it will be an additional $800, and we can't get the emissions retested until the paper work is filled out showing a tune up was done and work on the engine. What a scam! Considering our car is only a few year old. When I told people they said our governor must have been involved in that scam. That was my first reaction, my second was lets get rid of the car. Mark reminded me it is a Toyota and it will last us a long time, especially considering he takes the train to work. This week we are going to bring the car to get it fixed and I am going to drive to Lincolnshire to get it tested. Hopefully all goes well.



On the kid front Elle loves to clap her hands. She discovered the sound clapping makes and is constantly clapping her hands. Also she is trying to walk on her own. I knew she would be my early walker. She is going to be my one walking at nine months. Elle is not laid back like her brother. Hans has been talking a great deal more. Although it has started to decrease since I started back to work. This week he needed mommy time. I could tell he was really missing me because he was whiny and naughty. I asked him, "What is the matter?" He said, "Mommy no work!" I called Mark at work and we decided to let him sleep by us that night. He was so happy and in the morning when they dropped me off at work he told me to have a good day. It is amazing how changes have such an impact in a little one's life.

Hans and Elle for the holidays were dressed up in their Norwegian outfits.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!! New Years Day we were supposed to go to Dianne and Andy's open house, but their basement flooded. Luckily, we saw them Christmas Eve to exchange gifts. So instead of meeting up with Karen and Dennis at a restaurant, they came to our house. It was so good to see them! This was our first time getting to spend time with Dennis. He is a great guy. Easy going, laid back and helpful the way we like them. Elle loved Kevin, especially his hair!
New Years Eve we went to Denise's house. We had a great time, but Elle wouldn't let us stay late. She wanted to go to bed, so unfortunately we didn't make it to our second stop Alicia's house.

Monday and Tuesday Uncle Adam spent time with us. He brought Hans once again his favorite toy. I asked him how do you do it? He said I think what would I like to play with and buy it. We kept bugging Adam about moving in with us and becoming our nanny. We told him we would pay him $250, but he is happy where he is. I just thought since Mark talks to him a hour a day he might as well be living at our house (plus we got the room).
Monday, Kirsten and I went downtown and got tested to see if we are matches for Erik. We did some shopping down there and I got new a load of new clothes that I definitely needed. It was a nice time, but I spent much of it being nervous about being a match for Erik. After we were done we stopped by and saw Erik. Please pray that we are matches!!!
After Rockford Mark and I headed to Milwaukee. We had a baptism party for baby Charlotte. John and Katie came in from North Carolina to have Charlotte baptized. Hans and Elle got decked out to go to the party! Hans even wore his hat. It was great spending the weekend with Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Rich besides they always have the best food from Sendicks.

Erik's in laws joined us for the holidays and they went with us to Rockford, and Coco Keys Water Park. I learned that Michelle, Kim's sister, and I are alike. We went down the water slides together. I also learned don't put your child down the biggest water slide first, especially when he has developed a fear of things. Elle and Hans enjoyed the pool on the second day the most. Hans quickly got over his fear of water, and was jumping in. He even ran into the deep end. Good thing I was there to get him. On Saturday, we went to auntie Gracey's for brunch. She made such a nice spread. Hans and Elle were hungry at the hotel, so grandma Judy got creative and laid a towel out and put food on it.

Elle and I enjoyed the lazy river
Elle bell posing in the pool. The steam from the pool kept rising. It was hard to get a clear picture of her face.
This water falls became Hans favorite activity.
Luke, Levi, Sam and I went from the inside hot tub to the outside. The boys were making snow balls. Then they threw it at Sam. All of the sudden about 15 girls were bombarding him with snow balls too. He eventually retreated inside.
Kirsten was able to come with. She spent her time hanging out with Elle and resting.

Michelle shooting hoops
Luke, and Michelle could cross this no problem. Levi and I struggled. Levi was too short, and I had the opposite problem. At the starfish I had to be on my knees. It just didn't work for me.

We tried to get one family picture. You can see how well the children cooperated.

After everyone left our house we opened gifts from Grandma Judy, and Auntie Kirsten. Unfortunately TT was sick, but Sam and the boys came. Elle got tons of clothes and Hans got Kota the dinosaur. Elle started screaming when she saw it, so Hans won't go near it. Officially it is sitting in the basement. Mark made the joke, "We could wrap it up next year and maybe he will like it."


Elle opened one of her gifts from Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Rich. They also gave the kids money, which we put in their college savings.

Everyone said how they love having Christmas at our house because it is so kid friendly. The kids spent their time riding Hans golf cart in the basement and playing in the playroom. Eventually in the evening some of the kids made it to the loft and found the toys up there.
I was so happy when Grandma Cindy came because she held Elle while I got the house ready.
Christmas morning Hans didn't wake up till 10, so we had him run to his stocking. Elle and Hans opened their gifts and then we bagged them up. We had to put them aside because all the guest were showing up at 12. We had about 40 people this year, but I seemed busier. I can see how two kids make a difference.


l I went to the Chocolate Factory to get Hans his stocking stuffers. I also picked up mint meltway bars for great Grandpa (they are amazing!!).
Christmas Eve Hans got to bring everyone their gifts then he started wading up the paper and throwing it at Garth. The minute we arrived I laid Elle down and she was into all the gifts. Below you can see her opening one. She has learned it is fun to open gifts.

Here are some pics added of Elle walking around I had to see the dentist and she was in everything walking around. When I showed up she was tired and ready for a nap.



Ellie is into the gifts. She likes anything shiny.
The first Christmas we had at great Grandma and Grandpa's house. Hans was happy to see auntie Brenda, who took care of him last year. I know he misses her! Shirley and Scott got him a ship that Brenda picked out and he plays with it constantly. The funny part of that night was when Hans got caught red handed with the cookie plate. A gift came out for him and I asked where is Hans. He was sitting behind Brent eating cookies. Everyone started laughing! Uncle Scott added the comment if he is not like his father. Although Hans was a lifesaver! He went over by Brent and Jodi, he kept hitting the chair where Tea was sitting and pointing. Tea was trying to climb into the walker and was hanging out. Also he was so good with the baby twins. Hans is so observant and such a good little sitter.
It was impossible trying to get a picture of the kids together. This is the only moment I could get them sitting still together.


We spent the the week prior to Christmas- 7 hours a day for 4 days- clearing out the basement and organizing Mark's Star Wars toys. Hans helped every step of the way, so he got some star wars guys out of it and a C3PO case to hold them in. He also got some monye to put in his bank. Talk about happy!


Christine came by with clothes for Elle and Hans. It was the first gifts they were able to open. They both got outfits.
We decided to get hans. Kota the dinosaur after he got Spike unfortunately he is afraid of both of them. Luke and Levi chased him with Spike and that was it. He has never been this close again.