Mark's friend from college, Tim had his 35th birthday, so Mark and another friend Brent went out to celebrate. The kids and I hung out with Jodie and Jen and Jen's kids. They had such a great time. Jen dressed the kids up in the cutest dress up clothes. Elle was in heaven.

One of our friday fun nights we went to bass pro shop to see the fish! As you can see they were amazed. They also got to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house for the weekend. They went to the zoo and did so many fun things!!
Hans got another pair of sunglasses and his personality comes out the minute he puts them on. He thinks he is so cool!!

Hans got shelves put in his room for his Heman guys. He love having them in his room and we love having the shelves. Thanks Ross! Ross has been working at out house for three months. He finished the babies room and is now putting wood floors in Elle's room.

Hans and Elle are the best of pals. My mom said they get along like Erik and I did growing up. They talk and talk. Hans even tucks Elle in bed every night and gives her a kiss on her forehead.

My two little workers. They are great cleaners, which has come in handy since I can't do as much as I am used to. Elle is great at dusting and wiping things clean, and Hans likes to do the floors. Last week they both helped clean the entire fridge. Hans did all the cleaning at the sink and Elle brought him everything. It was funny watching Elle with her determination bring Hans the large fridge drawers.

Friday Family Fun Nights are back. We took them to playland. Hans had a best friend that was 5 years older than him. The kids asked if he could play with Hans more sometime.

Hans has been busy working with the dogs. They understand him now and he is loving it. They lay down, rollover, sit, stay, and wipe there paws. Hans likes release and playing hide and seek the best of all.

So today is my Birthday and all are plans had to be canceled. Elle and Hans have had the stomach flu this week. Thankfully Mark and I are still feeling OK. Mark had to go in and get his blood checked and it was way to thin which means he may not have to take as much medicine. I had my level two ultrasound done and the baby is doing well. I just have to be very careful because my body is not responding that well. I have been getting many phone calls and I thought this would be the best way to let people know how things are going.

Elle is my little sunshine. She has the dramatic gene and when she wears her emotion on her sleeve so when she really loves something one knows!!
Elle wearing her Christmas pj's!

Christmas Day and the day after Christmas when we head to Rockford are our favorite. Elle was so hungry when we got to Stockholm inn for breakfast she ate a whole bowl of whipped cream.

Christmas night we open gifts from with my family and Hans got so many transformers he was thrilled.

Christmas Day we had a house full of family and it was such a wonderful day. Hans loved having all of his cousins that are his age to play with.

Christmas morning we opened gifts and Elle got her first Star Wars shirt which she had to put on right away.

Christmas Eve we spent the day with Great Grandma and Grandma getting ready for Christmas Day.

We let Hans open a few gifts early because he was so good when I cut his hair.

We spent the night at Great Grandma's and Hans and Elle opened their gifts from Uncle Erik and Auntie Kim. Elle likes to ride the horse and put her dolls on it so it gets double use.

Elle did not like Santa so much at Christmas with Great Grandma's house!

We started off the Christmas season attending Brent and Jodie's wedding in Galena. We had such a wonderful time staying there.

This has been quite the month. (Thus the lack of posts) I was in the hospital due to a major loss of blood, which may cause me to miscarry. Then my Grandparent's celebrated their 70th which I couldn't be at due to bed rest. Two days later my grandfather passed away. I was hoping I would get to see him on Thanksgiving, but he went to heaven to be with Jesus Tuesday morning. Then on black Friday Mark and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary by spending the long weekend in the city. We had to change our plans due to me being on bed rest, but we had a wonderful time. I was able to get new coats from Macy's and all of my Christmas shopping done online. Sunday we returned for my Grandfather's funeral. It was such a celebration of his life and how God worked in him at an early age to make him such a wonderful man. I went and had to sit the entire time, but everyone was so understanding and came and talked with me. Monday we had the burial service and it was special. My Grandma spoke and had such wonderful things to say. Then on weds I returned to work. I was told I looked like death or a few other choice words, but I made it through the day. Right now I am taking things day by day and praying for protection and healing for the baby. Also we are trying to finish off our loft for the baby. That way each kid will have their own room and a room for grandma, without having to move grandma to the study.

Hans and Mark had to do their first project together since I have been out of things. Hans had to decorate his letter N for school.

Mark and I went downtown for our anniversary. We stayed at a hotel in the perfect location which usually costs 800 a night.

Here are Elle and Hans looking at Stacey's horses.

Melissa and Britney came down to help me with the kids. It was great to have them since I can't do much.

The first snow!!! Hans came screaming and woke up the house. He started saying HOHOHO! because he knows Santa will be coming soon now that there is snow.

Hans and Elle were getting ready for Grandpa Kenny's funeral.

Mark and I for our 10 year anniversary had major plans but we cut down because I wasn't able to do much. We heard John Williams at the Chicago symphony orchestra. It was the best concert that I had ever been to there. We also went to the walnut room and ate under the tree.

The kids were already to go to Thanksgiving.

The day when I got out of the hospital Mark took the kids to church and Elle decided to come and rest by me.

We went to a bonfire at Stacey's horse ranch. She is a friend of mine from high school. The kids both wanted horses, but I think they will have to settle for lessons from Stacey.

The kids were ready for church. They were just trying to get a snack in before we went.

Hans and Elle were great helps putting up the decorations. They pushed the bins back to daddy so he could put them in the basement. Although they got the great idea to try to bring them down the stairs themselves. Luckily we caught them in time.

We went with Dana and Andrew to the town. Elle wasn't sure what to do without Hans. Hans was at Awana.

Our Small group has been at our house quite a few weeks to meet and Eric and Mark decided to watch part of a 3-D movie at the end.

Hans and Elle built me the most beautiful trivets. They got to pick out the tile and paint and they both perfectly matched the kitchen.