Our trip to Pekin

Well, I guess that picture above is the sunset over Peoria, but we were still in the area. :)

We journeyed to Pekin for Evan's friend Brian's wedding. Evan was a groomsman and Elisabeth was the flower girl. In the middle of the night, Elisabeth came to us telling us she'd fallen off the bed. She laid with us for a few minutes but kept saying "ow". Now, for those of you who don't know me well, I'm not much of a morning person. Elisabeth goes to Evan when she wakes up because he doesn't grump at her or roll over (not saying I do...but I do). Anyway, I might have told Evan to make her go back to her bed because her "ow"-ing was keeping me awake. *cough*mom-of-the-year*cough* Anyway, when he went to see her bump, he discovered a rather nice gash in her forehead that was bleeding. (We truly are good parents, I promise). He slapped a band aid on it, gave her tylenol and an ice pack and sent her on her way. When she woke up, it still looked pretty bad, and after a phone call to our Nina for direction, we decided to take her to the ER to make sure she didn't need stitches. Thankfully, she did not, but running to the emergency room with two girls at 7:30AM and staying for 2 hours was a great way to start our trip.

We left Thursday afternoon, after Evan enjoyed a day of running a 5K and playing golf at work for basically an Air Force "field day". (He was quite sad he missed the dodgeball game) We got to Pekin on Friday just in time to throw Julia at my parents, change into our dress rehearsal clothes, miss the dress rehearsal completely, but make it to the meal.

This is Elisabeth's dress for the rehearsal dinner. She picked it out herself. (She's super into clothes right now)


The next day was wedding day. I got Elisabeth for the day and took her to all the flower girl activities she needed to attend. Evan got Julia and I laughed and laughed, because I was totally getting the better end of the deal!

We started the day getting Ebeth's hair done. She (of course) asked for it to be straightened.

He even gave her jewels for her hair!


Then it was off to the hotel to eat lunch and get make-up and dressed. Elisabeth loved loved loved being with the bridesmaids and brides. Elisabeth has always loved Brian (she used to call him Rorie when she was a baby) and took an instant liking to Stephani. She loves their dog and their rats, their motorcycle and their jobs (policeman and nurse, respectively).

Here she is sticking like glue to Stephanie.
Waiting in the hallway for the limo to go get pictures taken. My dad got her (another) robot dog, which she ADORED and named Kacey and took with her everywhere (including the professional pictures, which I wasn't around for and that dog ended up in some of the photos because no one can say no to my child!).
Elisabeth in her first limo ride!


The wedding was HOOOOT! Ugh, Illinois weather sucks and it made me long for Colorado. The wedding party walked down the grass aisle straight from the limo, which was super neat.

Evan and his respective bridesmaid Khoa.
Elisabeth.

Stephani and Brian!!!
Elisabeth entertaining the bridesmaids with her mad bug catching skills.
Dancing with Brian during the dollar dance.
Omg, let me tell you how my kid is a dancing fiend! She was the center of the dance floor, I kid you not. She danced to EVERY song, was showing off moves I have never even seen!!, and making friends with complete strangers who danced with her all night.

Stephani and the boys--Andy, Brian, Evan and Bryan.
Evan successfully embarrassed Elisabeth off and on all night by trying to fast dance with her, but he finally got to slow dance with her for a while.


Sunday was Father's Day, which meant my Mother's Day, since Evan wasn't here for my Mother's Day and I got no chance to sleep in, skip diaper changing and whatnot. I slept in till 11:00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was MARVELOUS! And, I got to go for a walk (in the rain, but whatever). I kid you not, I am married to the best guy ever!!!!

We also celebrated Julia's birthday with everyone since we'd be back in Colorado for her actual birthday.

The kids hanging out waiting for the presents to be opened.
Ethan and Elisabeth opened all of Julia's presents. Maybe they'll let her open her Christmas ones. ;)
Julia was super rude and talked on the phone the entire time. We're working on manners.
I love this picture. It's so sweet. He's helping her open presents.

Waiting (impatiently) for her cake. Being in her high chair=food immediately.

She insisted on finger feeding Jana before trying any of it herself. I think she didn't know what to do with so much food since we usually give it to her in small doses due to her messiness.
Trying a bit.
The crowd. Do you love Ethan's new grin?
The party folk.
That girl loves her some water.

She successfully ate her chocolate cake.
Fighting Evan while he tries to clean her off. Total action shot!
So angry at the people who love her and try to clean her off.
Sink bath time!
Evan used the sprayer on her and she (of course) flinched. She's such a flincher.
All done! They tried to make her hair curly. It was straight again as soon as it dried.


We had a very fast weekend in Pekin. We won't be back until around Christmas time, which is sad. So, all you Pekinites, keep checking up on us here! I'll try to stay up to date more often on all our doings! We love you all and miss you!!!!!!!!

Julia gets her first hair cut!

I know, I know, it's been ages since I've written. We have been soooooo busy. I'm going to try to catch up with my posts, so be ready for a bombardment of blogging.

First off, I know you are dying to know how our birds are doing. Well, here are their eggs!!! No chicks yet, but we'll let you know when they hatch!


Julia, at the ripe age of 11 months, was in desperate need of a hair cut. So, I took her to a local hair salon. I was equipped with snacks and a drink to pacify her (which is why her hands are in her mouth in all the pics), and Elisabeth was the photographer. I think she did a really good job!



I like how she's critiquing herself in the mirror in this picture.
I had to pretend I was sleeping. :)


Julia was a real trooper! I was so sure she would totally freak out, but she didn't whine or cry at all! Now, granted, she was fed the entire time, but still. They gave her a little certificate with "First Haircut" on it and taped a lock of her hair to it. It was very sweet. So, now we all have to start scheduling regular hair appointments. So fun.

Alright, time to start getting the pics ready for the next blog....

Please help us welcome Roosevelt and Figaro!!!

Allow me to introduce Roosevelt

and Figaro
our new cats! Saturday we went to PetSmart to look at the cats to appease Elisabeth. We've been talking about getting cats since we lived in DeKalb. Because we lived in an apartment, we couldn't have furry pets, so we've always told Ebeth that when we get a house we'd get two cats. Honestly, I kind of wanted to back out of the deal because not having pets was kind of nice. But, a promise is a promise, and we started looking at local pet adoption agencies. I had set up some meetings with a few foster cat owners to meet some cats, but Ebeth was desperate to hold cats, so we went to PetSmart just to look.

Well, obviously, we did a little more than just look. :)

I was the first one to see Roosevelt (Elisabeth picked out his name). He was in a kitty carrier on top of two other kitty carriers and he was shaking the whole tower! He was very sweet when I took him out to hold him and was purring, rubbing against my hands for more pettings, and let me hold him upside down (a good sign of a laid back cat). He's around 1 years old an had a family before but they were unable to have pets anymore. Evan and I were pretty sure from the get-go that we'd be taking him home with us.



Evan's always wanted to adopt an older male cat since they always seem to be the ones no one else wants because everyone else always wants kittens. I totally agree, and we were looking at some of the other older male cats when...

I saw this guy.
Figaro (named after the can in Pinocchio since that's who he looks like!) was in a big cage all by himself. He is absolutely beautiful and was playing with his toys and running around. When I pulled him out he instantly cuddled against me and started purring and licking my hand. I told Evan that I had to have him too. When we asked the adoption representative what she thought about the two being together even with the age difference, she said that if were any other older male cat she'd say no, but Roosevelt was such a sweetie, she said they'd do great together. And she was absolutely right! Roosevelt plays with Figaro and cleans him and waits while Figaro climbs the stairs. They are so good together!

Both cats are great with the girls! And they've definitely made themselves at home!


Look how tiny Figaro looks!




Both cats do have claws and Evan and I are trying alternatives to declawing. The adoption agency was pretty hard core about not declawing, and especially with Roosevelt, we'd like to not traumatize him. But, even when Julia tries pulling thier fur out, they've never shown their claws at all. Ugh! I totally love them both!