Sad Day...

I know I have a ton (and I'm not exaggerating) of catching up to do here on the blog, but I figured if I didn't put this one up today, it wouldn't make too much sense later. I'm sad today because our beloved team, the Bears, lost the NFC championship game to their longest rivals, the Green Bay Packers. All week, going into this game we knew that this was bigger than the Super Bowl, and so therefore we treated it like it was the Super Bowl. The boys have watched all the games with us, and have been just as excited as we have been (more so in some cases!) when the Bears would win. And last week was no exception when they beat Seattle to advance to the NFC Championship game.

The sign posted says "Next week is for all the Cheese" with the "C" shaped like the Chicago C. We already knew we'd be playing against the Cheese Headed Packers.

I painted my toes to show my pride, and have worn Bears attire all week long, including switching over to my Bears watch.

Devin had begged me all week to do his toes too. As tempted as I was to fulfill his eager wish, I hesitated because I didn't know how Micah would really feel about it. He acted fairly indifferent over the phone (he was away most of the week for Fellowship interviews) but I didn't want him to be angry when he got home. Even though I had many many supporters of the idea (as well as some who were against it) his opinion was the only one that really counted. Before Micah got on the plane to come home yesterday, he texted me on his own to say that he really didn't care if I did, and if Devin wanted it, to go ahead. Unfortunately for Devin, I got that text a little too late, and was already too preoccupied planning our party for the game the next day.
However, the boys still got to show their pride all week by wearing their own gear and helping me hang the Bears flag we got the last time they won the NFC Championship back in 2006.

(I took these pics with my cell phone)

With the anticipation all week, we were really looking forward to having some friends over to watch the game with us. We were planning on having a simple brunch for food since the game was going to start soon after we would get out of church. But I started getting ideas, and I have a very hard time holding back when I get ideas in my head. I probably bit off more than I could chew since I wouldn't have much time after church and before people started to show up, but I tried to do as much as I could the night before. Unfortunately I had to leave some details out, but the overall outcome was cute nonetheless.
We prayed at church, and then again before the game...Our father who Art in Chicago, Football be thy game. Let Forte run, 1 Super Bowl won , on earth as it is in Soldier Field. Give us Sunday a playoff victory, and forgive of our penalties , as we defeat those Packers who play against us, lead us not in elimination, but deliver us to Dallas! In the name of the fans, the City of Chicago and the good Bears name, Amen....Go BEARS!
Unfortunately it wasn't in the cards for us this year. Again. But we remain faithful fans, and will stick by our team no matter the outcome. I'm just sad because I now know that if only I had went with my gut and painted Devin's toes like he begged me to almost every day, I'm sure it would have made the difference and we'd be celebrating a victory today rather than hanging our heads in defeat. There's always next year...

Yes, that would be a flying blimp (summer sausage shaped like a football) above the stadium of food :)

This is a homemade giant cookie frosted with Teddy Grahams as players. Their helmets are made from fondant. I was going to roll some small pretzel rods in the fondant and try to cement them together with icing to form goal posts for the end zones, but I just didn't have the time.

And I was going to use carrot sticks for goal posts here as well with black olives in "x's and o's" for the players, but again ran out of time. Boneless Buffalo wings, mini egg rolls, and mini corn dogs built the parameter of the stadium (stuck together with tooth picks).

Marrissa brought over the most delicious fruit that I forgot to put on the table for the picture. I still made my cinnamon rolls and mimosas from the original brunch idea. It was an enjoyable afternoon with our friends, and this was our Super Bowl-just wish we would have won :(

Go Bears!
and now...Go Steelers! haha

Anniversary and New Year

Six years ago today I married my best friend and the man of my dreams. We've been together for over 10 years now, and I couldn't be happier. He has given me two of the most handsome and sweet little boys, and has brought a smile to my face every day. He gives so much of himself to our family, even with the high demands of his work. His love for us is insurmountable. I am so lucky to be married to such a wonderful and dedicated husband and father.
Happy Anniversary my Love! I have loved our journey together and can't wait to see what the rest of our future together has in store for us :) We are living happily ever after!

Together forever since 12/31/04

Aiden's 5th Birthday

Aiden is a whole hand! Can you believe it? I know I still can't, and I have had 2 months to get used to it-haha! We were blessed to have our families come out for his party and so we took them to a sushi restaurant on the night of his birthday. Every 5 year olds dream place to have his birthday dinner huh? Yeah, not so much-but I think he was just thrilled to have my parents, Micah's parents, and Uncle Danno wtih him :)

He got to open a few presents from us on his Birthday and then the rest at his party the next day.

My kids love watching Sprout TV and so I made sure to submit a card to their birthday show for his big day. Too bad it didn't make the air, but it was on the website. This is the card I made.

Happy Birthday Boo!

Soccer

It's hard for me to believe that Aiden is old enough to be on a soccer team. And it's even harder for me to think of myself as a "soccer mom". With the minivan and everything. Crazy how fast it seems to happen.
When we went to his school orientation, they had soccer league sign ups. However they were all going to be wait listed because official registration had already closed before we even moved. So we gave it a whirl and hoped for the best. We didn't get a call by the first game, so I figured that he didn't get in. Well, the Sunday after what was their second game, we got the call that he was on a team! So his first game was the team's third game. Our registration fee included the uniform fee, but they didn't have a uniform for him, so the coach told me that until his got in, I needed to find a black shirt, shorts, and soccer socks since they were the Black Tornadoes. So I went shopping and all I could find were solid black long sleeved shirts. It was scheduled to be in the 90's for his next game, and that just didn't fly with me, so I found some PJ's that had this for the shirt. It was on clearance for like $3 and was much cheaper than the long sleeved shirt. So I went with that. I figured they could live with it-and I was right. The coach loved it and thought it was more than ok. (I was thinking-good, since I'm essentially paying for 2 uniforms now).

So this was his first game!

It was 97 degrees that afternoon and the kids were HOT! Poor things in their black uniforms. To top it all off, it was team picture day as well, and they had to stay after to get their photos done. It was lunch time, they were hot, and really cranky by the end. The photagrapher was being really picky too. We ended up staying there for over 3 hours total. What a mess. I was getting a little irritated too. I wasn't even ordering pictures since he didn't have a uniform. I was getting a free one that was included and that was enough for me. In the end, the pictures did turn out really well, and I have scanned them in at the bottom of this post.

Micah was on call, but was able to make it out for his first game :) He's been great about making every game he can, even if he has to come late. And thank goodness he is able to come because we have another little "soccer star" who can't wait to get out on the field. And for the most part he doesn't wait! He gets right out there with the big kids during warm up. Micah usually takes him to the other field while they practice, and then during the game, he has to sit with us. (They have a 30 minute practice before the game). Sometimes this doesn't go so well, and all he wants to do is be in the action. But he's got a few years yet...

Yeah, he really really really wants to be a part of the team!

With four games left, he finally got his shirt! The coach didn't have his uniform shorts or socks, but I was just thrilled he finally got a jersey! It was the game before Halloween, and part of me wanted him to go as a soccer players just so we could get some more use out of it!

I tried to get a few videos of Aiden playing. They're pretty short because my battery died out on me. He's getting better with each game and becoming more aggressive going after the ball and keeping up. We're so proud of him :) He has scored a goal almost every game. But we don't keep score during the game.

They are always good about cheering for the other team at the end and giving high 5's. This league is really big on good sportsmanship. All they want from us parents is to cheer. The coaches wear shirts that say "They Play, I Coach, You Cheer".

And then the parents make a tunnel for the kids to run through. That's always a highlight for the kids, and of course Devin runs through too.

Go Tornadoes!

Monkey in the middle ;)

It was really nice that someone lent their jersey to Aiden for his individual shot. I didn't think he was getting one taken since I wasn't ordering one (parents weren't allowed over during the sessions). But it was incorporated into the team picture layout we got for free. I love it. I'm a proud soccer mom :)

Mosquito Bite

I mentioned earlier that while we were at Adam's house, Aiden got bit by a mosquito on his forehead. It really is the worst spot to get bit, and he had been complaining that it hurt him. We had been putting ice on it, which seemed to help. But once we got up in the airplane it got significantly worse. During our layover I stopped at a restaurant to get a cup of ice for him. The poor little guy was so uncomfortable, but was still so good. The boys have always done really well on the airplane, and he was being such a trooper.
I snapped these pictures on the shuttle taking us to our car.

My little Avatar!

At this point I think he was so happy that we were close to getting home and going to bed. We gave him some Benadryl and Tylenol to help with the pain.

He had already missed 2 days of school for our trip, and I really didn't want him missing anymore, so I prayed he would be better by the morning. No such luck. I think he looked worse, but he said he felt better. I asked him if he wanted to go to school, and I was met with an enthusiastic YES!! Boy do I hope this attitude continues throughout his school career ;)
So I sent a note to his teacher letting her know what happened and that if he was uncomfortable that there was an ice pack in his lunch box. And to call me if he needed to come home. He made it the whole day and the teacher sent an email to me letting me know how worried she was for him when he arrived and got the note, but he did great and never needed the ice pack. It took a few days for the swelling to go down, but I was so glad that he wasn't feeling bad anymore. I think that change in altitude pressure really did him in. He was still a cute little Avatar though :)

goodbye at the park

Our visit home had come to an end and it was time to fly back. But first Micah's family wanted to run around and have some fun with the kids before we had to get on the plane, so we hit up a park.

Uncle AJ doing a good job with the swinging.

Danno had been up so much over the weekend, he was a little tired.

We wanted a family photo, so we set up the timer on the camera. Too bad we didn't have good lighting. Or a better camera.

It's hard to say goodbye. But lucky for all of us, it was only going to be a few weeks before Aiden's birthday and everyone would be coming out to celebrate!

Kiki took us to the airport and said the rest of her goodbyes then.

Grammy tried to get out to us before we left, and just barely made it as we were getting in the car to head to the airport. It's always good to get that one last kiss in :)
It was a good visit, but it never seems long enough. A big THANK YOU to everyone who helped us make it out...Can't wait till we can come back home again!!