Chicago!

A few months ago, Wes slid on some ice in his car and smashed into a limestone wall. So, over Spring Break, we headed up to Chicago. Wes's brother Tim owns a Maaco store, so he helped us out fixing it. It was a great excuse to spend some time in Chicago with our family and friends. And, I have to say, Wes's car looks brand new! I'd post a picture, but the car is with Wes at work. Thank you Tim!

Elise had such a great time with her Uncle Tim and Aunt Molly. We also had a fun day with Michael and Julia Whiting and their daughter Jaylin.

We went to the Field Museum with Michael and Jaylin, then Julia joined us for dinner (Elise was grumpy by then, so I didn't get any pictures). Jaylin loves Wes and Elise - here's what our family may look like when Elise is older and we have another little one :). Jaylin was so cute at the museum - she thought everything was so cool. She kept exclaiming, "Oh my word!"

I was hoping to have some pictures of our new kitchen to post, but we had a little snaffoo with the countertop. One of our measurements was off, so we had to reorder a piece. I was a little heartbroken, but I have recovered and can patiently wait a couple more weeks before the transformation takes place.

Here are pictures of Wes, Tim, and Elise at the park. The weather was absolutely beautiful the whole time we were there. Somehow, Molly escaped all pictures.

(Another) Sunny day at the park

We just can't get enough of this beautiful spring weather. We know it is supposed to end mid-week, so we tried to soak up all we could get this weekend. Here are a few pictures of our walk to Bruester's (free cone day as long as you wore pjs) and the park. The little flowers above are a very early blooming bulb from my backyard. I was so excited when I saw them this weekend!

Loving the ice cream! (I fed her with a spoon, but gave her the cone to hold for the picture. She would have been covered in ice cream otherwise!)

I just think Elise looks like such a kid (opposed to a baby) in this picture. If she had more hair, she'd look even more like a kid!

Elise wanted to climb up after her dad, but couldn't quite figure it out!Once up there, she had no fear of the height (though my knees felt a little weak).

After each trip down the slide, Elise would say, "Mo, mo, mo!" (Translation: more, more, more!) At dinner tonight, my brother, sister-in-law, Wes and I were recollecting the slides of our youth. They were metal, they were very fast, and they burned your legs on a sunny day! These slides aren't quite as fast, and while they don't burn, they generate serious static, creating some pretty intense shocks!

Sunny Day at the Park

It was a beautiful day in Bloomington, so Elise and her buddies from play group hit the park. I would have love to get more pictures of Elise with the other kids, but at this age, each kid is running a different direction. I did get one cute one of Elise and her best bud "Bacca" (i.e. Rebekah) hugging. I was so mad when I got home, though, and realized that this adorable picture of Elise on the swing is actually blurry. I had the camera set on the "sport" setting and everything. I MUST get a better camera. I don't think I want one of the really fancy ones with the long lense and everything. I just don't think I'd use it. I need something that I can throw in my purse and go, but it needs to take better pictures!

On another note, this has been an amazing week for my dear friends, Chris and Tamara Fladung. After two long years, their prayers (and many others' on their behalf) have been answered, and in a whirlwind two days, now are the parents of a beautiful two year old named Isabel Faith. If you want to hear more about their story, click on "Fladung Family Fun".

15 month check up and other things

Elise had her fifteen month check up this morning. She is growing and developing great! Her weight has finally started to slow down a little bit. She weighs 24 lbs 9 oz, which is the 75th percentile. She has been steadily in the 75-95% range. She is still quite tall - 32.25 inches, which is 90th percentile. We are definitely curious to see what happens this year with her height. Will she keep growing and be tall?!

We traveled to Chicago this weekend for a surprise birthday party for Wes's brother Tim. It was a great time with family. Below are some pictures from that trip as well as a couple pictures of Elise's first experience with jell-o.

Drumming with Uncle Tim

Brothers at Surprise Bowling Party

Tim with his niece Ella

Happy Birthday Tim!

Elise loving a smoothie from Potbelly

Getting love from Aunt Molly

Concentrating to get the jell-o on the spoon
Happy about jell-o!J