Christmas fun!

As you can see here, Macy had an absolute blast helping make Christmas cut out cookies and eating the sprinkles. We didn't put many Christmas ornaments on the tree because of, well you know, a little one year old named Greyson. Macy did manage to hang a few. Once again this year, "Santa" came to visit us at our house. It just so happened that G and G Nerem were here to visit as well;) Macy warmed up after a little while, but Greyson, on the other hand, never really did. We'll see what next year brings.

Daddy's Girl

Grey's 1 year pics!

Just Dancin'

And this is why he will retaliate one day....

Happy Halloween!

Tonight was Trick-or-Treating in the big town of Ankeny! It was pretty cruddy outside so just Daddy and Macy "Kitty" went out. "Superman" stayed home with Mom and greeted the other trick-or-treaters. Macy was a little unsure at first seeing all the different costumes wandering the streets, but enjoyed getting all the candy. Hope you all have a Happy Halloween!

Happy 1st Birthday, Little Man!

Last Saturday we celebrated Greyson's 1st birthday. Our house was full of family and a few friends--just like it should be. Greyson is no longer lacking in the clothes area. I think he's set for winter! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone near and far who helped make Greyson's 1st birthday one to be remembered.

Letter from Mom:

Greyson Charles,
I can hardly believe it's your first birthday. You have been such a blessing to Daddy and me. I can remember the day you were born just like yesterday. Grandma and Grandpa Nerem had come down the night before I was to be induced so they could stay with Macy. We were at the hospital around 6:00 a.m. Around 7:00, Grandpa Jerry called telling us that he had run to get coffee at Casey's and the code to our house wasn't working. He had tried to call Grandma Marla on her cell phone but was having no luck. He didn't want to call the land line because he was afraid he would wake up Macy. (Later on, after you were born, we found out that he had been at the wrong house punching in our code. Good thing we knew our neighbors pretty well;) Shortly after that the nurse started to induce me. Things moved pretty slowly. Dr. Roehrkasse came in about 10 or so and broke my water. Things sped up tremendously. At 11:40 on October 27th, 2009, you entered this world. You didn't waste any time and we almost didn't have a doctor to deliver you. You were ready whether or not anyone else was. Your demeanor, after you entered this world, however, has not been like your delivery at all. You have been the most laid back little guy, smiling almost always. You just sit back and take it all in. I really can't say you were a fussy baby. Even now, the only time you are upset is if you are hungry, tired, or need your diaper changed, OR if Sissy tries to take away one of your toys, OR if you're pushing her in her doll stroller and you run into the wall and can't get her turned around.

Some of your developmental milestones at 1 year:

Eating almost anything we eat as long as it's cut up pretty small. You don't mind most veggies however you're starting to develop a slight texture issue. We'll see how long you will keep from eating shells and cheese;)

You've got 5 teeth and a 6th one pushing it's way through. You love your "teddy" and pacifier at naptime and bedtime. Most mornings you wake up around 5:30ish and just lay in your crib talking, sometimes falling back to sleep until Daddy or I come to get you. We hardly ever hear you cry to get out of your bed.

Walking all over the place. This started about the time you turned 11 months. You walk great without shoes. With shoes, you're a little more unstable. You love crawling both up and down the steps. If I'd let you, you'd go up and down the stairs 30 times per day.

When you get upset you will beat your head on the carpet OR tile, and when you're tired, you put your head on the carpet OR tile and push forward as if you are a vacuum. Not quite sure which side you get this from. I, most certainly, was never known for beating my head on the floor, right Grandma Marla?

You love to throw things both frontwards and backwards. When riding in the double stroller, if you're sitting in the back, you love to pick on Macy by pulling her hair.

You can give kisses when asked. Even though they are open mouthed and slobbery, they're still the greatest! You can sign "more" and say "Da Da, Ma Ma, Grampa, and believe it or not, do the "touch down" signal and say what sounds like "touch down." You love to mess with the t.v. by turning it off and on. You know you're not supposed to and I'm guessing that's why you walk up to it, put your finger on the power button and then look for Daddy or me and wait for one of us to say "no, no." You then proceed to push the button anyways.

A few weeks back I had gotten you out of the tub, taken you into your room, put your diaper on and then left for just a "second" to see what your sister was doing. I walked back into your room to find you standing on your little rocking chair reaching for the lamp on top of your dresser. You have no fear...except maybe of the Schwan's man;)

Greyson Charles, if I could slow down time, I most certainly would. Everyday I try to enjoy the little things among the fast pace of life--giving you your baths, rocking you before bed and watching you dump your whole plate of food on the floor only to have Frazier gobble it up in a matter of seconds. Truly you are the most wonderful son Daddy and I could have ever been given. We are so blessed! I love you!

Mom

2 Month Hiatus

The pumpkin cake Aunt Tara made for us all to enjoy.

Daddy and Macy at the pumpkin patch.

Mommy and Macy feeding the goats at the pumpkin patch.

No words;)

Hello everyone! No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. Yes, you're finally seeing an updated post. Let's just say it's been absolutely crazy around here since school started. School is going great. I attended the Iowa World Language Association Conference once again this year and it was awesome! I came back to the classroom with many new ideas and strategies to implement. It's always refreshing to attend that conference. Jared is busy with work, attending his own workshops and getting lots of new information as well. He is also stressing over enjoying watching the Vikings have a decent team this year. Sundays from 12-3 are pretty up and down at our place;)

Macy is growing like a weed--not just physically, but with her vocabulary as well. She can say anything she wants and even suprises us at times. We can see quite the little personality developing, too!

Last night:
Me: "Macy, what's Mommy's name?"
Macy: "Wensy"
Me: "Yes, that's right. What's Daddy's name?"
Macy: "Dada"
Me: "Yes, but what's his real name?"
Macy: (pause) "Peanut!" (Looks over at Jared) "Hi Peanut!" (and waves)

Did I mention she's potty trained (as of September 4th)? Well, during the day anyways. We are still doing Pull Ups at night but many times she's dry in the morning. Mom just isn't brave enough to have her go without:) I must say Macy did this all on her own. I wasn't going to push her to potty train. She came home from Sharon's on a Thursday and said to me "no more diapers," and we went with it. She knew exactly what to do. I never really had to remind her to go potty. She knew to tell us. Now, "I have to go potty" is used as one of her stall tactics for not wanting to go to bed.

Greyson is our almost 1 year old. Where did the year go? He's been walking for about a month now. He's still our laid back little man, but has finally started to show at least some frustration when his sister takes something away from him or has something he wants at any particular moment. Jared has already been playing ball with him and he can sure whip a ball around. It may not always move forward, but he does have one mean back toss.

Over the past couple months, we've enjoyed traveling back home for my cousin, Breanne's wedding, seeing friends on the weekends, and having family visit. This weekend is Greyson's birthday party. Look for another update in the near future of our 1 year old little man:)

Happy 2nd Birthday, Sweetheart!

Letter from Mom:



Macy,



You are our little princess with a cute personality topped off with a little attitude and spunk. I'm not quite sure if you'll ever understand the happiness you brought to both your dad and me the day you were born. We prayed and prayed for three years and finally God blessed us with you.


August 15th, 2007, 12:21 p.m. our beautiful baby girl had arrived! Daddy couldn't keep from smiling and I couldn't believe you were ours. You had the darkest hair and cutest little face. Grandpa Jerry and Grandma Marla, Grandpa Chuck and Grandma B were all there that day to welcome you to our family. We were and still are so blessed!



2 year milestones and stories:


~You can say just about anything. Well, you at least try to say anything although sometimes it doesn't sound quite right. Your dad and I have had fun listening to your vocabulary and speech grow. We've even had a few chuckles at how you mean to say one thing and it clearly sounds like something totally different, which at times, can be a little inappropriate (but you don't know that).


~You love to hug and kiss your little brother. You've been so loving since the day he was born. Sometimes you hug him so hard, he can barely breathe. We can see your little arms trembling because you squeeze him so hard. That's normally when you hear Dad or me say, "Ok, that's enough" followed by a scream from Greyson.


~You graduated to a "big girl" bed on July 15th, 2009. You seem to like it. The other night when I was reading to you, you kept looking over the side of the bed and would not lay still. I asked what you were looking for and you told me, "a monkey." I don't know if you were scared. We did get a little close to the monkey cage when we went to the zoo a couple weeks ago. I wonder if you still think about that?


~Every night after reading books, we say prayers. For the last couple months you fill in the lines/words of both "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" and "The Lord's Prayer." We've said these prayers with you every night since the day you were born. This is what it sounds like:


Words in black = Macy


"Our Father who art in heban, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heban, Give us this day our dayee bed and forgive us our pacifiers as we forgive those who pacifier against us. Lead us not into tation, but deliver us from ebil, kingdom, powo, gory, foever, Amen! "


~You sing lots of songs including, the ABC's, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Mr. Sun (Barney), Happy Birthday, and the I Love You song (Barney).


~Pushing babies in the stroller, and putting them to bed in their baby crib are some of your favorite things to do. After putting your baby to bed you will yell politely tell whoever is around to "SHHHH! Baby sleepin!"



~November of 2008 you had tubes put in your ears. You had ear infection after ear infection and the doctors, Dad and I decided enough was enough. Since tubes you've had 2 sinus infections and one ear infection. You are still a serious mouth breather, especially when you sleep and your tonsils are huge even when you're healthy. We've decided, along with Dr. Young (your ear, nose and throat doctor), that you will get your tonsils and adenoids out soon (like September 3rd). We're hoping you sleep more sound and stay healthy.


~I started a little game with you a few months ago. I'll ask you, "How much do I love you?" and you'll answer with your arms spread wide, "This much!" However lately you've been playing a game with me. I'll ask you the same question and you'll answer one of two things: "Ummmmmmm..." or "I don't know..." with a smirk on your face. You stinker;)


I've only scratched the surface of what you are doing now. There's so much more I could say, but I'll save it for later. However, when you bring your first boyfriend to our house, remind me to tell the story that involves you at 20 months, Frazier, and dog poop. Or, if you want, you can just stay our "little girl" forever and I'll spare you the embarrassment of that story. Just kidding, Princess. I know you're going to grow up. My hope for you is that you have a happy and full life. I want to instill in you that you WILL have this if you put Jesus at the center of your life. And, always remember the answer to this question, "How much do I love you?" Yep, you're right!......."THIS MUCH!"



Love you my baby girl!

Mom

Took a trip to the Zoo!

M at the hotel after swimming

M before we even exited the zoo parking lot

M and Dad enjoying the view of the sleeping bears


G and Dad on the train

Yep! We sure did. It was short and sweet, but lots of fun! Our friends from Urbandale asked us to go with them and their little boy to the Omaha Zoo. To be quite honest I was a little hesitant. A Saturday in August with two children under two (aka: busiest day of the week in the heat of the summer with two children in diapers) didn't, at first, seem too appealing. I had to remind myself that Jared and I aren't the first people in this world to do something like this and that I better get my butt out of my comfort zone and start doing these mini vacations. These types of things are what memories are made of, right? Contrary to what I was thinking would be the case, I must say that we all had the best time. Yes, it was busy, but the weather was beautiful, not hot. Both kids were great! Macy loved every aspect of zoo. Greyson, of course, didn't really care but was totally content as long as he had a cracker in hand;) After the zoo, we went back to the hotel and did a little swimming. Macy is a little fish and I'm pretty sure Greyson is right on track to be one as well.

We're up and running........

as far as having a computer goes. No, Grey is not up and running, yet. We've been without a computer for far too long. Oh, the torture. Sad to say, but I think some of us are addicted. Ahem. I found myself getting a little perturbed at times not having my so desired Internet. So, what have we been up to you ask? Well, let's see. During the past month, I traveled back home with just the kids and spent a few days at my parent's place, I've hosted family (about 20 people) for a weekend, had my two little cousins (Madi and Olivia) come spend a week with us, gotten Macy's "big girl" room painted (thanks to G and G Colegrove), transitioned M to her "big girl" bed, taken Greyson to the doctor for his first ear infection, taken Greyson to the doctor again to get a stronger antibiotic, taken Macy to the doctor for her first ear infection since having had tubes put in last November, traveled to Jared's parent's place to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary (Woo Hoo!), taken both kids back to the doctor to have their ears looked at because they didn't seem much better, scheduled a consultation with M's ENT doctor to hopefully schedule an adenoidectomy before school starts back up for me. Busy? Maybe just a little. And, we still plan to take a little family trip to the Omaha Zoo, go boating with some friends from the Cities, and have a birthday bash for our almost 2 year old!

40 Years!

Grey and Dad

Macy

Great Grandma and Grey

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Here's Daddy and us on his second Father's Day. Well, if we count Frazier, it would be his 7th;) What did we do for the special occasion you may ask? Well, we let Daddy sleep in until 9 (with only a few minor interruptions), gave Daddy a story board of pictures of himself and us, Macy took Daddy to the park, the whole family went to Gibson's 2nd birthday party, we let Daddy take a 2 1/2 hour nap, and Cassandra and Garrett came over to play. Relaxing day for Daddy? We'd say so.

Macy, Frazier with no head, Jared, Greyson

Gibson loving every moment of us singing "Happy Birthday" to him. In fact, he asked for us to sing again!

Gibson, Greyson, Brecken

(in back) Emerson and Macy

Big boy, Gibby!

Block Party!!!

Last weekend our street had a block party. It was a blast. Our neighbors who planned it even had a fire truck come for the kids. Macy loved it! She would have sat in the truck for an hour! Pics from the party........

Macy had so much fun on her friend (see above pic) Kelsey's pink Power Wheel. Yes, Macy, I heard Daddy say, "Maybe for your birthday."

Golf, anyone?

If you know my husband, you'd know that golf is one of his greatest passions. His love for golf started at a young age when his grandpa first introduced him to the game. If you know my husband, you'd know that every summer after graduating college he would get in almost 80 rounds of golf between the months of May and October. That is........until........ we (Jared) accepted a new job (June 2007), had a baby (2007), lived separately (due to the new job) in different parts of the state (June 2007-June 2008), found out we were expecting AGAIN (February 2008), finally moved back together (June 2008), (Lindsey) started a new job (August 2008), had baby #2 (October 2008). This would explain Jared's 4 rounds of golf this summer. Seems about right, huh?

June 13th was the annual Immune Deficiency Golf Outing. Our niece, Cassandra, has an immune deficiency. She recieves infusions of antibodies (from donated plasma) twice weekly. She is, I suppose we'd call her, the "poster child" for the Plasma Centers in the area. Without plasma donations from healthy people, Cassandra would not be able to lead a normal life, let alone, live. She is so thankful for those who give up their time to go donate. Every year at this golf outing, she gives a little speech. Here's a picture of our tough girl;)

And, yes, J got to golf. I'm not telling any scores, though!!

Miss Cassandra

Grandma Marla and Macy~"M" was exhausted after being outside all day.

Greyson and Grandpa Jerry



Cory M., Macy, and Jared

Good-bye, Uncle Jerry, for now...

Macy and Great Uncle Jerry

Christmas 2008

Lindsey, Macy (5 weeks) and Jerry

Macy and Great Uncle Jerry

On June 1st, my uncle Jerry left this world and entered the kingdom of our heavenly Father. He had been bound to a wheelchair for many years with unexplained deterioration of his nerve endings causing numbness in his feet and legs which led to his inability to ever walk again. He battled time and time again, infections, including pneumonia. He was tired.

A few memories of my uncle Jerry:

During summer vacation when I was young, both my cousin Danielle and I would go over to Grandma's. Grandma's house was across the street from my uncle Jerry's vet clinic. Before his days of using a wheelchair, Jerry was a great bovine podiatrist. In many areas, he was known as being the "best" when it came to this. Danielle and I couldn't have been much older than 7 and 8 and he would put us in charge of running "the table." This meant that when the cow/bull was lead up to the table and strapped on, our job was to pull the lever that tilted the table back so the cow/bull would be laying on her/his side to make their hooves easy to access. Our next job was to scoop "you know what" off the table if the need presented itself:)

Shortly after graduating from college, I was complaining about how I didn't know how to cut up a chicken. Jerry explained to me that there was a certain way of doing it. Try to tell me something like this and I won't get it. I mean, c'mon, this takes expertise. However, show me, and I will certainly understand. And "show me" is what he did. He made a video tape of himself cutting up a chicken, made two copies of it, and gave one to me and the other to Danielle. Although I still don't find myself cutting up too many chickens, that video just became one of the most dearest to my heart.

Okay, one more. Back to the days when Danielle and I went to Grandma's. Daily Grandma would cook lunch for Jerry (her son) and when we were there, for us as well. This particular day one of the items to be eaten was a fresh tomato. Danielle was never a fan of tomatoes, but in OUR family, everyone needs to "try it." Jerry was a huge gardener and I'm sure these tomatoes had come from the garden. I've failed to mention that Jerry is Danielle's grandpa (just wanted to clarify before I finished the rest of the story). Yes, my grandma and grandpa spaced out their children. Enough said;) Okay, so tomatoes. Grandma had beautifully, sliced tomatoes on the table. Danielle and I were asked if we wanted a tomato. I, most certainly, said yes. Back in those days, I would have never refused any food hence my stage of chubbiness;) I'm guessing you know what Danielle's response was. Well, it didn't matter. Jerry informed her that she was to eat it. Again, her response was "no." If you don't know my uncle Jerry, he was a big man. At that point I wanted to say, "Danielle, just eat it. Plug your nose, chew it and swallow." I remained silent. "You either eat the tomato or I'll make you eat it." Seriously, Danielle, do the above mentioned! Nope. Let's just say, in a matter of seconds she was being fed the beautiful tomato, savoring each bite. Is that how it was, Danielle? I thought you're supposed to eat with your mouth, not your ears;) Does Danielle like tomatoes today? I'll let you decide? Ketchup?... Maybe....

I feel very lucky to have been able to spend as much time as I did with my uncle when I was young. Although he was a big man and to many would have seemed a little intimidating, he was such a big teddy bear. I learned much from him--to love animals, importance of family unity, and most of all, eat your tomatoes! How lucky we are that our memories will never leave us.

Uncle Jerry, today would have been your 69th birthday. I know you are being thrown a party that no one on earth could top. You are already so missed, but we are happy that you are walking with Jesus--no cane, no wheelchair. We take comfort knowing that our farewell to you on June 1st is only temporary and that one day we will see you again. Until that time, we will keep memories of you in our hearts. We love you, and for now, goodbye.............

Little Bit of Random........

Hot Shot!

Can you see my teeth?

Daddy's girl

SCOOT OVER!!!