Thankful Thanksgiving!

Before heading back home we spent a lovely Thanksgiving with Matt's family. His Aunt Sandy, Uncle Rudy and their children- Brett (his family) and Tara. They were so gracious to invite us as they already had a house full of guests! It was a feast with many laughs and lots of memories.

(My apologies for a lack of pictures and any of good quality. I traveled to California by myself with the children and there was only so much this pregnant momma could carry. The good camera didn't make the cut!)

It is amazing how the children are growing and learning every day. Uncle Rudy blessed the food and right after he finished his prayer, as we were all standing holding hands, Luke stepped forward and said that it was his turn. We all bowed our heads and listened to his sweet voice praise Our Lord. He thanked Him for putting a roof over our head, for delicious food, for helmets to keep our head safe, and for a wonderful family. As he spoke Eli walked around the circle shaking hands with all the pretty girls. My heart could have burst. It was a thankful Thanksgiving!

California- San Diego.

After spending a few days in Orange County we headed south to San Diego. Unfortunately, it was not much warmer there but there was lots of fun to be had. We stopped by Matt's cousin's house. His name is Brett and he has a wonderful wife, Stephanie. They have two little peanuts that are about the same age as Luke and Eli. Steph is also pregnant with her third little guy! It was such a wonderful time.

Luke loved Ryder's Chargers helmet. No worries though- he is still a Steelers fan.

The next day Luke tasted his first In-N-Out burger. He was not afraid or shy about it. We also played our first miniature golf game with Luke (he is addicted now and practices all the time) and then hit the beach.

Our last day was a full 8 hours at LegoLand. Brett and Ryder were able to join us! This was the highlight for the boys. Luke had been doing extra chores around the house for a month and had saved his money to help buy the ticket. He enjoyed every moment but nothing could top riding The Dragon roller coaster no less than 5 times. Here is The Dragon roller coaster Take 1!

Eli was not tall enough for many of the rides. So, we saw these airplanes for the better part of an hour.

I always wondered why people would spend a mini fortune to take their kiddos to amusement parks, concerts, shows. Now I know. It is to see a smile like this.

California- Orange County.

Last week we found ourselves, reuniting with old friends, splashing in the waves of a chilly yet gorgeous beach, laughing together, enjoying family and rejuvenating our hearts. Isn't that what vacation is all about?

Beautiful views from the St. Regis in Monarch Beach. Matt had earned a few free nights here, wow. Relaxing.

The weather was cold in California terms. We made it swimming in the hot tub twice, the beach and spent some time playing hide in seek in the courtyards.

The hotel provided a golf cart shuttle down to the beach. The boys thought this was the best! We enjoyed a wonderful dinner beachside with Matt's Uncle Rudy and Aunt Sandy. They also treated us to dinner at one of their restaurants- Savannahs. Yum. The only picture I took that evening is extremley blurry though:(

9-1-1, It was bound to happen.

Sometimes it is hard to tell if Luke and Eli are particularly rambunctious or if they are just being boys. I know they have lots of energy and laugh while jumping, spinning and flipping off just about anything in our house.

Yesterday I went to change the laundry in the basement, heard a scream and as I was running up the stairs heard Luke say, "Eli has blood." I walk in to find Eli holding his toothbrush (which he can be found doing about 25% of the day) full of blood and screaming. I picked him up, he was hysterical and I asked Luke what happened.

In Luke's terms, "I bumped him off the stool (in the bathroom where they brush their teeth) and he hit his head." There was a lot of blood and I was having trouble telling where it was coming from. I took Eli to the sink to wash him off but it just kept coming. I tried to lay him down but when I did that he started to whimper, his eyes fluttered and I had no idea what was happening. I called 911 thinking maybe he had a concussion. They instructed me to keep him upright.

Once they arrived Eli had calmed down and was waving at the firetrucks as they pulled up. We all thought the blood was coming from his mouth, the paramedic looked him over as best he could but stubborn Eli would not let go of me or let anyone look in his mouth. Turns out he had gashed his chin. We decided to forgo an ambulance ride and take him to our pediatrician to get it fixed up. Forget stitches, nowadays they have super glue. Within the hour he was as good as new, proud of his boo boo.

Lo and behold, ten minutes after this he fell out of the cart at Costco. Oh sweet love. Then proceeded to trip over his fire truck once we were home and get a fat lip.

Well, not my most stellar day as a mother.

Lesson learned~ Luke is very adventuresome and while Eli so wants and so tries to keep up with him, I need to set boundaries. If you were to ask Luke what my job as a mother is he will tell you, "To keep me safe and healthy." I am hoping these boundaries will do just that.

The many faces of Luke!

Where did fall go?

To pumpkin patches and hayrides~

To long sleeve shirts and jumping in the leaves~

To visits with Grammy and Pops~

To eating homemade candy apples, drawing on pumpkins and trick or treating~

(This is Luke and his buddy, Dylan, on Halloween!)

A letter for Eli.

My sweet Eli,

It is the time of day that your dad and I look forward to most. The sun has set, your teeth are brushed, warm jammies cover your little body. You have sat in my lap attentively listening to book after book, some I am sure you know the words as I have read them time and time again, with your big, dark eyes studying the pages. You know this is the last page and you turn to me with arms wide open. Luke turns off the light and I scoop you up. I hold you. Both arms wrapped around my neck, your head on my shoulder. I sing in your ear, "Daisy, daisy give me your answer true. I'm half crazy all for the love of you. It won't be a stylish marriage, I can't afford a carriage but you'll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle built for two." You are hugging me with no hint of letting go, I can feel your heartbeat against my chest. The most loving of cuddles. I start again and set you in your crib. You look into my eyes, with love and tenderness. One sweet smile and my heart melts. Thank you for those most precious moments.

Eli you smile big and love hard. Your ability to learn by watching amazes me. Your quick temper has made me think on my toes more than once. Every boo boo needs a kiss and you love to flush toilets (lets just forget about last week when I found you drinking from the toilet.) You never pass up an opportunity to give someone a hug or dance to any given beat. You are my son and I am forever grateful that God has blessed me with your love.

(I know I have violated some copyright laws here, I am sure. My amazing friend, Kristie, of Kristie Serra Photography took this picture of me and sweet cheeks this summer. I took a picture of the picture and here it is. So sorry Kris and I know the color is all wrong but the smile is all right :) Please forgive me.)

To Live Content with Small Means.

"To live content with small means;

to seek elegance rather than luxury,

and refinement rather than fashion;

to be worthy, not respectable,

and wealthy, not rich;

to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly;

to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart;

to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely,

await occasions, hurry never.

In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious,

grow up through the common.

This is to be my symphony. "

By: William Henry Channing

Excited Mommy-To-Be!

Matt and I are so excited to be expecting Baby Klasnick #3. Due date- May 9, 2011. After Matt sat on the floor and took a few deep breathes, he was able to tell me that he was thrilled, shocked, not ready and so ready all at once. We feel so lucky to nurture this growing life and add to the love of our family.

Both Luke and Eli were born in Florida so this is the first pregnancy I have had in Colorado. The usual all day nausea and tiredness have passed but the out of breathe and unquenchable thirst are all new to me. I blame it on the altitude- 5280 feet ya know. To my surprise, there is only one free standing birth facility in Colorado but lucky for me it is only 20 minutes from our house. After my first appointment, I feel confident in the midwives and in my ability to have natural, comfortable birth there. My only surprise came in their advice for me to get a first tri-meseter ultrasound. Their main reason being that we needed to pinpoint the due date since Eli's birth went so quickly. I get that and got one. One sweet little heartbeat and a healthy little one~