Christmas in Lake Havasu City

On Christmas Night we flew to Vegas in route to LHC. (It's a shorter drive than Phx) to see my Dad and Cheryl. We stayed till Tuesday. My sister and her family met us there for the weekend on their way home from her in laws. It worked out great, short visit, but a good one. Everyone got a long, and the kids had a great time. It was cold, sometimes colder than Chicago.. but we made due. Enjoy the slideshow.

Santa Came!

Christmas Eve at the Vanni's 2008

Every year for Christmas Eve, we are with Seghi (Suzanne) side of the family. Megan has the best time with her cousins. The Vanni's have been hosting for the past several years. It's always a great time. The kids do a hot potatoe game with different candy vs. gifts. They love it.

Sulak Christmas 2008

This is Christmas with the Sulak side at Mom & Dads. We started doing it the Sunday before Christmas to help everyone make it. Who knew it would be so could that day. I think everyone stayed a bit later just to avoid the freezing outside.

Megan 1st Piano recital

I have to download it yet, but here's a picture of her at the piano

Gingerbread House party 2008

enjoy!

MP Winter Parade

My girl scout daisy troop did the winter parade this year. Yes it was cold, but they really had a good time. Timmy went along for the ride as well. Todd was few ahead of us for the FD. Check us all out online at mountprospect.org and see the parade online!

Train time with Papa

Timmy wants to help, but next year he may be more flexible. Megan is all over it and can do whatever he needs. They are a good team.

Papa took out a box of cars and the like for Timmy this time. He had such a good time with that box.

Breakfast with Santa

Card Photo Shoot

The kids were very good about taking pictures tonight. Megan just gets it and love her new fancy dress. Timmy, well, just tell him he's getting candy and he's in. Really, when I showed him the outfit, he wanted nothing to do with me. When I offered candy, he moved like a rocket to get changed. Unfortunately, he thought changing was the only thing he had to do. He did a great job though, as long as Megan didnt touch him. So we dont have any huggie kind of pictures. Cheers to Megan, my little beauty. You'll notice Timmy and his cheeky smile.

Christmas Time

This is the tree in front. I'll post the back tree soon.

We are unable to put ornaments too low this year because of a little 2 year old.

I remember when it was just Megan. We put a little tree up and had it far up so she wasn't able to reach it. We also didnt have the addition then either. Times have changed.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Birthday Megan

It's that time of year again, choo choo

Between the 3 of them, I dont know who is having more fun..

Happy Halloween - M&M style

This year we were the family of M&Ms. Some of you may recognize the costumes from years ago when we had halloween parties. Megan saw them and decided we should all be M&Ms. So, Meg was the girly green, and Timmy was the red mini. Too cute. We had to bribe him to wear it too. Tell him he gets candy, and those arms go right up to put it on. BTW, I'm the "peanut" M&M, get it? Hope everyone had a great day!

Green Meadow Farm

Pictures from our trip to WI to the Green Meadows Farm. We went last year and had such a good time. It took an hour to get there, which is about the same for any local farm too. Not commercialized and low key. It's a full farm, and very welcoming. You should give it a try.

New views of baby Sulak

Here are the scans I was talking about before.
Below, you can see the back of the baby. The head is on the right, and leg.. on the left cris crossed. The head looks a little funny because you can see the brain. Weird, I know. Look at the next.. much better looking.

So this scan, the baby is looking up. Head is on the left and you see a little something of a stick and that's the hand with all 5 fingers. The other hand is up, but it's harder to see mixed with the body. Too Cool!

Just an update..

Well, first I was off a bit on my weeks. We are just entering 13weeks now. I had a new scan, so I'll post it soon. It was really neat. One you can see a full hand "waving". Most of the visit, s/he was lay on the side (backing facing us) so we could see the legs crossed with little itsy bitsy feet. The tech was having a hard time waking the baby up to be in the position she was looking for. The baby was very comfortable, because the appt lasted about an hour. Man o man. Everything else was perfect.
Timmy therapy has been going really well. Each therapist is working on something new recently. Different things to challenge him. For example, lean on your arms to keep your head up while laying on the floor. His little arms are not that strong, so he's been practicing. He's got some new words too: all done, in/out, on/off, up that I can recall right now...and the animal sounds, but he's been doing most of them for some time.
Megan loves school and her teacher. She's doing really well, reading better every day. She has a journal to keep track of each book she reads or is read to her and turn it in after each sheet is filled up. Unfortunately, I was not on top of it for Sept, and we missed out quite a few. She/we read 3-4 books a day and each sheet is only 16 books. We try. I wouldnt say she loves homework, but she does well with it.
Todd is loving the fire dept and every chance he gets to do ride time. It's even better when he get to do the fire dept open house, or whatever other little volunteer (but paid) things they offer. He really does enjoy it. Playing softball once a week is keeping him busy as well.
And as for me, besides baby news.. I'm doing a bit of side work, trying to keep up with the basics and getting back to the organized Brandi I once was. Where'd she go anyway.

A Sulak Announcement

Our 3rd is on the way.. Baby Sulak is about 14 weeks now (8 in the scan above). All is well. I'm just tired. Recently recovered from the flu. Not fun!

Due April 26th. My bet goes on May 3rd. Anyone else want to take a bet on the due date?

Timothy Turns 2

Fried Bread Night

My big 1st grader!

This is Megan's first day of school. It was a 1/2 day for everyone. We rode bikes, it's about 6 blocks. We hope to do it as often as possible.

She lost another tooth!

They wanted to come out so bad.. finally, she is a toothless wonder! She's ready to sing "all I want for Christmas". Although, they are already coming in, and that may be a mute

point by then.

Naper Settlement

We went to the Naper Settlement in Naperville this day. We've never been and the Moss' joined us for the day. Megan earned a free entry coupon from the library after completing the reading program. It was very interesting and the setup was so cool to see and teach Megan how things "used to be". Good day trip. Recommend it!

Cousins Club Golf Outing 2008

Every year there is a golf outing for the family (Seghi/Vanni/+). It's move around to different golf courses, and houses for the pizza after, but it's always a good time. Many moons ago, this was the first big thing Todd took me too when we first were dating. Boy, that's a story! The attendance was a bit lower, but not in the fun department. Pictures of each team, then the winners of each prize were announce, as we a few extra putting and chipping games were played at the Pasquesi's. And see how many kids there are now. They are taking over! Enjoy!

Chicago Botanic Gardens

We took a trip to the gardens with the Moss'. Neither of us have been before. It was all very interesting. From the layout, to the vege gardens.. and nut trees.. to the TRAINS. Did you know there is a mini train set up there? A friend had told me and I was all over it. Timothy would have been fine staying at the train exhibit all day. It was awesome. Take a look.
ps. sorry about the be-heading in the group shot. I was trying to level it on a light in the garden so we'd all be in the picture. and megan was the photographer of most you'll see here.

Megan lost another tooth

Megan's top teeth have been loose for a while now, and FINALLY one of them came out. The new tooth is already on it's way. She also lost the bottom one, the new one is already in (see above) and it finally pushed the old one completely out. Isn't loosing teeth so much fun...

Friends in Therapy

The office Timothy receives therapy from was hosting a festival

type in their parking lot. I thought it would be a bit more for kids, but it was people selling stuff. We did get the train ride (seen above) and there was a Mad Science vendor that did a show that was really cool (good party idea!) as well as a clown type lady that had games for the kids to do. I thought they'd have food, but it was hotdogs and chips, and that is just not going to cut it. So after the train ride, we went to Portillo's and got back just in time for the Mad Science show and clown lady. The clown lady was actually dressed in a cat suit, so you got me. But she did give me a lot of ideas for Timmy's birthday party. Simple and practical. Yahoo!

Lincoln Park Zoo

We visited the Lincoln Park zoo with the Moss' this day. It was a Thursday before the air and water show.. so it was very loud. Very cool to see the planes practicing so close. The weather was good, and we had a great visit. A discovery; Timothy really likes birds and fish.

"I'm a artist Mom"

We saw someone painting in the park, and I was explaining all the tools they use. So, Megan decided she was an artist too, and wanted the set up outside so she could do a landscape picture. She was busy out there for over an hour. It was great fun. Timmy is enjoying his yogurt shake! Yum!

The Wiggles 2008

We saw the Wiggles again this year. This time we brought our newest fan Jake Weinberg and his parents. We had a great time! It was time for Chili's after, and we weren't the only ones with this bright idea. We waited 1/2 hour as all the other Wiggle fan came to join "us" for dinner. Thanks for coming Jake!

dinner with friends

We had a night at the Kiernicki's house this night with the Puccetti's as well. All the kids had a GREAT time and didnt want the night to end. Hopefully this will be a routine evening for us all. It was a lot of fun.

Megan's taking Piano

Megan is taking Piano now. This day is her 3rd lesson. She's really excited about it, and as you can see.. so is Timothy! She can play twinkle twinkle, and old mcdonald.. ask her to play for you.

Dinner with family

We had dinner with the family this night, and the boys were sitting next to each other "sharing" food. They were so cute and entertaining. Megan received all the Grandma Papa love sitting between them.

Indy - Day 3

And finally, the place that brought us this mini vacation, Indy Motor Speedway! We saved this for the last day to ensure Todd was able to "soak" it all in. The tour on the bus was very interesting, and the video vs the slideshow doesnt do it justice (sorry). It was educational for everyone (and Timmy just had a great time with all the cars). Did you know a man wanted to enter a race but his car was over weight by several hundred pounds in the earliest of racing days. He drilled as many holes in the frame as he could to get it under weight, and was still over by 120. Again, I like the history stuff. Where everything came from. You'd never know I didnt do well in history in HS. Enjoy.

and by the way, the trip home was FANTASTIC. Megan used my ipod most the way home, Timmy watched Blue's Clues and both sleep for a bit. I think I know what Megan is getting for her birthday....

Indy - Day2

After a restful night (not) we headed out to the zoo (had lunch) then off to the childrens museum. It was a packed day, but we enjoyed every bit of it. We saw so much, had plenty of snacks along the way and had a great time. I'm sure they both would have loved to be at each exibit, in each place...all day long. We went to the downtown area for dinner (attempt 2) and found mall parking for $2!!! We had a great time at Hard Rock Cafe!

Our Indy Vacation - day1

We drove to Indy for a weekend away in August. It was 3 VERY long hours to drive. You will notice no pictures from the car... We did arrive, and relaxed a bit before seeing some of the downtown sights in the canal district. Finding dinner was the worst. It was like downtown Chicago with parking ($15).. SO we ended up at Sam's club. Nice huh. Remember, it was a long drive! The goal was to eat. And they do have salads. It wasn't bad. Thank you Todd, for having your Sam's card on you!!!

4th Annual Sulak Family BBQ

We had family over for gathering just to gather.. with a little twist. The Moss' are in for the annual August long visit, and Finley has just turned one. We celebrated family and a birthday (or 2, or 3). The MP FD came for a special visit as well. The kids had such a good time looking around the truck. And all of them on the front is priceless. Thanks for coming everyone.

my chunky monkey

Megan at 9mo

The Moss' are here, the Moss' are here

The Moss' arrived yesterday and we enjoyed dinner together while catching up. Isn't Finley cute as pie, and a chunky monkey to boot. I'll have to find some Megan chunky monkey picture to compare!