Ted E. Bear

Saturday we headed to Build-A-Bear.  We had the boys build a bear for the baby.  We want the boys to bring the bear up to the hospital when they visit for the first time.  They liked to stuff the bear and put their hearts inside.  It was fun and will be a great memory for all of the boys.  

 Our finished Ted E. Bear.

Max made the bear kiss the baby.  Yes, I know that coat is working hard.

A couple videos

Boys jumping and tumbling.

Emmeric racing down the hill.  (Sorry I didn't turn it)

Marble Run

We have been putting the marble run Aunt Sarah got the boys for Christmas to good use lately.  It is lots of fun to make different runs and send our marbles down.

 The huge marble run we made.  

Putting our marbles down.  

71st CST outting

Today, Eddie had to go work for a bit so we decided to join him.  It was the first time we had been where he worked.  He showed us the trucks and all the equipment they use along with his office.  The boys liked to play with the flashlights and see the HUGE F-450 trucks.  We had lunch and hung out while he worked.  It was a good morning and we were glad we could see where he goes everyday.  

 Dad and his boys next to "his" truck.

If you don't know what Eddie does he is a part of a 22 man team that supports local emergency units when they are unable to handle a task.  Eddie does a lot of traveling to local fire and police departments to train them in how to respond to emergency situations concerning weapons, chemicals and violent activity.

1 month to go...

One month.  I cannot believe I'm already there.  We are getting more and more excited, the baby clothes have been washed, the bassinet put together, we got the help lined up for the other 2 BIG brothers.  I think we are ready for this boy whenever he decides to make an entrance.  I've been feeling pretty good for the most part, my hips do hurt (a lot at times).  Just my body getting ready for the baby but I don't  remember it being this bad with the other two.  I have trouble breathing sometimes but that'll change once the baby drops.  We went on a birthing tour of the hospital where we are delivering.  It is very nice and I know we will have an excellent experience there.  I think we have settled on a name but we aren't making it official until he comes out.  This pregnancy on the whole has been good, just like the other two.  I thank God for that and can only pray this boy will be just as healthy as our other two.  We can't wait to meet you little boy, we and so many more people love you so much!

John Deere Expo

At the Fairground today they had a John Deere Expo and since it was free we had to go.  It was great, they had lots of tractors, mowers, combines, and everything else.  The boys loved to climb in and out of the tractors and see all the JD toys.  

 On top of the combine.

 Three boys in a bucket.

 Emmeric's favorite the excavator.

Max's favorite, the skid steer.  Until he made it honked and he had to get out.  

Snow....finally

Last night it started to snow and the boys were so excited.  This morning Emmeric wanted to head outside 7:30.  I was able to hold him off until 8:30.  It took us about 10 minutes to get everything on.  They went outside, made a bunch of tracks, drove the dump trucks and were back inside in 15 minutes.  They love the snow but it was very cold; 12 degrees cold.  I hope this isn't the first and last time they get to play in the snow. 

 Brrrr Mom!

This is what they do all the time.  Drive together.

A look back at 2011

January: Lots of outdoor snow play, snowmen and snow ice cream, play at the UNI dome

February: Emmeric turned 3, lollipop concert, Max got RSV

March: "Giggle, giggle, Quack" play with Grandma & Grandpa Pavelec, Grout Museum

April: Adeventureland Hotel with Grandma & Grandpa Schmitz and gang, Easter Egg hunts, Earth day at UNI, Max moved into a big boy bed (bunk beds), Emmeric had his Spring play at Casa, Ed got offered a new job in Des Moines with the 71st CST.

May: Sanctus Real concert with Pavelec's, Honor Flight, Max turned 2, After 2+ months of redoing our basement it was finished, we prepared to put our house on the market to sell.

June: All our family came over to help "make-over" our home before we sold it, Ed went to  MO for 8 weeks, Hansen's Dairy farm with the 4-H girls, Both boys took swim lessons, hosted the Schmitz family reunion.

July: Sold our Hickory Street home in 8 days, traveled to MO to see Ed (boone terre mines, swimming, Ft. Leonard Wood), spent the month moving our whole home into storage, Bridget's surprise 26th birthday , 4-H Fair.  Moved in with Grandparent's for 10 weeks until Ed finished in MO and we found a home in DM.

August: Solomon Daniel was born, State Fair, lots of playing outside and with friends.

September: Janet and Doug's wedding, Solomon's Baptism (God-Mother Bridget), found out we are having Baby boy #3, found a home in Pleasant Hill

October: Closed and moved down to DM, Giant Haystack, riding in combines and tractors, lots of unpacking, new parks, and game nights, carved pumpkins, Arboretum day with Andy and Whitney, lots of Farmer's Markets.

November: Messy morning at the Hearst center with Emmeric, Operation Christmas Box, saw Wicked play with Sarah, botanical gardens, Holiday hoopla in CF and Thanksgiving.

December: Ed turned 29, Ed went to a Sevendust concert, rode the Christmas train with Grandma & Grandpa Schmitz, did lots of holiday crafts and events, got a mini-van and had our 1st Christmas in our new home.

New Year's 2012

We had a GREAT New Year's.  My cousin Ashley and her boyfriend Brian came down to DM to see us.  We met for supper, sat for 2+ hours just talking then came back to our house and played games, toasted the New Year and kissed our loves.  It was a great night.  I am so excited for 2012 and all the new and great things that I know will happen to our family.