Movin' Out and Graduation!

Well the time has come for Tyler to fledge the nest. Kind of. Last Friday John and Tyler packed up his room and moved it all over to his new apartment. I didn't even think to take pictures because I was busy with the boys. Tyler seems to be happy in his new place. He has already had friends over there, and family. He still comes over here for dinner, to do laundry, and to clean out the fridge as best he can. Without anything in his room to distract him, I think we are going to be seeing much more of our boy Tyler this way!! We hope he'll still come out when we move out to Monticello. He is very fortunately borrowing a car from a friend of his. 


Also, on Tuesday he graduated from High School! Now of this we got plenty of pictures. It may just be a walk across the stage but it has big meaning. We are so proud of him. He has really worked hard the past couple years to try to get his grades up and finish well. He is going to be going to Parkland College, a community college, here in Champaign for 2 years and then he wants to transfer to a University. He has one picked out, but I'm not even going to get that far ahead. We are hoping he decides to stay here at U of I because they have such a great computer programming program. He wants to go into game design (as in video games) but we'll see what happens in two years time!

Walking down...Where's Tyler?

Waiting patiently :)

Getting his diploma!

Bye bye High School!

With his Grandma and Grandpa Griesbaum

I don't think its possible for Kolton to smile normally

With his proud father

Big News!

Ahhhh yes!!! Gavyn is going to be a big brother! I wanted to wait until I was clear out of the first trimester to post a blog about it, but I'm just too excited, and we are close enough! We are THRILLED beyond belief to announce that in December 2011, we will be welcoming another member to our growing family! The actual due date is December 15th, but it was hard to pinpoint the beginning of the pregnancy, so they are going off measurements. 


We had our first sonogram on Monday, April 30th. They said everything looks perfect. I just love seeing that little heart beating away! Its such an amazing thing. 


Tyler and Kolton have already proven themselves to be stellar big brothers, and I know Gavyn is going to be amazing too. On some level, I think he knows. He is always patting and hugging my belly. He is already a big help with Evan and I know he is going to love getting the baby to laugh! I'm so excited to watch all these kids interact. I'm not too worried about Gavyn being jealous of the baby, because he is going to be such a big part in the whole experience. Siblings are such a gift and I am so happy to be able to give this to my children. 


I can just feel my heart swell with joy every time I think about my life. ALL of my dreams have come true. A wonderful husband, a supportive and loving family, a house in the country, and best of all, children that I have dreamed about my whole life. I am one lucky woman! I wish I could spread my luck around like dandelion seeds to make everybody's dreams come true. I'll admit though, it wasn't all luck and through determination, we made our lives what we wanted them to be. 

Look at my little brother or sister!

Showing off his Big Brother shirt

Yayyyy!!!!

Struttin' his stuff

The little one at 7 weeks  Our Song

Good Things for You and I

I've got so much good news to share today! First, John graduated on Saturday! I was so proud to watch him walk across the stage after all the work and time he has put into his degree at U of I. This is the second time I've been able to see him in a cap and gown at U of I and while I love the sight, he is sure glad to be done! His Mom and Dad, brothers Doug and Andrew and Andrew's wife Lindseigh, and Tyler and Kolton all came to celebrate with us. 

Al the graduates coming in

John is next up

Blurry, but getting his "diploma"!

Shaking hands

His advisor gave him a hug

Walking away with his head held high!

I celebrated my second Mother's Day today, and while I love my life every day, its just a reminder of how all of my dreams are coming true. I am thrilled to be a Mother, and to a very special little man! We had a fun day out at Allerton and then relaxing outside at home the rest of the day. 

Gavyn at the gardens in Allerton

Rocks!

Mr. Adventurer

Mom and Dad checking out the peonie garden

Gavyn smelling a peonie

Brigid, Theresa, and Cassie met us for Mother's Day :)

Kolton and Dad helping Gavyn down the steps

Hello fish

I love dogs

Mowing with Dad!

Feeling safe in Dad's arms

Singing by the rocks

Gavyn and Belle exploring

Mowing again

Off for a walk

They play so well together

Getting a Mother's Day kiss

My baby and me!

Gavyn feeding Belle pretzels

Nice Belle

John got the EXCELLENT news that we WILL be able to live at the Allerton house!! I am so relieved! He said it just might take a little more time than we were expecting. That doesn't bother me at all, as long as its going to happen! We extended our lease in Urbana an extra month to give us more time to move after everything gets signed. I've already made so many memories there and put in so much work, I just couldn't bare not living there! I am very excited! Here are some shots of the floor John put in the kitchen and at the front of the house. It isn't quite finished, but it just transformed the kitchen. It looks so much cleaner, brighter, and even bigger! Now all we need are some appliances!

So clean!

View from living room

Front hallway

Here are some more fun pictures from fun times outside, a party at some friend's house (a delicious crawfish boil), and Gavyn's Nana visiting!

Drawing with chalk

Playing with friends at the Ahler's Crawfish boil

Helping out!

Playing with Evan in the rice

Gavyn with Madison

Me and Evan!

Giving Nana a hug

Nana with Evan

Big smiles about his new little piano