Sunday, May 31, 2009

Jackson rides!

Jackson saw Caleb riding his bike and wanted to go get his out of the garage. When we got there he said "I need hat." Then he went out to the cul-de-sac and figured it out!

The Massey's, Heidi, Eli, Sophie and Jeremy brought us Lou's for dinner tonight. It was so good to see them after all these years. I started babysitting for them when Sophie and Eli were 4! They got to see Jackson ride his bike by himself for the first time.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Caroline's baby shower and bike riding.

Caroline came in town this weekend for a "chicago baby shower." Meredith and I had so much fun getting everything ready for her. My favorite part was that she stayed at our house and we were able to give her her own room! My boys would wake up every morning and ask when Caroline would be awake.

I made these foam blocks for the baby. On Friday we went to visit Brooke and work and the ultrasound tech wanted to give us a 3D ultrasound. There are pictures of Caroline and Mike's baby!

We decorated onsies and bibs for the littlest Smith.

Presents!

What is a party at the Mechers without sugar cookies? My mom made these adorable onsie cookies. Can you stand it?

Meredith, me, Caroline and Joy

Later that evening we were playing outside and Caleb decided he would try to two wheel bike again, with training wheels. He got the hang of it pretty quickly and is so proud of himself! Yet another reason we love our new home...the cul-de-sac.




Here is a video of Caleb riding.

Friday, May 29, 2009





The boys enjoyed some water time outside today. We LOVE having this space to play!

Monday, May 25, 2009

Our first garden

Cam and Linnea let us borrow this little picnic table which has been great for lunchtime for the boys while Erik and I continue unpacking.

We finally have our own garden! Erik and I have always wanted to grow vegetables and herbs and now we can. Erik spent the afternoon planting with the boys. Caleb's favorite are the burpless cucumbers! Thanks Dave, Aunt Louise and Drake for all the different plants and seeds!


Jackson saying cheese! He has gotten attacked by mosquitoes...he always seems to have a bite somewhere on his body and they get really big and red. Poor guy.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Our first full day.

So, we absolutely love our new house. Erik took the week off so we enjoyed some time as a family working on projects and organizing. The boys wanted to go outside right when we woke up, so we did. We could just walk out the back door into our driveway and yard! They watered all of our lovely landscaping and I even taught Caleb how to turn the water on and off himself so I didn't have to keep getting up.




After lunch we had popsicles outside and then all of us took a nap!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

MOVING DAY

We had a great amount of help to carry all those boxes and furniture down our stairs. A bunch of the high school students showed up to help and eat donuts and pastries.


I thought they looked like the final scene from 'Juno'.

Kajsa, one of the masterminds behind the loading of the truck.

Everyone kept making sure Erik knew where all the keys were...he tends to misplace them.

Goodbye Greenleaf!

Rob, Keir, Evan and Erik


One last picture inside the old apartment. (I gave my camera to Claire and she went to town on pictures).

Standing in the new dining room with the family room in the background. I did a really good job of not lifting anything but was still on my feet way too much today.

Some boxes waiting to be brought into the house. This is our driveway.

The new home!

My mom and Leslie unpacked the entire kitchen. It was so great to get rid of all those boxes right away. Thanks!

Of course the Izzo's had their coffee.


My mom just wasn't ready to leave because everything wasn't done, so she went upstairs and stripped the wallpaper in the bathroom. Dave had started this job last week and she finished up getting all the gooey stuff off. It was even on the ceiling! You are too good to us mom!

Our bedroom. There is a skylight right above our bed...love it!

Caleb and Jackson's room

The boys slept over at Nana and Papa's last night so we could finish packing and not worry about them during the move. We were so much more productive knowing they were taken care of. Nana and Papa brought them back to the new house after dinner and the boys were so excited to check out the new place. We didn't get them in bed until 10PM, but they went down without a fight.
We took a bath to break in the new tub and a great end to a great day. Thanks everyone for all your help, from painting to carrying boxes and furniture to unloading boxes to taking care of our boys to bringing us food...we couldn't have done it without you!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Caled finished preschool today. Here he is with his teachers Mrs. Elizabeth and Mrs. Robin.


Working hard to get everything in a box before our help comes in the morning.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

End of the year banquet


In the midst of all the projects being done on our new house and packing, Erik put together a wonderful end of the year banquet for our high school students. We cooked a meal, watched a slide show, honored counselors, prayed for seniors and sang together. We love the group of kids we get to work with and our so thankful for all of them.

Friday, May 15, 2009

The work begins.


The boys and I visited the new house every single day. We were all so excited for this new home. Here, the boys are sitting in the family room. The wood paneled walls are primed and ready to paint thanks to cousin Al!

Poppa and Erik worked really hard to get rid of these two HUGE bushes. They took up so much green space in our yard. Now we are trying to grow new grass.


Al and Papa painting the family room.


One night the boys and I went to the new house for dinner and they got to help dig out the stumps. You can imagine how excited they were.