Illinois Family Time - September 2011

September 2011
(May-December in Review)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil. 4:8

We had been looking forward to our trip home to see Michael's side of the family and we had such a wonderful time. The only thing that would make it better would be to get to see them more often. We are blessed that we love spending time with our families! Wish we could see the Strackeljahn side more often and for Lila Grace to play with her cousins Caleb and Katherine more often. Lila Grace is getting older so the cousins can have more fun playing together. We had such a lovely time and we praise God for such a wonderful time. 

Lila Grace and cousin K playing peek-a-boo around Grandma's recliners.

 

Daddy and Lila playing in the background, soaking in his hometown nature.

He is such a wonderful daddy and Lila is such a daddy's girl!

Grandma Kellie and Lila Grace enjoying her first Mr. Potato head experience! She loved it!

Love Lila's laugh!

Uncle Michael gets attacked by C and K!

Family time in the basement with all the fun toys!

C teaches Lila Grace the animal sounds! So sweet!

 

Grandpa Rob gets in on the fun!

K and Lila Grace LOVED playing together...

what one did, the other did! We loved watching them!

1-2-3 jump!

Lila and K having fun on the back porch.

Lila Grace and Uncle Sam.

(Michael's identical twin brother if you didn't already know that! *smile*)

Pretty Cousins! K & Lila!

Michael and Samuel catching up!

Me and Lila Grace

Great Grandpa Jim, Great Grandma Cookie, Great Uncle Gregg, Laura

Catching up with Great Uncle Gregg as he flew in from Montana for the anniversary celebration

GG Jim, GG Cookie, GU Gregg and Grandpa Rob 

More fun with all the toys and Aunt Andi!

K!

Uncle Michael, C and Lila enjoy playing with hotwheels!

K's turn to teach Lila the animals!

K & Lila Grace played grocery store for what seemed like hours.
It was SO cute watching them play together. What one did, the other did.
Lila was loving all the new toys, but I do think this was her favorite game/ time with Katherine.

They would walk around the corner, wave bye bye, then come back and excited return "home" where I greeted them and they got to show me all they got in their baskets while "at the store." Too cute!

C joins in on the "homecoming" celebrations. :)

What did you get at the store? The ice creams were K's favorites and
anything that looked like a ball (i.e. apple, tomato, orange) were Lila's favorites!
(that was until she saw K having so much fun with the ice cream cones and wanted some too!) Love it!

Going to the store!

Daddy and Lila play too.

Lila slept on her belly with her bottom up in the ear for possibly the first time. How cute is that?!

Lila really enjoyed getting to play with Great Grandpa Bob and Great Grandma Marlene!

I love this pic!

Lila loves rocking in rocking chairs and Grandma Kellie has one the perfect size!

One of Michael's favorite traditions is home-made pizza night. (no I don't make home-made pizza. *smile*) It usually included watching a movie together as a family and eating the pizza with popcorn and veggies too.

I love that our children will grow up to experience lots of traditions from both sides of our families. Also can't wait to make new traditions for our little family too! 

This is Grandpa Rob and Lila enjoying some popcorn!

 

 

Raspberries!

She LOVES it!

After eating your ice cream don't you put your feet up on the table too?

Happy girl!

How strong is Lila? SO STRONG!

While enjoying our family vacation Lila had a really high fever... one that left her lathargic (which she never is!)... and so we took her to her cousin's doctor. They gave her amoxacillin and then we found out that she was allergic to it! She had been given amoxacillin before, but this was the first time she reacted from it.

These aren't the best pics... these bumps were all over... poor baby.

But she is still happy! Rash and all!

What a wonderful time with family! We are so blessed!