Silly faces

Here are a few pictures of the girls pulling silly faces. They were to funny not to share.

3 casts and counting

As you know Aniela is in a cast because of a broken ankle and man had it been an adventure. We started out with the purple one which lasted almost a week. (She thought that Areya's bath looked like fun and decided to join her.)

Then was Pink and again lasted about a week. This time she was sick and had a BM which ran down her leg and into her cast. Really gross!

The third one she picked was light blue and lasted a little longer (10 days) but got wet while Damian was giving her a bath.

So on our next appointment (Monday) if her ankle is not healed enough (crossing our fingers it is better) she will have to get another one.

January has not been very kind to us. Not only did we both fall down the stairs but last week Aniela chocked on a corn chip and almost died. She started to gag and then turn purple and I had to do the Heimlich maneuver on her. It was so scary! I am so glad that I was home because Damian has not clue how to the Heimlich or CPR. After all was over and the kids were in bed I went though the basics with him. Let's hope he'll never have to use them.

We're praying that February goes smoother.

House update

We found out that the house that we like is a short sell. It will still be 2 months until the bank has foreclosed on it. We could buy the house right now but they won't take any thing less then the asking price and we were hoping to get it for less. (Due to the fact that the banks are not willing to loan much money right now.)

Here is a link to a site that explains what a short sell is for any of you that don't fully understand it: http://www.shortsellhouse.com/

Anyway we decided that we are going to keep looking and see what else there is out there. If we don't find anything we will probably try to get approved for the full asking price on this one. http://www.redfin.com/IL/Gilberts/555-Welch-St-60136/home/16910681

Wish us luck, we are going to need it.

Keeping the monkeys busy

With Aniela's leg being broken I have been trying to come up with sit still actives. We made cookies and pasta necklaces. We also made a rainbow art activity that uses Karo syrup and food coloring. The girls had had fun and it helped keep them busy. We have also been doing a lot of puzzles and coloring but those only last so long.



If any one has some sit still activity ideas will you let me know. 4 - 6 weeks is a long time for a toddler not to be able to run around and I need all the ideas I can get.

Areya's Sleepover

Areya got to go to her first friend sleep over. The day Aniela and I feel down the stairs Areya was at the Smith's house playing. On our way home from the hospital we stopped to get Areya but she was having so much fun that she was still not ready to leave. Amy and I talked it over and thought it would be easier for me to take care of Aniela if she stayed. Thank you again Amy for your help.

Areya and the Smith kids had so much fun together, all they could talk about was when they get to do it again. Here are a few pictures Amy sent me.

"The Fall"

On Friday last week I had a Primary Presidency meeting in the morning, so I packed up the girls and headed to Amy's house. Amy Smith has 5 kids, Lisa Smith has 3 1/2 kids, Sandi Rubow has 3 kids and I have 2 kid, so with just us 4 in the Presidency there are 13 1/2 kids. Anyway the kids all got to play together while we were having our meeting and loved it!

When it was time to leave Areya and Kirsti (Amy's 4 year old) were having so much fun that they were not ready to give in so I let Areya stay and play while I took Aniela home for a nap. After her nap I was holding her as we went down stairs, when I lost my footing and down we went. We ended up falling down 5 or 6 stairs. I landed on Aniela's leg and she was screaming, I was extremely light headed and almost passed out so I handed her off to Ida (lucky for us she was home) and tried to clear my head. After holding Aniela for a little and not being able to calm her down I tried letting her stand on her leg, she screamed even louder and would not put any pressure on it, so I told Ida that we needed to go to the hospital. My head was still spinning at this point so Ida agreed to drive us, by the time she got Aniela loaded in the car I was feeling better and was able to drive us.

I called Amy and let her know what was going on and then headed to the hospital. After a short wait they did a x-ray of her ankle and it was broken in two places. They gave her meds put a brace on it and sent us home. It was to swollen to put a cast on that day so we were scheduled to go in Monday for a follow up.

This is Aniela after we got home.

She has been doing pretty well. After the first few days of meds and lots of loves she was ready to play. On Monday we took her in for the follow up, the doctor said that she would need a cast but that it should heal fast without any other problems, which is great news. They let her pick the color of her cast and as the nurse was saying the colors Aniela said purple. I was so surprised, I had no clue she knew how to say that. Aniela did great, she did not cry or move the whole time, the doctor and nurse were amazed that she just sat there.

The cast goes all the way up to the middle of her thigh. She will have to have it on for 4-6 weeks. We go back in on Monday for another x-ray to see how it is healing.

As you can imagine bath time can be pretty tricky with a cast. We had to cover it with trash bags and tape it to her leg, then prop it up. She has been taking all her baths in the kitchen sink.

I also painted her toe nails purple to match.

As for me, I got a few bumps & bruises and messed up my back & neck again. I guess that means a few more trips to the Chiropractor.

I just wanted to say thank you so much to Amy and Lisa who have been wonderful to help us out. I am so grateful to both of you for every thing you have done for us, it really means a lot. THANK YOU!!!

Happy 2009!

This year for New Years we just stayed home and hung out as a family. Damian got home from work at 9:00 p.m. so we waited for him to get home before we got out the snacks. When I was growing up the tradition was to eat lot and lots of junk food and play games. Damian is not much of a game player but loves to eat (what boy doesn't?) so we had plenty of yummy snacks to enjoy.

The girls were on a sugar high and had no problem staying up. I think they would have stayed up all night if we would have let them. As for me, I was not feeling well and would have been more then happy to go to bed at 10.

Here is Damian, Ida and the girls watching the ball drop in New York (one hour ahead of us).

Here we are after the New Year. I was woken up by Damian kissing me and the girls screaming. (I had fallen to sleep on the sofa watching tv)

Our adventures in house hunting

Yep, we're still looking for a house! We have been going out every Tuesday for the past 2 months looking at houses. Damian found one that he liked but I didn't and put an offer down on it any way. They came down to our asking price but I was able to talk Damian out of that house. We continued to look and put down a few more offers but either they were not willing to come down in the price or only one of us liked the house. On Tuesday we looked at 5 houses and Good news we found one we both like.

Here it is!

We put an offer down on it today. We are starting low hoping to meet somewhere in the middle. This house is awesome! It has everything we have been looking for.

Here is the link: http://www.redfin.com/IL/Gilberts/555-Welch-St-60136/home/16910681

I hope that all the time we put into looking will finally pay off. I will keep you updated on the what happens, wish us luck!

Christmas 2008

Christmas morning Areya did not wake up until around 9:30. She was headed downstairs to check things out when I stopped her and told her she needed to wait until her sister woke up. (oh man!!!) While we were waiting for Aniela to wake up I read the story of Christ's birth from the bible (which was a tradition I had growing up) and explained to her that the reason we celebrate Christmas. Aniela was still sleeping so Damian jumped in the shower and got ready for work. Areya was going crazy by this time, she wanted to see what Santa left. Finally after Damian was ready I woke Aniela up and we all went down to open presents.

Santa (Uncle Matt) left Areya a Hannah Montana guitar and Santa also left a princess tea set. For Aniela Santa (Uncle Matt) left a baby doll and stroller and Santa also left another baby doll. (In all Aniela received 3 baby dolls) Thanks Santa (Uncle Matt) for stopping by our house. We hope you liked the milk and cookies.

Next was the huge mound of gifts from my family. After every thing was open you could not see the floor or very small children. (good thing Aniela knows how to walk or she would have been lost in that mess)

Damian had to hurry off to work so for the rest of the day I hung out with the girls watching them play with all their new toys. This Christmas was hard for me because it was the first one away from my family. I really missed them and wished I could have been there. I love you all and am so thankful and bless to have you as my family. Thank you to everyone who sent the girls gifts, they really do love all of them.

As for Damian and I we both got what we wanted too. Thank you for the gift cards, now it is time to spend them on a nice date night with out kids. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and will be blessed with health and happiness for the New Year!

Our Polish Christmas

On Christmas Eve we did our best to have a traditional Polish Christmas. Ida and I cooked/ warmed up the 12 dishes for the meal. (We got some pre-made the day before at the Polish store) Part of the tradition is that you have to try a little of each dish. (There is usually no meat, only fish) We also broke bread and shared it with each other wishing them something for the New Year. Areya really liked doing this and now every time we have bread she wishes us something.
After dinner Santa comes and hands out presents. (the neighbor or dad will dress up as Santa and bring the gifts) We opened the ones from Damian's parent and Ida. (Damian's sister who is living with us) Plus the one with their Christmas Eve Jammie's, which were from Grandma Great this year. (my mom's mother)

After presents we had cake and then Areya put out the milk, cookies and carrots for Santa and the reindeer. Then it was off to bed. I was surprised how fast they fell asleep.

Thank you Babcia, Dziadek and Ida for the gift. We miss you and hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

Playing in the snow

I am taking care of the Peterson's house while they are in Utah for Christmas. When I went over to shovel the snow I thought it would be fun for the girls to play in the snow so I bundled them up and off we went. At first Aniela was so so excited and kept saying snow snow but when it was time for her to get in it she screamed and screamed and screamed some more. Areya tried taking her for a ride a round the yard on a sled but she did want any thing to do with that. After letting her cry, thinking she would follow her sisters led, I put her in the car to get warm and play with the toys.


Areya my little snow bunny loved it and had a blast. She could have stayed there all day and played. She has been asking since the first snow fall to go out and play but I have been either to cold or busy to do it. We don't really have much of a yard for them to play in either so that makes it kind of hard.

The Peterson Family made a ice rink in their back yard and before they left for Utah Areya got to try out ice skating for the first time. She had so much fun and that was all I heard about after I picked her up. I unfortunately was not able to see her, because I was home with Aniela who was napping, but was told that she fell a lot but got right back up and tried again. I guess that we will have to go to the ice rink for some more practice.

Christmas cookies

On Monday Areya and I made cookies for Santa. (if they last that long) We made Christmas Trees, Candy Canes, Snowmen, Stars and Gingerbread men. I think more of the frosting ended up in Areya then on the cookies.

Half way through decorating the cookies we got a little help from the Smith Family. (Amy and I are in Primary together) They stopped into wish us Merry Christmas a share some goodies. So I put the kids to work. I didn't need to ask them twice, they were more then willing to help.


After the kids had their fill of cookies, frosting and sprinkles the Smith Family played a few Christmas songs for us on the chimes. They did such a great job. (Areya helped with Jingle Bells and just loved it)

Thank you Smith Family for the music, treats and visit. We had a great time.

Christmas time is near

My grandma got the girl these really cute dresses for Christmas and they looked so cute in them that I had to get a few pictures. Thanks Grandma Great for the dresses!

I made this wreath for a friend and loved the way it turned out so I had to take a picture and share it with everyone. It is made out of a wire coat hanger and strips of fabric. I had made a few in the past but I think this in one of the best ones I've done.

Gingerbread House

We got a gingerbread house kit from the store and thought it would be fun the have friends over to put it together. The Peterson Family has been so kind in taking us in and making us feel like part of their family. We love them and are so grateful to have them so close that we invited Kyle and Lori over to help build our cookie house.

Here is Lori helping put icing on so the kids could put on the decorations.

Aniela helping eat the candy before it even got to the house.


Kyle and Areya being silly showing off their finished house.


Here it is our new home. 3 beds 2 baths and it only cost $10
What a steal! We are all ready to move in.

I wish I could say that we have found a house but sadly no. Damian put in an offer on one Tuesday but they wanted more then we are willing to pay, so we are still looking. Yay us!

Christmas around the world

Friday night we have a little Christmas around the world party at the church with one of the other wards that meet in our building. People from the wards that have been to other countries set up tables and told about Christmas traditions in that country. The kids were each given a passport and then went from table to table to hear about these traditions. They got to either sample a food item or make a craft item.


The countries that were represented were :
* England * Greece
* Netherlands * Poland
* Scotland * Ukraine
* Korea * Philippines
* Canada * Columbia
* El Salvador * Kwanzaa

Ida and I did the table from Poland. We had Porgies, Polish bread and candy. The kids had a great time and we learned a lot too. It was a lot of fun and I hope we will be able to do it again next year.