Walnut Room

Dear Connor and Grace,

Grammie Mo has wonderful memories of dressing up and going downtown Chicago around the holidays when she was a little girl. She remembers eating dinner at the Walnut Room and seeing the HUGE Christmas tree and windows at Marshall Fields. We are excited to continue on this family tradition. Enjoy! 

Love, Mommy

Grammie Mo, Grandpa Den and Uncle Matt headed into the city about 10 minutes before we did and were ready outside the doors of Macy's when they opened. They were able to head right up to the Walnut Room and wait in a short line. The timing  worked out perfectly. We arrived and were all seated right below the Christmas tree.

We even met a fairy princess who sprinkled magical fairy dust on Grace.

Our fancy Christmas meal went so well, we decided to push our luck with an infant and toddler in tow. We decided to meet Santa Claus! Again, we lucked out. The entire Santa experience was only about 30 minutes. Grace met Graceland, who gave you a lot of attention and showed you how to turn on the bears.

We were entertained with the interactive displays all the way into Santa's living room where he was patiently waiting for us. Santa was a natural with you two.

Happy Holiday Season!

Circus

Dear Connor and Grace,
Thanks to Daddy and my great friend, Rachel, we spent our Saturday at the circus. I highly recommend going to the show, especially if you have a toddler in tote. Grace LOVED it! You were mesmerized and sat on Gma's lap the entire time. You clapped at the acts and waved goodbye as the people and animals left after their performances. We may have to make going to the circus a family tradition. Enjoy! 
Love, Mommy

This is what Daddy did before the circus started...

...and this is what Mommy did.

It was wonderful catching up with Rachel. I felt so special being backstage, seeing where she runs the show, meeting some of her coworkers and seeing where the circus ferret's personal room is located. She even hooked us up with a really cool elephant painting, which we'll be hanging in your playroom.  

After a delicious meal (and margarita) at El Taco Real, we headed home.

The last time I was at the circus I was in early elementary school. I remember two things...getting my face painted like a clown and eating a snow cone out of a really cool clown cup. I didn't find a picture of me at the circus when I was a little girl, but I did come across this gem while I was going through my old pictures for my high school reunion. 

My best friend growing up, Lauren Ziemba.

Shed Aquarium

Dear Connor and Grace,
A couple weeks ago we went on our first major outing as a family of four. Since it was an unseasonably warm Saturday in November, Daddy and I thought it would be a fantastic idea to go to the zoo. After paying for parking, it literally started down pouring as we sat debating what to do inside our dry car. There were too many factors against us this time: 
Infant. Toddler. Proper stroller rain gear left at home. 
Once both of you were fed, and put back in your carseats, we headed into the city. After spending basically our entire morning getting you two ready and packing up the car, we were going to do something fun! We headed into the city to the Shed Aquarium. Daddy can't remember the last time he was there and has been throwing out the idea since we've moved back from London (including that morning). I guess I should have listened to him. Enjoy! 

Nierengarten Family 0 - Zoo 2

Until our next rematch...

Love, Mommy

Of course the weather was perfect in the city. Yes, we did check the forecast before we left. Unfortunately, we only checked our quick App that gives the current weather for our current location. Current being the key word....Munster and not Brookfield. The weather back home was gorgeous allllll day. 

As annoying at the morning was, Daddy and I were in great spirits. I'm so grateful that we both decided to go to the aquarium instead of getting overly frustrated and traveling back home. I give a lot of credit to our great moods due to the fact that GMa and Papa watched you two for 6 hours later that night while Daddy and I went out on a hot date in the city for my birthday. Yes, we went to the city twice in one day. 

Pumpkin Patch

Dear Grace,
Uncle Matthews's friend from high school, Melissa Sickinger (Volkman), owns Harvest Tyme in Lowell with her husband. Uncle Matthew and Aunt Susan have been looking forward to having you join them on their annual autumn adventure since it opened. This is Harvest Tyme's 5-year anniversary. It's open every weekend in October and is the perfect place to spend the day with your little one. Enjoy! 
Love, Mommy

P is for Pumpkins 

You just adore your Aunt Susan. 

Papa Lon bought you the pink pumpkin you picked out among all your options at the pumpkin patch. We even came home with a little blue one for Connor. 

The hayride to and from the pumpkin patch was a blast.

Harvest Tyme has so many photo opps just waiting for you to take advantage of...

My favorite photo of the day.

As we were heading back to our car, we had to stop for one last picture. I couldn't help but think about the last time you and I took pictures on an oversized chair. During one of our London adventure walks: Landmark London. 

Grace 21 months

Lowell, IN

Grace 7 months

London, England

Grace and Mommy (41 weeks pregnant)

Lowell, IN

Grace and Mommy

London, England

William Vetor

Welcome to the world, William Andrew Vetor!

Born September 7, 2012

8 lbs. 5 oz. 21 in. 

It was so very nice to meet you last weekend. I cannot get over how much you look like your older sister the day she was born. 

Already such a handsome young man...

I was lucky enough to meet you exactly 3 weeks before your future buddy, Connor is due to arrive. 

Michael is one of your Daddy's very best friends from back in the day when they were living in Fiji at Indiana University. 

I can't wait to watch you grow up! 

Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! 

California

I was skimming through all my draft blog posts and just realized I never posted about mine and Michael's FABULOUS long weekend away to California. The trip started in Encinitas where we stayed with two of our favorite people in the whole wide world. Lacey and Dave Elpers! Talk about the perfect hosts who live in an adorable house just 3 blocks from the beach!

The rest of the trip we spent celebrating Kat and Jordan McKee. You may have remembered my previous post of Kat's bachelorette weekend out at our cottage. 

What a fun and relaxing rehearsal dinner in the beautiful backyard of Kat's parents' house. Of course the best part was having the entire IU/Alpha Phi gang back together. Having to meet up from Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis, New York, and San Diego takes a bit of planning. Wedding festivities are the best excuse! 

What better way to spend the wedding day than at the beach!

Silly boys

Lauren and I challenged them to who could make the coolest sand castle in 10 minutes. It turned into a group project and they didn't want to be timed.

On to the main event...

The beautiful blushing bride

Alpha Phis 

My hot date and me

Good times with great people! Thanks again to our fabulous hosts and to Grandma and Grandpa Nierengarten for watching Miss Grace while we were able to get away. 

Catch up and Cottage

Dear Grace,

Ever since we moved in with Grandma and Papa 3 weeks ago, the wireless internet connection has been acting up. Comcast came out this morning and fixed our little problem. We've turned Grandma and Papa's computer room into your nursery for the time being. It didn't cross anyone's mind that the wireless internet connection and your wireless monitor could mess each other up. Oops! Your monitor has worked perfectly fine and as long as it's off we have wireless internet again. Let the blogging catch up begin...

We've spent two great weekends out at the cottage during our temporary living. One of which we celebrated your Uncle Matt's 30th birthday. Enjoy!

Love, Mommy 

Brotherly love

Happy birthday, Uncle 'At' aka Matt

Naturally it was a Cubs themed birthday party. 

This picture was taken right after you let Uncle Chuck put you down. He picked you up to say hello and you found his shoulder and your thumb to be the upmost comfort for a good 15 mins. 

Your first time swimming in Pine Lake.