We're no cheese-heads, but we loved Wisconsin!

Being from Pittsburgh, I haven't done the typical Midwest thing and traveled to Wisconsin for vacations. Apparently if you have lived in the Chicagoland area for any amount of time, you will have traveled to the Wisconsin Dells, Door County or a variety of other attractions that I had no knowledge of before moving here. I've heard people say that northern WI is really the place to go because of the beautiful lakes and scenery. Well, we traveled way north for a vacation with friends and I have to say, it was better than I had imagined! It was so quiet and peaceful and was just the getaway we all needed. It was so nice to have a week at a slow pace with no real agenda except to have fun. The kids loved every minute and have been begging to go back nearly every day. Here's a few pics that capture our time there. I still give out a big sigh just looking at these pics, yep it was that great. Thanks to our dear friends for a wonderful vacation, it was definitely one of our favorites!

 View from the back porch

 The beautiful lake the house was on. Rich and I went kayaking one morning, just the two of us. 

It was luxurious!

 Having fun at a park in the closest town.

 Nearly every day we were out in the water on our friends' boat. Here's Braden driving. :)

Daddy learned to water ski! He got it after just a few tries!

Probably one of the kids' favorite things was to play in the water by the pier. Simple buckets and spoons were all they needed for hours of fun!

 And another favorite, snack time by the water!

Zoned out on the way home after a great week. Bye Wisconsin!

A cool, cool summer!

Well, this summer has nothin' on last year. Compared to the scorcher of last year, it's been incredibly cool and I can't believe how many days we were able to live without the air conditioning. This has all been fine by me! While the kids have had very few pool or splash park days, I have to say I think we've made up with it with time outside riding bikes and playing with neighborhood kids. I'm absolutely LOVING this age! Three and a half is definitely lots of fun. The kids are so much more independent, we don't have to worry about diapers, they can play at the park on their own, and best of all they actually have little friends now that they like to play with. One of the saving graces of this summer has been some neighborhood girls who are a little older but love to play with the kids. They play hide and seek with triplets, push them around in their little cars and can literally keep them entertained for hours! Their mom keeps thanking me for keeping them busy, but I think it's a win-win! I dread them going back to school!

We've had a pretty busy summer. One of the highlights was a trip to Chattanooga back in May. The famous Uncle Brian graduated from Covenant this year and we piled in the van to see his big moment. All in all it was a great trip and the kids did great on the 11 hour drive there and back. It was definitely easier than the last time down there when they were only 1! We had a great time seeing family and friends and it was made even better by being able to stay at a big house with the whole family. The kids still ask to go back to "Chaganooga" all the time. With 2 uncles residing there now, I know we will again!

The whole fam with the big graduate

                       Uncle Brian with the boys at Covenant     D, K & B by the overlook on campus         

Definitely a highlight meeting Uncle Dave's band, Telemonster!

Many of you know that I have gotten into running this past year. I don't think I particularly enjoy it like some people do, but I love a good workout and and the feeling afterwards is definitely worth the work. I ran my first 5k back in May and it was so fun. Although it was freezing cold, I had some "enthusiastic" supporters there to cheer me on. I'll be doing another one this weekend, although it's super early so I think I'll spare the kids this time. :)

And I can't blow past Mother's Day and Father's Day without a couple of shots of us with the kids. Man are they getting big!

For the kids, I would say one of the highlights has been playing the drums. Yep, I said it. Playing the drums! I bit the bullet and purchased (for $8 I might add!) a drum set. Daniel in particular is really into music these days so I really couldn't pass it up when I spotted a set at a garage sale. It is definitely LOUD in this house, but totally worth it to see their faces light up as they play. 

And finally, what is summer without water and bikes!  And yes, Braden has a pink bike. It was a good deal and he never complains so I figure we'll get away with it for now and he can be mad at me later. :)

 Definitely getting a little big for the baby pool, but fun nonetheless!

Look out world, we're really moving now!!!

Easter Festivities

Another Easter has come and gone and as with every holiday, it has us realizing just how big our kids are getting! Last year, the kids had no clue about Easter egg hunting or the glorious treats inside each egg. Well, forget that now! This year all they could talk about was eggs and treats and Easter baskets! They got a bit spoiled this year too as our Easter celebrations covered 2 weekends, which meant 2 rounds of Easter egg hunts, 2 rounds of eating big meals, and 2 rounds and more chocolate than we knew what to do with! But it was a great time for everyone! Here's a peak of all our celebrations. Hope you and yours had a wonderful time too! :)

Mimi provided an Easter Egg Hunt for all the grandkids on Palm Sunday.

 

 

Everyone found all their eggs! Afterwards, Braden reads to Carter. :)



 

On Easter Sunday, we had my parents and some friends over for lunch. Since it was smaller than our normal crowd, I was able make our table settings a little more intimate. :)

 

Opening their Easter "baskets" from Mommy & Daddy.

 

And the annual poses with us. Of course, we totally forgot to get someone to take a pic of the whole family. Oh well, there's always next year!

Sleepover at Mimi & Grandpa's!

When you have two sets of grandparents living within a 20 minute radius, you get spoiled...a lot. We have ready and willing babysitters who always lend a hand when needed and I know that it is a luxury that many don't have. And every once in a while, we really hit the jackpot when the grandparents offer to take the kids for a night. Woo-hoo! Last weekend, Mimi came and loaded up the kids and took them home with her for a fun-filled sleepover. They had a GREAT time! There were movies, pancakes for breakfast, and lunch out, and by the time we picked them up on Saturday, I think everyone was done in...including Mimi and Grandpa!

Tossing a bag of peas with Grandpa, apparently the boys found this hilarious!

 

 

In true sleep over fashion, they slept on the floor with blankets.

 

 

Playing tent with Grandpa

And blueberry smiley-face pancakes for breakfast!

 

Thanks Mimi & Grandpa for a great time for everyone! And thank you to both sets of grandparents in our lives. We love you so much and are thankful for ALL the ways you shower love on us!





Finally some snow!!!

Nothing like having kids to make you appreciate snow! We finally got some substantial snow last weekend that made it possible for the kids to get some use out of the snow boots! While I was less than happy about having to break out the old shovel, I was thrilled for the kids to go outside and run around for a bit. Last year playing outside lasted about 10 minutes. This year I had to drag them in after an hour and a half! It was a fun time for everyone!

All bundled up and ready to head out!

 

 

Who says those summer toys have to go to waste in the winter?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Can it be, they're now 3?!!

Not so long ago, on a cold December night, this very uncomfortable mama became the mother of 3 beautiful babies. Kayla, Braden and Daniel came fast and furious and before I knew it, I had two sons and a daughter. When your babies start life in the NICU, it's hard to get to know them right away. I felt so distant from them the whole time they were there. Sure I knew they were mine, I knew I would take them home. But it was hard to really connect when feeding tubes and oxygen masks are constantly in your way. But when we took our trio home and really settled into daily life, that's when the bonding started. I began to discover all the wonderful ways that God knit these beautiful children together and gave to me as the best Christmas gift ever. So yes, it is time for my annual reflections on these three, so please excuse the ramblings of this proud mama. :)

Kayla girl showed her personality early on. As any girl, she developed her opinions early on and was never afraid to make them known. She laughed easily and loved to dote on her brothers. She became mother hen early, ordering the boys around before she could even put sentences together. But also loving them so tenderly that it has often brought tears to my eyes. Kayla is a helper, a friend, and she wants everyone to be happy. She will extend a hand to a stranger and loves to tell everyone what is on her mind. She catches on to things quickly too (my first and only to be potty trained so far). Kayla also gets so excited about even the smallest things. Her face lights up and you just melt as you see her eyes sparkle. I love my Kayla for marching to her own beat, for her energy and charisma. I pray that God will use all her gifts in a big way as she continues to grow.


Braden was all boy right from the start. Even as a baby, he had a deep, throaty laugh, and hands and feet the size of mittens. He has always kind of been the leader of the pack. He did most things first and Kayla and Daniel loved to mimic his every move. Braden also knows what he likes and doesn't like very quickly and doesn't have a problem telling you that. He is greatly amused by his brother in particular, and enjoys roughhousing with daddy as any young boy would. Braden has shown incredible strength and resilience too. Even as he continues to struggle with seizures, he has always been an incredible patient, wowing the nurses and doctors with his patience and calm composure. He is Mr. Manners around here too with please and thank yous that can't help but make any mother proud. My prayer for Braden is that all his early challenges and trials will shape and mold him into a strong godly man who stands firm in His faith.


Daniel, my silly boy. He was always my smiler, the big flirt with the camera. I still have a hard time taking a bad picture of this kid! He was squawking and growling early on, already for his own amusement. He loves to laugh, and he really has one of those contagious ones that's hard to resist. Daniel, like his father, is also a boy of intense concentration. I used to think maybe I needed to get his hearing checked because my voice was so easily tuned out. But I've learned that Daniel is often in his own world, consumed with watching how something works or engrossed in his world of pretend. He is also my high energy boy. Who knew one kid could make so much noise! He's a one man band, and whether he's playing his makeshift drum set, playing his toy guitar, or singing his favorite songs, music seems to be in his soul. I'm anxious to see what God does with my talented boy. I pray that his passion for life will grow into a big passion for God that will be contagious to everyone he encounters.

And look how they've grown!!

 

First Birthday

 

 

Second Birthday

  

 

Just a few weeks shy of their 3rd Birthday

 

At 3 years old, the Hess trio is going strong! Unfortunately this Christmas, they came down with the flu so we are having a very quiet and not so exciting holiday. But we're thankful to be together. We're thankful for wonderful family and friends. And most of all, we're thankful for the incredible love of our heavenly Father, who loves us more than we're worthy of. Blessings to all of you this Christmas!!