The Hills 5-21-09

Finally - some new pictures for you mom :)

I am happy to be home again. I was only in Chicago for one night, but I really don't like being away from home. Especially when I call to talk to Justin and he begs me to come to his house to play sports with him. It breaks my heart...

Last weekend we were in Michigan from Friday night until Saturday afternoon. It was a quick trip, but we went up for a Brooks family reunion in Spring Lake. It was fun to see everyone. There were a TON of people there that we did not know or meet. It was the extended family that only gets together every 20 years or so. We got up there on Friday night around 9ish to Grandma and Grandpa Metzler's house in Holland. Uncle Ry and Aunt Manda met us there - Justin was so happy to see family! Aunt Manda spent the night with us and Ry came back in the morning (had a work meeting). We had breakfast and hung out before we had to leave for Spring Lake. We went to the reunion - Justin played lots of baseball and golf and then we headed back for home. Oh, we stopped at Meijer on the way to get some Vernors....yum! We can't get it in Illinois!

Sunday Rob had his hockey playoffs. They ended up getting 3rd. We love going to hockey games, but it will be nice to have the summer off for a break :) By the time we go to another hockey game we will be a family of four!!!! Speaking of which - the ticker tells us we are down to 98 days......WHAT?!?! How did double digits sneak up on us? It doesn't really seem real yet becuase we don't have the nursery done, I have not dug out any clothes, the crib is not put together, etc. However, when I went to Chicago yesterday one of the guys I work with gave us his double stroller. That hit me a little bit - wow...we really will have 2 kids to fill this! It's a nice Peg-Pergo or whatever side by side, but it's not one that will fit a car seat, so it will be one to use later on. I think we still need to get a sit and stand one - any suggestions for those friends with 2 or more kids?

We are so excited for a long weekend! Hopefully we can get a lot done. I want to get the bathroom finished and Rob wants to work on the room or swingset - weather depending. I figure I can work on the bathroom early in the am and late in the evening if it's too nice out to be stuck inside....plus my BFF wants to help me! Thanks Katie :) We should be able to have it done in no time! All of the swingset components are in, we just have to get the lumber. The lumberyard where the components shipped to wanted us to buy the lumber there. We sent them the lumber list and told them that if they were cheaper than Menards we would - otherwise we were going to Menards. They did say that they would deliver the swingset stuff and lumber for free if we got it there...that would be super convenient!

I think that a lot of you know our friends the Wisley's. Please keep their family in your prayers. Samantha is in Chicago today having surgery on her legs. She has CP and they are doing a surgery to correct her legs so she hopefully will not have to wear braces on them anymore. It involves breaking both legs, shaving bone and putting pins in. Not fun. Especially for a little girl who will be on bedrest for a lot of the summer. Sam is excited and not nervous at all....but I can't say the same for Stacey. I think that this will be worth it in the long run, but getting through this part is going to be tough.

I think that's all for now :)





Grandpa Brooks and Justin golfing













He's getting really good at it!













Uncle Ry and Justin playing on the ipod - probably on youtube again :)











Great Grandma Metzler and Justin














Great Grandpa Metzler and Justin - getting a poke in the nose :)











GG Metzler's new living room! They had a fireplace put in and the built in shelves - it looks great! (Thought you would like to see this mom and dad!)