Polar Express!

What a perfect way to end the Holiday weekend....in Monticello...at the Polar Express!

This little boy was SO excited for it this year.  We watched the movie a lot and of course he remembered it from last year.

Alisha and Matt got us this for Clayton's Christmas present.  Matt is the hobo in the Polar Express.  In the movie the hobo is a ghost....but since Matt is the hobo Clayton calls him a real ghost...whatever that means.

The hobo's food....and their Cup O Joe (Clayton would tell you that is coffee).

so excited to get on the train! 

the hobo's need tickets...

Checking out the cool games inside the VFW as we wait for our train to depart.

Getting on the train!

Happy boy!  Note he is wearing PJ's this year....last year he refused!

Clayton and Grammie...

his ticket with the cool train...

the train we were in was really old and vintage...totally my style :-)

Clayton had to switch sides and go sit with Taylor so he could see the North Pole.

Santa!  Clayton told me the was going to hug Santa this year...then when it came down to it he was kinda nervous to even sit by him.  Look at his precious face....with his bell and ticket.  This was one of the best days of his baby life.....and ours too!

The tickets for this sold out in 10 minutes on June 1st.  Good thing we got the inside scoop with Alisha and Matt!  

I can't wait next year to take both of my boys!

We ended that night with a yummy dinner at Three Ravens in downtown Monticello.  That place is so yummy.

I absolutely LOVE going with my family to the Polar Express...it is truly magical and gets us in the mood for Christmas.

The Gender Reveal...

 Clayton...

 what's in your...

hands?

Is it blue....

or pink glitter?

BLUE!

Grieder Baby #3 is a BOY!

He looks perfect.  Measuring perfect with a four chambered heart.  All of my testing has come back normal. We are so excited...and truly blessed...with this healthy baby BOY!

Christmas Tree!

Yesterday morning we went into town to get our Christmas Tree.  We used to go chop our own down...but they don't have those around here anymore.

So we go to Menards instead!  I couldn't get the boys to look at me.  Oh well...here is a tree!

Clayton is SO excited to decorate it!

Hunting Weekend....

 This weekend was the opening for shotgun season!  This year Clayton and I tagged along with Blake to Amboy for the occasion.

We got to Kelly and Brandon's late Thursday night....the boys took off for the hunting festivites...and Kelly and I planned our weekend with the kiddos!

We let the boys stay up WAY to late Thurs night...which led to tired Mommas Friday.  Blake and Brandon stayed out WAY to late that night and got up way to early....so lets just say our sleep was interrupted by them.

Friday we crafted...and baked.  Perfect combo for Kel and I.  We made these trees..we were even able to make them outside since it was like 50 degrees...while the kids played.

they were super easy.  Idea from Pinterest here.

They we made the Pioneer Woman cinnamon rolls!

They were SUPER easy and SO SO good.  I have never made anything from scratch before with yeast.  I couldn't believe how easy it was.  We were impressed with our selves.  :-)

We ended the night with a trip to McDonald's with Kel's sister and kids.

Look at these three in the back seat....oh the stories we heard.

(sorry bad phone pic.)  They thought it was awesome to be in the boys car!

Then home for baths...

Kelly is WAY nicer then me...I don't think I have ever let Clayton splash like this in the tub. 

They made a complete mess...

but had a great time.

Henry the monster.

Izzy got out of the tub before the madness took place.  Smart girl Iz!

We had such a great two days in Amboy.  Can't wait for next year.  Clayton threw the biggest fit I have seen  when we were getting ready to leave.  He was so sad to leave his Scooby Doo/monster/play hide and seek little buddy.  Right when we got in the car he wanted to go back.

I would say this was a great weekend!  Even though Kelly and I were super busy with the kids...we made lots of memories.  We were talking that in a few short years this weekend will change.  The boys will go hunting with their Daddy's and we will take Izzy shopping.  So we will just cherish the craziness for a couple more years.

Odie....

RIP in peace my sweet Odie boy...

My second furbaby...

He was the best big dog we ever had!

Not sure what I am going to do without my Odie protecting us.  He loved sitting by the sliding door watching us in the kitchen and of course getting lots of treats.  

He was the sweetest dog you would ever meet....he loved giving everyone kisses.... especially children.  

All 100 lbs of you will be missed....

Sono pics! (20 weeks)

The baby close up.  Doesn't his arms look chubby?

the baby a little further away.

and his feet!  Right when I saw his feet I knew he was a boy.  Look at how huge they are?

I thought I would post a few of my most recent sono pics.  These are from my 20 week appointment.  I think  it has taken me so long to post these because A I have major pregnancy brain and B I didn't want to spoil anything before I announced we were having another BOY!

We had a sonogram at the 16 week appointment and the baby looked like a boy.  I didn't really want to get excited either way until this appointment because I guess girls can look like boys early on.  Who knew?

So we were excited to officially find out Grieder Baby #3 is a boy.  Good thing I have saved ALL of Clayton's stuff!  The nursery is also gender neutral so I just need to de-girl it and put all of Charlotte's stuff away....which is harder said then done.  :-(

He is measuring a week ahead.  I have only gained 1 lb so far...but I know more is coming!  

His heart looks perfect (you can see the four chambers), he is measuring a little ahead, my testing has come back normal....so far so good!  We are feeling very blessed.

For Charlotte...

If before you were born, I could have gone to heaven and saw all the beautiful souls, I still would have chosen you... 

If God had told me, "This soul would one day need extra care and needs", I still would have chosen you. If he had told me, "This soul may make your heart bleed", I still would have chosen you. 

If He had told me, "This soul would make you question the depth of your faith", I still would have chosen you. 

If He had told me "This soul would make tears flow from your eyes that could fill a river", I still would have chosen you. 

If He had told me "This soul may one day make you witness overbearing suffering", I still would have chosen you. 

If he had told me,"All that you know to be normal would drastically change", I still would have chosen you. 

Of course,even though I would have chosen you, I know it was God who chose me for you...

By Terri Banish.

18 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 18 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby G is the size of a sweet potato!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 1 lb (we all know the 30+ lbs are coming)

Maternity Clothes: None yet!  I think I am getting close though.  This week I wore dresses and leggings alot.  Speaking of leggings...my mom bought me a pair from Soma.  They are amazing...best leggings I have ever worn seriously!  Worth every penny.

Gender: Can't wait to find out for sure!  We had a sneak peek at my 15 week appt.  The big day will be Nov 15th.   11 more days!!!! I'm dying to know!

Movement: I've been feeling the baby a lot more lately!  It is a surprise each time...like oh yeah I am pregnant.

Sleep: I'm so tired - that I sleep pretty good!

What I miss: Nothing really ...maybe just my normal energy level.  Most nights I put Clayton to sleep then I go straight to bed.

Cravings: Chocolate....Halloween candy...yummo!

Symptons: Right now just being tired at night.

Best Moment this week: trick or treating with my Clayton Jay.