Welcome to...
THE BUSY & INTERESTING LIFE OF THE SARIS FAMILY
Matt and I celebrated our anniversary just a few weeks early this year. We had decided way back in August to plan a trip to Chicago with another couple who are great friends of ours. So, we were on the road by 8:30 am Friday morning headed to Montpelier, Ohio to drop off the kiddos. Gra-Nola and Papa Gary met us at Kay and Jim Fackler's house (Nola's cousin) just around 11:30. We were only there for about 20 minutes and then were back on the road toward Clear Lake, Indiana (where Ben and Erin Culler live). By 12:45 pm, we were on our way to Chicago with Ben at the wheel. Just a few hours later, we arrived at the Inn of Chicago - just off the Magnificent Mile - for our 2-night stay. We grabbed a drink and some appetizers at Timothy O'Toole's Pub (best guacamole - EVER!) and walked down Michigan Avenue until we were ready to eat dinner. We found ourselves at Gino's East to enjoy some Chicago-style deep dish pizza. It was excellent! Then we had some extra time until the Comedy show, so we ventured to the Hancock Building where we rode the elevator to the top and enjoyed a drink at the Signature Room. By 10 pm we were at the Up! Comedy Club to enjoy comic Rob Riggle. Late night for us since we were still on Ohio time!
On Saturday, we first enjoyed breakfast and coffee at The Corner Bakery and then hit the shops! I found a great pair of shoes and we of course had to go to the Disney store and get T-shirts and stuffed animals for the girls. Lexi scored a Perry the Platapus and Jill ended up with Scully (from Jake and the Neverland Pirates). Alli came up empty-handed... I don't think she will mind too much this time. All that shopping worked up an appetite, so we made our way to the Grand Lux Cafe. So yummy! Matt and I just couldn't stop ourselves from moving on to The Cheesecake Factory for a slice each 'to go'. Next came a much needed nap in our rooms. After we were well rested, we got changed for our dinner at Mastros - surf-n-turf! Matt ordered swordfish and I got the petit filet. We stuffed ourselves and then ended the night at the Redhead Piano Bar.
Great times were had by all and we can't wait to plan our next adventure with the Cullers. We left Sunday morning with a quick bite and coffee from Dunkin Donuts and made our way back to Perrysburg to meet up with the kiddos. Huge thanks to Nola and Gary for keeping the girls for 2 nights. Hope they weren't too bad!
I'm ready to go back, but my pocketbook says we need to keep it to once or twice a year! HAHAHA! Enjoy a few pics!
Well, I know it has been awhile since I last posted, but we have been BUSY! We now have a Pre-School Graduate, a baby that is baptized, and a (getting there) soon to be potty-trained 3-year-old! Lexi graduated from Montrose Zion Christian Preschool on Sunday May 20 with 14 of her friends. Each child received their own Story Bible and the preschool received a wonderful gift from the parents to celebrate their 5th year in business. Then on Wednesday, the whole preschool went bowling for their last day together. The grads were recognized and each received a 'diploma' and sang a few songs for the parents. What a great 2 years it has been for Lexi. She has made a LOT of new little friends and I just hope we can keep in touch with some of them.
On Saturday afternoon, we ventured to the Diller farm in Columbus Grove, Ohio. The Dillers attend St. John's Church where Papa Gary preaches and had been telling Gra'Nola to "Bring the kids over next time they are home", so that is just what we did! The farm houses 2 miniature horses, about a dozen lambs, 2 dogs, and a BUNCH of new little kittens! The horses and the kittens were the biggest hits! Kaitlyn was fearless and loved on the lambs and by the time we made it to the garage with the kittens, Lexi was also in love! It was so precious watching the girls hold the kittens (Kyle however tried to pick one up by the tail)! Thanks to the Diller family for letting us come and have fun with your animals. We will have to come back in the fall when it isn't so hot!
Then, just this past Sunday May 27, Alli was baptized. Papa Gary once again did the honors at Columbus Grove UM Church. We were very fortunate to have MANY family members able to attend. I really want to thank each and every one of them for coming and taking the time to celebrate the baptism of Allison. We were especially glad to have Godparents Ben Ginter and Maely Alexander stand up with us during the service and promise to lead Alli in the way of the Lord. After the service, we enjoyed an awesome buffet at the Red Pig in Ottawa. YUMMMMM!
After our busy weekend, we celebrated Memorial Day at home (well, at least the girls and I did... Matt had to work). My friend Michele came over and we took all 3 girls to the pool. It was Alli's first pool trip and Jill's first time without a swim diaper! We were there for 2½ hours and they didn't want to leave! We packed a picnic lunch and enjoyed a very warm sunny Memorial Day. The girls will surely sleep well tonight!
Well, Lexi now has one less tooth in her mouth! Yep - she lost her first tooth at Grandma Chris and Papa Chuck's house on Tuesday this week. Lexi and Jill were up playing in the 'kid' bedroom with the bunk beds and then Grandma came home from school and they went outside to play. During supper, daddy thought Lexi had some food in her teeth. Come to find out, there was actually a gap... no food in the teeth! He questioned her about loosing the tooth and she said it had come out when she bumped her mouth on the wall?!?! How one could do such a thing I am not exactly sure, but she had not cried when it happened and there was no blood, so it must have been time to lose the tooth anyway. Everybody looked and looked for the missing tooth, but alas it could not be found. We instead will write a note to the Tooth Fairy explaining the missing tooth and hopefully she will still bring the loot! One tooth down, only about 90 or so more to go (between the 3 girls)!!
Wow! Can't believe my baby is already 2 months old - and Jill is 3?!?! Well, we of course had to get pictures taken to fall in line with what we did with the other 2 girls. Our schedule is 2 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year and then twice yearly after that! We went back to Portrait Innovations in Medina. They always to such a good job and take WAY too many pictures - so hard to choose from. Hoping to get a family pictue in sometime later this year. Anyway, the girls were AWESOME! No tears and great cooperation! I posted my favorite of all 3 girls at the top. Love it! Enjoy the pre-edited pictures we earned from the CD!!!
Kyle (my 1st nephew) turned the Big TWO this month. Brittany and Matt decided to have one big party for both sides of the family. It is always an adventure to get all the kiddos together. I can't believe he is two already. He is getting so big. We had beef and chicken enchiladas to eat and of course cake. He is so into the Cars movies... it is very cute! I picked my favorite pic to put in front. He is saying "cheese" to the camera - ADORABLE! While in Perrysburg, Matt, Alli and I bopped over to meet the newest member of the Zimmerman family. Pete and Amy welcomed Zoey Marie on Feb. 2 (just one month after Alli was born). We also look forward to many play-dates with them in the future. Enjoy!
She finally made her appearance! Allison Jalene Saris was born on Monday January 2, 2012 at 4:44 am. She weighed in at 7 pounds and 10 ounces and was 20 ½ inches long. Mommy and daddy were only at the hospital a mere 1 hour before she made her big debut. The OB doctor was only in the room for about 4 minutes before she decided to come out! Dr. Ellis made it just in time and we had our beautiful - but slightly blue - baby girl. She was 'blue' in the face because of bruising (she was born very quickly with only one push)!!! Things went so well that we were released from the hospital on Tuesday afternoon after only 36 hours! Mommy was glad to be home and sleep in her own bed and big sisters Jill and Lexi were VERY happy to have mommy and baby Alli home. Here are some pictures from Allison's first 3 days. Enjoy!
