Sorry it's been so long since I last updated our blog. School is now out and we are all enjoying the heat of summer (and air conditioning :D). This week is the first week of Kodi and Eden's summer school sessions. Eden has chosen to take German and Science this summer and Kodi is enjoying his science and phy ed classes. Kodi was hoping to take German also, but unfortunately there were not enough 5/6 graders interested, so his class got cancelled.

Matt has been enjoying his paternity leave so far and has been working for his brother Mike, a few days a week. He is sporting a nice tan from being outside painting/power washing all day. For father's day this past Sunday, I cooked Matt, the kids, and the 3 bike racers who were crashing with us this past week (they took off today) breakfast. Then our family went to church, where Matt almost won the contest of the father with the youngest child (he was beat out by a daddy of a 9 week old). In the afternoon, the 5 of us went to Lannon Quarry for some swimming and playing on the beach. All 3 of the kids had a blast swimming (yup, Abe went swimming for the first time and he liked being in the water - though he didn't like it when the back of his head got wet). For Matt's father's day gift, the kids painted a corn hole game for him and I made the bean bags outfitted with Abe's footprints. This evening Kodi, Matt, and I all enjoyed a few rounds of corn hole before retiring inside to relax in front of the television.

I have been trying to work a bit more this week and so work has been keeping me a bit busier than normal. But work is going well and I really do enjoy what I do, so that is an added bonus. Today I went out to Johnson's Creek outlet mall with a few friends and their babies for a bit of shopping. I scored a cute summer dress at the Gap for only $8 (sweet deal!). I also picked Abram up an outfit for fall with says Daddy's All Star on it (which Matt was excited to see).

Kodi and Eden were excited to have "their best babysitter ever" Hillary Gardner today. She spent the day with Kodi and Eden while I was shopping with my friends. They liked that she played with them and took them out to lunch.

Abram is as happy as can be. Though this week he has started sleeping on his stomach but he wakes up unhappy as he hasn't quiet learned to roll back to his back yet and so he gets "trapped" and cries for someone to "rescue" him. He still enjoys playing on his Baby Einstein play mat and also in her exersaucer. I absolutely adore cuddling with him and today we spent a lot of time enjoying each others company. Sometimes I feel like I could just cuddle him and kiss him forever. I am amazed as I look back over the past 20 weeks of my life. Everything has changed so much and my life has such a different meaning now. I feel so blessed to have my little angel (and my two big angels and husband also!).

That's all for now :). I hope you all are enjoying your summer! Stay cool and wear sunscreen :)
Love,
Beth

Rolling over!

Abram absolutley loves his Baby Einstein exersaucer! Just yesterday he learned to spin around in it and loves pushing the sound buttons and playing with all the toys. Soon after we set it up, he would cry when we would take him out of it.

Chillin' out on the front lawn with our wonderful neighbors! Abe loves his shades and was looking cool today!

Peace out from Kodi Oscar! Isn't he just sweet as pie??? :)

Eden with her soccer teammates and friends Jayden and Lilly

Kodi dribbling the soccer ball during warm-ups before his game last Saturday

Guess who has found his feet! They are Abram's newest favorite toy!

The Jorgensons (Eden was tired of getting pics taken)

Our family with Abram's sponsors :)

The Gissibls

A special blessing for Matt and I as we set about the beautiful task of raising Abram up in Christ's love. Abe's Godparents are Sarah and Ed Magnuson and Mark Gissibl.

Pastor Chris Manke baptizing Abram James on 5/24/09.

Kodi and his buddy Kevin at their 5th grade promotion/band concert. Kodi really enjoyed playing the drums this year.

Hi All,

So I finally uploaded photos from Abe's baptism, amongst some other recent photos. A big event happened again last night! About 3 weeks ago, Abe rolled over from back to belly one time and until last night, he hadn't done it again. Then last night he rolled over 6-7 times for all of us. We were all so excited! Then tonight, Abe rolled over from back to belly and then from belly to back :) Yeah! We are on our way to being mobile!

Wow, June is already here! It is hard to believe that Abe is now 4 months old...time sure does fly!!!! Life has been sort of crazy lately, for some reason I have been feeling pretty overwhelmed lately with life...I am hoping this summer will bring some slower paced days. I have been trying to kick back and relax a bit more when I'm home with Abe, but for everyone who knows me well, this is easier said than done!

Today was Matt's last day of work until late July. We are all hoping that he will enjoy his time off (that is when he isn't painting for his brother).

One week of school and soccer left....yeah for summer!

Have a great night!

B

A Blessed but Busy Memorial Weekend!

We had another busy family weekend at the Gissibl household...

On Thursday, Kodi Oscar had his 5th grade promotion ceremony and his final band concert (he isn't interested in playing the drums in band anymore). A number of family members gathered at our house for dinner beforehand and then we headed over to watch Kodi walk across the bridge. It is so hard to believe that he will be going to junior high next year! Wow, do they ever grow so fast!!! Kodi also celebrated his 11th birthday yesterday (Tuesday), and he enjoyed having both Matt's family and my family around for the weekend to help him celebrate.

Sunday also kept us busy as we baptized Abram James at the 11am service at St. Matthew's. He had fallen asleep during the sermon just before we headed up front, thankfully he wasn't crabby at us for waking him up, he had a cute little dazed look on his face while we were upfront. Pastor Gary Erickson said a few words as an introduction...Matt and I had already known that Abe Lincoln's birthday was only 1 week after Abram's but we learned that President Garfield's full name is James Abram -- just what Grandpa Jim calls Abram :). Then Pastor Chris Manke, who married Matt and I two years ago today...baptized Abram.

Both Matt and I are amazed at how much has happened in our lives during our first two years of marriage. We feel so blessed to have each other and 3 beautiful children! We spent the weekend reminiscing about our past and how we met....taking a walk down memory lane is always fun. For those of you who want to walk down memory lane with us...Matt and I (along with K/E) met 6 years ago this coming August at Imago Dei Village Lutheran Bible camp in Shawano, WI. We enjoyed getting to know each other during the family camp weekend and I was excited when Matt wanted to stay at camp a little longer on Sunday - so I took them down to the beach for a supervised swim. I was so thankful he gave me his business card before he left :). Though we met in August, our first date wasn't until December and it wasn't long after that when we fell for each other. Wow! Time sure does fly!!!

I'll upload photos from this weekend a little later (Abe just woke up). Have a great day everyone!
B

photos galore....

Hanging with their cousin Keeley this past weekend :-)

Happy Mother's Day Mommy! This is Matt, Abe and I after our mothers day brunch at Saz's.

How cute is my little man?

Matt helped Abe draw me a mothers day card :) I'll cherish it forever! I started crying when I opened the card and found his drawing!

Abe's Mother's Day drawing for me

Time flies when you are having fun!

Hi All,
Sorry it's been awhile since I have last updated the blog. Wow...time sure does fly. Tomorrow Abram will be 3 and 3/4 months old! Time flies when you are having fun :). He is laying next to me on the floor right now jabbering away...he sure has lots to say, especially in the morning. He sends his love :).

Let's see, what's new in the life of us Gissibl's. Matt took the day off of work today and is currently doing "the bone'' a bike ride that starts in Milwaukee and they ride to Madison and back (a full day fete). Matt hung out with his buddies last night and then they headed out around 8 this morning from a friends pad. Thankfully the weather is beautiful and the sun is shining. We shall see this evening if he remembered his sunscreen :).

This is a big week for Kodi! He has his fifth grade promotion ceremony this Thursday. The family is all getting together here for dinner beforehand and then we are having a big family birthday party for him in the park after Abram's baptism on Sunday.

Eden is student of the week this week and has enjoyed being in the spot light. This Friday she gets to bring in a few special people to school. Both Eden and Kodi are enjoying their spring soccer season...there is only about 2 weeks left of the season.

Matt, Kodi, and I all did our first bike race of the year this past Sunday. We had a blast and we were all exhausted after our individual fetes. Kodi did a 5 mile loop, I did a 10 mile loop and Matt did a 20 mile loop. We went up to Iola on Saturday and we all pre-road and Eden did a killer job tackling the hills.

I am exhausted as it is night time now (I started writing it this morning....life sure does get busy :D). Matt's ride went well, though he was exhausted once he got home. I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful weather!

Love,Beth

The year of 10's!

My 10 year high school reunion went well this weekend. It was fun catching up with people from my past. It is amazing how much some people change and how little others do. All in all, it was a fun evening. I especially enjoyed going out to dinner with Anna, Kim and Jeremy before the reunion.

Matt is approaching his 10 year anniversary at Hayes and his 20 year high school reunion...I guess you could call this the year of 10's :).

Abram flew well on the plane...a little fussy for our flight out to MN, but soon after we were in the air he was happy and smiling. I suppose it feels weird to take off and land -- tummy's flopping and ears popping. Abe slept through landing in MN and for the whole flight home. Though it was a quick trip, Abe still got to spend some quality time with his aunties, his uncle, and his grandma and grandpa.

Today, Matt and Kodi head Camp Whitcomb with the 5th grade class. It is an exciting overnight camping/nature trip. One of the highlights for the 5th graders (this and high interest day, which was on May 1). They will spend the next 30 hours hiking, fishing, learning about nature and of course the ever dreaded communal shower. Hopefully Kodi will survive :D.

Work is going well. I worked my first 12 hour shift this past Monday....it went by surprisingly fast, though I was exhausted on Tuesday and found it hard to do much other than hang out at home with Abram. I am sure it will only be a matter of time before I re-acclimate to the long hours.

I hope all is well in your world!
B

Daffodils are blooming!

Good morning all!
Life has been pretty nice from a sleep standpoint. Abram has slept for most of the night for about 2/3 of this past week! YEAH! Oddly enough, I am still feeling exhausted! I suppose I have a lot of catching up to do with my zzz's before the exhaustion will end for me?

Matt came home from Mexico and has been a bit under the weather (thank goodness it isn't the swine flu!), today he is feeling a bit better.

The sun is shining this morning, so I will have to get outside and enjoy it :D. Above, is a pic from Easter of Abram. I'll upload the other photos from my camera sometime this week.

This weekend, Abram will be taking his first flight when the two of us fly back to MN for my 10 year high school reunion. We lucked out and found a cheap flight, so no driving!!!! It will be a short trip, but hopefully a fun one.

Take care and have a great week!

:D Beth