Stumped

This past weekend, Elijah had the pleasure of seeing more grandparents!  After having just been in San Antonio to visit Nana and Papa, this past weekend things got even better for the little guy because Mamie and Pops came to see him.  We had a fun weekend and were so glad that they came to stay with us.  On Saturday, Ethan and his dad were quite the productive manly men and pulled a tree stump out of our back yard that needed to be removed.  We dainty women were all super impressed. :)  Elijah definitely preferred to be outside with the boys, but was unfortunately not involved in this project yet.  Somehow axes and ten month olds don't quite mix.  I tried to console him by letting him know that there would be plenty of projects that he could help Daddy and Pops with in the future.  I enjoyed getting to sit and talk with Jamie and run some errands during the day.  That night we went to Babe's Chicken House for dinner and it was great.  If you've never been, it is "down home" cooking that is served family style.  So, you order your meat and then all the sides (mashed potatoes, gravy, green beens, corn, salad, biscuits...all health food of course) are family style and all you can eat.  Everything was delicious, and I think the one who may have enjoyed it the most was Eli.  We put his little "tiny diner" placemat on the table and he thoroughly enjoyed getting to feast on mashed potatoes, chicken, biscuits, corn, etc.  Not only was it better than pureed baby food, it was so fun to mash and feel with his hands too. :)  Overall, we had a great time and were glad to have the special visit from Mamie and Pops.  Thanks for making the trip in, you two, and please come again soon!

Now for a couple grandparent pics...

Sharing a moment with Mamie and Pops

Enjoying some snuggles with Mamie

"Can I just go with you guys?"

Pops, Elijah, Ethan, and Mamie pose for a Cislaghi family Pic

Eli licking his lips remembering how delicious dinner was the night before. :)

Checking out the stump

"When people say I have stumpy legs, is this what they mean?"

"I don't think my legs look anything like this..."

"I believe I have seen enough..."

Elijah loves time with his Daddy!

Although Mommy was also making silly faces behind the camera.

My boys...what cuties!

In Honor of Dr. Seuss

I have been inspired,

by the author Dr. Seuss,

For we’ve been reading stories,

like “Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose.”

How fun! I think, so clever, so quick,

To rhyme in perfect verse,

And the stories are filled with lessons and wit,

With no need to rehearse.

Maybe I can be an author,

of children’s books that rhyme.

If I could just get published

By some publisher friend of mine.

I’d need to learn to draw,

Or find a person to help out,

for all kid's books have pictures,

because If not the kids would pout.

And then I thought, “ah hah, I know!”

“I’ll just use the blog!”

So from now on my posts will rhyme

From Eli to the dog.

The best thing about poems

From the poems I have read

Is that if you can’t find a word to rhyme

You just make one up straight from your head!

So instead of Eli stories

I will tell of widgets and of woodells,

Or alligators wearing tennis shoes

And miniature toy poodles.

I will tell about a little town

on a spec of dust,

‘Cause if you've not read of the Who’s

That story is a must!

But as I now start to consider

This brand new plan of mine,

I think it may not be the best

For poems might confine.

While I like to talk of widgets

And of woodells and the Who's,

I know that all my “readers”

Most like to peruse…

…My stories about Eli

For he’s the star of the show,

We love that little guy so much

More than he’ll ever know.

So for my precious son,

Mommy’s silly little goose,

I’ll write of his updates instead

And leave the rhymes to Dr. Seuss.

Weekend in San Antonio

This past weekend, Ethan, Elijah, Boomerang and I were finally able to escape the winter "elements" and make it down to San Antonio to see our precious new little nephew/cousin, Matthew (and the rest of the gang too, of course!).  We had a great visit and always enjoy the time together with family.  My parents cooking was so good that I was tempted to stay for the whole week!  And on top of that, they even baby sat for us so that Ethan and I had the chance to go for a hike at the park and then out to lunch for a Valentine's date.  We had fun, and I know Elijah enjoyed the special Nana and Papa time.  Saturday afternoon we went over to Michael and Jenny's house and loved the chance to spend time with them and meet sweet little Matthew.  He was so precious and small and make Elijah seem like a giant. :)  It is amazing how fast they grow!  Dylan and Katelyn are excellent older siblings and we loved getting to see them too.  Katelyn was expecially sweet to Elijah and "got in good" with our little guy by feeding him cheerios. 

On Sunday morning we went to church with my parents and then went back for one more delicious meal before we hit the road.  As always, departure time came quicker than we would have liked, but we are grateful for the time that we did get to spend with everyone.  Boomerang was definitely not excited about leaving the pack (my parents have 3 schnauzzers) or about giving up his privileges of getting to snuggle up on the furniture (which he doesn't get to do at home).  When Ethan put on his leash, he fought to stay on the couch with all his might, but unfortunely was no match for my burly husband and was doomed to be pinned up in his "bed" for the next 5 hours.  Other than that, we had a successful trip down to the Big Tortilla and back, as my husband likes to call it. 

We were having so much fun hanging out and holding babies that we didn't take hardly any pictures until we were about to leave (just for proof that we were really there).  Here are just a few of Elijah's playtime with Nana that she sent to me and a few I took with Eli, Nana, and Papa before heading out.

Playing with Nana while Mommy and Daddy went out on a date.  Elijah loved climbing on on the shutters, for better or for worse.

Disassembling Nana's block tower.

"Whatcha doing Nana?"

"I love you Nana and sure like to play with you!"

Saying goodbye's before we hit the road.  Eli is not looking at the camera here, but this is a beautiful picture of my Mom.

Elijah, Nana, and Papa.  You can tell by Eli's expression that he was very tired.  He fell asleep about 5 minutes after we got on the road. :) 

Our little man with his wonderful grandparents.

My favorite one.  So sweet!

Proof I was there too. :)  Thanks for a great visit everyone...we look forward to seeing you again soon!

My Valentines

So thankful for the boys in my life on this Valentine's Day!

To my wonderful husband, I love you with all of my heart and am truly blessed to be your wife.  To my precious son, we are so glad to have you here on this Valentine's Day and love you more than words can say. 

What can I say, I am one lucky girl!  Although I suspect that luck truly has nothing to do with it, but rather that we have a God who loves US so much that he chooses to bless us beyond our wildest dreams.  He is the epitome of love, and on this day I thank Him because His love is the greatest gift of all!

Matthew Allen Coben

Elijah would like to share the spotlight for a few minutes to officially welcome to the world Matthew Allen Coben!  Ethan and I are thrilled to have a new little nephew to pamper and Elijah is even more excited to no longer be the "baby" of the family.  Eli cannot wait to make the trip down to Old San Antone so he can teach his younger cousin all of his hundreds of silly tricks. :) (As Dylan volunteered to teach Elijah all of his tricks and things when he was born...just returning the favor).

Matthew was born on January 27 weighing in at 8 lbs, 2 oz and measuring 20 inches long.  He is my older brother Michael and sister in law Jenny's third child after our nephew Dylan (6) and niece Katelyn (4).  The kids have been anxiously awaiting Baby Matthew's arrival and from what I have heard so far they are quite the helpful big brother and big sister!  We plan on going down to meet Matthew (and see the rest of the family too I guess) this weekend and cannot wait to get our hugs and new baby snuggles from that little bundle of joy.  While we haven't yet met him in person, we've gotten some incredibly cute pictures and with their permission, will share them with all of you.  :)  And now, for his debut appearance on the Cislaghi Family blog.....Matthew Allen Coben!

My favorite picture...how adorable!!

These first four pictures were taken by a photographer at the hospital.  I have to say I am impressed and just a little bit jealous that they didn't do that when Eli was born. :)  Just kidding about the jealous part, but what a great idea for the photographer to go by the hospital rooms and take pictures of the new borns.  They look like they were taken in a studio, but instead of all of the fuss of getting your new born fed, happy, clean, dressed, and transported there, they just came to the room and took these portraits in the room using the hospital bedsheets (according to my brother)!  What a great idea and beautiful pictures! 

What a precious little face!  We can't wait to meet you!

Matthew and his Daddy (Michael)

Beautiful picture of Matthew and Mommy (Jenny)

The whole family with their newest addition

Dylan meeting his new baby brother

Katelyn is all snuggles with little Matthew.  That kiddo is in good hands. :)

"Phew, that was a rough trip but I am okay people." :)

Winter Wonderland

This morning, I awakened to find a beautiful winter wonderland outside!  While the ice and freezing temperatures have shaken up our normal routines and confined us to the great indoors, the beautiful, fresh, powdery snow has completely redeemed a week of ice and cold (in my opinion anyway, although the Superbowl people may very well beg to differ)! 

Ethan, being the thoughtful husband that he is, went out and took some pictures of the fresh, untainted snow this morning while it was still dark.  Once me and Eli were up and about, I put on my thermals, my warmest winter clothes, and donned Ethan's camo hunting boots to go out for a trek in the snow.  Now, with all of this prep you would think my trek would have been more than just going out to the front yard and visiting with a neighbor from across the street.  What can I say, we are Texans and not used to the cold. :)  After a bit I grabbed Elijah, put on his warm hat, wrapped him in a blanket, and managed to convince Ethan to come outside and snap a few pics of Elijah's first time in the snow.  Ethan wasn't entirely convinced that the effort would be worthwhile since Eli isn't old enough to remember this in future years, but I explained that I wasn't really taking him out there for Eli's sake, but for mine.  Plus, that's what the pictures are for. :)  So, earning more brownie points for the day he came out into the snow and played photographer.  He took some great pictures and I appreciate having such a sweet husband to share my life with.  Here are our pictures and a few videos of all the snow...

First the pics with Eli:

My favorite picture of us in the snow

Sooo pretty out here!

Mom: "What do you think of all of this snow, Little Buddy?"

Mom: "See, touch it with your fingers..."

Eli: "Wow, it is cold Mommy!"

Eli: "Is it going to stay like this forever?"

Mom: "No, my silly goose, probably just for a few days."
Eli:  "Oh, well then in that case it is pretty neat!"

Eli:  "Look Mommy, it is falling from the sky!"

Checking out our snow covered yard

Having a little chat

And a couple more for good measure...

Jen: "Am I in this picture?"

Jen: "I think he is zoomed up on Elijah, but I better fake smile just to be sure."

Now for the Scenery Pics:

Snow falling just before dawn

Our table and chairs on our back patio covered in snow

Some pictures of our back yard...

Beautiful!

Typical snowy winter day in Texas

A few pictures taken from our upstairs windows...

Our back yard from our bedroom window

The backyard again...

And if you're still with us...a few videos for a live tour :)