Our First Home...for SALE!

We are selling our first home. What a blessing it's been to us. We have loved all of the memories that have been made here. We welcomed Bennett and Juliette into our family in this home. It's more than a house to us, it's been a sanctuary from the world outside. It's warm and cozy, inviting and loving. It's our home. 

The time has come though, as our family has grown. More space awaits, and time to think about school for our kids, so with that ahead of us, we are moving to Morton. First things first, someone else needs our home. We know it's perfect for someone, just not sure yet who that is.

It's a great starter home. Lots of updates. New roof, newer two car garage, new exterior paint in 2010, updated bathroom (ceramic tiled floor, new vanity and sink), updated kitchen (ceramic tiled floor, tiled back splash, black/stainless appliances, painted cabinets with new hardware), bedroom upstairs re-modeled as kid's room (could be used as office), ADT security system installed, fenced in back yard. 

 

If you would like more details, please email heather.toews@gmail.com.

Our Boy!

This photo just shouts "Bennett", the look on his face, the way he's holding his soccer ball, the way his hair falls around his face.  Might be one of my favorites of him ever. A special thanks to my friend, Hannah Polley. She got this great shot of Benny at our Elevate Baptism/Picnic. 

Our Summer trip to Calgary and Papa and Granma T's.

Our big summer trip was to visit our family in Canada. We anticipated it for months, talking about the plane ride and all the fun we would have with Papa and Granma T. Uncle Tim and Bennett prepared to see each other with yelling matches on the phone. 

The trip up there was interesting but fun. We had a ten hour lay over in Minneapolis so we took the train to the Mall of America. The boys rode rides. A favorite of Chris' was the Ferris Wheel and Bennett's favorite was Swiper's Sweeper. Momma and Juliette shopped. After the mall we took a shuttle to a nearby hotel where the girls took naps and the boys swam. After a few scary moments when the tornado sirens went off as we were leaving the hotel, we made it back to the airport and finally arrived in Calgary at 1AM. Looong day but lots of fun memories made and oh so worth the effort. 

Papa and Gramma's is amazing. Mornings mean the little ones spend quality time with Papa and Gramma while we get a little extra sleep. Breakfasts are my favorite. Dad T stays at the stove turning out the most delicious fried eggs you can imagine, we refill coffee cups over and over and soak up wonderful time with ones we love. I am especially partial to the majestic view of the Rocky Mountains out the picture window where we sit and have breakfast. I can't get enough of that view.

There are so many things I could say, but I'll let the pictures do the talking. This is only a very small sample of all the memories made. There are oh so many more, I could go on for hours.

This picture needs only one caption - PRECIOUS!

A true Toews - hockey stick in hand.

A camp fire with Papa. It's about 10PM here. Can't get over the light that goes
on forever way up north.

Oh yes, my dear one, you are lovely.

This little girl just lights up our life - Juliette 6 1/2 months

Granma and her sweetie.

The Toews family is growing.

Our lives are full. We have each other and two beautiful children. Thank you, Jesus.

She's his princess!

LOVE!

Three Toews girls!

This took my breath away. So amazingly beautiful. A natural hot springs pool up in the mountains. The water was about 103 degrees. 

Bennett had a complete blast with his cousins, Aleah and Ethan.

4 Generations!

My trip to Calgary wouldn't be complete without a trip to Linden to see Grandma Toews and a slice, or the entire pie, of Country Cousins Peanut Butter Pie.

Uh oh! Uncle Tim is in trouble. Bennett is a die hard Flames fan. What's up with the Oilers jersey?

Snapshots of our Summer!

Summer is...wonderful, full of happy moments and adventures that are molded forever in my mind. Hot days beside the pool. Airplane rides to fun places. Long evenings where a last minute decision to go get ice cream ends up in laughter and sticky smiles with people we love. Baseball and Soccer. A boy who looks like a true California surfer with his sun blond hair and brown bear tan. A sweet bug that has a sparkle in her eye. Saturdays with family. Summer just brings on a whole lot of fun and enjoyment. We soak it all up and enjoy every moment we have knowing it doesn't last forever. 

Jules in the pool on our trip to Florida in April. 

A walk on the Peoria Riverfront and
Bennett's first time on roller skates.

Juliette loves her very own pool at Papa and Gramma's.

Swimming at Papa and Gramma Bennett's. 

He's 3 1/2. Such a big boy.

Bennett's first movie - Toy Story 3. He got Coke and Skittles and LOVED
the movie. I've never seen him as hyper as he was later that night.

Best Buds!

LOVE loves his Auntie Heidi.

These beauties just make me happy.

And here's our California Surfer.

A Day at the ZOO

Hot! Humid! July in Illinois! 

Let's go to the Zoo. 

Best Buddies! Just so much love between these two. 

The big rhinos were a little scary. "Mom, hold me, hold me."

Now there is a beauty!

Really? I have two kids! That's just crazy! I love it!

Me and my baby girl. It's a love affair.

First of many...

...going to sporting events, that is. Today Bennett had his first teeball/soccer game. 

We've talked about this particular day for over a year. The build up has been enormous and I'm happy to report that the day and the event did indeed live up to the hype. 

The day began early. One Starbucks latte, a Juliette dipe blowout, and "oh, stink I forgot your water bottle" later, we made it to the park. Bennett hopped out of the car, spotted Auntie Holly, took off in a sprint towards her, then screeched to a halt when he saw all the commotion around him. There were minivans, moms, strollers, crying kids, baseball gloves coming from every corner into the park.  

I saw his "I'm not sure about this " look and quickly grabbed his hand with a "C'mon Buddy. It's gonna be a blast. Let's go get your shirt."

 

And then it was time...the moment we've talked about for a year, and waited for, the moment that I realized my little guy wasn't so little anymore and that I needed to let him go, stand back and watch him be himself. 

They stretched, hit the ball off the tee, played catch in the outfield, and in true firstborn fashion, as he ran around the bases with the other 5 team members and crossed home plate first, threw his arms up in the air and said, " I won, I won." I smiled and made a mental checklist to have the Humility Talk later on. 

After 30 minutes of pure joy, hanging onto every word and instruction Coach Holly, aka Auntie Holly, gave..

...it was over. 

The tears began to flow. What Bennett thought was just a "run to Mom for a drink break" was really "your team is done. See ya next week". 

A heartbroken Bennett cried, "I still want to play baseball". 

Now that is sad.

Of course he did. It's like a vacation you wait for and talk about for over a year being over. 

Thankfully, 3 year old are easily distracted with "Hey, let's go get your name and number printed on the back of your shirt" and a nearby playground.

We made a stop at Grimm's to get Bennett and  #10 (like Auntie Holly...Ben's choice) silk screened on the back of his shirt and a celebratory treat.

As I relive the special moment, I am excited for all the many days and evenings that I am sure will be spent at Bennett's sporting events in the years to come. It's a little weird that it's now "my kid" instead of a sibling that I'm watching...a whole new world, for sure..but I love it and look forward to what's to come. 

My little athlete, Bennett Toews.