Visitors

One very noticeable difference between this delivery and my other two was that we were able to have family come visit us in the hospital. When we lived in Kentucky we didn't have family around during delivery and all of our family was gone within the first week.

At one point my room was absolutely packed! It was so fun to celebrate together. Unfortunately we did not get pictures of everyone. But the following people came to see us while we were in the hospital: Ben's Mom & Dad, Owen & Aubrey, Jeff, Kim, Cole, Brenden, Brooklyn & Carson, Charlie & Amber, Ben's sister, Sarah, my Dad, Jean and my friend, Sabrina. Brenden & Cole with their new cousin. Brenden got in the hospital bed with me and we had this conversation:

Brenden: "Aunt Kelly, how did Evelyn get here?"

Me: "Well, she was in my belly and then she came out."

Brenden: "I know she was in your belly. But how did she get out of your belly?"

Me: "I think you should talk to your dad about that."

Brenden: "Why? You were there. You saw it happen."

Uncle Jeff, still in shock that he was wrong about the birth date, and Brenden
Brooklyn. Sweet Brooklyn. During her visit she asked me, "Aunt Kelly, are you going to have just three kids? Or do you think you'll have more?" I answered, "I don't know, honey. We'll take how ever many God gives us." She pointed to my belly and said, "Well, I think there is another one in there."

Carson meeting Evelyn

Proud Grandpa

Cole & Grandma

Sabrina. Needless to say I didn't make it to her house that night to sort through garage sale stuff.

Siblings

Three Glupker men adoring the new little girl in the family

Grandpa, Owen & Daddy

Aunt Sarah

Owen is always close by!

Ready to go home! Although since we didn't have the older two kids we opted to go on a mini date instead of coming straight home from the hospital. We did a little shopping and went out to lunch.

On Saturday we had a few more visitors come to our house: John R., Chris, Austin and Uncle M. We also had one of my close childhood friends come all the way from the other side of the state, Holland, MI. Shelby and her husband Lance came by with their two little girls.

Sunday we shared our little blessing with our church family. It was a great weekend.

Unexpected Visitors

Grandpa taking Aubrey on a walk through the woods.

One of the things I really enjoy about living near family is the unannounced visits. It's a real treat to have family and friends drop in unexpectedly for a dessert, a meal, a conversation or a quick visit. I love welcoming others into my home and my kids love it too!

Special Guests

My Aunt Karen and my Grandma along with their significant others came by on Sunday for a visit. Of course they didn't come empty handed, well, Karen did. I had to throw that in there because we were joking about it on Sunday and if she's reading this I suspect she's laughing!

The sun was bright and warm! Excuse the squinting. This Grandma is my mother's mom. She's a great woman! She is always on the go and always serving somebody. I hope I have half her energy when I'm in my mid-seventies. Actually, I wish I had half her energy NOW!

Aubrey Ann with her Great-Grandma

Thanksgiving With Grandpa

This Thanksgiving was spent at home with my Dad here for a visit. And I loved it. I spent a lot of time in my little kitchen preparing meals for my family to feast on. I didn't take any pictures of our meal - I was too busy. But I made turkey, potatoes and gravy, green beans, stuffing, homemade yeast rolls, cherry salad and pumpkin pie.
It was so nice to have my dad here for five days. We ate a lot of junk food, played a ton of games, enjoyed great conversation, shopped, watched football, laughed and relaxed. It was really neat to see my children get to know their grandpa better and fall in love with him. Owen especially enjoyed all of the extra attention. Grandpa played several rounds of Memory, CandyLand and Chutes and Ladders with him. Owen is always excited to have new competition.

Grandpa and Owen
Working his way to the Candy Castle!

It takes Aubrey a little while to warm up to people. The first night my dad was here she wouldn't go near him. In fact, she wouldn't walk across the living room if he was watching her. She would freeze with her back up to the wall. But as soon as he would turn his head she would run across the room to either Ben or I without taking her eyes of my dad. It was so funny! But it only took a couple of hours for her to get comfortable enough to grab a book and plop herself into his lap. Once he started reading to her she was in love.

The rest of the time he was here Aubrey helped herself to his lap and wanted to sit there often.

She frequently looked up at him to watch him read. So this voice goes with this face?

Aubrey squeeze herself under his arm while he played with Owen. She didn't want to be left out!

The day before Grandpa left to go home we decided to let Owen go back to Michigan with him. To say he was excited is an understatement. He wouldn't stop talking about it. He wanted to get in the car and leave immediately. He and Grandpa packed a bunch of snacks for the road trip and sang together in the car. Owen called me a couple of times during the car ride. I asked him if he wanted to come home and he said "I'll see you later!" I took that as a "no." I've talked to him several times since he arrived in Michigan and he is having a blast. He went to an indoor water park with his cousins, played lots of games and today they are building a gingerbread house. I miss him terribly and can't wait to see him again but I am thankful he is having so much fun. I have fond memories of visiting relatives in Michigan while my parents stayed home in Arizona. I'm glad Owen has the same opportunity to make memories with family.

Weekend With the Grandparents

Grandma and Grandpa Glupker came to visit this weekend. The kids enjoyed the extra attention - lots of hugs, kisses, reading, wrestling and playing. Each grandparent spent some one-on-one time with Owen. Grandma took him to get a Happy Meal (something he never gets from us) and Grandpa took him to the park and then went for a nice long walk/hike with him. Owen LOVES his grandparents and enjoyed having them here. I think they enjoyed it too! Owen loves to make up stories and share them. It was a real treat for him to have a new audience. I had to put an end to his story one night so he could go to bed. His stories can easily last 30 minutes or more.

Aubrey shares our family's love for reading.
Wrestling with Grandpa

Aubrey only snuggles on her terms.

She must be texting. We don't let her play with our cell phones but Grandparents are good about that kind of stuff!

She was so happy to have a real phone to play with!

Reading with Grandma - sweet times.

Playing With Uncle Michael

Owen looked like such a big kid standing in line for the diving board with all of these older guys!

He was very excited to show Uncle Michael how he jumps of the diving board. There were a lot of people swimming while we were there and a few of them commented that Owen was "fearless." They would not have said that a short time ago! The people cheered and clapped when Owen jumped and soon he was hamming it up. Before he'd jump he'd make a silly face or do some goofy body motion. He keeps us laughing!

Uncle Michael and Aubrey

Owen is by far Michael's #1 fan

Having a good time . . .

Aubrey spent a great deal of time doggy paddling around the pool while Ben held her. She slept hard that night!

Saying "goodbye" to Uncle M. Come back soon!

Special Visitors

Ben's Uncle Jim and Aunt Marti were traveling through Kentucky today and stopped by for a visit. We really enjoyed spending the afternoon with them. We love visitors!

Owen liked Uncle Jim. It was explained to him several times that Uncle Jim is Grandpa's brother, but Uncle Jim is "cuter."

This was Aubrey's first time meeting Jim and Marti. We were too sick over Christmas to go to the family party.

I think Owen has a new friend. We told Owen that he could be Uncle Jim's buddy, but he was quick to remind us that he's "Aunt Judy's buddy."

Light Up Louisville

Tonight our family went downtown to be a part of the annual Light Up Louisville Festivities. There was a race (which we skipped), Christmas parade, Tree Lighting Ceremony, live music and fireworks. Owen loved it and when he has fun, I have fun. I thoroughly enjoy seeing my son have a good time.

The colors were beautiful

The trees were covered in lights! And the music was great.

Our family

Grandma and Uncle Michael are here visiting.

Aubrey was such a good girl the entire time

Owen adores (and imitates) Uncle M

Owen could be heard over all the kids in our area. We had a great view and he cheered loudly the entire time. Every time a motor vehicle of any kind passed us in the parade he yelled, "BEEP, BEEP!"

Aubrey snoozed through the parade

Company

We had some special visitors this weekend. Aubrey got to meet her Great-Aunt Judy and her Great Grandma Glupker. Ben's Dad also came down to see his grandkids (I'm pretty sure they were the draw!) We had a good time and, as always, we ate WAY too much.

Grandpa and his girl Aubrey loves to be held like this. Owen loved it too when he was this age.Eating at Mongolian BBQ

Eating at King Fish

Great Grandma Glupker (that can be a tongue twister)

Owen loves books. This particular book was a gift from his Aunt Sarah. He asked Grandpa to read it to him and then positioned himself like this. I thought it was so funny I had to take a picture.

Great Aunt Judy