Illinois Day 2...

Our first morning we were welcomed with 2 inches of fresh snow. The kids were soo excited!

This is looking out the living room window down their tree lined driveway. Very neat view!

We also got  a glimpse of a cardinal for the first time!

MR. and...

MRS. 

They are territorial and so we never saw more than these two while we were there. Mr. Cardinal makes a nuisance of himself by fighting with the side mirrors on the car and making a mess in the process. The kids were interested to learn before we went that cardinals are the state bird of both Indiana and Illinois. These states also share the claim to fame of having Abraham Lincoln as part of their history. He grew up in Indiana and then moved to Illinois once he started his career as a lawyer. We were welcomed to the "Land of Lincoln" as we crossed into Illinois. But were sort of amused to observe as we went into town just across the border back in Indiana that their sign boasted "Lincolns boyhood home"! :) But I digress...

We spent a good part of the day getting to know this newest little cousin.

Taking turns holding what almost seems to be a life sized doll. He is so tiny and perfect!

"Mommy are you sure we know these people" :)

Jadon spent a lot of time just listening, with that little brow furrow in place, to all the noise and goings on. As, when you introduce three boys to the mix, with vivid imaginations in tow, things tend to get loud and busy. Enter H & S's lovely basement, TO the rescue!!!

From the outside...

and the innards. 

Unassuming, but they added two ride on tractors with trailers, and a weight set with several different sized weights and our peace and a measure of quiet were restored upstairs! 

The snow that first morning also gave a way to expend excess energy!

 In the early morning it was cold enough that the snow would not pack, but they were content with loading up the trailers anyway and exploring the yard.

We discovered Jadon's other Grandpa and Grandma's house just across the field.( you can only  see the roof line in this picture) Or I should say a field as H & S's house is on a hill surrounded by farm field. A very peaceful view all around...unless, maybe, you're the farmer who knows all the work that goes in them?!

We tried shovel sledding just for kicks...

The back yard view looking back at the house from the tree line.

Here's the view looking to the left as you step out the front door.

( the door is behind Phi  at the far end of the porch and G & G's house is to the right behind the photographer.)

 And of course we spent lots of time enjoying this little man.

 Encouraging his first smiles...

And watching all those funny baby expressions.

So much sweetness!

We took turns snuggling him.

 Though Ethan tried to make sure his mommy didn't spend too much time with this new little cousin!!

Comparing sizes!

Ethan found the swing amusing as it swung back and forth. Like some sort of toy that he should try and catch.

The sun popped out and by after lunch it had warmed up enough to make a snowman. So we did...but couldn't get the eyes and such to stay in. 

After naps Uncle Hans got home from the farm and helped set up a grain storage bin with accessories for the boys!
 They loved it of course.

And so the first day together slipped by, with snow and punkins and dishes and laundry and fun times shared!

One last one of sweet Jadon. 

We were pretty sure we watched him grow in the week we were there! :)