What a beautiful bride....

So, as mentioned in the previous posting, my cousin got engaged at the end of 2008 and got married over Labor Day 2009. My cousin Cori is such an amazing woman. Cori and I are only a couple of years apart in age, and when going back to Chicago to visit, we would never miss a beat and pick up our friendship where we left off. We would often get in trouble for giggling at each other across the dinner table - what the "adults" never got, is that we were giggling for no reason! We were giggling because it was so quiet! We would get scolded for talking and, once again, giggling after the lights were shut out and we were supposed to be sleeping. When we went out to visit, we would always sleep in the living room in sleeping bags, by the grandfather clock....just a short hallway away from all of our parents and grandparents. We would play school, dress up, and run around the house with wigs on, I have so many fond memories that include Cori. She is such a wonderful person; very funny, smart, and is amazingly beautiful inside and out. I am glad that my sister and my daughter have her to look up to as another strong willed, independent woman. So, when Cori called me shortly after announcing her engagement to ask me if Haylee could serve as the flower girl in her wedding, I was honored.

I tried to prep Haylee in the weeks leading up to the wedding on what a flower girls does, and that she was going to be wearing a pretty dress. Haylee was very excited and wanted to wear her pretty dress everyday.

Cori and Brandon did an amazing job planning their wedding. It was so beautiful. It was at a local country club, with the ceremony outside under some trees. The weather was perfect, slightly overcast (and not humid for how it should have been for Illinois in September!) Cori and her bridesmaids got dressed at my aunt's house, and it brought back memories of my wedding. It was so great to see Cori getting ready to marry her best friend. Brandon is such an awesome guy, and I am so happy that she found someone to share her life with. The photographer came over to the house and started taking pictures there, here are some that we snapped ourselves.

Once we made it to the country club, I left Haylee with her cousin and my sister and went to take my seat. To be honest, I was a little sad leaving her there and having to go take my seat, but I had confidence in my big girl that she would walk down the aisle with the ring bearer, and do her thing.

I couldn't see her walking the whole way, but I was told that she had tripped on the front of her dress and tripped, spilling all of her flowers out of the basket. So, the ring bearer (and his mom who was helping both of them walk to the ceremony) stopped to pick the flowers up. I sat on the inside of the aisle, so when she made it to the end, she could see a familiar face. She didn't even notice me until she got two rows from me. She held onto the rind bearers hand, and pulled him along. Both of the kids did great. and the ring bearer took off running once he made it to the front and Haylee let go of him!

The reception was great, great food, music and lots of drinking to be had by all! My aunt was very thoughtful and arranged for there to be a couple of babysitters there for us to use if we wanted. So, we packed Haylee's toys and pj's and sent her to play for the night. She played so hard that day and well into the night. The music was too loud where we had originally thought to have her play, so the baby sitters took Haylee down to the women's locker room where there was a couch...a couple minutes after taking her down there, she was out.

Thank you to Cori and Brandon for letting us share in their day. You two are such a wonderful couple, and we can't thank you enough. Cori, you were a beautiful bride, and Brandon, welcome to the family....

Chicago Bound....

I love going back to Chicago. There is something about going back to where your mother grew up, seeing her home, and remembering all of the fond, fun memories that I created there with my siblings and cousin. My grandparents have a house in Glen Ellen and a farm out in Dixon. I would go for runs down at the high school that my mother attended in Glen Ellyn, my brother's sister, cousin and I built a "fort, or house (depending on your gender!)" out of the dishwasher box at grandma and grandpa's house. That box was still there up until a couple of years ago. I learned to parallel park at the farm on a riding lawn mower (sorry to grandpa for ruining the grass next to the crib, but I can parallel park in any spot now!) So, when Cori, my beautiful cousin on my mom's side, got engaged at the end of 2008 and called in February to tell us the wedding was going to be over Labor Day weekend, 2009, I couldn't have been more thrilled for her. I will talk more about her and the wedding in another blog.....

So, me being pregnant, and due in the middle of August, I knew that I was going to be flying out there with Haylee and a two week old little one. I must admit, I was DREADING flying with the baby. I had visions of the baby screaming and being inconsolable on the plane and everyone looking at me with "the look" you all know it - the "dear god, please say my seat isn't next to that woman with a newborn and three year old". My children are the best. Carter didn't make a sound and slept the entire flight, both ways, and Haylee did amazing playing with my mom and watching cartoons on the tv.

I was also very excited to go back. I had gone back to Chicago in April and in November, so it wasn't like I hadn't been back in a long time, but I was excited to take Haylee back to see her great grandparents, her great aunt and uncles (although to me they don't seem old enough to be called "great" so they are just aunt and uncle) She is at the age where she remembers them and what they did the last time she was out.

So, my mom, Haylee, Carter and myself headed out a week before the wedding so we could help with the last minute things that needed to be done for the wedding and so the family out there could take care of my children while I slept. Here are pictures from the trip, it was such a good week and not only myself, but my children are so blessed to have such a loving extended family.

Great Grandpa and Great Grandma holding their new great grandson

Great Grandpa with his two great grandchildren.

Great Grandma reading to the kids....Haylee got Green Eggs and Ham as a present from Great Grandma. I think we read it about 100 times before we left!

Cori hanging with Carter and Haylee....

Grandma and Grandpa with all of their grandchildren and great grandchildren

Everyone just hanging out, enjoying each others company

We had such a great time in Chicago....it is so nice getting to catch up with family...we are so blessed to have a great family that will do anything and everything for each other. Everyone has a great time when we get together. We are already planning the next party! Can't wait for Wisconsin!

Fourth Generation....

Byron and I were not so lucky in our lives to know our great grandparents. Thankfully for the health of our grandparents, our children have gotten a chance to meet and get to know their great grandparents, and more importantly, our grandparents getting to know the next generation.

Even more special is that there are now four generations of Pletcher men and four generations of the Hellman women. We are so lucky to live close to Great Grandpa John, and have been really fortunate to be able to travel back to Chicago to visit Great Grandma Hellman.

Enjoy the pictures of the next generation. Hopefully Byron and I can make our grandparents proud in how we raise our kids.

My grandmother, Jane Ann Hellman, my mother Elizabeth, myself and Haylee. This picture was taken in November when we were out for Thanksgiving and my grandparents wedding anniversary.

This is Byron's Grandfather, John Pletcher, his dad, Robert, Byron and Carter. Carter is the first male Pletcher born in 29 years. Byron was the last male Pletcher to have been born. Dad and Grandpa John are so thrilled to have another boy to pass on the name. They have already been in talks about breaking out the midget for Carter to drive once he is able to reach the pedals!

This is Byron and I with Haylee on Mother's Day 2007. Haylee is sitting on her Great Grandma Heist's lap. Great Grandma Heist has since past away, but she loved feeling Haylee's small feet and holding her.....unfortunately Haylee won't remember these meetings, I am thankful that we have the pictures to share with her and the stories of Grandma to pass along.

This is Haylee with "GG" - Great Grandma Denning. GG lives close and Haylee visits her often. It really is nice that Haylee and GG can get to know each other.