Clam Bake

Our friends, Mike and Jen, have graciously invited us to a number of their family events, the most recent being Jen's families' annual clam bake. We Kansans had never heard of such a thing, but were excited to try it out! It was a major feast- steak, chicken, crab legs, clams, etc. Chad and I tasted our first clams, and I learned how to crack crab legs to get the meat out. So it was both educational and delicious! We had a fun time - thanks Mike and Jen for inviting us!Cookin' crab legs
Mike and Jen's dad, "Mr. P"...our fearless cooks
What a feast!
He don't take no "crab" from anybody. ha ha ha ha

Mike and Jen's daughter, Addison - the real star of the show! :) What a cutie!

So long, old friend

Since we are now "in the family way", we decided it was time to bid Red Rocket adu, considering getting a carseat in the backseat is a nightmare. (I have tried it once when Andrew was a baby.) She has been a loyal friend for the last nearly 6 years and a great car. *sentimental tear*

So Chad and I decided a family car known for its reliability was the way to go...enter Blue Toyota Camry (forgive me, I don't know her well enough to name her yet.) We're very excited, and hope this car will be as loyal and even longer lasting than Red Rocket.

Pregnant!!!

Well, folks, the rumors are true! Chad and I are expecting little Baby Eigsti on or around February 28 (hopfully no blizzards that day)! We are so excited! I am nearly 13 weeks along now, so I'm starting to feel better. Whoever named it "morning sickness" apparently didn't ever actually experience it, because it lasts all day, every day! This is our first picture of our little peanut, taken when I was about 6 1/2 weeks along. By the way, when I showed this picture to Andrew (my 3 year old nephew) he affectionately named it "the peanut in the fuzz" and hugged it and hugged it. How sweet is that!?

Joel and Stephanie's reception

Last weekend Chad and I ventured to Goshen, Indiana (my mom's hometown) for my cousin Joel's wedding reception. He and Stephanie got married in Kansas in July and we were not able to go. They are going to live in Indiana, so they had a reception there for friends and family who could not come to the wedding. We had a great time catching up with relatives from mom's side of the family.The proud parents - my uncle and aunt Dave and Ruth are on the right.
Uncle Laverne and Aunt Regina - two of mom's siblings

Cousin Emily and me - many comment that we could be sisters - what do you think? Mom's brother Tom and wife Mollie were our gracious hosts during our stay over the weekend. Thanks so much for everything - we loved staying with you guys!
Mom's four brothers

Indiana fun

Last week, I took a quick trip to Indiana to visit my cousin Emily and her family, and aunt and uncle Dave and Ruth. I was only there briefly, so we took advantage by going to the infamous Shipshewana flea market. Emily and I had lots of fun finding bargains and just hanging out. I'm so glad we only live about 3 hours away!This is my aunt Ruth (Emily's mom), Emily, and her two cutie pies, Halle and James.
Halle is a sweetheart and is all girl. She loves purses, chapstick, and to play dress-up!

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

So I'm a little behind, but a couple of weeks ago, we went to the zoo with our friends Mark and Allison and we had a great time! Here are some of our favorites: in the first picture we are in front of the pink flamingos which you can't see very well.

Then the polar bears which we were pretty sure were not enjoying the summer heat.

Then this huge gorilla with a bag on his head!
And last but not least, the rain forest.

Family pics

Although Grandma's funeral wasn't a fun event to be home for, we did enjoy getting to spend time with family. While home, the family decided to take a quick family photo, considering this was the first time we were all in one place for quite some time.

So this is the entire Nisly clan. My dad and his two sisters, Dorothy and Marilyn, are sitting in the front row.

This is our immediate familyChad became Andrew's hero when he showed him how to do Spirograph.

Chad also got to meet the newest addition to our family, Jonathan, born in February.
Andrew's 3rd birthday was July 1st, so Chad and I got him finger paint.
And Diary of a Fly which is enjoyable reading regardless of your age! :)

A Wedding in Chicago

Ok, so I'm a little behind on posting this, but July 4th weekend, we were in Chicago for our friends Peter and Linzi's wedding. Chad was a groomsman. They had a beautiful outdoor wedding with perfect weather. It was a fun wedding and we are so happy for you guys!

Chad is the 3rd groomsman from the right.
Yes, I realize this picture is sideways. Unfortunately, I am not tech savvy enough to figure out how to fix it, so please turn your heads to enjoy this picture of Chad and Pete. :)
On our drive back from Chicago, we met my brother and sister-in-law (Matt and Sarah on the far left) for lunch in Indiana, and also got to say a quick hello to my aunt and uncle (Tom and Mollie) and cousin Tina and her husband Dan.

We'll miss you, Grandma

Well, it's been a whirlwind. Last Thursday we learned that Grandma had pancreatic cancer. Prior to this, she had been relatively healthy, was able to live independently, drive, etc. At first we were told 3-6 months to live, then more like a month, and then more like a matter of weeks. She passed away last night at 6:00. For her sake, I am glad it went quickly so she didn't have to suffer or have pain. She did not fear death and was ready to go to heaven to be with Jesus.

Grandma has been through a lot in her life. From losing one son to cancer back in the 70's, to having another son with Down syndrome and then losing him in the 90's to heart complications, to more recent years of watching her husband of 67 years drift away from her with Alzheimer's disease, to now facing her own cancer. But through everything she showed enormous strength and her faith never wavered.

I loved my grandma dearly and have so many wonderful memories with her. For instance, when I was a kid, I used to go to her house on Saturdays when Mom and Dad were working at auctions. She would teach me to play Panic and Rook when I was barely old enough to hold up cards. We would play cards until Grandpa came home and then he would take off his hat and boots and play with us. She never tired of playing cards to this day.

As I got older, I began to realize what a cheerleader my grandmother was for me (and for all of us for that matter). I could have said, “Grandma, I think I’m going to try to grow another toe." And she would have said ‘Oh, that’s wonderful!’. She put her full support behind whatever we decided to do, and was a prayer warrior for all of us. Especially since I have lived far away from family, she has been a pillar of support for me. We called each other often and she enjoyed keeping me up on all the news from home! She would say, "So glad we have family like you to visit with and encourage one another". I talked to her the morning she passed away, and even then she told me she was praying for me. On her death bed she was still lifting up her family in prayer! What an amazing woman.

Elizabeth Suzie Nisly

April 19, 1921 - July 9, 2008

At our wedding, instead of tossing the bouquet, I gave a bouquet of tulips to the couple at our wedding who had been married the longest, which of course was my grandparents. I admire their marriage so much. This October would have been 68 years! They truly loved each other.

Christmas 2007 - Grandma sitting with my very pregant at the time sister

at Grandma and Grandpa's auction last July
No matter what, she always stood by her man.

We love you, Grandma, and we'll miss you more than words can express.

Niagara Falls

Last weekend, Chad's parents and sister Cherise came to visit us. For something different and adventurous, we took a day trip to Niagara Falls, which is about 4 hours from us. We had a beautiful day to explore the Horseshoe Falls (on the Canadian side) and the American Falls. We got up close and personal with the American Falls, as we walked through the "Cave of the Winds" right beside the falls. It was an amazing experience to feel the water splash on you and hear how incredibly loud it is. Thank you for visiting us - we loved having you here!