A few days off has been great

But it's back to the grindstone tomorrow. I really enjoyed this extra time, it's just been refreshing. The weekend of course was crazy! Saturday we had a couple of visitors come by the house and that was awesome for them to do that, then we headed to Spanglers in Napoleon with the Freiburger/Willeman crew and enjoyed lunch there. That place hasn't changed a bit and is so much fun. I forgot about going there, but it's so cheap we should go there more often. We enjoyed the afternoon in Ft. Wayne at the Alexander house. It was great to spend a few hours with them and celebrate Christmas. Amazing how different things are when grandparents aren't involved.

Sunday we drove down to Tiffin for the Stultz side extended Christmas. It was nice, but it's so overwhelming for Jeff, especially since he is "so nice to everyone..." He is such a bear when he's grumpy...wonder who he gets that from. We headed home at a decent time because of all of the snow and it felt good to be home.

Of course our adventure really began when we got home. On the way home Nick decided that he needed to go to Lowe's to get his tools, no big deal. I'm sitting in the parking lot and I see this kid sprinting across the parking lot, to myself I'm thinking that is a little strange, why would you be running that fast. Well then the Lowe's people come running out pointing at Nick & the kid not knowing who stole the tools out of the store. We took off to get the license plate, but of course that's not good enough for Nick, oh no, we follow them while Nick is on the phone with the dispatcher giving them the information on where they were going. The did end up stopping them and arresting them, but talk about nerve racking. I was so worried that they had a gun in the car and were going to point it at us, but thankfully we were okay.

Today Jeff & I just bummed all day! Went to the mall to get a few things, then home for naps. Yes that's right we both took naps and it felt great! We even went outside tonight and played in the snow for awhile, that was nice to get him out and I know he enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to my short week... 2 1/2 days, can't beat that!

Merry Christmas

Oh what a Christmas is has been! We are very lucky that Jeff doesn't understand the point yet that he can get up at any time and open presents. Momma set her alarm for 6:30...we had Grandparents coming over for breakfast, so I need to be up and moving to make sure everything was done. Jeff got up around 7:45 and honestly could of cared less about the presents. I was downstairs doing laundry when he got up and Nick made him keep his eyes closed so he wouldn't see anything, since Santa doesn't wrap his presents at our house. By the time I got upstairs he didn't even care about them. Of course that only lasted about 5 minutes or so and the he was so excited! Santa brought Jeff, a tow truck, dump truck, fishing pole, Diego backpack, and a few other small things. He was so excited looking at everything and didn't know what to play with first. Nick & I had gotten him somethings and trying to get him to open those were a chore. We did have a nice time together before the grandparents came though.

It was great to have everyone in our house and enjoy breakfast together. The visit was just perfect and everyone left by 11 because we needed to get ready to go out to Steph & John's since that's where the Freiburger family was doing Christmas. We spent a lot of time out there enjoying everyone's company and opening. My favorite gift this year was my Pandora bracelet...my sister gave that to me...how awesome is she? I'm going to have to keep that in mind for when she has a kiddo, it's such a neat thing to have.

Mom & Dad spoiled all of us and we all appreciated it! We got home around 730 or so and are just winding down the night. Feels good to put everything away in it's place. Not sure what we are going to do with all of the toys...they are a ton of them!

Merry Christmas Eve

I can't believe today is Christmas Eve...it seems like we were just doing this last year at this time!!! I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year though, this is our first official Christmas as a family in our own home and it's so exciting. Tomorrow morning grandparents are coming over early to watch Jeff unwrap his gifts and have breakfast with us. I'm looking forward to cooking a Christmas breakfast for everyone...so many firsts for me this Christmas.

Today I'm working, but only until 12 so no complaints from me. Nick is getting to spend some quality time with Jeff this morning and running errands for me so that's good. This afternoon I think we are doing a visit to Santa because someone asked me this morning, then we need to get home to cook the prime rib for dinner tonight. We are heading to Hoover's at 530, then we are doing 8pm mass. I'm hoping the time will be okay with Jeff, but we'll see how it goes.

Wishing all family could be with us today, but hopefully everyone has a great Christmas no matter where they are!!!

Stultz Christmas

Tonight we celebrated Christmas with Nick's side of the family. We all had such a great time, it was nice to see everyone especially since we don't get to see everyone that often. It was a crazy jammed packed 3 hours, but the laughs that you have make it all worth it.

Jeff really enjoyed playing with his cousins, and opening presents! He's fun this year, with Christmas. Presents are such a big deal to him and he gets upset when there are no more to open. Santa even made a stop at the house tonight, that was a surprise considering how busy Santa must be getting things ready for Christmas Eve...

We even got to take family pictures...to get Jeff to sit still, we bribed him with chocolate and presents.

I love the look on his face, it looks like trouble and it suits him perfectly!!!

Jeff, Alex & Santa...Jeff did not want anything to do with Santa, but as long as Alex was by him it was okay.

Now the picture looks pretty good, BUT I would of done all white shirts and jeans... there are so many different colors of green here! Amazing that everyone is looking though...

Hockey Game

We went to the hockey game Saturday night in the new arena downtown. It was so much fun, plus the arena is awesome...very nice compared to the last one. The only complaint is the seats are very tight together, luckily there was no one next to us so we were able to use more seats.
Jeff was an angel the entire time too, he enjoyed it and found out Diego is coming there in March, so Jeff is already talking about the game that day!

It was cowbell give away night...need I say more? Jeff enjoyed it for sure!!!

Jeff & Uncle John enjoying cotton candy.

Happy St. Nick's Day

St. Nick came to visit our house yesterday...I love when St. Nick comes because he brings new ornamanets for the year. Normally he brings something that represents what you are liking for the year. This year he brought Jeff a shiny blue airplane...fits him perfectly right now! Of course there are a few other goodies in the stocking too...Jeff got a neat water bottle with a fire engine on it, some new trucks and a snow globe that his name on it and lights up!

You should of seen the list that Jeff left for Santa...LOL...when he saw Santa a couple of weeks ago he had one item on his list, a dump truck...now he has a dump truck, fishing pole, Diego Backpack, leaf sucker, leaf blower abd a few other things but I can't remember what they are. We'll see what Santa brings...should be fun!

Happy December

Holy Cow am I the only one having a hard time believing it's already December??? This year is just flying by and before I know it my little man is going to be 3...AHHHH...I don't want him to get any bigger!

The weather needs to change a little bit to be December though...the snow needs to start flying!!!

Oh What A Month It's Been!!!

Okay I know I haven't blogged in about 3 weeks but goodness it's been a busy 3 weeks. We haven't really been home at all, every weekend we have been heading to the lake since it's hunting season. It was nice to be up there, but I'm really looking forward to being home this coming weekend and enjoying the house.

Lets see what has been going on...well Nick now has basketball practice a couple of nights a week, so that is nice for him. Last week a pipe burst in mom & dad's house, thankfully not to much "stuff" was ruined, but the entire house pretty much has to be gutted and redone. They are living in a hotel right now, we are looking forward to getting to swim in the indoor pool...it should be fun!

Jeff is doing great, he's really talking up a storm and potty training is really getting better. I've been forgoing to pull-ups since he stays dry pretty much all day and just using undies...he looks so cute in them. Hopefully by the time he's 3 he'll be completely potty trained, but we'll see...maybe just diapers at night or something.

Not to much going on with me, just trying to finish out the semester and getting ready for next semester. Work is going awesome, I love it there. We are adjusting to living on our own. We are likely our own space and I'm trying to figure out my nights with working out and cooking dinner...nights go by quickly for sure!

I'll leave you with some pictures...

The pheasants at the lake...Jeff was holding them, but passed them off to grandme.

Jeff & Alvin...they are the best of friends!

How cute is he??? This is my "nephew" Alvin... he is so sweet.

Jeff helping us decorate the tree at our new house...it's way to tiny, but will work for this year.

Jeff visiting with Santa...he told him he wanted a dump truck, the list keeps growing however!

Enjoying the nice weather at the lake.

Just "hanging" out!

First Weekend Home

It was so nice to get off of work on Friday and know that I got to go to to my own house and just be with the 3 of us. Of course we didn't sit around, we had lots of good things to do and Jeff did not want to do with any of it. We ran our errands, had dinner, came home and then friends started to show up. Nick went out...of course, and I got to stay with little man. It worked out well though because I got our office almost all unpacked and it's looking great.

Saturday I had an early wakeup call...Jeff got up at 7, which is extremely unusual, but now that he's in his big boy bed, I'm sure the sleeping in will keep dwindling away. I didn't mind though, I got my butt up and headed to the grocery since Nick was leaving to head to the lake to help the guys put up dear stands. I was looking forward to being with Jeff though in our own house! After Nick left, Jeff & I got ready to head to Kohl's and to the zoo. I had to take a trip to the zoo since the weater was amazing, especially for a November day. The zoo was great, although Jeff is getting to big to sit in the stoller and kept wanting to run ahead, after I got a little firm with him, things got settled down. I let him pick out a stuffed animal in the gift shop...he wanted an elephant, and this thing has not left his side all weekend. Let's see, what else...oh yeah, Jeff locked himself in his room during naptime today too...that was not enjoyable, but we managed the situation just fine...lesson learned, no more locks on doors!!! The rest of the day was just the two of us and I spent more time organizing and getting things unpacked, the house is starting to feel like home.

It was another early morning, well 7:30 this time, but we got up and got moving! We headed to Mendards to get a few things, then home to start the projects for the day. Nick was hanging y cabinets in the basement and I cleaned the upstairs...gave the floors another good washing. It looks better, hopefully our feet won't get as dirty now, but we'll see. It was quiet in the afternoon though, I missed having more people around...that was short lived though because John & Steph came over to see how the house was coming along, then Steph H stopped by too. Felt good to have people over.

Jeff & I are both sick though, he's in there coughing right now, I'm hoping it's nothing and just a little head cold, but we shall see. Well here's to starting yet another week...ugh!

Before/After Pictures

I finally have some pictures up of the house! They are before and after pictures...some of the colors are similar but a couple of them have been changed. Still work to do but it's coming along nicely and I'm happy with it so far. We aren't living in boxes anymore, that's a good thing, right???

OUR HOUSE!!!!

Jeff's Room...Before & After

Our Room...Before & After

The Office...Before & After, these colors are extremely similar.

Looking from hallway by bedrooms...Before & After
These colors are similar too, we kept the orange wall, just softened it a bit.

Looking from the front door & living room...Before

View from front door...After

Kitchen...Before & After

Bathroom...Before, I didn't get an after shot, but really I just put up a shower curtain so it really looks the same.

Jeff enoyed making popcorn at the house last night!

Happy Halloween

Tonight I took Jeff to our friends for their annual Halloween Party, Nick decided to stay at the house and get more work done and pass out candy there. I was disappointed he didn't come with us, but man did Jeff & I have a great time!!!

The Clampitt party was a ball and seriously Jeff had a great time. Amanda puts a lot of hard work into this thing and it pays off. The costumes that people wore were hilarious, and it was great to see some of their friends. Jeff & Audrey enjoyed trick-or-treating together...A trys and keeps up with him, it's adorable. We would tell Jeff to freeze and he'd stop dead in his tracks...good listerner, well sometimes I guess.

Glad Halloween was on a Saturday much more enjoyable to not have to worry about schedules or having to go to work the next day!

Jeff had so much fun Trick-or-Treating...he got double treats at the houses who were Michigan fans...!!!

How cute is she??? She was an adorable monkey!

Like I said the costumes were hilarious. This is A's dad...

Clampitt Family...so cute!

Happy Closing Day!!!

We closed on our house this afternoon and what a great feeling...WE ARE OFFICIALLY HOMEOWNERS!!!!!

Of course it's us so nothing get done without a glitch right?? We assumed we'd have possession tonight, but no, not until tomorrow morning at 8:30. I'm meeting the guy to get the keys bright and early, then let the real work begin.

Weekend Full of Fun!

And what a weekend it was! We hadn't been to the lake for the weekend since Labor...sad really when I think about it, but man did it feel great to be back up there again! There is nothing like the lake on a fall weekend, and this weekend was FULL of enjoyment.

Friday night we all got in around 730 and we sat around and had dinner and laughed. The guys talked about what they were going to do about purchasing land and Steph & John announced that they are getting a puppy!!! I'm wishing we could be getting a puppy too, but oh well, I'll just have to enjoy their's and send it back when I'm finished with it.

It was discussed the night before that we would be taking the dock out at 8 the next morning...ugh that seems early, but surprisingly we were all up and ready to go by 8. Of course that didn't happen... I noticed that I forgot to pack Jeff gloves so I ran into town to get those, and when I got back the deck was already off the dock and the cherry picker was coming down the lane ready to chop a couple of the trees down in the back yard! Jeff hated the noise and everything made him nervous so we were inside for awhile, then I did some homework, and it was back outside to help do a few things before Jeff was up and we were headed to church. It really was a busy day, all the branch hauling, raking, etc...the joys of fall at the lake! It was a relaxing evening though, we all sat around watched TV, ate Lucy's ice-cream for the last time of the season, and played games...it was a lake night!

Today was more work and play!!! We started off with a visit to O's cottage that is getting built and holy crap is it HUGE...that is the only way to describe it. Way to big to be a lake home for me, but hey it will look great when it's all done. We spent the entire morning blowing leaves, raking up junk, and splitting logs...again, the joy of fall at the lake. It was fun though, and boy does the yard look nice when we were finished with it. Of course when we go back up in a couple of weeks, all of the leaves will be done again and it won't look like we touched a thing. We got out of there at a decent time came home, started laundry, started running our dishes and stuff through the dishwasher to get all of the dust off of it, and then we ran a couple of errands. We checked a few things off of our list for the house...our mattress is boughten and our paint is bought for the house!!! Feels good to have that done...

Tomorrow is a huge day, we close on our house. I figured I would be more nervous, maybe I will tomorrow, but I cannot wait to have a place to call our own...starting tomorrow!!!

This is how Jeff likes to eat breakfast...and yes John had to be in the picture!

This was the beginning of taking the trees down...

Aunt Steph & Jeff - they needed a new picture!

Mommy & Jeff... we needed a new picture, but my hair looks awful

This is how docks are taken out now...crazy if you ask me!

Jeff helping with the leaves... he's raking them the opposite way!

Tasting dinner...

Jeff's Halloween Costume... he's a railroad crossing, but a boiler maker one!

Papa & Jeff Dig Potatoes!

The other night Jeff & Papa dug potatoes out of the garden. Dad planted potatoes just for Jeff this year so he could dig them and get the experience! I think they both enjoyed it!!!

A Jeff Update

Jeff is getting so big, last week when I was putting him to bed, I asked him to just stay little, a little bit longer. It makes me sad to think that he'll be 3 in a couple of months, it feels like we just had him a week ago. I know people say time goes by quickly, but really it's scary how fast time goes. It needs to slow down...

Jeff is doing awesome though... speech is going great and he's really doing well on his talking. Steph hasn't seen him for almost a week and she was shocked at how well he was doing. He is also singing along with his songs on TV now, very cute! Counting and letters are also coming along, it's amazing to think where he is now compared to a 6 months ago, speech was the best thing for him.

Potty training is going well too! I wouldn't say he's completely trained, but he's getting there. We only use diapers at night, and for the most part he's in undies the rest of the time. He's getting to the point where sometime's he run into the bathroom by himself, but for the most part we still have to put him on at different times throughout the day. I'm not complaining at all on how well he is doing, and I couldn't ask for anything better!

A Life Update!

I'm truthfully disappointed that I don't blog as much as I use too. All I can say is that life gets away from me and I really loose track of time. But what I can do is try and update what's been going on here the past couple of weeks...

Let's see October 3/4 we spent the weekend at Kalahri with the Clampitt family and we had a great time, so much better then the last time we were there. Going with another couple is great because then you have another person to talk to when you are watching the kids play and Nick & I were able to spend a little time by ourselves, which was a treat. We are looking forward to getting back there sometime soon, but probably it will be next fall, which is okay too!

This weekend was great! Dad moved into the new facility and holy cow is it big, but I'm so happy for him, he really deserves it, especially for all of his hard work over the years. Friday started off on a good note, we got out of work early to go to Fr. Keith's house to have a TGIF party. It was nice, and always a treat to be out of work early. Nick worked late, which seems to be a trend now a days, and when he got home, we just ran a couple of errands and then grabbed a quick bite to eat.

Saturday was the big MOVE...I got Jeff up early and we headed out to Panera to get some yummy bagels for everyone. Nick called me on the way and told me that Jeff could get a ride in the big truck if we got there soon enough. Mom & I dropped Jeff off at J Street and we were off to 5th Street. The new building looks awesome, the colors are great and the place just looks professional and something that everyone has worked so hard for. Jeff LOVED his truck ride, he was so proud sitting up there with his dad, he just waved as he went by with huge grin on his face...it was priceless and of course I didn't have the camera! We helped do a few things out there, but Jeff was done so we took off to run a couple of errands, and got him for him to take a nap. I got to enjoy a couple hours of quiet time which was much needed, then Nick came home and we got lunch ready. Steph & John had all of us out for dinner and a bonefire...that was nice to see the Hoover clan and be in someone else's house for the night. Nick took off to hang out with his counsin and I stayed to enjoy each others company...it was a good time!

Sunday we didn't go to church, we were bad and slept in and enjoyed the morning. Mom & Dad came home and told us to get ready to go to breakfast, so I woke Jeff up but he didn't want to go...we stayed home instead, but I made breakfast for us and that was just fine. The guys took off for the lake to look at possible land, us girls and Jeff stayed here and ran some errands and went shopping. I didn't buy a thing, can you believe it, but it was still fun. We had a yummy dinner and the guys came home. Sunday night dinners are always great!

The work week has begun and it will probably be a long one I have a feeling...oh well, such is life and we need our jobs so no complaints from me!

Closing Date...CHECK!!!

We have our closing date...October 26, 2009 we will be homeowners!!!!

Nick & I are looking forward to have a place of our own and I'm sure these next couple of weeks will drag by while we are waiting, but that's okay...20 Days and Counting!!!

Some Much Needed Pictures!!!

I feel awful for not having pictures up for so long, I haven't forgotten about them, I was without a computer for a few days and seroiusly I just don't have time to upload pictures. Last night after taking a few good ones I decided to take some time and get them updated. Enjoy!!!

Jeff sleeping at the lake...his head is inside of my pillowcase, I didn't understand it!

Just being him

Dancing with Mom & the wedding...

Looking out over the crowd...the boys decided they didn't want to dance.

Watching TV in Grandma's bedroom...he got into lots of trouble that night!

Tasting the yummy salt...such a turkey



Just like papa eating that salt!

Tired little man...it was a big weekend!

Helping papa fix the plumbing problem.

Such a big helper!!!