12.17.2009

Lots Going On...

**Disclaimer: There will be a lot of rambling on, so please prepare.

We close on our new house tomorrow...With that brings lots of feelings-anxiety, worry, excitement, saddness, adventure, newness, butterflies (I could go on and on). I can't begin to tell you how excited we are, but it's also bittersweet. We are leaving the first home that Ross and I lived in together. Our boys' first home. The house that we made our home. We love our home and while we do feel sad, we are bursting with happiness about our new house and making that our home--and creating new, beautiful memories together!!

That being said, we have got a lot going on over the next week. So, we close tomorrow morning. Ross is heading over with a truckload (already packed up). He'll come home and I'll head over with more, along with a boatload of cleaning supplies--the house was a foreclosure and is in need of major cleaning. I will then take a cleaning break to meet with the painters, who are to start painting the entire house on Saturday. After cleaning all day, I will rush home to shower and meet my girls for our annual Christmas evening of fun! Saturday begins with more house stuff, and then another Christmas get together at my sister's house. After returning from Dana's, we will be packing more stuff before slumbering. Sunday will have me over at the house painting the boys' bathroom (the one room that isn't too badly damaged). Whew. Tuesday the painters finish, Wednesday the carpet cleaner and appliances arrive. Thursday more prep, packing and delivering of boxes. Then Christmas Eve at the in-laws. Christmas morning here. After naps, we head to my parents. More packing and then the big move. I'm exhausted thinking about it all. It will be amazing, but wow. It's a lot. It's going to be so much fun and we cannot wait to see how beautiful it will be when it's all ready. We've got our work cut out for us, but how great of a job, right?!

I'm not going to have time to post until after all of this craziness is over. So here are a few pictures and updates as to what we've been doing the past few days.





After it snowed the other day, we hit the driveway at Grandma's to try out her saucer sleds. The boys really liked them. I think Grandma did too...


I have been telling Mia since school started, that we would go and get manicures together. Well, I finally followed through! We had a great time with the mani's and an even better dinner at Daddy-o's after!



Dane had his last day of preschool before the winter break today. It was pajama day and he got to bring the frosting and sprinkles for decorating cookies at snacktime. The day was made better when he walked in and saw that there was snow inside the school-what?! It was pretty cool (ha ha--pun intended)!


Our evening wrapped up with Cash helping me "clean-up!" I hope this new helper phase lasts a really long time!

Merry Christmas! Believe in the Magic...

12.13.2009

Pete and Re-Pete

Yep. We've come to THAT stage. Copying. Cute, but really annoying. If it's not Cash copying Dane, it's Dane copying Cash (because Dane hears us talking about how cute Cash is doing something, so then he does it). Cash does everything Dane does. Seriously everything. He is crazy--climbs everything, jumps off of everything, runs all over the place, chases his big brother, sits on top of Dane, tries to hug Dane constantly...whew. It makes me tired just writing it.


Dane was sitting in this chair, so of course, Cash had to join him.
(I wouldn't care so much, but Dane throws such a fit when Cash does this)


Cash climbing into the cupboard.

Dane following Cashie's lead.


One hood up, the other hood up. They did this, not me.


They are just so stinkin' cute, I think we can deal with this new stage for a bit. I'm sure it's only going to get worse.


Wanted to throw in some funnies! Dane put this on himself.



And came up with the moves himself. (actually, he may have learned them from someone else I know...)

Stuff. Fun Stuff.

We pass the ice rink every day we go to school. Dane has been asking since school started, when the rink would be ready to skate with Daddy. I told him it would be ready in Winter. Well, Winter came and he started to ask again, when he could skate. I told him when it got colder out and they flooded the rink with water. Well...it finally got cold enough and we saw that the rink had been filled. So, he immediately wanted to call Daddy and askAlign Center if they could skate that day. And skate, they did!

It was pretty cold and the warming house wasn't open. So, they skated for a short time. Ross said the improvement Dane made from last year is remarkable. He said there was even a bit of gliding taking place. I can't believe it...

Saturday was Otsego's Santa Day. We got there right after it started, yet still had to wait 45 minutes in line. Yuck. Dane did great-there were little elves passing out cookies so he just munched and looked around a top of Ross's shoulders. Cash was doing well until we reached the 1/2 hour mark. He started to get tired and hot. A cookie worked for a few minutes...


...Until he saw Santa. Then he turned into a wreck! Poor Dane was so excited to tell Santa he's been a good boy and wants a speedy skateboard for Christmas. So, Cash left and Dane did what he needed to! And left very happy!!


See you in a few weeks, Santa!

After getting some apple cider, we ventured outside (into a line again) to take a sleigh ride. Cash was doing better and is was nice to be in the fresh air.



As soon as we took off with Valentine and Cole (Dane asked the driver their names--and held the reins for our ride)! Cash broke down again and SCREAMED the entire ride. Super fun! I think next year will be better :o)