Stuart and I celebrated his birthday and our 5 year anniversary early and traveled to Ann Arbor to the Michigan vs. Wisconsin football game. While it was disappointing that they lost, it was certainly not unexpected. They have not had a good year (culminating in the firing of their head coach yesterday) and we knew it would take a miracle for them to beat a top 10 team. However, just being there was such a great experience. The Big House is the biggest college football stadium in the nation and it was at capacity for the game. The weather was beautiful and our seats were great. I don't know that I've seen my husband that excited about something in a long time. It was amazing and we're hoping to get tickets to go to a game every year because it's such a great time. It really is college sports at its best.
A few days after the Michigan game we traveled to Washington to spend some time with the family over Thanksgiving. It was a great time!! As always the food was amazing and the company was even better. One of the highlights of the trip was our Black Friday shopping experience with my sister and her husband. We certainly were at Kohl's at 4 a.m. We didn't really go because we needed anything (most of our shopping was already done), we go because it's fun to watch other people act crazy. It was a great time!!
After Thanksgiving came baking day (which coincided with Stuart's birthday weekend). Aunt Stacey loaded up the Kitchen Aid and candy thermometer and made the trek to Columbus so we could load 15 tins of goodies for friends and family. It has become a tradition for us and one that I wouldn't trade for anything. This year Noah decided he wanted to join in and we all learned how big of a sweet tooth he really has. He would stand on a stool at the island and peel the chocolate off the wax paper and then weasel his way into the dishwasher to hijack the spatulas we used to stir the chocolate so he could give them a "prewash."
That brings us to Christmas. We had a wonderful time. We spent several days in Washington with Grandma and Grandpa and then headed up to Indy to stay with Aunt Stacey and Uncle Mohamed. The boys were thoroughly spoiled and were so excited that Santa found them at Aunt Stacey's house. This year Santa treated Cameron to a new bicycle since his other one was quickly becoming too small. He also received a variety of other favorite presents including: a new Bakugan Wii game from Grandma and Grandpa, a Lego set from Aunt Lisha and Uncle Luke, his own Geocaching GPS from Uncle Matt and Aunt Kendra, and a bed tent from Aunt Stacey and Uncle Mohamed. Noah also received some great gifts: a tool bench from Grandma and Grandpa, a bubble blowing octopus bath toy from Uncle Matt and Aunt Kendra, and a Noah's Ark Little People toy from Santa not to mention the variety of other gifts from the rest of the family. Stuart and I were treated to a new bicycle trailer and a digital camera from Stacey and Mohamed. I also received a "Girls Mystery Vacation" from my Mom. She is going to take my sister, my two sisters-in-law and myself on a vacation in June and we are so excited. We don't know where we're going but we know that we're going to be shopping and eating and hanging out. I could not be more excited to have an entire weekend to spend time with those girls!!!
Our New Year celebration was very low key. We had a few friends over for refreshments but everyone was gone by 10 and Stuart and I were asleep shortly after. My how our lives have changed...or have they? I guess you would've never called me a night owl anyway.
So, now that it's 2011 and the holidays are over, we have many more adventures in store. Cameron will be back to scouts and he has just started to attend Karate classes at our local community center. We're hoping it might teach him to talk less and listen more while staying active. I'm not that hopeful about the talking part but excited that he is showing interest in a variety of activities. The first Monday of every month he is learning how to play chess in the chess club at school. Yep, that's right, chess club. We always knew he'd end up involved in academic activities but he's started way sooner than I ever imagined.
Noah...well, he's just Noah. He's into everything and doesn't slow down unless he's sleeping. He runs everywhere and leaves a path of destruction in his wake. We can't say that he's not a happy kid though because he's usually laughing or smiling at something he's done. He is quite the ham and will gladly wink at you, show you his muscles, or dance to any beat that's available. He's also become quite proficient at pointing out his body parts. However, he has not yet mastered any words except for "uh-oh" and we hear that one about 100 times a day. I have had the most fun watching his imagination come to life. He will line up his animals and "talk" to them and will occasionally cook a steak on his toy grill.
Noah and Cameron are still the best of friends. That was never more evident than last week when Cam was spending time at his mom's house. Every morning Noah would wake up and knock on Cam's door. His face just lit up when Cam arrived home and he has been following him around ever since. Stuart and I both are so thankful that Cameron is such a loving big brother and loves to play with Noah. One of their favorite activities is to play up in Cam's new bed tent. Noah also loves it when Cam pushes him at high speeds around the house in his toy firetruck. It makes for a loud house at times but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
We don't have much coming up and are thankful for the opportunity just to be home and spend time together. We are slowly getting back into our routine. We are hoping for a great 2011 and wish you one as well. Later!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment