Christmas Time in Indiana and Michigan

WOW! What a great trip, a whirlwind but great! Our first lesson came shortly after landing in Cincinatti. We had a four hour drive to Ft Wayne and planned to stop part way there, get out of the car and have some dinner. The one thing we forgot about was that is was Christmas! Nothing was open! Luckily Zander had plenty of food and I sat in back and fed him. He slept for part of the trip but was very excited to get to Gram's house and crawl. Bryan and I were also glad to be there and Denny and Cindy cooked up steak and fries...we were starving and delicious!

On the 26th, we had a relaxing morning and then headed to visit Bryan's grandma. She was excited to have visitors and see us. We stopped at the winery on our way home, picked up pizza, and Jody, Jason and Heather came over for dinner. After dinner, Gram's watched Zander and Bryan and I went to visit Seiss.

On the 27th, we headed to Michigan. We had lunch at my Uncle's Mikes with Quinn, Grandma and Uncle Don. Unfortunately, Uncle Ken and Julie had to head to Indiana to pick up a part for the milkhouse. Zander got to visit with two Great-Grandmas in 24 hours!! He is a lucky little man! After a great visit and delicious lunch we headed to Novi to stay the night with Aunt Sharon. Eric, Katie and Cooper came over for dinner and we celebrated Eric's birthday. Zander had his first Spaghetti and Chocolate Cake...he LOVED them both! He was orange and needed a bath before bed time! Zander continued to be spoiled, getting gifts everywhere we went!

On the 28th we headed back to Indiana to celebrate Christmas at Jody's. We were waiting for Nick and Emilee to make it home from Norfolk. It was great to have everyone there, delicious dinner and great to visit with the whole family! Zander continued to be spoiled with new clothes and a Tonka truck! That evening we went to Taylor Seiss's basketball game, unfortunately they lost their first game of the season but it was fun to watch the girls play.

On the 29th, Bryan had a work meeting and Cindy and I went shopping. That evening we were suppose to have dinner with one of Bryan's friends from high school. Unfortunately, she had to cancel because of work but we spent the evening with Denny and Cindy. We headed to Buffalo Wings and Ribs for a great dinner...it didn't set great with me and reminded me that spicy food and pregnancy don't mix!

The 30th was our last day and Bryan had lots of people he wanted to see. Unfortunately, many friends and family were working but we stopped by Seiss's Shop, visited with Bishop and enjoyed lunch at Steak n Shake. That evening, Jenny and Jon were nice enough to host a party so Bryan could catch up with many of his friends from High School. Zander went with us and played with all the kids. All the way home from the party, Bryan kept telling me how much fun he had and how nice it was to see everyone. This was an awesome way for Bryan to catch up with everyone (Jimmy, Weasel, Jon, Wolff, Seiss, Joseph, Carper, and Baily) and the best part was I didn't have to go to a smoky bar....a GREAT night!!

On the 31st, we went out to breakfast with Cindy and Denny. We invited the rest of the family to join us but we had to be at the airport too early!! After breakfast we started the long drive to Cincinatti for a very long travel day. We were happy to be home on time and my dad picked us up at the airport. Grandma and Grandpa missed Zman and were happy to have him overnight so Bryan and I could get ready for our party the next day. We came home, unpacked, cleaned a bit, and headed to bed for an early bed time. You know your old (and pregnant) when you don't even make it up for the ball dropping on the East Coast!!

Christmas Eve

Zander, Bryan and I celebrated Christmas together on the morning of Christmas Eve. We had a great morning with bisquits and gravy and kicking it. When it was time for Zander's morning nap, the craziness began and we finished cleaning and packing so we would be ready to leave for Indiana the next morning!

In the evening, we met up with my family for dinner at the Golden Hotel. It has been our tradition for many years to go out on Christmas Eve so no one has to cook or clean up from it. The Golden Hotel was new this year and it was great. Plenty of room to visit and great food. After dinner, we went to my moms for dessert and the craziness of opening presents!

Zander was VERY spoiled by everyone and didn't even get to play with his toys before we got on the plane for Indiana. But have no worries, he has checked them all out since we returned and is loving all the new toys!

Merry Christmas!

I always joke with Bryan that he has about 10 "Favorite Days of the Year!" The Indy 500 is probably the real favorite but when it's happening, the Superbowl, St. Patricks Day, Opening Day, Oktoberfest, and a few more drinking holidays all rank too....My favorite day is truly Christmas Tree Hunting. I love it! I have joined the Hoffmeyers for at least the past 10 years, when I met Bryan he started going and didn't love it quite as much as me, and this year I was excited to have Zander go for his first year.

Well, to my disappointment, it was canceled. When I told Bryan, he just grinned and said "I didn't even know that was a possibility!" The weather was cold and snowy and the roads weren't great. It would have taken forever to get there and the best idea was to cancel but I was still dissappointed. We decided to go to Home Depot that evening for our tree and Bryan built a stage in our stairs for it. It is beautiful and Zander will get his chance to tree hunt next year.

To make up for it, we bundled Zander up and got some great snow pictures and then Bryan had a great idea to go downtown to see the lights and visit a little German village they had set up. We got some Christmas shopping done, saw some beautiful lights, visited the German village, picked out a Christmas tree, and then headed home for the MSU vs. Wisconsin game for the Big Ten Championship.

On a Zander note, he started a new daycare this week. It was a tough decision but he loves it and I am very happy with everyone at the new daycare! Right now he loves clapping and he loves the Singing Santa that Grandma and Grandpa brought over!

Girls Night Out at The Lion King!

A few months ago, Kristi invited us all to go to the Lion King. It was amazing! We (mom was there too, she was the photographer!) had dinner at the Ale House before the show and then enjoyed an amazing show. Bryan and Zander enjoyed a relaxing night at home.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving! Bryan and I worked on Apple Pie while Zander took his morning nap and then we all headed over to Aunt Lori's. Everyone was there and there was of course some delicious food! We started with a brunch during the Lions game and then Erin, Amy, and Lauren all headed to Amy's house at half time and Tony and Peyton joined them after the game...The Lions could have made a better showing but still a great morning!

Zander was a little out of sorts as he is getting some more teeth but he tried some cranberries, stuffing, and mashed potatoes...the rest was a little too tough to chew with sore teeth! The rest of us ate great with lots of different foods to enjoy!

That evening we headed to Casey and Rob's to hang out with friends for the second year, had some dessert and a great time hanging out with everyone. We didn't last as long as last year but Zman was ready for bed!

Mom, Aunt Lori, Kristi, Jordyn, and Skylar all met at 10 to start Black Friday shopping early...Walmart and Target were CRAZY but then we headed to the mall and it slowed down a bit. I was able to get lots of my shopping done...a little more online shopping and I should be done!

Zander is 9 months old!?!?! Where does the time go?

And a better start to this would be...Zander WAS 9 months old...over a month ago! I still want to post his stats and pictures from his 9 month birthday...I have lots of posts to catch up on, we will see how much I can get done while Zander naps today!

For his 9 month appointment, Zander weighed 23 lbs, 4 oz and was in the 85%. His height is 28.25", in the 46%. And his head still comes in at the 99%, 19.49".

Zander loves to climb in shelves and empty them and he is pulling up everywhere. Right now, Bryan and I are ready for him to walk but I'm sure we will rethink that once it is actually happening! His reach seems to get farther every day and what was safe yesterday is not today....Here are a few pictures!

Happy Halloween!

We had a great Halloween to celebrate Zander's first! Our friend Manissa suggested we throw a party for all the friends with kids...and the list is growing! We are going to have to finish the upstairs just to have all our friends and their growing families over! Zander's had a great time with all his cousins and friends. On Sunday October 30th, we had the party and a full house with lots of good food. Bryan, Rick, Tony, and my Dad all headed to the Lions Broncos game while the rest of us celebrated! I have been waiting on more pictures but in the meantime, here is what I've got. On the 31st, Zander put on his Jack-O-Latern PJ's from Aunt Lori and we passed out candy until Zman passed out himself. It was all lots of fun and Zander was an adorable puppy!

The Pumpkin Patch!

Today our friend Brynn had her 4th birthday party at Rockcreek Farms Pumpkin Patch. We had a great time and Zander LOVED the pumpkins. He got soooo upset when we would pick him up away from the pumpkins and talked to his new pumpkin until he fell asleep on the way home!

Zanders on the Move! And here come the accident reports...

At home, Zander has been sitting up in his crib. On Wednesday when I picked him up from daycare, Ms. Christine reported he is now standing in his crib! On Thursday morning, we found him standing in his crib at home and we can't keep him down!

Yesterday, after an especially tough day at work, I looked forward to picking up Zander for some cuddle time! I arrived to TWO accident reports! He hadn't had any so far....and although he is a master at standing, he hasn't figured out that he needs to hold on our improve his balance! He stood and let go to fall on toys in two different incidents. I found my little man with a fat lip and a red bump on his head but he was especially cuddly and happy to see Mom.

This morning (very early, by the way, at 2AM) he figured out how to stand by his aquarium and turn on the music in his crib. And today he showed Dad how good he is at crawling! Let the baby proofing began...Zander is on the move!

Zander can pull himself up...something to celebrate or dread?

On Monday September 26th, I took Zander to daycare and he was sent home because his eye was runny...they thought pink eye. Well, this happens to Zander everytime he gets a cold and he has had a few since starting daycare! In the end, dad wasn't too heartbroken as he called in sick and had a dad and Zander day! While dad put Zander on the living room floor and went to send his out of office email, Zander made his way to our new ottoman/coffee table and when dad came back, Zander had pulled himself up and was eating Mom's student's projects! Dad was very surprised and grabbed the camera, yup he can sure pull himself up! The rest of the day, Dad and Zander went for a walk, went to the doctor to find Zander was fine, and just hung out...they had a great day!

Labor Day Fun!

We had a great Labor Day! Too bad they can't all be 3 day weekends! On Saturday, we worked hard to catch up around the house. On Sunday, Zander and I went to the pool to hang out with the family and then went to Krisit's for dinner. We also had our fantasy football draft that night...excited that football time is finally back! On Monday, we went to the Rockies. Although, they are not playoff bound as we had hoped, we still love hanging out there with everyone! And we had dinner at Pasquini's with Vincie and Dennis after the game, my favorite!

US Pro Cycling Challenge...Golden to Denver!

Bryan went with Lou, Miller, and Raina to see the start of the stage for the last day in Golden. Then they came to get Zander and I and we all headed downtown for the finish. We met up with Casey and Rob who found a shady spot on Speer where the riders rode by us many times. The Kerschans, Stu, Allison, and Luis all met up with us there! They did 6 loops and we could see them on both sides of Speer. Overall a great day! Hopefully the Pro Cycling Challenge will be back next year!