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!