2012 - The Year of Change

As I continue to catch-up on my list of blog posts I've been meaning to make, recapping 2012 for our family is one that I for sure need to do.  2012 - The Year of Change.  Big Changes. 

Only 12 months ago, Evan was just learning to:
- Climb
- Eat with a fork & spoon
- Say Momma & Dadda
- Wave & blow kisses
- Say NO

I cannot believe that was only 12 months ago!!  Time flies with kids is clearly an understatement. 

Only 10 months ago, Evan was 18 months old.  We were going to the park almost every night (ouch, that one hurts a little to say given the weather changes we're dealing with from CO to MI....).  Evan had tubes put into his ears around this time too.  And I'm sooo happy to say that since then, NO ear infections! 

In 2012, Erik & I enjoyed the mountains of Colorado after not being in them much (pregnancy & baby seemed to have a way of interferring with that!).  A trip to Estes Park and hiking Mt. Bierdstat, a 14'er. 

In May, I left my job at Red Robin to pursue another food industry restaurant, Panera.  Working from home was a blessing for me - more time with Evan, less daycare days - it was perfect! 

Then comes July.....oh July, you were the month I didn't see coming!  A trip home to Michigan and a few job interviews for Erik.  He had some opportunities in MI come up and since we were already there, well, why not see what happens?  We left MI and headed home after 9 days and didn't really think anything would come of the jobs.  So much so that we actually put an offer on a new house to stay in CO!  Then came the job offer, and the moving package, and the thought that raising Evan near our families in MI is where we were meant to be.  We weren't totally sold on the vision though, and decided to wait and see if there were any "signs" telling us what to do.  Then, two big signs happened - personally & professionally.  Signs that said moving to MI was the right decision for our family.  So we pulled the trigger, accepted Erik's job, backed out of our CO house contract, packed up and moved home to MI.  Phew! 

We continued 2012 buying a home in MI, Erik started his job, and I started working from home for Red Robin again.  I'm in CO 1-2 times a month for the job, but overall it's working out well for our family and nice to have the extra income (especially as we furnish and make our home more "homey"). 

We're in to 2013 now and look forward to finding ways to make MI our home, keeping up with Evan and the joys of watching him grow and learn, and keeping our family happy, healthy, safe and supported.  I'm excited to become an Aunt this year as my sister & her husband prepare for the arrival of their daughther in March - and super excited that I'll be nearby to see the baby a lot!  Erik & I both REALLY look forward to warmer weather coming to MI and getting outside more with Evan, meeting more of our neighbors, and landscaping our house.  And maybe by the end of 2013, having Uncle Danny & Aunt Katie teach Evan how to ski! 

Happy 2013 everyone! 

Christmas 2012

Our first Christmas living in Michigan!  It was nice not having to travel, and also to be able to decorate the house and put up a Christmas tree.  Being the only grandchild, Evan had what seemed like a month-long Christmas.  Every day he would wake up and ask for presents.  He thought every present under the tree was for him, and opened several that weren't (when no one was watching!).  Evan was OBSESSED with The Grinch (both the cartoon & Jim Carrey version) over the holiday season....and beyond.  To this day he still asks to watch "new Grinch" or "old Grinch."  He also still asks me to sing Jingle Bells every night before bed.  In "Grinch" terms, Evan could be the "Cheer-meister" for Christmas! 

 



Smiling for Santa!  The photographer just happened to snap this pic at the right time and it turned out perfect!

 

Not so happy here.  Also, why are we all leaning one-way?

 

Christmas Eve at the Ellis house - opening "Unka E and Aunt Kissie's" gift (a tool bench!)

 

"Helping" Grandpa open his presents (because Evan secretly thinks they are for him)

 

Playing in his new tunnel!

 

And the matching tent.  Evan set-up shop here with all of his toys from the day, and a snack.

 

Homemade aprons for the Ellis girls!

 

Our Christmas tree and Evan's gifts all ready for Christmas morning

 

A toy drill, just like Daddy's!

All of Evan's gifts from Christmas Day.  Half way through opening, Evan leaned back on the couch and said "hard work"! 

Christmas 2012 - part 2

The last of the Christmas decorations were put away weeks ago and now the last of the Christmas pictures are uploaded too!  We had a wonderful holiday season, especially not having to travel!  

 

Christmas Day with the Anderson's - watching Erik & David's old videos from when they were little!

 

 I got a fancy new camera for Christmas so I was testing it out all Christmas Day.  Poor Lucy has few pictures since Evan came along.

 

Being resourceful, using his toy drill to open gifts.

 

"Santa" and Evan

Merry Christmas!

 

Playing with the wands David made (still find it hilarious that David didn't have time to finish Kent's so his is just a stick of wood!)

 

Evan says he's being helpful, but secretly he hopes this gift is for him.

 

Not too sure what he thinks of all the gear he has to wear to play outside in the winter (lots more gear in MI than we needed in CO!)

Sledding!  Evan did NOT like when we sent him cruising down the hill... 

 

Nia & Guh came to visit!  Love this picture :)

 

*Love*

 

BFF's!

 

 Best Godparents ever.  We love you guys!



Uh Oh Santa.....

Evan found a Santa toy the other day and enjoyed throwing it high up in the air until......

OOPS Santa's stuck!  I had to post this just because the look on Evan's face was hilarious as he could not comprehend how to get Santa down!  Daddy saved the day though and now every time Evan sees this Santa he says "no throw Santa, mommy, no throw."

"So how do you like Michigan?"

That's the question I get daily anywhere I go, and from anyone I meet.  The conversation usually goes:

- Them: "Oh you just moved here?" 
- Me: "Yes, from Colorado." 
- Them: "Oh, WHY did you do that?! (followed by look of shock)
- Me: "Family.  We have a 2 year old and wanted him to grow up around family.  And we are from Michigan so we knew what we were getting ourselves into."
- Them: "That makes sense.  Other than family, why would you move to MI?!"
- Me: "Yes, thanks for the reassurance on our decision....."

Yes, we know that we left an awesome state.  And lately I'm reminded every day when I look outside and wonder if it's 8 a.m., noon or midnight, due to the lack of sun.  Today the sun came out and even Evan was shocked!  "Mommy, light in my eye?!"  Me: "Yes, Evan. That's called the sun!"  (PS: I "say" this all with a smile, just documenting all of this so when we look back in a year we'll see how far we've come!)

The two things we've bought more of since moving to Michigan?  Coats and pajamas/lounging clothes.  It's so bitter cold here that we need more coats (and heavier ones!).  And the pajamas?  Well we don't really leave the house much (and I work from home now), so why bother getting dressed?

On the plus side, it's great seeing family more (in our pajamas and coats), and having Evan know who they are. We also love our house and are already diving into projects (thanks, Pinterest!). Hoping to paint the family room before Christmas. Evan loves "new house" and his school. He's a social butterfly and has lot of friends. We met one of his friends parents the other day at Breakfast with Santa and it felt like a first date when we left, and I asked for the mom's phone number. It's tough meeting people! Another plus is that I'm so lucky to have the ability to work from home for a company I love, and travel to Denver every now and then.

Some pictures from the past few weeks:

Working on project #1 - wanes coating boards in the garage entry area for shelves/hooks. 

Nice job Erik!

 

Breakfast with Santa!

 

At least this year he's not screaming/hitting & kicking Santa!

 

 

At the post office, mailing holiday cards!



All the holiday cards were special delivered from Evan!  My little elf.  :)





 

 

Display at Evan's school (Evan is on the far left)

 

Cutest snowman ever!

 

Evan loves our new kitchen table, especially his very own bench on the other side.

 

When I travel for work, Erik likes to teach Evan things....like this....drinking milk from his bowl.  That's totally fine and gives him some calcium, but he still has bad aim (see the puddle of milk on the table?).  Made me laugh because I knew exactly who taught him this!  ;)

The holiday season is here!

 

Our first holiday season in Michigan.  It will be nice not to have to travel this season!  Thanksgiving was spent with the Anderson family.  Evan is 2 and had never met Grandma Colleen's side of the family.  We had a great Thanksgiving Day with everyone, eating lots of yummy food, playing football outside, and spending time with family. 

Grandma had a playroom all set-up for Evan.  Evan LOVED the sleeping bag, so much that we brought it home and he sleeps on the floor on it every night.  We put him in his bed after he's fallen asleep, but when he wakes in the middle of the night, he gets right back in his sleeping bag.

 

Jumping on the bed!

 

After eating lots of food, we had to play outside!  Evan's hoodie was a little small, but he refused to take the hood off!

 

Meeting his 2nd cousin Caleb

 

Playing football!  Someday we'll have a picture of these two when they're 10 years older playing.  I know they'll still be just as cute!

 

Evan enjoying the entertainment of Grandma & her sisters singing to him - his own private concert!

 

 

Great Aunt Carol & Evan (trying to play the harmonica)

 

 

Trying to teach Evan to catch a football - hmm....not sure he's catching on to he hand placement....

 

Uncle David showing Evan some fancy soccer moves

 

 

 

Story time with Uncle David

 

Playing the harmonica!  He actually got the hang of it pretty well!

 

Opening gifts with Kelly, Jason & Caleb, from Aunt Corrine

 

 

 

Being in the holiday mood, we decided to decorate the house for Christmas (and the Christmas decorations helped hide the fact that we need to really decorate our new house!  If you come over and see Christmas decorations this summer, you'll know why!).

 

 

Evan's first hot chocolate was made in a Keurig.  Guess that's what happens when you're born in the 2000's!  He now knows how to pick out a K-cup, put it in the Keurig, and press the button to make it brew.  

 

Putting ornaments on the tree

 

"Watching" Daddy put the tree together - "I watch?" says Evan.

 

 

 

Daddy hanging Christmas lights (Lucy hanging out in her sweater; or as Evan says "Lucy's coat has pockets!")

 

Enjoying a rare sunny day in MI....

 

 

Evan LOVES the Grinch.  And LOVES is an understatement.  The Grinch movie is on 3-10 times a day in our house and Erik & I have it memorized!  Evan decided to take the Grinch for a bike ride in the house (Yes, Evan has a bike in the house...it has rubber wheels so it doesn't scratch the floors, of course!)

 

Zoned out, watching the Grinch.

 

Evan loves his toy laptop from Aunt Corrine.  He walked it into my "office", set it on top of my laptop, and said "Mommy, I'm working."

 

My fans helping Mommy get ready in the morning.  Love this picture!