Its beginnins to look a lot like Christmas

Adventures had by all.  Last week we traveled to Broken Arrow Nursery to get the family Christmas tree.  This is the first time Max has really been around for Christmas, last year he was only 2 month old.  I think he had a blast.  First he got to help push the cart and of course he helped spot the right row.  He's walking and talking these days.  I'm trying to keep up.  But now off to work, while he's sleeping.

Make sure you check out my sister site: janiegirlcrafts for an exciting chance to win a my memories software package!

Pictures of the house coming soon!

The changes a week can make.

Max is officially walking! He loves running errands now that he can run around. I thought I would share a few photos of our new adventures! So far his favorites are the grocery store and the park.

Today Max starts at Rascals gym, a local gym and play group, down the street. I can't wait to see how this goes. Wish us luck. Pictures to follow!

100th Entry! Getting Cozy.

 Well, this blog marks my 100th Entry, or shall we say rambling.  I thought I would share this moment.

It snowed last Saturday.  We had friends over for brunch ans the minute the white fluffy stuff started to fall we ran out with the babies.  I love the idea of the first snow.  I hope Max will love it as well.  He tried to catch it a couple of times, when he's a little bit older we will try to catch them on our tongues.  I guess this means winter is heading our way.  Then on to the new year!  This year have been amazing.  I wonder what will happen next!

All moved in

It has been a very busy month. I cannot even begin to describe the feelings and adventures we have had. We thought moving back to Hamden would be better. We didn't know that our lives would improve this much.

Everyday I take the boys for walks, we run errands, and spend so much less time in the car. We spend 2-3 more hours outside! Our backyard is quiet and the neighborhood is amazing. I don't think Max has ever spent so much time in the stroller, or his little green car. After dinner we take little walks around the neighborhood. Max is so close to walking. Time is going by so fast.

Charlie is home most days by 4pm, he's been biking to work, so much less time in the car. More time together!

We have been in the house for one month; Halloween is just around the corner. I have been working like crazy and I couldn't be happier.

Just thought I'd share.

The benefit of being homeless this weekend

As many may have read Saturday's post my family has not moved into our new house and we are currently residing in a hotel.

There is a bright side to this sad tale. There are several wonderful events happening in and around Hamden this weekend. Since we are not busy unpacking boxes we decided to attend these events. So far life in Hamden is good.

Activities this weekend:
Play in new neighborhood park
Visit new neighborhood dog park
Touch a Truck at Hamden Hall
East Rock Festival on Orange
Dinner at Cumin Indian Restaurant
Breakfast at Bella's, my favorite breakfast spot
Sunday in the Park at Edgerton Park
Dinner with friends

So far the only thing I could ask for is a house, but at least we are in the right town.

More to come!

Sometimes plans fail

The last 24 hours did not work out as planned. As many people know we were supposed to move into our new house.

The plan:
Thursday
Pick up Uhaul
Pull uhaul into driveway
Load furniture into truck
Dinner
Clean house sleep

Friday
Clean house
Drop Asher at groomers
Check GrandmaNan and Max into hotel
Sign papers to sell our house and buy new house
Drive uhaul to new house
Lunch
Inspect new house
Buying house complete
Clean house
Pod delivery
Unload truck
Dinner
Sleep

Here's what really happened:
Thursday
Pick up uhaul
Get uhaul stuck in driveway- call cops and tow truck to get out
Park truck across the street
Load furniture across the street
Starts raining
Dinner
Continue loading truck in the dark
Sleep

Friday
Load out last minute furniture
Clean house
Sign unexpected paperwork and email
Drop Asher off at groomers
Check GrandmaNan and Max into hotel
Sign papers to sell our house
More unexpected paperwork to email
Drive uhaul to new house
Lunch
Inspect new house
Find smoking furnace
Get into fender bender
Attempt to sign papers- sellers unreachable- do not close
Check into additional room at hotel
Dinner
Find clothes in truck and check pod delivery
Drive back to hotel
Go to bed late because Max is in new place and won't sleep
Not sleep due to Asher constantly needing to go outside to pee

The Bad News: As of yesterday we find we are homeless.

The Good News: The furnace has been fixed and we should be able to close on Monday.

Cross your fingers.

Packing up

Well, we are almost all packed up. Tomorrow we will load up the rest of the boxes in the pod and start taking apart furniture that won't fit thru doors assembled. I think we will also move some of the larger items downstairs in anticipation of the Uhaul. We are scheduled to pick up the truck on Thursday and load up. Sometime that night we get to clean and find anything that has been forgotten. The goal is to sleep on cots and pack n plays Thursday night so we have little to do Friday morning. Then on to inspections and signing papers. Then do it all in reverse.

I wish it was all over. I can't wait to get to the new house. I think the best part has been all the help from Max!

The Sunday before.

Today started as any usual Sunday. Wake up. Morning walk. This is where we remembered. This is our last Saturday in Naugatuck. So we headed to Coddingtons, the local breakfast spot. Max hate almost an entire plate of egg and pancake. He is one. Coddingtons is his first breakfast spot. I am sad to leave my house however I am excited for life!

Ps just discovered free blogger app. I can now manage all blogs at once. This rules! Anyone who has multiple websites using this format can juggle and blog with ease. So far.

Pps Minor mishap to user error. Double check the top banner to ensure posting to correct site!

And so it begins...

A few days ago the pod arrived. We now have 12 days to fill it with boxes and other miscellaneous items. We get a small Uhaul on 9/15 to load with all our furniture and anything else that won't fit in the pod. We are scheduled to close on 9/16 on the new house. Keep your fingers crossed that we can stay on target.

Preparing for Irene

We practiced crawling under furniture.

We found our board games. Professor Plum. In the Study. With the revolver.

We are all set. Let's see what she brings.

It's been raining for days!

The dog went crazy.
I made a quilt. 
Charlie did some schoolwork. 
Max played the piano.

Dinners on the Porch

What can I say? Isn't this beautiful? We decided a home cooked Lobster Bake was in order a few nights ago. Local Island Lobsters, fresh corn on the cob, mussels picked by my family on the beach behind the Big House, and homemade blueberry pie made by me. Life is good.

Islesboro

So... Where was I? Sunday was my niece Lila's birthday, we had a wonderful time celebrating with her. She is the most lovely two year old I've ever met.

Sunday also marked the switch in our living arrangements. Following Lila's party and post grocery store we headed to the ferry... Off to Islesboro and GrandmaNan.

For the past few years, and most of my husband's childhood summers were spent in Dark Harbor, Islesboro. This year we are staying with my Mother-in-Law on the other side of the island, in Pripet. So far things are shaping up quite nicely.

Yesterday I took my first ever riding lesson. It was fantastic! I am learning English Riding which uses very suttle ques to the horse and is a little against my natural instinct, but so much fun. I can't wait to go back tomorrow for my next lesson. I am very lucky that my Mother-in-Law lives only about a 1/4 mile from the Riding Center, tomorrow I plan to ride my bike to and from.

I've also been painting. Not pictures, Walls and doors, for my Mother-in-Law. Pictures to come. I've been having so much fun. More to come.

Family

Today started out grey and cloudy, the rain just fell and fell. It was cold and a bit dreary. What a great day at camp. We woke up early and decided a nice quiet breakfast was ideal. Off to the Riverside Cafe in downtown Ellsworth. Max tried his first pancake and it was a success.

A few hours later we were joined by family. A lot of family. We shared laughs, food, and a few drinks. The sun came out and we all headed down to the pond.

I was honored to watch my niece Lila while her mom ran down for a quick swim new played with boats and booms and blocks and more. She had several costume changes. This was my favorite. Tomorrow little Lila turns two. We can't wait for the party.

What a day!

This morning began with a view. See that mountain. I climbed it.

Schoodic Mountain lies directly across the pond from camp. After breakfast, around 8am, we said goodbye to Max and jumped in the little whaler and headed off to start our climb. We finished around 10:30am, had enough time to grab a snack and start a painting before Max woke up from his nap. (Pictures of the painting to come in a future post.)
As it turns out, we have camp to ourselves today. Just my own little family. Everything has just been wonderful.  After I finished my painting we went out for a quick lunch at Jordan's Snack Bar, best fried clams ever.  Then we decided it was time to introduce Max to Donnell Pond And he loved every minute of it. He was very interested in the water and of course the boats. We decided to brave a screaming fit and took him out for a short ride in the little whaler. We started out very slowly, pushed away from the dock and Max started jumping up and down. Max was ecstatic. We slowly rode around part of the pond, at one point dad started to get a little faster and Max jumped even higher he was so happy. As we traveled by different parts of the pond and Max would wave at the trees; we later decided he was saying hi.

Go climb a mountain tomorrow. You can do it. You never know what the rest of your day might bring.

Date Night

You gotta love grandparents.

After a lovely day which included: a run, a trip to the local coffee shop, a boat ride, and a short trip in the canoe, we were granted a Date Night.

I love my life.

Charlie and I have escaped to Bar Harbor, his childhood stomping ground. We started at McKays. I ordered the filet mignon paired with the "Troublemaker" wine. Can I just say it was amazing. Followed by a walk around town, a new amazing pair of sunglasses, and a perfect view.

I think the plan is to find some fried clams and head off to bed.

You gotta love grandparents.

"Up Ta"

So. "Camp" has also been referred to as: "UP Ta". Anyone from Maine should immediately understand what "Up Ta" means. I am from Iowa; this name is completely lost on me.

"Up Ta" is just what it sounds like. When you hear a Maine man say "Up To". As is "I'm heded Up Ta camp for the Summa. "

"Camp"

We have arrived. Maine, just as sweet as I remember. My father in law built "camp" this winter. "Camp" is a cabin on Donnell Pond. A lovely little spot, mostly quiet.

We arrived a little after 3:30pm. The big boys went down to the lake to put in the dock while Max and I started to baby-proof. Crackers and a sippy cup where a great distraction while I swept.

Hello June... Hello Festival

It's June again... you may know what that means... it's Festival time again.

Life goes on hold and the Festival takes over... from now on you can find me on the New Haven Green.  We loaded in the shop and worked our tails off at Box City.  Pre-planned projects are built and paint is being slung.

Tomorrow morning, Birght and Early, I will start recieving trucks on the Green.  Load in to Box City and anything else we can get started.

Bring it!

Check us out: free events on the green and much, much more.

Pictures and stories to come, join us on this crazy trip!
International Festival of Arts & Ideas

We Call it Curb Appeal

 

 After our first showing a few weeks ago we decided to up our curb appeal.  For the past two weeks we have planted and pulled and mowed and arranged.  Now I have to say I wish we had made these changes when we moved in. 

Too Bad life always gets in the way of what we should do.  At least we can enjoy it while we wait.

Still no bites, but it only takes one... right?

Oh By the Way!

 Our House is for Sale!  We set everything up so that once we returned from our Florida trip we would be ready to sell.  We returned to find the "For Sale" sign in our front yard.  We have spent the past 3 years here, and they have been wonderful.  Now it's time to move on... literally.

Here's to hoping we can sell and move by the summer.  We have worked hard the past few months finishing all the small details and I'm sad to leave this house, but we are ready.

Enjoy some pictures of our work.

Fun @ the Beach

Today was awesome. Max had his first adventure at the beach. He loved it so much, so much he came home and slept for almost 3 hours.

Florida Fun

The last few days have been wonderful, fun in the sun. We have been swimming, walking, eating, and enjoying life. Charlie and I had a wonderful date night at Lola's on Harrison in Hollywood. http://www.lolasonharrison.com
Highly recommended, try the Salmon Tar Tar.

Today we experienced The National Croquet Association Club Championship. It was quite fun to watch and lunch was delicious. Max had such a good time he couldn't handle the excitement. Vacation is wonderful.

Our First Full Day in Florida

Today was such a wonderful day. We started this morning with a few errands; then off to the boardwalk. We had a lovely walk then off to the pool. Max loved the pool. The minute we walked in he was so excited. He immediately started jumping and was eager to get started. We lasted about an hour then off to a nap while mom and dad went to get haircuts. Uncle Chad was wonderful and babysat Max and both were happy when we returned. Max has now been asleep for 3 hours and still out. Here's to a wonderful day and hopefully a great night.

We Have Arrived!

Hello Florida! We are at Aunt Abby and Uncle Chad's. Time for some fun in the sun. No real shoes for here on!

Hello Sunshine!

Yesterday went as well as could be expected. We got started a bit late but we made up for it; we ended up stopping at our usual hotel in Florence, South Carolina. After our free continental breakfast we continued our journey, the morning was grey and foggy. Max and I enjoyed a quick nap in the back. When we awoke we were in Sunny Georgia. We stopped for a potty break and donned our summer hat and sunscreen. Everyone at the rest area enjoyed Max's new hat very much.

In honor of the change in weather I have changed my blogs appearance and perhaps my attitude!

Bring it on Sunshine. I can handle it.

Sunny Florida... Here We Come!

Just started our spring trip to Sunny Florida. Weather is projected to be in the 80's with nothing but sun. 1325 miles to go.

Max's First Flight

A few days late... We've been busy. Wednesday was Max's first airplane ride. We made it to the airport and thru check in just fine. Security went as well as expected, however putting your belt and shoes back on while holding an Infant is somewhat difficult. After making it past security I had just enough time to grab a bottle of water and some breakfast and shove them into my bag. Then off to change Max's diaper and make a bottle; I walked to the terminal and straight on the plane. The doors closed and then Max pooped, not just any poop, a blowout. We waited till the seatbelt sign turned off and we got cleaned up. Once we landed in Chicago O'Hare we had about an hour of relaxation. I spread out a blanket and Max played with a few toys while I enjoyed a bite to eat. Then on to plane #2. This flight was much better. Max took a bottle at take off and fell asleep for the remainder of the flight. Overall I'd say Max's first flight was a success. I hope our return goes as well.