On Saturday we took Connor downtown the Indiana State Museum because they have this thing there every year called Celebration Crossing. It is a pretty cute set up...they have Santa and Mrs. Claus' house and a train ride as well. We got there and didn't realize that it was Girl Scout day so it was pretty packed to say the least. We ate lunch upstairs at the cafe' and I had the most amazing chicken salad EVER....not the point, but it was really good. :) So after that we took Connor over to see Santa, but realized at that point that there was two really long lines so we decided he could do the train or see Santa because we still had to make it to the zoo. We decided on the train, because he loves them and also because Santa is everywhere and we can see him someplace else. Daddy waited in line with him and they had a fun time on the train. We ended up leaving after that to head to the zoo. Luckily we had a pretty good evening for the zoo...I think it was about 36 degrees, which was a lot warmer than it had been. We started out at the White River Gardens where they had an amazing train set going around inside along with Christmas trees and decorations on both floors. It really was beautiful. Next was the zoo and it was just gorgeous! All the lights were so, so pretty! Connor just kind of took it all in from his stroller. We took him on the carousel (his fave part of the zoo) and then also the Holiday train ride to see more lights. He loved that as well. We saw the dolphins and all the indoor animals...it was fun being there at night. We went to see the reindeer and tried once again to see Santa, but it was getting late and the line was so long that we once again decided we could wait on Santa. We had a very long, but very fun Saturday. Connor was definitely passed out the minute he got strapped into his car seat!!!

All bundled up for Christmas at the Zoo!


Connor on a life size truffle!

Chillin' on Santa's sleigh

Lunchtime at the state museum

Obviously time for a nap

I guess the grilled cheese must have been pretty boring......

Partners in crime

I made the mistake of leaving my bowl of oatmeal (which was pretty much gone) on the end table while I ran in the room to grab Connor's clothes the other morning. This scene is what I came back to.....He wanted Bella to eat the food so bad. It was so cute, he just kept trying to feed her and of course she was loving it! :) They definitely are becoming partners in crime.

Gotta love this time of year

So I was listening to some Christmas music today and I really got in the Christmas spirit so I thought I would post some recent "Christmasy" pictures of the little man that have been taken in the past couple of weeks. Pretty random, but they turned out cute so I thought I would share. He is such a trooper for mommy always having this lens in his face! The very last picture is of him cuddling with daddy. He got pretty sick this past weekend and ended up in the ER with a very high temp. He was just lifeless and only wanted to be held...we were pretty worried about him. Come to find out it was strep throat. It was a rough weekend for him, but the antibiotics have seemed to kick in and he is acting a bit more like himself today. I thought the picture of him snuggling with daddy was so cute.

Fun family visit

The day after Thanksgiving we had a visit from Jake's grandma Birdie, his Aunt Penny, and cousin Anne. We were thrilled to see them all because it has been a while. Jake and I were wondering how Connor would be because he hadn't napped and it is always up in the air if he doesn't sleep. Boy did I underestimate him...he was such a good boy all day long! He just loved seeing everyone and was showing off the whole time they were here. We all went out to lunch and he was so good at lunch, he just sat there and "talked" to us all. He also put on quite the show by dancing to some Neil Diamond for them. He danced through the whole song and we were all dancing with him and just cracking up! He LOVES being the center of attention and he is such a little comedian! We were all so happy to visit with Birdie, Penny, and Anne. It was a much better alternative to shopping on black Friday! :)

Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving! So, I thought I might list a few things that I am thankful for this year for my post today. Jake and I aren't really having a "traditional" Thanksgiving this year, but that's o.k....we wish things were different, but we are very thankful for each other and our little family! We spent most of the day so far putting away odds and ends at the new apartment. I am so excited to be here. We have a lot more room and it is so much more peaceful and quiet. My dad and I got up at 4:30 this morning and went to Meijer to get a new t.v. for Jake and I. It was a great deal that we couldn't pass up and we were lucky to be in line and were able to get it. Jake is sure enjoying the Thanksgiving day football on it...Here are just a few things that I am thankful for this year. I am truly blessed with far more than I deserve, but here is a short list for the heck of it! :-)

1. My health and my family's health
2. My friends and family...I don't know what I would do without them
3. My amazing church and church family
4. SLEEP
5. Our new apartment
6. My salvation, and knowing a God who will always forgive me when I don't deserve it
7. My two favorite men in my life...my husband and son
8. The Office
9. Desert
10. Bella...my beagle

Quick trip to the big town of Ladd

Last Saturday we took a trip back to my hometown of Ladd, Illinois. It was unfortunately a very quick trip, we spent more time in the car than anything! BUT it was nice to see the few people we were able to see. I would have liked to have seen many more, but with being in the middle of moving and so much going on, this one had to be a quick one. On the way out of town, mom and dad's car started acting up so we had to go back home and switch everything and take Jake's...we almost called it off, but didn't. We finally made it on the road and on our way. We stopped by our friend Laura's at first. She is such a sweet lady and we love her dearly. Connor loved her house b/c she has tons of breakables! LOL! It is definitely not child friendly...but that was o.k. We had a nice visit with her and then went on to Torri's which is an ice cream parlor/restaurant that has been around for ages. I grew up going there and it was fun to take Connor there. We met my mom's closest friends, Marge and Bernie there and had a delicious lunch and enjoyed the company. After that, we went to see my "grandpa" Harry and his wife Yvonne. They were our neighbors for about 22 years and I love them both just as much as my real grandparents. It is always so great to visit with them. Harry just got through with some major surgery and had to get some cancer removed from his colon, but he is doing wonderfully now and we found out that he is cancer free so that is awesome! Connor had a blast just going up and down their stairs the whole time...poor Jake got a work out following him around! After that, we left on our journey home. The four hours on the way back seemed like a lifetime.....it was a nice visit, but just like always it was way too short.


Laura and Connor

Jake, Connor, and I at Torri's in Ladd

Great grandpa Harry and Connor

I only hope I look this good when I am 84.

Harry, Yvonne, my dad, and Connor