Happy New Year!
It's our prayer for each family member and dear friend have a healthy, happy and productive 2011! 2010 was a good year but we three M's are looking excitedly towards 2011. Here's a quick glimpse at what we hope to accomplish in 2011:
Mike is starting his second master's degree this month. In 2011, he'll complete the first half of the Critical Care Nurse Specialist program at the University of Cincinnati. All of the course work is done on-line followed by a year of more course work and clinicals leading up to the completion of a research type paper that will complete his degree. I have every confidence that Mike will do very well with this degree even if it means we will see more of the back of his laptop than of him. Mike also is working towards losing weight. His current goal is to lose 30 lbs by his 32nd birthday.
Mackenzie doesn't have much by way of goals but she will be starting preschool in 2011. I also hope to continue with music class and maybe add a soccer class or swimming class to the mix.
I am resolving to be better with my meal planning and budgeting. I'm also back at the gym with hopes of finally running a 10k this summer. While running miles and miles on the treadmill hasn't translated to much on the road, I hope to trim down a bit more this winter and then hit the trails 15 lbs lighter this spring.
So that's what we aspire to do this year. If 2010 is an indication of who time will fly in 2011, it won't be long before I am looking back at 2011 and looking forward to 2012!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Camera hog
I couldn't wait to get my hands on my new camera and try out some shots. Having such a great learning camera makes me realize how very little I know about photography but with a little practice, I hope to be able to really capture the great moments of our lives- mundane or exciting. So anyway, here are the results of my first attempts with the new camera:
Mack's portrait of daddy. She even drew five fingers on each hand before she started to scribble it out:
Mack's portrait of daddy. She even drew five fingers on each hand before she started to scribble it out:
Christmas 2010
My living room feels HUGE! The tree is down ( Go ahead. You can say " Bah Humbug!" but it doesn't count since Christmas has been over for almost 24 hours) and the house has been de-decorated and redecorated in a plain and simple winter theme. The winds of winter whip outside and I am cozied up to them computer with a warm cup of tea. It's the perfect time to write the obligatory ( but still exciting ( at least we think)) Christmas post:
When last I left you, the scene was set for Santa. Did Santa come? Did he enjoy the cookies? Do reindeer really know how to fly? Let's find out!
He did! And he brought the requested " Big , juicy, orange!" which had to be eaten before any gifts could be open ( as directed by Mackenzie):
Mackenzie's presents were all loved. She got several puzzles, board games and books, some new rainboots and a 'squishy ball' ( the one she has to squeeze five times every time we go to Target). Grams sent a hand painted picture to go in Mack's big girl bedroom. It's already found it's spot , hanging next to her bedroom door.
The gift that's gotten the most play time, is the Zhu Zhu pet Mack named Sweet Pea. She didn't even want to put him ( yes, Sweet Pea is male, most of the time) to open her other presents:
Santa brought Mack the Tag reading system and that, too, has received lots of attention:
The best present was given to me by Mike:
With in this alluringly wrapped box was my dream camera- A canon Rebel DSLR complete with extra telescoping lens and carrying case, this camera is all I could ever dream to have. In fact, I am still having a hard time understanding that I have it!
No one was left out! here are the cats enjoying their cat nip:
Once things settled down, Mack tried out her alphabet train puzzle:
Later that afternoon , Grammy and Janet came over for dinner. We opened presents, played games and chatted before having yummy lasagna and the much anticipated sweet potato brownie birthday cake to celebrate Jesus' birth.
The girls playing Old MacDonald's farm ( Thanks, Auntie Nikki!)
Mack and her hot chocolate mustache getting up close and personal with my new camera ( any of my side of the family see some hints of Taylor Bug in this picture?) :
A very tired Mackenzie wearing the vest Grammy knitted her:
It was a very lovely Christmas season and we look to 2011 with lots of hope and anticipation for what is to come! Cheers to 2010!
When last I left you, the scene was set for Santa. Did Santa come? Did he enjoy the cookies? Do reindeer really know how to fly? Let's find out!
He did! And he brought the requested " Big , juicy, orange!" which had to be eaten before any gifts could be open ( as directed by Mackenzie):
Mackenzie's presents were all loved. She got several puzzles, board games and books, some new rainboots and a 'squishy ball' ( the one she has to squeeze five times every time we go to Target). Grams sent a hand painted picture to go in Mack's big girl bedroom. It's already found it's spot , hanging next to her bedroom door.
The gift that's gotten the most play time, is the Zhu Zhu pet Mack named Sweet Pea. She didn't even want to put him ( yes, Sweet Pea is male, most of the time) to open her other presents:
Santa brought Mack the Tag reading system and that, too, has received lots of attention:
The best present was given to me by Mike:
With in this alluringly wrapped box was my dream camera- A canon Rebel DSLR complete with extra telescoping lens and carrying case, this camera is all I could ever dream to have. In fact, I am still having a hard time understanding that I have it!No one was left out! here are the cats enjoying their cat nip:
Once things settled down, Mack tried out her alphabet train puzzle:
Later that afternoon , Grammy and Janet came over for dinner. We opened presents, played games and chatted before having yummy lasagna and the much anticipated sweet potato brownie birthday cake to celebrate Jesus' birth.The girls playing Old MacDonald's farm ( Thanks, Auntie Nikki!)
Mack and her hot chocolate mustache getting up close and personal with my new camera ( any of my side of the family see some hints of Taylor Bug in this picture?) :
A very tired Mackenzie wearing the vest Grammy knitted her:
It was a very lovely Christmas season and we look to 2011 with lots of hope and anticipation for what is to come! Cheers to 2010!
The scene is set..Bring on Santa!
Christmas eve did not go as we had planned . We had to miss the post-church service Christmas party at our friends, the Asher's house, since neither Mike nor I was feeling well. In stead, we came home from church , got into our Christmas eve pajamas and watced "Finding Nemo" . ( Can you guess who chose the movie?). While it wasn't what we had set out to do, it was really quite perfect:
Mack all set for church. She got to wear the cross necklace Grammy gave her at her baptism. She was excited and insisted that Mike and I wear our crosses, too:
Here we are in our Christmas pajamas:
Mike took Mack to the store when he picked out mine. She could hardly wait for me to get them on:
With fully bellies and drooping, tired eyes ( for one of us) we decided it was time to set the scene for Santa:
Mack writing her Santa letter:
With Baby Jesus placed snugly in the cradle:
and cookies and milk at the ready, Santa could come any time!
Mack all set for church. She got to wear the cross necklace Grammy gave her at her baptism. She was excited and insisted that Mike and I wear our crosses, too:
Here we are in our Christmas pajamas:
Mike took Mack to the store when he picked out mine. She could hardly wait for me to get them on:
With fully bellies and drooping, tired eyes ( for one of us) we decided it was time to set the scene for Santa:Mack writing her Santa letter:
With Baby Jesus placed snugly in the cradle:
and cookies and milk at the ready, Santa could come any time!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Andy and Andie
Mike's very good friend, Andy and his fiance Andrea ( Andie) are deployed ( separately) to Iraq but that didn't stop them from spoiling their honorary niece at Christmas! Check out these super cool gifts:
Mike and Andy grew up together and went through Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts together. Mike fondly remembers them eating freeze dried "space food" . This is the food that astronauts take with them on space missions. ( Perhaps this made those MREs more palatable for Andy when he joined the military?) It was very fitting that the box sent included space ice cream. Mack was very confused by this and couldn't understand why the ice cream wasn't cold to the touch:
Two cool cups! These will be our new travel buddies since they are 100% sealed unless you push the button on the side. Mack's already mastered the button and we all know that buttons and toddlers go hand in hand! Score!
This book cracks me up ( It should be noted that Mike attended Space Camp when he was growing up so he really loves this book) You can click on the link if you want to read excerpts from the book:
Ice cream for breakfast, courtesy of Aunt Andie and Uncle Andy:
The whole lot ( minus one, already eaten, freeze dried ice cream bar) . The Nerdy Baby flash cards are science based alphabet cards! I am sure your knew that "O" is for octopus. Did you know that it's also for oscillating current?
What a thoughtful, educational and fun Christmas present! ( Mike really loves that Metric Wonder measuring cup!) Thank you so much!
Mike and Andy grew up together and went through Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts together. Mike fondly remembers them eating freeze dried "space food" . This is the food that astronauts take with them on space missions. ( Perhaps this made those MREs more palatable for Andy when he joined the military?) It was very fitting that the box sent included space ice cream. Mack was very confused by this and couldn't understand why the ice cream wasn't cold to the touch:
Two cool cups! These will be our new travel buddies since they are 100% sealed unless you push the button on the side. Mack's already mastered the button and we all know that buttons and toddlers go hand in hand! Score!
This book cracks me up ( It should be noted that Mike attended Space Camp when he was growing up so he really loves this book) You can click on the link if you want to read excerpts from the book:
Ice cream for breakfast, courtesy of Aunt Andie and Uncle Andy:
The whole lot ( minus one, already eaten, freeze dried ice cream bar) . The Nerdy Baby flash cards are science based alphabet cards! I am sure your knew that "O" is for octopus. Did you know that it's also for oscillating current?
What a thoughtful, educational and fun Christmas present! ( Mike really loves that Metric Wonder measuring cup!) Thank you so much!Merry Christmas, Aunt Meg!
We had a chance to celebrate with Aunt Meg before she headed off to California to be with Leif, Marie and Chloe for Christmas. Although our original plans were to meet for breakfast, we ended up gathering over Thai food at our favorite restaurant. The food was delicious and we basically had the restaurant to ourselves.
On the way home, Grammy took us on a Christmas light tour. Mackenzie was thrilled by all the different lights. She ooh'ed and squealed through out the ride.
After scoping out the lights, we headed back to our house for dessert and presents!
This Camelback water bottle is from Leif, Marie and Chloe and we just love it. Mack carries it around with her and every time I fill it up, I think of them. Thanks guys!
Aunt Meg made Mack a pillow case with the characters of one of her ( Mackenzie's) favorite books ( Eric Carle) . Since getting this , we have read two Eric Carle books at bedtime and hunted for characters on the pillow case as we read.
Aunt Meg also got Mack her first set of high heels and matching princess crown! I knew she would love them but am surprised by how much she wears them. She's worn them to ride her bike, with footed pajamas and with nothing at all!
Mack helping Aunt Meg open all her presents. She wanted to try out Aunt Megs new back washer for the shower ( not for outdoors as the instructions clearly state) :
Cheese!
On the way home, Grammy took us on a Christmas light tour. Mackenzie was thrilled by all the different lights. She ooh'ed and squealed through out the ride.
After scoping out the lights, we headed back to our house for dessert and presents!
This Camelback water bottle is from Leif, Marie and Chloe and we just love it. Mack carries it around with her and every time I fill it up, I think of them. Thanks guys!
Aunt Meg made Mack a pillow case with the characters of one of her ( Mackenzie's) favorite books ( Eric Carle) . Since getting this , we have read two Eric Carle books at bedtime and hunted for characters on the pillow case as we read. 
Aunt Meg also got Mack her first set of high heels and matching princess crown! I knew she would love them but am surprised by how much she wears them. She's worn them to ride her bike, with footed pajamas and with nothing at all! 
Mack helping Aunt Meg open all her presents. She wanted to try out Aunt Megs new back washer for the shower ( not for outdoors as the instructions clearly state) :
Cheese!
odds and ends
Who says you have to leave your tricycle out side for the winter? With a little cleaning off, the trike was ready for some indoor fun ( and Fluffy Puppy, too)
Mack has been a big helper with wrapping presents. She's loved it so much, she started wrapping her own toys and putting them under the tree:
Here's what happens when you let your almost three year old apply her own lip gloss:
Mack asked to help make a PB&J sandwich ( or peanut butter and sandwich in Mackenzien) . When I asked her what kind of jam she wanted, she said " Alll of them! and bananas!) So she ended up with a PB, blackberry, strawberry and banana sandwich. She used a butter knife to slice her own bananas and smoothed on the peanut butter.
She finally coaxed Sydney underneath her blankets:
Mack has been a big helper with wrapping presents. She's loved it so much, she started wrapping her own toys and putting them under the tree:
Here's what happens when you let your almost three year old apply her own lip gloss:
Mack asked to help make a PB&J sandwich ( or peanut butter and sandwich in Mackenzien) . When I asked her what kind of jam she wanted, she said " Alll of them! and bananas!) So she ended up with a PB, blackberry, strawberry and banana sandwich. She used a butter knife to slice her own bananas and smoothed on the peanut butter.
She finally coaxed Sydney underneath her blankets:
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