"Hayden's House"

Hope everyone had a happy holiday! As expected, we were extremely busy. Some good things, some not so. But hey, that is the way life goes. Roll with the punches, take a couple extra low blows every once in a while, and move on.

We have officially moved all of our belongings into the new house. Amanda already broke the dishwasher; pops and I already broke in the Weber; and Hayden has already grown accustomed to calling it "Hayden's house". From what we can tell, he thinks mommy and daddy's house is the apartment in Washington. In his mind, Grandpa Jack lives in "Hayden's house" too. Maybe I won't pay the electric bill next month at "Hayden's house". I'm sure after a day of not being able to watch Barney I will be able to move in too. Amanda is on her own for moving in.

I cannot even begin to describe the joy it brings to us to see Hayden in the house. He is so happy. Happy enough to even run up to his room, shut the door and play with all of his toys. If you walk past his room when the door is open, he will shut it in your face when he notices. Sort of a nice "get out my room, dad!" He also figured out how to lock the bedroom door...even better that if he held the button down, you couldn't unlock it with the key. Amanda said she could hear a giggle as she tried to open it. I love it. Most of the light switches are within is reach (that means Grandma Cheryl will be able to reach them too) so when I came downstairs Saturday morning, every light was on. Energy company will love him!

More to come later, out of time for today. Just wanted to get something up in 2010! Happy New Year everyone!!!

The New 2 year-old

Hayden is such and big boy now. He is two!!!! I can't believe our baby is growing up so fast. His speech is expanding and he is getting a little smarter about how he gets away with things. You will be pleased to know I finally updated pictures! There are now 39 new pictures available on flickr and one new video of Hayden dancing on the youtube video bar.

Hayden had 3 great birthday parties. Jon and I are thinking the kid is going to think every day of December and now January is either his birthday or Christmas. Lets just say he is getting really good at opening presents. His favorite gifts were the school bus tent from Auntie Lisa, his trucks and tractors big and small from Nana and Papa and Allison, and his Cars tricycle from Joe, Sueann, and the girls. When he is not playing in his tent with his toys he is riding his bike all over the apartment. We are finally ready for a house.

I haven't found my address book yet. I am hoping it is not packed away, so we can get out Christmas cards with our new address on them. If I don't, expect a Christmas card to come after Christmas. Well I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend. Miss and love you all!
Also much thanks to everyone for the wonderful gifts for Hayden's birthday!

"Santa is coming"

Since we are moving our Christmas we haven't been emphasizing Santa for the sake of Hayden, but Hayden is really into Santa right now. He loves the Christmas movies and reindeer and Santa. Today he kept saying "Santa comin" and "ere reindeer," so Santa is coming and where are the reindeer. Every time we see a Santa decorations he gets very excited. I just hope we can make it through traveling on Christmas day and Santa can find us wherever we are. As of now Hayden and I (Amanda) are still flying out Christmas day while Jon drives later. The date is yet to be determined, but we are hopeful he will start the drive the day after Christmas. We are so excited about being in our new home soon.

P.s. I didn't get a chance to get invitations out for Hayden's birthday, since I have been so busy with finals for school, but his birthday party is Sunday at 2:00 at Chuck E Cheese. I know no one can probably make it, since I think the Christmas party is going on at the same time, but maybe we can coordinate a phone call. Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Happy Holidays

Well, things have been moving very fast.

The movers are scheduled to pack up the apartment on the 21st and load everything on the 22nd. Then they start the drive to Indy and we should have everything on by the 31st of December (holidays make it longer). Feels weird to know that everything will be moved in less than 2 weeks, even more strange to not box anything up.

We are scheduled to close on the house on the 23rd. So, fingers crossed, everything keeps moving smoothly for that to happen. I still don't know when my last day will be, but I do know my start date in Indiana is the 4th of January.

After weeks of discussion, we decided to fly Hayden and Amanda to Milwaukee on Christmas Day. The more I thought of driving 47 hours in a car with someone that cannot sit still for 2 minutes made my hair start falling out...add to that a 2 year old that talks non-stop and it would be a very "fun" drive. (Just kidding, Amanda =] )

It looks like "Papa" will be flying out to make the drive with me. Looking forward to spending time with him. It has been 3+ years since I first moved away, we have lots to catch up on. It will be a long drive, but a stop in Vegas makes it do-able.

As for the little man, he loved St. Nick. He woke us up and wanted cereal, when he saw the stockings by the fireplace...all you heard was "ooooooo" "oooooo". He did have a hard time understanding that all 3 stockings were not for him...Amanda was about to fight him for the chocolate covered cherries St. Nick left for her.

We will try to update a little more often until we move, but with everything that is going on, please forgive us if we don't get a chance to.

(Also, since out holidays are all screwed up with the move, we have decided to move our Christmas to the 24th of January. This way we at least get to enjoy the day and decorate a little. Hayden is young enough that it won't make a difference to him, so we figured, why not? If you would like to join us, let me know via e-mail. We will be treating the 23rd as Christmas Eve and Amanda will be making her traditional dinner.)

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

So much to do...so little time

As the time ticks down on our time in Washington, we decided to make a list of things we still want to see/visit before we move.

Last weekend we went to Pikes Market for, presumably, the last time for awhile. It was a little cold, but we had a great time. There is this awesome pasta stand that we had been talking about for 2 years...finally bought some. We also bought a piece of street art to go in the "new house", home-made doughnuts, and of course we had to get drinks from the original Starbucks. We took Hayden out to lunch on the pier, he got excited since "football" was on during lunch.

This weekend, unfortunately, we did not get to do much. I have pneumonia and Hayden has a little cold. So, we started packing/labeling boxes...you know, the fun stuff. Next weekend will be better.

Hayden has been speaking a lot more clearly lately. Sentences are flying out of his mouth. This week if I started coughing, he would come up and ask me "daddy ok?". If I was sleeping "daddy seeping", if bugging him "no-no daddy stop it". There is also "please mommy more chips now" and "i love you daddy/mommy" is stating to come out uncoaxed. Almost everything that we say he tries to mimic.

When he does something he is excited about, he proudly states "I did it!" to which he usually gets a big smile and a hug. His toys are starting to occupy more of his time. He lines them up and even drives/moves his cars around. Most of the cars have names..."Mack"..."Queen"...you know, right out of "Cars".

OK, we will post more as time permits...hope everyone enjoyed their weekend!!

Movin' on

It is official, we are moving to Indiana. I flew out on Tuesday, interviewed/toured the area on Wednesday, and flew back to Washington on Thursday night. We are looking at houses in a town called Fishers right now...seems to be out best option.

Realistically, this is somewhat bittersweet. We have established a nice life in Washington. The views are incredible, the ocean is only an hour away, there is tons to do/see, and we have meet some wonderful people and feel like part of the community in Tumwater.

We will also be leaving Hayden's first home, he has lived here his entire life. This is also where Amanda and I first started our family. I sit on the Tumwater parks board and have been pretty involved in community activities. The people I work with are incredible and as an Administrator, I couldn't ask for a better staff.

I understand that we will meet many new and wonderful people and have the same experiences, but is always hard to say good-bye.

Now we have less than 30 days to get packed up and out of Washington.

Halloween

Saturday we took Hayden Trick-or-treating. We worked with him for about a month to wear his horse costume and didn't think he would wear it. So, we took a back-up costume for him just in case. Earlier in the day, we stopped and bought him a cowboy hat. That is what sold him on the costume. So he was a cowboy on a horse for Halloween this year.

The first couple of houses he wanted to go inside. People would open the door and in would go Hayden. He got better at waiting outside and getting candy. He got "trick-or-treat" down and he would hold his bag out. Some people were silly enough to let him pick out of the bowl. 3-4 pieces of candy later he was happy. Then, there was the guy that answered the door with his dog. Lets just say Hayden thought he was getting a dog from him. Hayden wasn't happy when he found out he just got some tootsie rolls.

Hayden has also gotten a lot better with his speech and communication. Sentences are getting a lot more clear and he has no problem telling you "daddy stop now" or "mama sit down" or say "my mama" and throw himself on top of Amanda. On the word "now". It has been added to almost everything; "all done now"...etc. Also, he is able to say his name. (That started a couple weeks ago, but we forgot to mention it.) He loves to go on the computer and talk to "Daby", (Gabi) "nana", "papa", and "Haiee" (Hailee).

Well, thats all the time I have, will update more later...there is so much new happening it is hard to tell everything. Hope everyone has a great week!!!