How fast it went

Christmas morning we were at home in the early morning so that Corinne could see what Santa brought her. She actually opened the presents but then got stuck on the toy that she unwrapped. We started a new family tradition this year that each year I would buy an ornament for Jeremy and the kids and write a little note about why I bought that ornament that year. Then each person has there own tote that their ornament goes in and that tote of ornaments is there responsiblity each year. Corinne also got a Little People Amusement Park, some stacking cups, a piano and a kitchen set (Santa got off easy this year since she really doesn't know the difference).

Corinne checking out her pile of presents

Christmas Joy!

Hanging her new ornament

Thursday and Friday we spent the days in Wheeling with Jeremy's side of the family. We had a nice time at Jeremy's Dad and stepmom's first and then went to Jeremy's Mom's for Christmas there. Corinne got some many gifts it filled the trunk and backseat of our van. We are so thankful to have so many people in our lives. Corinne got to play with all of her cousins at Pappy and Grandma's and loved that as much as the presents. We got to see Aunt Nicole at GiGi's and Corinne really liked playing with her! Friday we spent most of the day with Jeremy's Dad and stepmom just hanging out and enjoying time with Corinne. We also got to see Uncle Rich while we were there. It was nice to spent time with all the family and fun to see everyone. We came home very late Friday night (12:30) and were very worn out.

Hugs for Aunt Nicole!


Wiped out

Santa's Little Helper!

Saturday we headed to my parents to visit with my Uncle Jeff, Aunt LouAnn, and cousin Tracie who did finally make it in from Chicago. They were finally able to meet Corinne so that was neat. Then my siblings came over so that we could exchange gifts with everyone we did not see on Christmas. It was fun to watch the kids especially my nephew Dominic who kept getting into things like shopping bags and then crawling out of them. Too funny! It was a late night but we even got a chance to play Keith new game which is something we have not been able to do since the babies came.

Corinne with Uncle Jeff, Tracie, and Aunt LouAnn

Corinne reading a book at Grandma's

Corinne and Dominic in the sea of presents, also checking out Corinne's new Elmo Live!

Sunday we spent the day cleaning and just hanging out. It was very nice. We did not put our Christmas tree and accessories yet because Corinne likes them so much. We will probably wait till next weekend to do that.

Merry Christmas to all!

It has been a busy couple of days leading up to today. Monday we did a play date with Carissa and Hannah and then shopped the rest of the day with Carrie and Dominic. It was nice to have my sister with me to fight the crowds and work together on getting our listed finished.

Dominic crawling through the tunnel

Tuesday was so busy I don't think I sat down all day. Corinne and I ran our last errands in the late morning but it ended up taking us until around 3 to finish. I attempted to put Corinne down for a nap when we got home but since she feel asleep in the car she was not having it. Jeremy keep her busy while I worked on some baking and wrapping which really helped. I will say that I now know why my Mom was always up till two and three in the morning for a week straight because that is pretty much what I have been doing. I got everything done at two and went to bed only to have Corinne wake up at four.

Today, Christmas Eve, we spent the morning finishing up a few last minute things and playing since Daddy was home with us today. We headed down to Lancaster in the mid afternoon to spend some time with Grandma since we will not be at their house for Christmas. I did not know that my Dad was working today though so it was pretty much Grandma. Then in the evening we went to the Hunt Family annual Christmas Eve dinner and it was a smaller crowd this year. The snow keep one of my uncles in Chicago and this was the first time in a while that they have not been able to come. I worried about my Grandma doing all of this but I think she really needed the company. Corinne was a ham as usual and it was nice because a lot of these family members have never met her or met her briefly. It was nice but a later then usual night. So here "Santa" is at 1:30 blogging to try and stay ahead. Corinne showed no interest in opening presents at her birthday but I think she gets the idea now. We have had a hard time keep her out of the packages for the last couple of days. I can't wait to watch her open presents in a few hours. We are off to Wheeling in the morning for a busy couple of days. Hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Corinne helping Daddy open his gifts!

Corinne's Christmas Dress, not the best picture but she would not stop moving to take a picture

Almost done

Well the work weekend ended fine. Another set of classroom parties completed and then Friday I really spent the day getting caught up and ready for a fresh start in 2009. Corinne has been a very busy girl. She is stilling eating like a champ and is sleeping much better at night. Corinne has been pushing herself around the house on her princess car having a great time. She is getting so much better at entertaining herself!

Corinne riding on her car!

Friday night we went to dinner with our friend Karey and her niece Lauren. We only get to see Lauren about twice a year because she lives in North Carolina but we always have a lot of fun with this southern belle! Corinne loved playing with a big girl and got to open a Christmas present from Karey. Thanks Karey! We had a good time and Lauren helped us give Corinne a bath. We were sad to see Lauren go but it was bedtime and there is no stopping bedtime!

Corinne and Lauren

Saturday we spent the day playing around the house in the morning and then a marathon of shopping in the afternoon. We got most of our shopping done yesterday, we just have a few more things to buy and we will be in good shape. Corinne was so good yesterday and as usually was saying hi to everyone in the stores. When we got home we had dinner and got the tunnel out for Corinne. She really liked crawling through it. After Corinne went to bed I finally had time to sit down and work on Christmas cards (yes they are coming just maybe not before Christmas day).

Corinne crawling through the tunnel

Today I am going to finish up some shopping while Daddy stays with Corinne. I think we will get our wrapping done and maybe even make some cookies today! Also today is my sister's birthday so HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARRIE!

Another Busy Week

This week has flown by which I guess is good. Monday was very low key just work and how and that was about it. Tuesday Jeremy, Corinne and I had to do half days because he went to my Grandma's boyfriend's funeral on Tuesday afternoon. It was sad and Bernard was a part of our family for about sixteen years so he has been around for a while. Please pray for my Grandma that she finds comfort that he is in God's great care now. After the funeral we went to my parents to spent some time with the family. We got Cristy's pizza (the best pizza in the world), then let Corinne and Dominic play for a while and then came home. Then this morning I was awaken by the best sound a teacher can her, a phone ringing at 5 in the morning. We were on a two hour delay because of the ice. It gave me a little extra time with Corinne and a little extra time to get some work done at school. Tomorrow is the last day with kids before winter break. We are having a PJ and Pizza day. Nice way to end it!

Tis the Season

We had a wonderful weekend. As I said Friday Corinne and I enjoyed the day together and then we all went to dinner. Corinne had a good time eating out and even got to order her own Mac and Cheese. She has been eating us out of house and home for the last week so I fully expect her to get taller very quickly. While we were out home on Friday I got the Twas the Night Before Christmas bear out that Uncle Brad and Aunt Becky got her last year and she thought it was great! After dinner we did a little shopping and then came home to get Corinne in bed.


She was trying to figure out how his mouth moves


She thought he was pretty funny!

First of all Corinne sleep until 9:00 a.m today (praise the Lord). This was a first for her and made everyone happy. Saturday we spent the day getting our tree up and all of our decorations out. We put the tree up and some of the decorations while Corinne was taking a nap so she was a little surprised to see them. She really liked the snow globes that I have and was dancing to the music that they play. She has been really good and has not really messed with the tree much. I think she is just so taken with the lights that she hasn't messed with it, but I am sure now that I said that she will start messing with it. Daddy also brought up his dancing Homer Simpson and showed Corinne how to turn it on. I think I am developing a twitch from it. Last night we decided to go to dinner again this time at Barley's Smokehouse (high recommended we drive 25 minutes to go) and then head to the Columbus Zoo Wildlights. BIG MISTAKE! Apparently everyone else was thinking the same thing. We spent an hour in traffic to get there only to find a huge line when he got to the gates. However we are lucky to have a zoo membership so we got to go straight to the gates and head in. Corinne thought it was funny to be all bundled up and did very well even though it was well past her bedtime. She liked people watching more then the lights I think. Goodness knows there were enough people to look at.



Corinne wakes up to find the tree!

Loving the snowglobes

Corinne and Daddy at the Wildlights

Mommy and Corinne at the Wildlights

Today we played more in the morning and put up some more decorations. Then we spent the afternoon doing a little more shopping and then getting our groceries for the week. Corinne is such a ham and was talking to everyone in the store. Then it was a low key night trying to get ready for the week. This will be my last week of work and then I will be off for 16 days, not that I have counted or anything!

Corinne being silly with reindeer ears!

Almost there

It has been a very busy week. Monday and Tuesday were typical days work, home, bed. Then Wednesday and Thursday were conference days for me and they were very long days. On Wednesday, Jeremy had to pick Corinne up so it was a very long day for me. I got home just in time to put her in bed. I think she was really mad at me. It may be my own guilt but I really think she was mad. On Thursday morning she really wanted Jeremy not me and when I picked her up a couple of times in the morning she smacked me (a problem that has started in the last week). Thursday I had an early conference so Jeremy had to take her to the sitter. I finally got to pick her up last night at 5:15 and was never so glad to see her!



Cracking up in a Christmas Outfit!

I am off today and we have had a nice quiet day at home playing and just having fun. We have settled into a routine but with Christmas break coming I am thinking more and more about how much I am missing with her. We are planning to go to an early dinner tonight and enjoy some time together. Then I think we are going to try and get all our Christmas decorations up tomorrow and then go see the lights at the zoo. I just want to enjoy this weekend and then need to get through next week.

Hannah's Birthday and Santa

This was a busy but very fun weekend for us. Yesterday we went to Corinne's friend Hannah's first birthday party. Hannah really got into her cake and it was so fun to watch.

Today we met up with Corinne's playgroup friends, Carissa and Hannah, at Polaris Mall to met Santa. Carissa was the first to go and she cried always instantly. Then Hannah went and she was very happy and friendly with Santa, as Hannah usually is. Corinne went last and did okay for a minute sitting there but then when she looked at Santa she started crying. It was sad and funny at the same time. After Santa, Tom, Becki, Hannah, Jeremy, Corinne and I went to lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. Corinne had her first restaurant kids meal of pasta, as I usually bring something for her but decided not to today. It was a lot of fun and Corinne and Hannah were very good even though we were pushing past usually nap time.

Corinne looking the Christmas carousal

Just got to Santa's lap

Realizing this is a strange looking guy

Lost it!