January 2016

January 2016

January marks the beginning of the 9^th year of the blog and 12^th year of these memoirs (we have 2005-2007, but they aren’t on the blog).  In case you wonder why I do this, it started with my dad who did memoirs from 1989 – the early 2000’s.  I find it really fun to go back and read those every once in a while and I hope the girls enjoy this years from now.  For now, I hope our family and friends that we don’t’ get to see too often enjoy the updates.  So, onto the January memoirs!!!!

The biggest event of the month was we made a trip to Davis, WV to take the girls skiing and have fun in the snow.  This was the first time that we have been to Davis since 2010. This is where Deb and her family have enjoyed skiing for years and Deb’s parents have a place there.  We left on a Wednesday and arrived around 3:30.  The girls next day, we took the girls skiing at Timberline and they did well for their age.  Sarah is too young for ski school, so we kept both girls with us and they enjoyed going down the bunny hill.  Of course, they also enjoyed the hot chocolate after they went inside!  We went at some pizza that night and the girls enjoyed it.  The next day, we pulled the girls in some sleds behind us while snow-shoeing with Randy and Anna.  We enjoyed some lunch at White Grass and then went home to prepare for the over 2 feet of snow coming!  Deb and I did escape for a few quick beers at Stumptown Ales that evening.  On Saturday, Randy and Anna watched the girls while Deb and I went skiing at Canaan Valley in the fresh powder.  Being the novice skier, I wasn’t ready for the drastic difference between fresh power and well-groomed slopes.  That was quite a difficult time, but it was an awesome experience.  Afterwards, Deb and I also went out for lunch and a few beers. After the girl’s naps, we went to Blackwater Falls and showed the girls the waterfall.  They enjoyed the hike and falling in the snow.  We left on Sunday morning and the drive back took about 7.5 hours.

Sarah’s Things of the Month

            We FINALLY took the front part of Sarah’s crib.  She hadn’t climbed out and didn’t seem worried about it.  However, after sleeping in a twin bed in Davis, she wasn’t interested in her crib anymore.  So, we will see how it goes! 

Allison’s Things of the Month

            Allison and I went to a Butler Women’s Basketball game.  It was a “Daddy / Daughter Night” and we had a great time with the Ferrands, Andersons and Watkins.  Allison was well-behaved and enjoyed the basketball, but was very concerned about the Butler mascot for the entire game, wondering where he was and she wanted to avoid him.  I also took Allison to a birthday party at Bounce U in Fishers where she enjoyed seeing all of her friends from school and bouncing all over the place. 

A few more items from this month:

• Deb and I went to the last Colts game of the year.  We had fun and stayed through 3 quarters before heading home.  The Colts won the meaningless game as they were already eliminated from the playoffs. 
• I’ve started my 15^th season of playing the Chatard “Alumni” league.  I always enjoy playing and catching up with my friends that I don’t see very often throughout the year.  I’ve asked my cousin to play this year and it has been fun to have him on the court. 
• I enjoyed a few beers with some Purdue friends at Scotty’s.
• Deb enjoyed her Christmas spa day with our neighbor.  They enjoyed a massage, pedicure and manicure. 
• To complete our mudroom and laundry room remodeling, we had some new tile put into our laundry room.  It looks great and it really improves that part of our house.
• I enjoyed celebrating my birthday in Davis, where the girls helped make a cake and I got some fun gifts.  I got a Fitbit, some sunglasses and some basketball shorts. 
• I made short trip to Minnesota at the end of the month to help with a few things.  I may have to make as few more trips than I originally planned due to some unplanned turnover in the accounting department. 
• We all went to the open house at Christ the King School.  Allison was very excited to see the school she will be going to in the fall and it was great to see so many involved teachers, families and kids. 

December 2015

December 2015

We have a very busy and exciting Holiday season, but like everyone, we are also happy to get things a little back to normal.  It was quite exciting with both girls really enjoying Santa and the Christmas season, which helped keep us sane with so many events and things going on. 

The month started with another trip to Minnesota.  I’m not completely sure, but that could be my last trip there for a while, depending on what assistance they may need.  That completes 7 trips in about 4 months and that can really take a toll on everyone.  I really don’t know how people travel every week or even every other week, as it seems very difficult to keep things balanced at home.   

The first weekend we got our Christmas tree at a local hardware store that also had a train ride to the “North Pole” to see Santa.  The entire thing was pretty cool, including the fact that you can make reservations so there isn’t a wait!  Allison and Sarah both did well with Santa and enjoyed talking with him and getting candy canes.  They also really liked helping decorate the tree and everything else inside.  They also were very excited about the outdoor lights we put up, including the blow-up “Frosty” snowman. 

We also had several “adults only” parties that we attended in December.  The festivities started with our annual Christmas dinner at the Foulke’s house.  For 3 years in a row, we have stayed at their house and had the meal catered.  It is always good to catch up with everyone.  We also went to the annual Bassett Christmas party and had a chance to catch up with all of our good friends at that party also.   Of course, the candy bacon is a treat that I always enjoy!  Finally, we went to a party for Deb’s work and I got a chance to finally meet everyone new that has started working there in the last few years. 

We celebrated Christmas with my family the weekend before Christmas.  We enjoyed hanging out with everyone all day on Saturday and again on Sunday morning.  We enjoyed watching all of the kids play and have fun, along with our usual sibling (and spouses) gift secret Santa gift exchange.  The kids do pretty well playing together, which really helps give us a chance to catch up with everyone. 

We were supposed to leave for WV on Wednesday the 23^rd, but Sarah had other plans as she got sick during the night several times and that delayed our departure to the 24^th.  We needed to wait for her to feel better and make sure none of the rest of us had gotten sick.  We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and the girls enjoyed putting out cookies for Santa along with seeing the tree the next morning.  Anna had an outdoor tree for the girls to decorate also.  We got a chance to catch up with Kyle and Julie, along with their daughter Olivia as I hadn’t seen them since last Christmas.  A good time was had by all and I’m sure Randy and Anna were ready for a little quiet in their house, or at least we know Duke (their dog) was ready for us to leave! 

Sarah’s Things of the Month

                Sarah has started this month waking up during the night and wanting to “go downstairs” or do anything but sleep.  The best (and only) way to get her to go back to sleep is for me to lay down on her floor which allows for her to fall back asleep and then I can crawl back to my bed!  It isn’t every night, but we are hoping this doesn’t last too long! 

Allison’s Things of the Month

                Allison graduated again at swim lesson and can swim across the pool.  This should make for a lot of fun next summer when she will be able to swim pretty independently.  She also likes to use the word “ridiculous” a lot.   

A few more items from this month:

• We went to a neighborhood party that was called “Breakfast with Santa” and sure enough, Santa arrived and brought presents for all of the kids. 
• We had some “cubbies or lockers” custom built into our mudroom this month.  It sure does help keep the coats away from our dining room chairs and table. 
• We all went to the Children’s Museum and I took the girls down the yuletide slide. 
• We also had “Breakfast with Santa” at their school.  Santa was a little late, but the girls did well and enjoyed getting some coloring books.
• We took the girls caroling in the neighborhood one evening.  The girls enjoyed singing and running around with the other kids. 
• We went to a birthday party for Emma Anderson where there a real life version of Elsa and Anna arrived and interacted with the girls at the party.  Allison and Sarah both wore their Halloween costumes and enjoyed it!
• I took the girls to Monkey Joes for the first time with Chelsea.  We had a lot of fun and went to lunch at BW3’s.
• I took the girls bowling with the Snaidecki’s.  They did amazing well and really enjoyed it and then we went to lunch at Scotty’s.
• We went to Lake Wawasee for New Year’s Eve this year.  Mom was watched the girls and we enjoyed a nice 24 hour break hanging out with all of our good friends and staying up way too late!