New House Pics

So for all of you who have been begging for new house pictures, here they are!

Living Room/Family Room

Long Winter Days

Definitely feeling like winter is finally at its peak. The days are getting longer, the sun is out longer in the afternoons and I'm going stir crazy staying indoors all day long. Spring can't come soon enough!

This month has been a long one. I have been thankful for a warm house, new friends, playdates, 1st shift (for Nate) and comfort food:) Grace keeps us busy with her new words and activities every day.

Here are some highlights:

Grace requests to go #1 and #2 on the potty and is successful!

Mommy: where does Daddy work?

Grace: grandpa's company

Mommy: that's right. what does he drive?

Grace: truck! I love you Grandpa! (sounds more like iwuvyugampa)

Words of the week:

quesadilla

dinosaur

mine

Grace is missing all of her aunties and uncles in other states and countries right now. She wanted to say hi. So here is a link to a video where Grace gives a shout out to all the aunties and uncles:

http://vimeo.com/19237576

New Year

A new year started again yesterday. The year ended with such a flurry of activity I haven't had time to think about resolutions. The year 2010 was full of new adventures and experiences for our family. Grace is now 21 months old and quickly approaching her 2nd birthday! I can't believe it. She is a vibrant, loving, adventuresome little girl. Here are some of her favorites right now:

Food: Macaroni and Cheese (constantly asks for mac-ar-oni for dinner)

Candy (when her daddy will sneak her some)

Popsicles (pronounced "pepperonis")

Toys/Activities: Elmo

Cooking in her kitchen

Balls (throwing, catching, dribbling, you name it)

Tea parties with her babies

Dance parties with mommy and daddy

The best part of the holidays this year was Grace's involvement with Christmas preparation which included saying "ho, ho, ho mewwy chrismas" and an obsession with Grandma's nativity sets (she can name all the characters in the story, Jewus, Mawy, Jofeph etc).

Nate continues to work at Monroe and is looking forward to working 1st shift as opposed to 3rd shift. He recently passed his CDL (commercial driver's license) test and will be "driving truck" in the next couple weeks. Sara is also working part-time at Monroe doing payroll and some benefits administration.

We are finally feeling settled in our new house in Lombard. Pictures went up on the walls this past weekend and the basement is finally looking less like a storage trailer. Also in the month of December we became members at Elmhurst CRC. What a change for us but also what a blessing. We have felt very welcome there and continue to get involved through a small group and different bible studies.

2011 will be full of new challenges, joys and adventures and we look forward to everything the new year will bring.