'Tis the season!

Well, 'tis the season for friends, family and a whole lot of stress. In case you couldn't tell by how long it has been since I last posted, things have been a bit busy around here.

I had enough time in my vacation bank at work to take the week of Thanksgiving and most of the month  of December off. Here I thought that meant plenty of time to relax and live stress free....what was I thinking? Of course, most of the stress was brought on by me. I figured with most of the December off I would get bored just staying here in Lansing, so I booked a flight to Maine. I wanted to see everyone who I left almost exactly a year ago. The trip was anything but relaxing. I never slept in one bed for longer than 2 days. I went from being in Mass visitng my Massachusetts family to staying with Emily, Robbie, Elijah and new baby Alex, to staying with my Dad and then heading to PA to visit my Grandmother.

Baby and  Momma

It was great to finally get to meet Alex and see what a great mother Emily is. I always knew she would be fantastic at raising her children, and she has done a great job with Elijah, but watching her motherly instinct take over with Alex was beautiful.

                                                      Big Brother and Little Brother!

I rented a car and was able to head down to The American Cancer Society's Tophsam Maine office... (my old office) and "work" for a day. It was a little surreal, awkward and fun all at the same time. Hard to explain, at times it felt like old times, others I felt a little out of the loop, but then it also felt great to see everyone again. I don't think I will ever "work" from that office again, but meeting everyone for lunch will always be a definate. I went to my old apartment building, met my old neighbor for dinner. That was just like old times, sitting in Bethany's apartment just chatting.

A bunch of family friends came by for a huge dinner. I think we had like 10-12 people around my father's dinning room table. I am not sure that many people had ever been around that table. There was hardly room to eat. But it was a fun evening. I got to see them all again, they got to meet Jen, and I was able to experience the art of Jack Pelzer and his story telling...that never gets old. For you who have never met Jack, I could not begin to help you understand how hilarious, detailed and great Jack's stories are, but trust me they are an experience. For you that know Jack....well, you FULLY understand.

Shorly after that my father, Jen and I packed up the van and drove to PA to stay with my grandmother for what was supposed to be 2 full days. Due to weather we had to leave a day early... and I can't say that made me sad. At this point I was very ready to be back in my own house, my own bed and my own town... back home! Grammy came up to Lansing with us for... THE WEDDING!

Yes, that is right. My father's wedding took place on 12/18/2010. To make things easier for Amanda and the boys Dad and Jen had the wedding here in Lansing. Actually, they had it in my sister's house.

It was a quick but beautiful ceremony, in the family room. The Christmas decorations made it that much more beautiful. Amanda and I tried to give them a "traditional" wedding on a much smaller scale, since there was only 9 of us counting the boys and Grammy in attendance. Sam and Arlo were ring bearers, Amanda took photos and the rest of looked on. It was emotional and funny... especially when Jen threw her flowers at me... thank goodness for quick reactions or she might have taken an eye out.

Amanda, Matt and I bought some small fingers foods and a smaller version of a wedding cake. Even though it was a second marriage for both and in a living room, we wanted some of the traditions.

As a wedding gift Amanda and I decided to send Dad and Jen to a nice, local, bed and breakfast for their wedding night. We felt that they couldn't get married and then go upstairs to sleep with a 6, 4, and 22 month old running around downstairs. They needed something special.

Of course we couldn't let them drive off without the world knowing they were Just Married...Again!

Dad, Jen and Grammy were here in Lansing about week before the wedding. This was great because Amanda and I were able to get to know Jen. We hadn't been able to spend that much time with her before that. This was also the first time I had family stay with me at my house. My grandmother stayed here. Let's just say, it was a hard adjustment for me. I am not used to having a seven day house guest. Most of our time was spent at Amanda's it was pretty much just nights right before bed, and mornings before we left for Amanda's here.

So my family has left and now it is time to get Christmas celebrating underway. My house is all decorated, fudge is made, presents are wrapped. I think I am finally getting into the holiday spirit. I will post pictures of the house decorated soon. I promise! I just need to take them.

Amanda's in-laws have come into town and will be here through the Holiday. I have (with Amanda's encouragment) decided to throw a New Year's Eve party. She thought a kid-free New Year's party would be fun, and since she can't throw one, she asked me to. This should be fun.

Then about a day after that my roommate returns. We haven't seen eachother in about 6 weeks. Although, it has been nice to have the place to myself, I have missed her and it will be nice to have her back. Once she returns my reality returns.

Work is back to it's normal schedule and with it being January, Kickoff month, team captain meetings will be starting and in a blink of an eye it will be event time. So I am trying to soak in this "down time" while I have it. I have few organizational things I want to take care of here at the house and see Amanda, Matt and the boys as much as I can.



I hope all of you are enjoying this Holiday Season and the family time that comes with it!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!