The Journey of

Recap...2013

Hello Friends & Family--

I found this unfinished blog post in my draft folder, so I thought I'd share since it does recap a miniscual part of the last year.

So I disappeared. I guess life just got the best of me after Cam's 2nd birthday and then the holidays hit and it's all downhill from there. I miss blogging about our little guys so I do have plans to keep up with it in 2014. I don't want to make any promises, but I'll do my best to keep you all up to date on Cam's latest happenings.

Just a quick overview of 8-9 months :)

We spent our summer outdoors! Almost every day we played in the water, chalked, went on walks or played outside in some way. We were able to spend a few days on the boat too. Not as much as we'd like with our busy schedules.

We have a park across the street that we frequent

We tried out lots of parks this summer

He looks so young here :(

Cheese break on the boat

We took a trip to Door County this summer, Cam spent a couple extra days with just his Grandparents and Aunts. I think he enjoyed the boat ride in the harbor! Mom & Dad ventured off to an adults only cabin weekend. It was nice to get away, but we missed our little bugger.

This Fall we took a trip to my home state of Nebraska. We were able to take Cam to the Henry Doorly Zoo. If you've never been, it's a must see while in Nebraska. I can't say enough about the zoo. Our free zoo just doesn't compare in anyway, but hey it's free! Grandma Ninny & Aunt Amy were able to join us, and my oldest friend Kristin & her precious daughter Ruby. We also had a great time seeing some of my family in Grand Island area, there's never enough time to see everyone though.

We spent Thanksgiving at our house, we hosted Grandma Ninny and Aunt Amy for a few days then Chris' family joined us for the turkey celebration. We went to get our tree, as it's beomce a yearly tradition to do after Thanksgiving. We had lots of fun. I am just thankful the weather was cooperative for the most part--you never know!

This year we also hosted Christmas, Grandma & Grandpa Masters, Aunt Alysia & Abby, and Mark (Abby's boyfriend) came to stay with us. We had a fun just hanging out--Wisconsin is not warm in December :) We had a nice Christmas celebration with Chris' family at his Grandparents house too. Connie always out does herself! The holidays can be so hectic so I was happy to just have a low key celebration and keep the important stuff a priority.

**Addition to the original**

Spring is still yet to come and we are anxiously waiting a warm up so that we can play outside 24-7. We've had a few warm days, followed by frigid weather or sometimes even a bit of snow. My guess is we'll have a super hot summer to make up for it then and we'll be stuck inside from heat advisories--haha. We've the best of it by playing in our NEWLY finished basement, making homemade moon sand and lots of playing! I'll have to do some separate posts on the DIY moon sand and the basement project.

Thanks for sticking with me! 2 posts in one day after a 1 year hiatus isn't bad!

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Hello Friends & Family--

It's been almost a year. Wow. I failed BIG time this last year to keep the journey of Cameron going. Overall the last year has been a GREAT one, so I guess I was busy with life :) Can't complain about that. I'll try to do a bit better, but I can't imagine with the warmer weather coming (maybe...) that I'll be consistent. Life just gets in the way and we have a very busy summer coming up :) So here's to my very first post of 2014, hopefully not my last!

The end of April marked Cam's 3rd birthday! I can't believe my little love bug is THREE! We had a family/friend party at the house again. I think next year we'll have to do a smaller family party and a separate one for his friends next year...he's just growing up too fast! Of course this year's theme was Construction, very similar to last year's Modes of Transportation.

His gift from us, a John Deere Gator!

His "Dig Dig" cake, courtesy of HY-VEE

Happy 3rd Birthday, Cam!

I saw this on either pinterest or some blog (sorry I can't give credit to the source). I've wanted to do it, but last year he was a bit too young to answer questions. I look forward to asking him for years to come. I took him out for doughnuts on his actual birthday and while we ate we talked and I was able to ask him all these questions with the only distraction being the yummy doughnut!

THREE YEARS OLD:

1. What is your favorite color: BLUE
2. What is your favorite toy: LEGOS
3. Who is/are your best friend(s): TYLER & OLIVIA (brother & sister that are neighbors)
4. What is your favorite show: PAW PATROL
5. What is your favorite food: MAC & CHEESE
6. What is your favorite game: FIRST WAS HILL CLIMB (on the phone), SECOND WAS HUNGRY HIPPPOS.
7. What is your favorite movie: THE LEGO MOVIE
8. What is your favorite thing to do with Mommy: PLAY DIG DIGS
9. What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy: BUILD HOT WHEEL THINGS
10. Where do you want to go on vacation: THE AIRPORT
11. What do you want to be when you grow up: NOTHING (he keeps saying he doesn't want to be bigger).

I loved hearing his answers, some he knew what to say right away and others he thought about for awhile. It was so cute and a great time to bond. Though I knew the answers to most questions it was fun to see his reaction to every question.

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

2nd Birthday Party!

Hi Friends & Family:

We held a family/friend celebration for Cameron on April 27th. His birthday falls, just when the weather isn't sure if it's winter or ready for spring. Poor kid, it would be nice to have some warm sunshine for an outdoor party! That said we had a wonderful time celebrating with everyone. Again we had lots of family travel in, it really amazes me how many people love this little boy, enough to travel many hours to celebrate his 2nd birthday. Thank you doesn't do it justice.

We had a transportation theme, filled with his beloved dig digs and vrooms! He's a typical boy in the sense he loves all things that move. We had to use the garage (thank goodness we have a large one) to accommodate the food/seating area. The house was full, but I wouldn't have it any other way! Thanks again to everyone who made it out to with Cameron a happy birthday (and those that sent wishes from afar)!

I'm just going to overload this post with pictures. I apologize I don't have pictures of everyone! I didn't take a lot at the party so many of these are borrowed--thanks Grandma Ninny!

A new ride-on 'dig dig'

Putting together his kitchen from Mom & Dad

It took a lot of work :)

Eating!

The cake!

Happy Birthday to my prince!

Gifts!

Lots of new 'dig digs'!

And some action at the park with Grandpa!

We tried...

You are welcome Keith :)

It's fun having company and new toys!

Kid table fun!

Great Grandma enjoyed playing with me!

Grandma's breakfast was better than mine!

More Great Grandmas!

Playtime!

Spectators :)

Making friends!

Pretending to be a kid again!

Showing off our new toys!

The front sidewalk

We had fun making this railroad track & all the signs in the house! Thanks pinterest!

Love,

Amber, Chris & Cameron

Two year check-up & stats!

Hello Friends & Family--

On May 2nd Cameron went to see Dr. E for his 2 year exam. Cam was really good during his appointment. I am glad he likes Dr. E as much as Mommy and Daddy do. It really helps when your doctor engages all family members :) However, he did try to open the door to leave a couple of times. Opening and closing doors has become quite the game in our household.

Here are his 2 year stats:

Weight: 29 lbs --> 63%
Height: 2' 10.5" --> 53%
*They no longer measure their head circumference once they've hit the 2 year mark, I'd guess he's still high on that percentage too!

He's a happy, healthy little boy and we couldn't be more thrilled with his clean bill of health. We've been reassured that he's right on track, so we'll just keep doing what we are doing :) He won't go back for another check-up until his 3rd birthday. Its crazy to go from nearly monthly appointments down to yearly. It makes this mommy nervous :) How did my little boy go from a tiny little 7 lb peanut to a toddler? I won't complain too much though, I love this stage! It's so much fun to watch him grow and learn on a daily basis. Can you tell I love being a mommy?!

Next up...Cam's 2 year celebration! Planes, trains and automobiles!

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

Easter Celebration

Hello Friends & Family--

I love my BIG boy!

So, while I realize Easter has come and gone, I'd still like to document our celebration for my own purposes. And who doesn't like pictures :)

Why am I dying eggs in a white shirt?

Came to my senses and changed :)

This year was the first year we've dyed eggs with Cameron. I have fond memories of doing this with both sides of my family that I couldn't wait to start this tradition with my own little family. I had read about the new trend of dying eggs with kool-aid, but after many failed reviews I went with the old faithful paas kit! No complaints either!

Eggs!

Cam was very eager to place every egg in all the colors. The ocd side of me would not allow every egg to come out that ever so pleasant brown color so I used my best negotiating skills on him :) He was pretty upset when all the eggs were dyed. I think it was a huge success!

They turned out awesome!

Easter was celebrated at our house this year. It was actually our first time hosting a holiday celebration! I didn't really take any pictures--too busy eating and hosting! But we had a great meal provided by Chris' grandma, my mom, Chris' mom and a few of my own dishes too. Cam enjoyed playing with his cousin and of course enjoying all the new Easter gifts. He even received his very own fish! Boo the betta fish is a new resident of my kitchen counter, thanks Gma & Gpa Masters!

Opening his Easter basket(s)--spoiled!

Enjoying another new Easter toy!

This kid loves his construction vehicles!

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

Rain, rain go away!

Hello Friends & Family--

Let me introduce myself, they call me Amber. You know the narrator of this blog?! It's been awhile. I know, I know I think I say that every couple of months :) Life just gets busy and blogging comes last on my priority list. I have lots of saved drafts, just need to finish adding pictures! That seems to be my biggest hiccup.

So I thought I'd give a little house update. Since we've been here around 8 months lots of changes have been made, yet still there is so much to do. We've been on the hunt for new furniture, but we won't settle for less than what we have envisioned so it's taking a lot longer then we'd like. One day it will all be completed--no rush though.

The office is about the only room that is mostly completed and yet I still can't find the time to come in here to blog. Hmm. Maybe it's because of the lack of proper seating? We can't find an office chair that fits our scheme, so we are using a lovely (and oh so comfortable) folding chair. Ha! One of these days I'll make note to go room by room and take pictures--with or without my folding chair :) . Perhaps a little "show us your life" series?

I regress. Back to the title. We had our landscaping completed, seeded lawn included, prior to the move-in on Oct. 1st. Shortly after that heaven's floodgates opened and dumped several inches on us and our poor yard took a major hit. Our landscaping fell about a foot to a foot and a half around the perimeter of the house. We've been waiting for the weather to warm up this spring so they could fix it. Plus, we were unable to finish the fence to allow for all the heavy machinery to get into the backyard. I'm sure the neighbors love our tacky snow fence. Our repair list includes: ripping out and re-doing all the beds, adding and compacting the dirt, burying all downspouts, adding pop-up drains. Oh not to mention ripping out our front sidewalk and shaving down the front of the yard to fix some more drainage issues. We are just thankful we've had no water in the basement! Can you tell I'm excited about this whole process? So please, weather can you clear up for a couple of weeks so they can get to work?

Exciting news though because they'll be re-doing a lot of things already, we've decided to add some things to their list. Why not, right? So we add a stone patio, built-in fire pit, additional flower beds in the corners and switch the deck stair orientation around! I promise to add some before and after pics. But for now, how about some pictures of our temporary pond!

The water drainage issue washed away all the seed on this side :(

We are thinking about adding koi?!

Aren't our tacky pvc pipe/downspouts awesome :)

This is where the retaining wall beds fell.

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

Circus Time

Hello Friends & Family--

Family photo before we left.

The Shrine Circus came to town back in February. We figured we'd give a try--Cam is still pretty young for things of this nature. Not to mention the event was around 3 hours long. We purchased tickets with some friends, both Cam and ours :) It's nice to have kid/parent play dates...even if it's to the circus!

Watching the lights!

Surprisingly he sat in his seat for most of the performances. During the big cat show he was in complete awe. After that he lost interest a few times--he's a true animal lover like his Mom. However, it's hard to see these poor animals in shows like these :( After the animal acts he swapped seats to sit on our friend's lap (along with her own toddler). He did become engaged again when the 4 wheelers and motorcycles came out and it was back to his seat then. The recreational vehicle interest worries me a bit. I guess that's what I have to look forward to in raising a boy. Daddy & Cam have been researching RC cars...great! I definitely live in a house full of boys!