The Journey of: 2012

House Update (October)

Hello Friends & Family--

Let's continue this game of catch-up into October.

October 1st was our first official day in our new house! We didn't have cable, internet or cell service the first few weeks, I don't know how we ever went without! Let's just say unpacking an entire house with no music, background noise, etc makes it a little dull. Not to mention our house wasn't complete on move-in day. Lot's of workers in and out. Stressful, nah not at all :) We survived and love our new home!

Here' a mini tour of the outside and kitchen. I'll have to work on getting more pictures taken (waiting on some new furniture to arrive).

View of the house after move in...this was prior to the finishing touches.

Fall 2012 picture after the paint and landscaping finishing touches!

Adding Christmas lights...a lot higher this year :)

The pantry/wine bar.

One side of kitchen.

Another angle of the kitchen.

Looking into the dining room.

View from the Great Room into the Kitchen.

If you are wondering how the pets are getting along, you tell me? The fence is new as of December, and it was something that we discussed greatly. Knowing that the underground fence we purchased and never installed would probably not work with our stubborn huskies we opted for the rod iron fence. We only fenced off a portion so we could still have our large unobstructed yard/view, but enough (and by enough I mean A LOT of space for the dogs to run).

Do you see what I see?

Exploring their new digs.

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

Catch-up Time

Hello Friends & Family--

Yeah, yeah I know it has been awhile. OK a LONG time. To say I've been busy is an understatement. Yet I love this blog and the ability to keep all of our friends and family updated. So, I hope I can continue to play catch-up by the end of 2012. I know there isn't much time left as tomorrow is December 14th.

My Grandpa built me this bench :)

Well, I think I left off back at the start of September. The weather was still decent then (sure wasn't snow on the ground) and we were enjoying our time outdoors. So to finish off the month of September...

Cheese Days is a biannual celebration in Monroe, WI (Chris' hometown). This year I took Cam to the parade with Chris' Aunt and Cousin. He enjoyed the M&M's and the music the most, specifically the marching bands. Can you blame him!?

At Raisin' Canes...YUM!

September 17th marked 7 years of wedded bliss. It's hard to believe that much time has gone by! I can't wait to see what the next 7 years have in store for us! We laid low this year and plan on purchasing a new grill as Chris threw ours down the deck stairs at the old house. I think this was his way of hinting at a new one...he claims it was an accident though. Truthfully it was 7 years old, purchased just before we got married, so I say it is time for a new one!

Great Gumpa Russell & Cameron.

On September 26th my family lost a very important person. A very loving man and even more amazing Grandpa/Great Grandpa. My Grandpa Russell or "Gumpa" as we affectionately called him won his battle with cancer that day. While we were grateful for the almost 2 extra years we got to cherish with him on Earth it was not easy saying goodbye. It never is. Nor do I think it should be. Yet it's encouraging to know that he is pain free and joining all of the others that have gone before us (including 2 of his own children) up in Heaven. If you click on his name above, it will take you to his beautifully written obituary. We love you and miss you daily Gumpa (thanks for the word jumble the other day :) )

Always into something.

September 29th Cam turned 17 months (this was also my Grandpa's funeral). He was busy being a feisty little kid and spent 1/2 of the time outdoors with Grandma Ninny (thank you!). He did learn to love cereal outside of the cheerio realm thanks to our complimentary breakfasts at the hotel :)

All dressed up!

We drove to Nebraska on the 27th of September knowing that we had to move into our new home on September 30th. Do you see where I am going with this? Yeah, we drove a gazillion hours directly after the funeral to make it home in time to sleep for a couple of hours before loading trucks and hauling it into the new house. Thankfully, we have the most amazing friends that picked up our moving truck AND loaded up most of our belongings while we were gone. Yeah you read that right, they packed up the truck with all of the heavy stuff and moved the rest upstairs for easy moving. They even showed up on that Sunday to help us move it into the new house. Thank you just doesn't cut it. Blessed we are.

I think I'll have to continue with a part II tomorrow...this is getting long!

Thanks for continuing to check in with us.

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

My little helper

I am trying this post from my phone. A good portion of my pics come from my phone so if this works perhaps I'll blog more! :)

I thought you should see proof of how good of a lil' helper I have. He loves to water the flowers! Do you think he's in an impressionable stage? I think he's seen me do this a few times.

Now to work on some other chores around the house.

Cheers & Go Big Red!

Love,

Chris, Amber and Cameron

House Progression

Hello Friends & Family--

Since breaking ground in May we've had quite the overhaul on our lot. We now have what truly looks like a home perched in the middle of the once dirt ridden lot. While I type this I know something else new will be going on, so consider this yesterday's news.

Paint has started (That's the entry/stairway)!

It's hard to tell but it's a warm tone of grey (View from Great Room).

The siding and shakes are up! Yep it's blue (and the band of wood under will be painted white)

We are waiting for an additional window for Cam's room and then the siding will be complete.

While there are MANY more things to happen prior to the house being move-in ready, we are far closer than I'm ready to accept. I'm not sure if I'm ready to start packing, especially with a little guy at my feet. Next on the timeline are floors and cabinets. Somewhere in there they will put up all our lighting and do some trim work. It makes my mind spin at how all these contractors work together to complete a house.

I'll gladly take any volunteers who want to help pack and/or move us! :) And you think I'm kidding.

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

15 Month Check-up

Hello Friends & Family--

Cameron had his 15 month appointment on August 1st. He won't be seen again until his 18 month appointment, which also happens to be the last round of shots until he is 4 or 5. I'm sure he would be elated if her understood that!

Playing at the Dr.'s office

Such a big boy!

Guess where this is going, Mom!?

Yep, straight to my mouth. Ugh. No germs there, right???

Dr. E is very pleased with how well Cam is growing and hitting all his milestones. She did mention that he's a really busy little guy. That's an understatement! She now realizes why I had no problem shedding the extra baby weight. No complaints on that! She was also in awe that he has 12 teeth in, and is cutting the last 4 eye teeth. This means he won't have any more teeth to cut until he's closer to 3 or 4. My guess is he'll get them when he's two :) For some reason this child wants a full set of teeth now. I could certainly do without the drool soaked shirts though...ugh!

Now onto the measurements...

Height: 30.25" or 2' 6.25" --> 18%
Weight: 22 lbs 12 oz --> 50%
Head Circumference: 47.5" --> 68%

He's finally gaining some weight, which boggles my mind because this kid has been such a finicky eater lately. Overall, we have a growing healthy little boy! That's all we can ask for.

And just a little sneak peak until I have time to post more. I still plan on doing some more progression posts on the new house until it is completed in September. This primarily is what is keeping me so busy. Too many decisions to make! I can't wait until its all done...

Siding!

Drywall!

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

15 Months

Hello Friends & Family--

July 29th marked Cam's 15th month! He's now becoming a very independent toddler. I hate that my baby is no longer a baby.

Watching the city truck...

In awe, didn't even budge when the worker honked :)

Just a few things for my record books:

He loves to vacuum, he has a toy vacuum that he pulls/pushes around daily. Or he rides :)

Always has a push toy outside w/ him!

He is becoming quite the picky eater, it's a daily battle to find something for this kid to eat. Hopefully this stage passes and my good little eater joins us once again. He did discover his love of peaches this week...if you've never had a saturn peach you better try one!

Cam loves to play outdoors. We are outside as much as we can be considering the warm weather we've been experiencing. He likes to swim in his pool or push some toy around. Lately we've been playing "soccer", he's not too bad!

My little helper

He's working on his words. Current words are: Momma, Dadda, Ball, Ba-ba, that, this... He will repeat quite a few words we say once or twice. Time to start censoring ourselves...CHRIS!

He's still in 12 month clothing (getting snugger by the day). I'd say 18 month clothes will be right around the corner. He's still my "little" man.

Cam aka Linus MUST carry at least one blanket with him around the house. He's been doing this for the last 2 months or so. I think someone has an obsession to say the least. At least he doesn't cry when it's taken away or he can't find one...thank goodness!

I'm sure there is a lot more I will think of after I post this :)

Linus

Doctors visit update up next...

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

Picture Dump

Hello Friends & Family--

I thought I just add a few pictures from the last month, a more detailed post to come! Thanks for checking in on us!

Always helping.

Hurley did it!

Cheese ball :)

I love my big boy chair!

Working on feeding myself...

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

I can color!

Hello Friends & Family--

We've been trying to incorporate a few more art projects into our routine, which are pretty limited when it comes to a 14 month old. I've been looking for some good non-toxic finger paints (I'll take any suggestions or recipes!) for Cam. I know he'll love to smear it all over and it's a good project to do when the hose is easily accessible ;)

I did come across the crayola toddler marker that is colorless and only appears on special paper (heaven sent!).

Here's our first picture: a Father's day card for Daddy!

Love,

Chris, Amber & Cameron

Memorial Day Weekend

Hello Friends & Family--

For those of you still waiting on your 'thank you' notes from Cam's 1st party, they are coming! We listed the house the week of Cam's party and then it's been a whirlwind of cleaning and showings since then. It's a lot harder to keep your home 'show' worthy when you are there all day long with pets and a little one. We've mastered the chores and loading of the car now!

So over Memorial Day weekend we trekked to Nebraska to visit family. It was a very short visit, but it was well worth it to see family. We still missed some in the Omaha area though :( Here are a few pictures from our visit. I'm missing Grandma Masters, Great Grandpa & Grandma Larson, Aunt Alysia, Aunt Abby and Uncle Keith in pictures, but they were there. Haha!