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