Xmas isa comin!

Just taking a few minutes to reflect on today. We had some overcast mid-50s type of weather, but most of the day we spent setting up the Christmas decorations. Viviana (almost 4) and Ella (2+) had fun with little ornaments on the tree (using hooks). They quickly learned that putting too many on one branch weighs it down, to the point some fall off it because it's too much weight.

In general, they know "Santa coming!" and they will get "lots of presents because I am a good girl". Haha...they crack me up!

So that was fun, setting up the tree and playing with the various decor items, including the little ceramic lighted village with the figurines (we ONLY broke two of them tonight).

Earlier in the day we took our annual holiday photos, this time down at Jetton Park. The leaves were yellow - if not fallen off the trees - and it was a nice fall scene at that park. We also took some near the lake...so, hopefully a few will turn out decent. Christine spent about 8 hours this week preparing for the photoshoot (hair appointments, makeup, outfit, etc) but looked great - as usual!

We stopped at the pizza place after, and the girls eat well - they love their pizza.

Everyone is sleeping now - I am going to go join them (12:30am). I have been putting Viviana to bed at night, which always ends with a "I love you daddy - you're my best friend".
Out.

One Year NC anniversaary!

So here we are, just eclipsed one year as NC residents. We like it so far. We just endured a dry, hot summer but the cool weather recently arrived. Leaves starting to change colors, and we are enjoying our 3-season, screened in porch!

Over the past 6 months we went to FL for the 10th A PROM TO REMEMBER. We started Viviana in Pre-K, she loves it! And Ella had a little medical procedure (deflux) and a true trooper as she eclipsed the 2nd birthday mark! Both kids keep us busy, and keep us happy (for the most part). Grandmom and Grandpop Opre visited for 2 weeks recently, and Grandma Patty came for a long week as well.

My business is doing fine, and I am still building a network of people in the local area. Christine spends most of her days with the kids, making sure they are learning and are active. They are certainly very active - hard to get them to nap now!  Thankfully, sleeping at night has gotten much better...both girls are usually asleep by 9pm and sleep until 7am most days.

We all recently visited the local animal shelter, and contemplated getting Mr. Maxwell a buddy...we haven't pulled the trigger on that yet though.

Glad I remembered to do this Blog, I hadn't thought about it recently...but it just suddenly popped in my head tonight!

Knee deep in NC

All is well here in NC. After a wet/chilly winter, our first one in years, we are getting back to 60s and 70s and the trees are turning green again. Our little Maxwell survived his first "winter" - he is really a Miami kinda dog - but overall is getting used to his new surroundings. The girls love going outside and spending time with daddy... Viviana learned to use her bike (with training wheels) and Ella likes to get pushed around in her little car. Both enjoy the trampoline we inherited!

In the past couple months, we had both Grandmoms visit from Florida (Sandy and Patty). They love seeing the grandkids!  The Petschaulats also came to visit. Our family has a trip schedule to re-visit FL in May. I have been visiting Florida on a near-monthly basis for business, and even squeezed in a 2 day ski trip to Breckenridge in March. We enjoyed Thanksgiving at Cousin Stephanies (and Chet) and Xmas at our house...low key.

Besides the occasional colds and ear infections, we've escaped the emergency room. So we're thankful for that.  We take the kids around quite a bit, so they are always putting something in their mouths!

Business is good. Market is steady. I have been getting more active with local networking events. And we've been making some friends - with kids our age! So the social calendar is filling up a little more. I've been playing poker with guys in the neighborhood every month or so.

Tons of other updates....too much to type. Sleep is at a premium, sometimes the kids require us laying with them to sleep...and they wake up randomly thru the night. So I try to get my sleep. As it stands now, the girls are (ideally) all sleeping by 930pm. I get a couple hours of work done before letting Maxie out to pee, then I get to bed by 1230. Same for tonight.  Peace////