It has been a crazy week but we made it through. We made it through moving and having a bunch of our family visit.
My mom got here last Wednesday. She helped me out by watching the boys while I finished up packing the apartment on Thursday.
Friday (December 23rd) was our insane day. We did a final walk-through of the house at 8 am. Our closing was at 9 am. The movers showed up at the house around 10:30 am with our stuff from storage. Then our refrigerator was delivered, we had an estimate for a fence, temporary blinds were installed, and our cable/internet was installed. Then the movers drove over to our apartment, loaded up our stuff there, and moved it into the house. The keys we were given at closing didn't work for the house so a locksmith showed up around 4 pm and recored our locks. The movers finished around 6 pm and we got cribs put together so we could get the boys to bed on time.
Luckily everything went well on Friday. The movers did very little damage to the house while moving (only some marks on the walls). Unfortunately a lot of our furniture that was in storage has damage. A lot of the wood furniture is scratched up and upholstered stuff is insanely dirty. We'll see what happens when we submit an insurance claim with the moving company.
On Saturday (Christmas Eve), we got the house ready enough for more family to stay with us. We put together beds, found sheets and towels, unpacked a lot of kitchen boxes, and went grocery shopping. Brian's parents and sister (Shannon) got in around 5 pm when we were getting our permanent blinds installed.
Brian's family stayed with us until Wednesday (December 28th). My dad, Jan, and Jan's mom (Beth) were here Tuesday through Thursday, though they stayed at a hotel. And my mom left today (December 30th).
We had a lot of fun celebrating Christmas with so much of our family and getting to do it in our new house. I unfortunately didn't take many pictures, but I will share what I have in the next few posts!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Santa Has Come!
Santa delivered Carter and Rylan's presents tonight after they went to bed (Santa used the black wrapping paper).
Carter is so excited about Santa this year. It has been so much fun for all of us. Carter has even been telling people that he called Santa Claus on his phone to tell him that we moved.
It has been a stressful few days, but we are in the new house. We've managed to put beds together, find sheets and towels, unpack the majority of the kitchen, and put up the Christmas tree. My mom has been here since Wednesday and Brian's family got in this evening.
I probably won't post much over the next few days but I'll have lots of pictures of the house and Christmas to share soon!
Carter is so excited about Santa this year. It has been so much fun for all of us. Carter has even been telling people that he called Santa Claus on his phone to tell him that we moved.
It has been a stressful few days, but we are in the new house. We've managed to put beds together, find sheets and towels, unpack the majority of the kitchen, and put up the Christmas tree. My mom has been here since Wednesday and Brian's family got in this evening.
I probably won't post much over the next few days but I'll have lots of pictures of the house and Christmas to share soon!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Giant Christmas Tree
We met Missy and her boys at the Brentwood Library for storytime today. Afterwards we walked across the street to play at the park for a while. On the way over there, the boys stopped to check out this decorated tree with giant presents. They all thought it was very cool.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Thanksgiving - Part 2
I am so behind on blogging. Between trying to pack the apartment, getting everything set up for the house, doing Christmas activities, Christmas shopping, me and the kids being sick, and potty training (finally), I am exhausted in the evenings once I finally have a few minutes to blog.
Since it is almost Christmas, I definitely need to finish blogging about Thanksgiving!
On Friday, the kids slept in (for them). Once they got up, Brian and I headed out to do a little Black Friday shopping. I had seen that Sears had the Gladiator garage cabinets that Brian uses half off (making them only $100 each) so we ventured over there first. They had several left so we picked up two. They we much bigger than we expected and barely fit in the trunk of our Rav4. I even had to take out the carseats so we could move the back seat up some. More to come on how that all worked out for the drive home later.
Then we headed over to Dick's to pick up new running shoes and Radio Shack to get my mom a new router. Even though it was late for Black Friday, we got everything we wanted.
When we got back to Brian's parents' house, we all took the boys over to our favorite park in Cary.
When we got back to the house, Carter started feeling bad and was burning up. A nap and some Tylenol allowed him to play Twister though with GG (Brian's mom).
My sister and Mike headed back up to DC after lunch and the rest of us hung out around the house the rest of the day since Carter was pretty puny.
Luckily Carter's fever was gone the next morning and he felt better because we had planned to meet up with some friends at Marbles, the children's museum in downtown Raleigh. We went there last year and loved it and it was still just as good. Even better, Rylan got to enjoy it this year!
We met up with Anakah and Johnny (Brian went to high school and college with them) and their kids, Fin and Lainey (who we had never met). Cass (who Brian also went to school with), her husband (Jeremy), and their son (Liam) were able to meet us there as well. Random ... Lainey and Liam were born on the same day.
We managed to get a group picture of the kids: Liam, Carter, Rylan, Lainey, Fin (and Anakah)
And I got a cute picture of Rylan and Lainey ...
It was great to see our old friends and meet everyone's kids. Everyone had a lot of fun and I hope we continue to meet up at least once a year!
After the museum and naps, we took the kids back to the park and then all went out to dinner. Once we got the kids to bed for the night, Brian and I worked on packing the car. We managed to fit everything in but had to turn Rylan's carseat around so he was forward-facing. Plus, we normally have Charlotte in a soft-crate but instead she got a small spot in the trunk to hang out in. Rylan liked her being there at first, but was not a fan when he was trying to eat a snack!
The drive back was a lot worse than the drive to Raleigh. It rained steadily as soon as we entered Tennessee and there were a ton of wrecks that slowed us down a lot. It was painful, but we made it and the kids did great (considering how long they were in the car). However, we aren't so sure we'll do that drive on the Sunday after Thanksgiving again!
Since it is almost Christmas, I definitely need to finish blogging about Thanksgiving!
On Friday, the kids slept in (for them). Once they got up, Brian and I headed out to do a little Black Friday shopping. I had seen that Sears had the Gladiator garage cabinets that Brian uses half off (making them only $100 each) so we ventured over there first. They had several left so we picked up two. They we much bigger than we expected and barely fit in the trunk of our Rav4. I even had to take out the carseats so we could move the back seat up some. More to come on how that all worked out for the drive home later.
Then we headed over to Dick's to pick up new running shoes and Radio Shack to get my mom a new router. Even though it was late for Black Friday, we got everything we wanted.
When we got back to Brian's parents' house, we all took the boys over to our favorite park in Cary.
When we got back to the house, Carter started feeling bad and was burning up. A nap and some Tylenol allowed him to play Twister though with GG (Brian's mom).
My sister and Mike headed back up to DC after lunch and the rest of us hung out around the house the rest of the day since Carter was pretty puny.
Luckily Carter's fever was gone the next morning and he felt better because we had planned to meet up with some friends at Marbles, the children's museum in downtown Raleigh. We went there last year and loved it and it was still just as good. Even better, Rylan got to enjoy it this year!
We met up with Anakah and Johnny (Brian went to high school and college with them) and their kids, Fin and Lainey (who we had never met). Cass (who Brian also went to school with), her husband (Jeremy), and their son (Liam) were able to meet us there as well. Random ... Lainey and Liam were born on the same day.
We managed to get a group picture of the kids: Liam, Carter, Rylan, Lainey, Fin (and Anakah)
And I got a cute picture of Rylan and Lainey ...
It was great to see our old friends and meet everyone's kids. Everyone had a lot of fun and I hope we continue to meet up at least once a year!
After the museum and naps, we took the kids back to the park and then all went out to dinner. Once we got the kids to bed for the night, Brian and I worked on packing the car. We managed to fit everything in but had to turn Rylan's carseat around so he was forward-facing. Plus, we normally have Charlotte in a soft-crate but instead she got a small spot in the trunk to hang out in. Rylan liked her being there at first, but was not a fan when he was trying to eat a snack!
The drive back was a lot worse than the drive to Raleigh. It rained steadily as soon as we entered Tennessee and there were a ton of wrecks that slowed us down a lot. It was painful, but we made it and the kids did great (considering how long they were in the car). However, we aren't so sure we'll do that drive on the Sunday after Thanksgiving again!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Light Shows
We took the boys to see some computerized Christmas light displays tonight. They were both good and very different.
The first one we went to on Old Charlotte Pike was similar to one we used to go to in Knoxville. It was in an older neighborhood and the house was on a large lot so they had lots of lights spread out on their land. Here's a short video ...
Rylan was really in to it, even more so than Carter. We had both boys up front in the car with us while the music played over the radio. Rylan was holding on to the steering wheel and dancing.
Next we went over to Lipton Court to check out another display. That house was in a newer neighborhood and really neat. Brian and I kept trying to figure out how they did it.
The first one we went to on Old Charlotte Pike was similar to one we used to go to in Knoxville. It was in an older neighborhood and the house was on a large lot so they had lots of lights spread out on their land. Here's a short video ...
Rylan was really in to it, even more so than Carter. We had both boys up front in the car with us while the music played over the radio. Rylan was holding on to the steering wheel and dancing.
Next we went over to Lipton Court to check out another display. That house was in a newer neighborhood and really neat. Brian and I kept trying to figure out how they did it.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Sunny Side
After dinner tonight we drove over to a house in the Sunny Side neighborhood that has amazing Christmas decorations. They have so many decorations that they've expanded into several neighbors' yards. They allow you to walk up their driveway to get a closer look at the decorations, and starting this weekend, they have a Santa there each night.
Carter loved it and was super upset when we had to get back in the car to leave. (Rylan didn't have much of a nap today and was passed out in the car.)
Carter loved it and was super upset when we had to get back in the car to leave. (Rylan didn't have much of a nap today and was passed out in the car.)
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Playdates
We've been getting together with Missy and her boys a lot lately. I think we met up 3 times last week and twice already this week.
On Monday we went to Monkey Joe's again. Again, it was almost empty. Will, Carter, and Rylan are really enjoying playing there right now. Rylan will even crawl into some of the bounce houses on his own now.
Today we met three other moms (including Missy) and a nanny at the park with 6 other boys ages 8 months to 3. It was so nice today - it was sunny and got up to the mid-60s. All the boys had a lot of fun!
On Monday we went to Monkey Joe's again. Again, it was almost empty. Will, Carter, and Rylan are really enjoying playing there right now. Rylan will even crawl into some of the bounce houses on his own now.
Today we met three other moms (including Missy) and a nanny at the park with 6 other boys ages 8 months to 3. It was so nice today - it was sunny and got up to the mid-60s. All the boys had a lot of fun!
House Update
There hasn't been much to report on the house the last few weeks. There have mainly just been small changes. And now the house is locked so it's not so easy to get in and see the changes.
I spent a couple of hours there last week with a saleswoman from Budget Blinds measuring windows and deciding on what we wanted. While there, I got to look really closely at the house and make a long list of little things I wanted fixed. Nothing was major - it was mostly drywall repairs and they may have already fixed those things.
When we were going over selections in the design center back in August, we were informed that the city of Franklin was requiring that an arbor be built over our garage because it faces the road our neighborhood is off of. That went up the end of last week ...
Not much landscaping is included in the basic package (just front beds around the house with small plants). However, when going over our lot layout and the driveway plan, we'd been told that there would also be landscaping in the semicircle created by our driveway. We asked the builder about it a couple of weeks ago and he said he'd look into it. This is what they decided to put in ...
I'm not sure yet if I like them.
We thought they'd just put in small plants like they had along the house, but instead they put in these five giant (10 - 12 feet tall) trees. They probably cost way more than all our other landscaping combined! I sure hope these don't grow much bigger.
I spent a couple of hours there last week with a saleswoman from Budget Blinds measuring windows and deciding on what we wanted. While there, I got to look really closely at the house and make a long list of little things I wanted fixed. Nothing was major - it was mostly drywall repairs and they may have already fixed those things.
When we were going over selections in the design center back in August, we were informed that the city of Franklin was requiring that an arbor be built over our garage because it faces the road our neighborhood is off of. That went up the end of last week ...
Not much landscaping is included in the basic package (just front beds around the house with small plants). However, when going over our lot layout and the driveway plan, we'd been told that there would also be landscaping in the semicircle created by our driveway. We asked the builder about it a couple of weeks ago and he said he'd look into it. This is what they decided to put in ...
I'm not sure yet if I like them.
We thought they'd just put in small plants like they had along the house, but instead they put in these five giant (10 - 12 feet tall) trees. They probably cost way more than all our other landscaping combined! I sure hope these don't grow much bigger.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Santa Claus
Carter totally gets Santa Claus this year. We've been talking about him a lot lately. We even took Carter to some stores to look at toys so that he could figure out what he wanted to ask Santa for.
Before looking, Carter kept telling me he was going to ask for a car. Once we looked at Walmart, he became fixated on a Spiderman car he saw. But when we went to Toys R Us, Brian and I saw some cool Animal Planet toys. We pointed them out to Carter and he saw a treehouse set that he wanted right away. Since seeing it, Carter kept telling us that he was going to ask Santa for "a B-I-G treehouse".
After naps this afternoon, we decided to get out of the apartment because we'd had no water since noon. It appeared that a line had been hit outside of our apartment complex and they cut off the water until a couple of hours ago. We have water now, but it's brown.
Anyway, I had told Carter a few days ago that I heard Santa Claus was going to be in town this weekend to find out what kids here wanted for Christmas. We hadn't gotten out to see him yet so Brian and I decided to take the kids to the mall.
After waiting in line for about 30 minutes (including waiting through a potty break for Santa though we told Carter he had to go feed the reindeer), the boys got to visit with Santa. Carter was very excited but Rylan wasn't so sure about Santa. He slid right off his lap and came back to me. Then I tried to put Rylan standing in front of Santa, but he wasn't having it. He wasn't getting upset but didn't want to be left with Santa. Santa tried grabbing his collar to hold him there, but that didn't work either. Oh well. Carter got his picture with Santa at least.
I wouldn't normally buy a picture, but the basic package included a CD with the picture and 2 - 5x7s for $28. Also included was a $20 Shutterfly gift card. So ultimately, the pictures "only" cost $8.
After getting his picture taken, Carter told Santa about the big treehouse he wanted.
Poor Carter though was confused and upset when he didn't get what he asked for right away. But we explained how now Santa's elves have to make his present and hopefully Santa will bring it for him on Christmas morning.
Before looking, Carter kept telling me he was going to ask for a car. Once we looked at Walmart, he became fixated on a Spiderman car he saw. But when we went to Toys R Us, Brian and I saw some cool Animal Planet toys. We pointed them out to Carter and he saw a treehouse set that he wanted right away. Since seeing it, Carter kept telling us that he was going to ask Santa for "a B-I-G treehouse".
After naps this afternoon, we decided to get out of the apartment because we'd had no water since noon. It appeared that a line had been hit outside of our apartment complex and they cut off the water until a couple of hours ago. We have water now, but it's brown.
Anyway, I had told Carter a few days ago that I heard Santa Claus was going to be in town this weekend to find out what kids here wanted for Christmas. We hadn't gotten out to see him yet so Brian and I decided to take the kids to the mall.
After waiting in line for about 30 minutes (including waiting through a potty break for Santa though we told Carter he had to go feed the reindeer), the boys got to visit with Santa. Carter was very excited but Rylan wasn't so sure about Santa. He slid right off his lap and came back to me. Then I tried to put Rylan standing in front of Santa, but he wasn't having it. He wasn't getting upset but didn't want to be left with Santa. Santa tried grabbing his collar to hold him there, but that didn't work either. Oh well. Carter got his picture with Santa at least.
I wouldn't normally buy a picture, but the basic package included a CD with the picture and 2 - 5x7s for $28. Also included was a $20 Shutterfly gift card. So ultimately, the pictures "only" cost $8.
After getting his picture taken, Carter told Santa about the big treehouse he wanted.
Poor Carter though was confused and upset when he didn't get what he asked for right away. But we explained how now Santa's elves have to make his present and hopefully Santa will bring it for him on Christmas morning.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Dickens of a Christmas
Downtown Franklin has a street festival in December called Dickens of a Christmas. There are craft vendors and performances, but the main attraction is people that dress up as characters from Charles Dickens' stories.
We went this morning before lunch to check it out. There weren't as many people as I expected in costume but we enjoyed walking around before we got too cold (it was only about 40F).
We managed to get a picture of the boys with Marley ...
Brian and I were a little creeped out by this guy but the boys weren't (luckily).
We went this morning before lunch to check it out. There weren't as many people as I expected in costume but we enjoyed walking around before we got too cold (it was only about 40F).
We managed to get a picture of the boys with Marley ...
Brian and I were a little creeped out by this guy but the boys weren't (luckily).
Friday, December 9, 2011
Opryland
We took the boys to Opryland this evening to see the Christmas lights and displays. There is plenty of really cool stuff you can pay (a lot) for, but we just walked around the hotel and viewed all the free displays.
The outside of one of the entrances was decorated with millions of white lights.
There was a beautiful nativity scene. As we were walking up, Carter was excited about "baby Jesus". All the crafts at school on Thursday were baby Jesus related so Carter is all about him right now.
Inside was the largest Christmas tree I've ever seen.
Two of the three atriums were decorated with gorgeous hanging lights.
As we were driving away, Carter announced that he had fun. I'm glad we made it out there - it's really starting to feel like Christmas!
The outside of one of the entrances was decorated with millions of white lights.
There was a beautiful nativity scene. As we were walking up, Carter was excited about "baby Jesus". All the crafts at school on Thursday were baby Jesus related so Carter is all about him right now.
Inside was the largest Christmas tree I've ever seen.
Two of the three atriums were decorated with gorgeous hanging lights.
As we were driving away, Carter announced that he had fun. I'm glad we made it out there - it's really starting to feel like Christmas!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Christmas Ornaments and Cards from Santa
I've finally gotten around to making some Christmas ornaments with the kids. I found this super cute idea last night, and I love how these ornaments turned out!
The snowmen are the fingers of a white handprint on the ornament. I added the details but I love that no matter how messy the handprint is, you can make some really cute snowmen!
A few weeks ago, Tiny Prints was offering free cards from Santa. I customized one for each boy and mixed them in with our mail today.
I've been talking to Carter about Santa a lot and thought he'd be excited about the card. He was, but not in the way I expected. He didn't even let me read his card, but he held onto it most of the night.
Here's Carter's card ...
The inside says: Dear Carter, Happy Holidays! My elves have been watching you closely and they said you've been very good this year! Please visit me soon and let me know what you would like for Christmas! See you soon! Santa
And here is Rylan's card:
This card says: Merry Christmas That's right, Santa has you on his "nice list" because you're a sweet and adorable little boy. Love, Santa 2011
The snowmen are the fingers of a white handprint on the ornament. I added the details but I love that no matter how messy the handprint is, you can make some really cute snowmen!
A few weeks ago, Tiny Prints was offering free cards from Santa. I customized one for each boy and mixed them in with our mail today.
I've been talking to Carter about Santa a lot and thought he'd be excited about the card. He was, but not in the way I expected. He didn't even let me read his card, but he held onto it most of the night.
Here's Carter's card ...
The inside says: Dear Carter, Happy Holidays! My elves have been watching you closely and they said you've been very good this year! Please visit me soon and let me know what you would like for Christmas! See you soon! Santa
And here is Rylan's card:
This card says: Merry Christmas That's right, Santa has you on his "nice list" because you're a sweet and adorable little boy. Love, Santa 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
The Apartment
Just one more reason I can't wait to move ...
Yesterday while running the garbage disposal, it just fell off the sink. Everything is falling apart here.
The day we moved into the apartment, I had a sinking feeling of "what are we doing?!?!?" I didn't think we'd be able to live in this little place that is so rundown (yet SO expensive). But I knew that we didn't have a choice and tried to not stress about it. But now that the end is in sight, December 23rd can't come soon enough!
Yesterday while running the garbage disposal, it just fell off the sink. Everything is falling apart here.
The day we moved into the apartment, I had a sinking feeling of "what are we doing?!?!?" I didn't think we'd be able to live in this little place that is so rundown (yet SO expensive). But I knew that we didn't have a choice and tried to not stress about it. But now that the end is in sight, December 23rd can't come soon enough!
Rylan or My Dad
My dad sent me a picture of him today as a kid. I've always thought Rylan looks a lot like him. This picture really shows it. Rylan even makes this same expression!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Building
Brian had to work last night so I had a morning of activities with the boys out of the house planned so that Brian could sleep. Unfortunately he had to go back in this morning only after a couple of hours of sleep. But the boys and I still went to Home Depot and Lowe's to do their building workshops.
We got to the one at Home Depot just after 9 am and they were having the workshop outside! It was COLD!
Rylan had to sit on a bucket just like Carter (and almost fell off several times). Rylan is copying everything Carter does lately.
Today's project didn't use any nails, only screws. Carter liked this a lot.
Carter took my camera and snapped a few pictures of Rylan and me ...
After building the snowman napkin holders, the boys got to paint them.
Miraculously Rylan didn't get any paint on himself (except for on his hands).
He was a huge fan of painting and got super mad when I took the paint brush away from him a few times to add more paint to it.
We added stickers once the paint dried. Here are the finished products ...
After Home Depot we headed to Lowe's to make the first part of the train they will be building over the next few weeks.
Both boys did really well sitting with me and helping as we built the cabooses.
The kits came with two sets of stickers so Carter decorated his caboose with the Christmas stickers and I put the regular stickers on Rylan's caboose.
It was a little difficult building two kits at the workshops but both boys were super patient (for them) and they seemed to enjoy themselves.
We got to the one at Home Depot just after 9 am and they were having the workshop outside! It was COLD!
Rylan had to sit on a bucket just like Carter (and almost fell off several times). Rylan is copying everything Carter does lately.
Today's project didn't use any nails, only screws. Carter liked this a lot.
Carter took my camera and snapped a few pictures of Rylan and me ...
After building the snowman napkin holders, the boys got to paint them.
Miraculously Rylan didn't get any paint on himself (except for on his hands).
He was a huge fan of painting and got super mad when I took the paint brush away from him a few times to add more paint to it.
We added stickers once the paint dried. Here are the finished products ...
After Home Depot we headed to Lowe's to make the first part of the train they will be building over the next few weeks.
Both boys did really well sitting with me and helping as we built the cabooses.
The kits came with two sets of stickers so Carter decorated his caboose with the Christmas stickers and I put the regular stickers on Rylan's caboose.
It was a little difficult building two kits at the workshops but both boys were super patient (for them) and they seemed to enjoy themselves.
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