Here it is almost a month since my last post. Things are moving along and we are just as busy as ever (if not more)! Throughout the months of November and December Jeff worked an insane number of hours. The paychecks were awesome, and it made Christmas amazing...but we all were burnt out. Brynnlee needed to spend some quality time with her dad, and we were able to do that at the end of December/beginning of January. The holidays have been a true blessing this year, and we enjoyed every single minute. Jeff had to work Christmas Eve and Day, so we worked things out a little differently this year. The week before Christmas we headed down to the lights at the zoo. We went on a Tuesday hoping it would be less crowded. Although I have seen it worse, there were a lot of people! Brynnlee was amazed at everything! She didn't get to see many animals, so we will make a trip to the zoo this spring or summer. While riding in the stroller she would "oh" and "ahh" at all of the lights. She would also say "what's that and what's this". It was a blast and I am so glad that we are able to start that tradition with her. We stopped to see the model train display, but she was more interested in the ornaments that hung from the ceiling. Brynnlee was all bundled up, but thankfully the night wasn't too cold. She did look adorable in her snowsuit though! I'm still not entirely comfortable with my camera and its settings, so there weren't a lot of pictures due to the darkness. Hopefully next year it will be better! Brynnlee loved the big tree all lit up in blue lights and the dancing trees. We can't wait for next year! The Thursday before Christmas we headed to Onsted for Christmas with Jeff's family. Since it was during the week Uncle Bill was unable to attend. Brynnlee opened her gift...a wooden Red Flyer wagon with a canopy. We are going to love having that around when the summer comes! Brynnlee also recieved a set of wooden blocks from Brent and Leslie. Jeff and I both recieved a new pair of pajamas. This year we bought two photo books for both of our parents, and we bought Grandma Meyer a white and purple zip up shirt. We had dinner, and Brynnlee played! She has a love/hate relationship with the blocks. She wants to play with them, but is irritated is someone else knocks down her tower, or if someone else tries to build a tower. Brynnlee is an amazing kid, but I see signs of the terrible twos already! Brynnlee spent the majority of Friday and Christmas Eve with my family. I stayed home and picked up the house, did laundry, cleaned the carpets and started to pack for our trip. I admit I was hesitant to pack. I didn't want to spend the entire 9 days up north. Jeff had worked so much, that the last thing I wanted to do was be away from him while he went out snowmobiling. With that being said, Jeff, Brynnlee and I headed to Mt Clemens to look at a snowcoach. We planned to rent it for the trip, and then buy it if Brynnlee liked it. We had high hopes, and planned not to make the trip back to Mt Clemens! We rented the snowcoach for $250.00 and the cost if we wanted to buy was $700.00. If we decided to buy it he would count that money towards the purchase price, if we didn't want it he would give us $100.00 back (it was considered a security deposit). On Christmas Eve I spent part of the day at home, and the other part at my parents house. After Jeff got out of work we met at our house and had our family Christmas. Brynnlee had so much fun! The first thing she noticed was the power wheels!!!! She played with it, climbed all over it and Jeff pushed the pedal so she could have a little ride. We actually had to lock the power wheels in our bedroom because she didn't want to open anything else! For Christmas Brynnlee recieved: pajamas, pots and pans set, puzzles, books, a kids cd player, sleeping bag, table and chairs, baby doll with accessories, a Sing A Ma Jig and more! I admit we went overboard, but I also spent very little for the amount of things I bought! Jeff and I opted to not buy each other gifts this year. We agreed to buy each other one small thing from Brynnlee. Brynnlee and Jeff bought me a photo frame! Its white with the words I love Mom written on it! Brynnle wanted to buy so much more for her dad because of all the hours he worked. She suggested buying him a laptop of his own, but it didn't stop there. She also bought him a car mount for his phone, Lions sweatshirt, trail camera and a few other things. He was surprised and had no idea! Of course he felt bad, so we agreed my gift would also include a remote car starter for the newer vehicle we purchased for me. After returning home from up north before Thanksgiving we had a few problems. Our basement was starting to flood from all of the rain, the sewer was backed up and my car was running horrible. After spending days with a flooded basement Jeff was able to stablize it. We pumped water outside, which of course flooded the road and caused icy conditions. So we moved the drainage pipe to the other side of the house. Now the basement is dry, but the water continues to pump out every now and then. The drain commission pumped out our sewer, and before the end of the month I traded in my car. We bought an '05 Explorer from Bryan Ford. It was exactly what we were looking for. The price was right, decent miles, dark blue, 4 wheel drive and a sunroof. But most importantly, room for us, Brynnlee and the dogs. Buying this vehicle relieves the pressure of Jeff's truck. The Explorer made it's first trip to the U.P. after Christmas. Christmas Eve night we put Brynnlee's new pajamas on, read The Night Before Christmas and set up her Elf on a Shelf. The next morning Jeff headed to work, a few hours later Brynnlee and I headed to my parents. We were going to celebrate Christmas, then when Jeff got out of work, he came over to open his gifts. My parents bought Brynnlee new things for her to play with at their house. They bought her a couch, Yo Gabba Gabba blanket and a Tangled pillow. She was inseperable from the couch! My parents bought me a Keurig (which I am in love with) and clothes. They bought Jeff a new drill, tool box and a few smaller things...his favorite gift was an Arctic Cat coffee mug. After we got home, it was a mad rush to do laundry and pack. The plan was to leave early the next morning, but we left mid afternoon. I wish I had been more motivated on the days before. Its tough having two jobs, a one year old and a husband who was working so many hours. As of today I have 312 days left in one of my jobs. I am saddened, but also excited at this. I am ready to be relieved of the work, but I am saddened that it has turned out this way. In essence, I like the job, its just not what I envisioned. Needless to say, I would love to find a part time position that pays decent. I would prefer to work part time, and regret leaving the position that I had. Granted we live life differently, and we are able to provide anything that Brynnlee may need.
The day after Christmas we headed to the U.P., there was barely any snow on the way. In Munising there was a little snow on the ground, not quite enough for snowmobiling. We had it scheduled to have a few friends from the fire department, but they cancelled due to the lack of snow. The day after we arrived we headed to the west side of the state. We stopped at the Houghton Hancock area. Although it was snowing and windy, we got out of the car for a few minutes. We were able to get out and stretch our legs. Brynnlee enjoyed it. We walked the store fronts, and she waved at all of the displays, and the cop in the police department! Sadly we didn't venture further, and shortly after we arrived we started on our way back. There isn't a lot to do in the winter, especially during Christmas break (and when we didn't have a chance to research and see what was around). It was a beautiful drive, and we can't wait to do it again! During our trip we went to Munising Falls, Scott Falls, Marquette and a few other places. We had some snow and needed to try out the snowcoach. The first time I rode with Brynnlee-what a mistake! Brynnlee did fine, but I was clausterphobic! As soon as the door closed I felt instant fear! We rode for a few miles before I told Jeff to turn around. It was uncomfortable to get in and out, but it was worse for me to ride in it. Brynnlee did amazing though, so it was worth the funny looks I got climbing into the coach! A few days later the three of us ventured out for our first snowmobile ride. The two days prior we had blizzard like conditions. The new snowfall was a great time for Jeff to meet up with a friend and do some riding. Brynnlee and I stayed home and enjoyed the snowfall. While out of the snowmobile ride Brynnlee took a nap, we had lunch and she was content the whole time! We decided not to take her out again though, she was a little chilly during the ride. Next time we decide to take her out we will install a small heater inside to keep her warm. We decided to buy the snowcoach and are sending the check in the mail (that drive was horrible). During the trip I had a chance to test out my new lens. So far I like it, and I was able to find perfect exposure on a few shots. Now I just need to tune up my manual skills, work on my composition and then work on Photoshop Elements. Its a slow process, but its coming along. New Years was a fun, but hard night for me. We decided to go out with a few friends and leave Brynnlee with a babysitter. The babysitter was watching two boy already, and we were able to drop Brynnlee off at their house. She did excellent. Too busy watching the boys to eat, but the babysitter did get her to go to sleep. About 10 of us went to dinner at Foggy's. We took the bus out there, and had a friend bring us back into town. That way we were able to have a few drinks. After dinner we stopped at two bars, and at 11:30 we called it a night and started walking to get Brynnlee. By the time we made it to their house (of course after Jeff had to go to the bathroom, and order a pizza) it was almost midnight. Brynnlee woke up just in time to get a kiss from each of us. Not exactly how I planned to ring in the New Year, but we were together and thats all that matters. We packed up her things and headed back to Nana & Papa's, they were still up and were able to tell Brynnlee happy New Year. On the 4th we headed home early in the day. I had to prep for a fully day work and a meeting the next day. It was a long day, and I was so glad to be home. But Thursday and Friday were tough!
Well thats all for today, back to work I go. Jeff works this weekend, and we have his fire department banquent on Saturday. Brynnlee won't be able to go this year :( They are having it at the Stables in Blissfield, so its right around the corner from my parents house. Tonight I have a few things to do for the township, ok so I have a lot to do. This year there are four elections to prep for, so I'm sure its going to be stressful, but soon it will be all over with!
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