Week 76- July 3 – July 9, 2017
This was our first 4th of July celebration here in Ohio. We had such a fun time! On the morning of the 4th, we went to old town Gahanna and watched the parade. We of course had to stop at Tim Hortons first for some coffee and Timbits! We then found a nice spot on the street to watch the parade. This was our first time doing a parade and learned alot! Apparently you can come early to set your chairs out and nobody will move them. This way you can reserve a great shade spot, go get some breakfast and come back a little later. We also learned that it’s a good idea to bring chairs! We had a good blanket, but chairs might have been a little better.
Later that evening we went to the New Albany fireworks show. They did a great job with the fireworks. You seemed to really enjoy the fireworks and weren’t too scared of the loud booms. And they were really close and loud! We were always used to seeing smaller fireworks shows at the Fairmont, but these were huge, close and lasted about 20 minutes.
It was such a wonderful weekend getting to experience these events. We have attended more community events here in the short 2 months than I think we did our entire 8 years in Phoenix! I love it!!
Week 77- July 10 – July 16, 2017
We went to Sandusky this weekend to hang out with Link for his 28th birthday. It was again another great trip to visit with Grandma Patti & Grandpa Mark! They are always great hosts and Patti makes sure she always has plenty of snacks at her house. She is always buying something for you or buying something to have at her house for you. I’m sure Mark thinks she’s crazy some of the time! She bought a new crib for our room, new baby adirondack chairs for the patio, new toys and lots of snacks!
Week 78- July 17 – July 23, 2017
It’s a busy time at work for dad right now. We are in the middle of planning for our largest corporate event of the year. It is all stuff i’m familiar with, but it’s a learning process to learn about why Big Lots does certain things and learn more about their people. I really love my job! I really love that I love a job that allows for mom to stay home with you. It makes me so happy knowing that you two get to hang out and go to story time and do other things together. This is such an important developmental time in your life and we are blessed to have mom helping you read and learn new things.
This weekend we went to a fun festival at St. Matthew’s church. We found out about this church because they handed out flyers at the 4th of July parade. It was a nice little church and we enjoyed the spaghetti dinner, music and games. Your mom played the game where you pop balloons with darts and she won you a stuffed puppy (as if you need another one of those!) We also won some really good cookies during the cake raffle. We haven’t found a church in the area, so it was nice to see this one and hopefully go back soon and attend Mass on a Sunday.
Week 79- July 24 – July 30, 2017
Another busy week for dad! I’m not getting home as early as right now, but it’s not too late. I still get to play with you and hang out a little before and after dinner. Right now one of my favorite things to do with you is pretend I am a monster and getting you while you run on the couch. As soon as I catch you, I tickle your neck and you giggle out of control. It is one of my favorite things ever to hear you giggle!
This week we notice you start to almost put complete sentences together! In the past we tell you something and you would repeat the last word only. Now you are starting to repeat the whole sentence. It is amazing to watch and listen to you progress more and more everyday.
Week 80- July 31 – August 6, 2017
This was a special week because I participated in the Pelotonia Ride for Cancer. Back in May I started fundraising for this race. I agreed to ride 45 miles which came with a fundraising commitment of $1,500. All I needed to raise was $750 because Big Lots will pay for the 2nd half of my commitment.I wasn’t sure how much I would get in donations because we just moved here, but I was pleasantly surprised! All of our family and friends came through and ended up surpassing my stretch goal of $2,000 by raising $2,200. The ride was an emotional experience because I was thinking about how many people are affected by cancer and how all of us riders raised money to hopefully find a cure one day! It was an honor to ride for Pelotonia and I can’t wait to do it again next year! I’m trying to talk your mom into doing it with me next year, but that probably won’t happen! We will always be in a position to donate and help others and I hope we set that example for you to help others throughout your life. It was extra special because Grandma Patti came down to support me and you all came to the Big Lots cheering section to cheer me on!
Week 81- August 7 – August 13, 2017
This is a busy week for me so you and mom went up to Sandusky to hang out with Grandpa Mark & Grandma Patti. I’m lonely at home, but I’m so happy that you get to hang out with Grandma & Grandpa. This is why we moved here and it makes me so happy! I’m heading up there on Friday to play in a golf tournament with Grandpa Mark and uncle Link so i’ll see you soon!
Week 82- August 14 – August 20, 2017
We found out that Grandma Patti needs to have open heart surgery on Friday. Grandma said she wasn’t feeling that great a few weeks ago and knew it was something with her heart. She went to the doctor and he recommended the surgery. Your mom is taking it pretty hard, but you are a great distraction for her in this hard time. This is a very serious surgery but I know Grandma Patti will be just fine and fight her way through it. With that being said, it’s tough to stay positive and not think about the worst. But I know everything will be just fine. I hope you get to see and understand the great relationship your mom has with Grandma. It’s something you will have and cherish your whole life! You will get mad at your mom sometimes, but know that she loves you unconditionally and will always be there for you. We don’t know when the surgery will be, but will probably take a few weeks to schedule.
Week 83- August 21 – August 27, 2017
Week 84- August 28 – September 3, 2017
This was another busy week for me because this week I had my first MyBigLots Meeting. I stayed at the hotel Sunday through Thursday, so you and mom went back to Sandusky to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa. I missed you and mom but I had a great week! I worked so hard on this event for months and it went off perfectly. I knew the event on paper, but it was great to finally see it live. I always get emotional during and after an event because we put so much time and energy into it and it’s such a good feeling to see it all come together and people enjoy themselves.
Another exciting part of this week was that my mom, Grandma Carol (or Grandma Turtle as you call her) came to visit us in Ohio for the first time. You haven’t spent much time with her so I was a little concerned that it might take you a little time to warm up. I had nothing to worry about! You had a great time with her and it made me so happy! I was done with my event on Thursday around 4 and when I got home we decided to go to the nearby apple orchard to pick Honey Crisp Apples. You and mom have been before, but this mine and Grandma Carol’s first time to an apple orchard. It was so much fun and just a great family memory for us all! We made apple butter, which you fell in love with immediately and homemade apple sauce with all of our apples. So fun! We had a few rainy days so it was nice to just hang out in our sweatpants at the house and cook all day.
It was such a fun weekend and I was so happy that you were able to spend time with Grandma Turtle!
Week 85- September 4 – September 10, 2017
We spent the weekend in Sandusky. Grandma Patti has her heart surgery next Friday so we were up there to keep her distracted and in good spirits. She also needed some help around the house with new furniture and she put me to work in the garden. I’m so happy that we are close enough to visit and be there for Patti during this tough time.
Week 85- September 11 – September 17, 2017
Grandma Patti had her surgery this past Friday. She did great! It was a tough week for everyone because we didn’t know what to expect. But with lots of prayers and positive thoughts, Patti made it through the surgery with no complications.
Week 86- September 18 – September 24, 2017
You and mom have been in Sandusky for the past couple of weeks helping out Grandma Patti. She is recovering nicely from her heart surgery. It helps that you and mom are there to help distract Grandma from the pain and give her some joy in an otherwise tough time. She is in quite a bit of pain, but seems to be doing better every day!
I just can’t say enough about you and what an amazing young girl you are! I come up on the weekends and it seems like you grow up so much in just the short week i’m away from you. I keep saying this, but me and your mom are so blessed and lucky to have you as our daughter. You are such a perfect little angel! You are also talking more and more every day. The new things you are saying this week are “I want” and “I need”. Just like your mom, you are confusing what you want with what you need. You will understand that joke by the time you probably read this!
We bought a new car this week! Well, it’s not brand new, but it’s new to our family. We got lucky and found a family that was moving to India and needed to sell their 2004 Lexus SUV. It was within our budget (which was really important to me!) and it was a million times better than anything else we have seen. The previous owner kept it in great shape and it looks amazing for being 13 years old. It was a long process trying to find something, but I can rest easy knowing that this car is safe and reliable for you and mom.
Week 89- September 25 – October 1, 2017
You and mom went back up to be with Grandma for the week, so I thought I would take some time to give you an update on my job and how things are going financially. My job is going great and i’m progressing nicely. We recently finished our busy “event season” and things are starting to slow down a little, which is nice! I am learning new things every day and continue to enjoy my job more and more each day. Most importantly it continues to allow mom to be at home with you. That makes me so happy! We are living comfortably financially and are able to save a little money for our emergency fund. All in all things are going very well!
Week 90- October 1 – October 8, 2017
It’s been a fun few weeks recently with all of the talking you are doing lately. You are saying more complete sentences and are asking more questions. A few of my favorite things you are saying:
“Who did that?” / “What is it?” / “I want a purple one.” (referring to princess popsicles) / “I love you so much” /
You are also in a big hugging phase right now were you want to come up and give us hugs all the time. It’s the best thing ever! You also love playing with your new dollhouse that Grandma Carol gave you and all of your stuffed animals. Especially the white Christmas puppy! This puppy plays the jingle bells tune and we originally bought it to send to Granny in Austin, but you spotted it and had to have it! You love that thing!
We went to our first pumpkin patch in Ohio this weekend with Grandma Patti. It was called Burnham Farms and it was about 20 minutes away from Sandusky. The first thing we did was take a hayride through the orchard. Grandma Patti didn’t ride with us because it was a little rough for her heart surgery recovery. It was a fun ride through the orchard and you seemed to have a great time. We also went to the pumpkin patch to pick out a few pumpkins to take back to Grandma’s house to decorate for the fall. The best part of the trip was visiting the market and bakery. You loved the apple cider slush and the pumpkin donuts and cookies. It was a great fall day and a great family outing!
Week 90- October 9 – October 15, 2017
Week 90- October 9 – October 15, 2017
Week 90- October 9 – October 15, 2017
Week 90- October 9 – October 15, 2017