Appreciating the routine

We love the hustle and bustle of the holidays but we also appreciate the simplicity of the daily routine that January brings.

The winter sunrise on a January day is a great way to start your day. Pair that with a good book and some coffee and I am in heaven.

We are having a rather dry and mild January which has allowed us to spend a lot of time in our favorite place....the outdoors. The park is officially fun and a great energy burner for our little 13 month old....I guess he is 14 months today,geese.

No sitting for Mason he is always on the go!

He is not a fan of the swings!

But the slide is a different story....

January also brings quiet evenings (once Mason goes to bed), this picture makes me laugh and I know Matt will say "why did you put that on there?" I just love the look of him eating his favorite dessert...Cherry pie. My husband is blessed with the best metabolism on earth.

January is also the month to celebrate Grandpa Larry's birthday. He turned 86 this month and I swear he does not seem like it. We enjoyed a nice lunch with him at Amici's Italian Restaurant...a family favorite. I can not tell you how much we love and respect Grandpa. He reminds me a lot of my Grandpa Seth. We always enjoy hearing his wonderful stories and his patriotism is something our younger generations lack at times. Grandma Bert was not feeling well that day and decided to take some R&R, we missed her bunches.

Grandpa Steve and his boys.

Not sure why Matt is looking at the menu he gets the same thing every time....Sausage sandwhich with peppers.

These are random but I wanted to include them. We are wildlife fanatics and these guys are a joy to see on runs/walks. This fox didn't seem to mind us as he/she headed back to the den.

And this coyote I spotted everyday for a few weeks at all times of the day.

And now for the Mason show....

This Christmas gift from Grandma and Grandpa is quite the hit.

Rocking out with his favorite food (for the moment). He is saying "Naner" quite cute.

Why do kids love to hang out in places to small for them?

Luckily I had just take the trash out there have been times when it is full and he does this....a constant issue in our small house, no designated place for a trash can.

Loving that cheesy grin.

Oh gotta go, Mason is about to hurt himself!

Refreshed and Intrigued

Happy 2010! We concluded 2009 in the most delightful way. A day spent with family drinking Preseco and eating "Chowda." Our evening was spent at home, just the three of us, in bed by 10:30. Well Mason was in bed by 8 but Matt and I managed to stay up until New York dropped the ball; we clanked our champagne glasses, kissed, and went to bed (no we are not making another baby yet just practicing!)

I like New Years for the simple reason that you feel renewed. You can reflect on things past and set goals for things future.

You can prepare to climb those hills or mountains in the horizon.

And you can take time to just sit peacefully in God's presence and be thankful for your bounty.

BUT this silence can not last long if you have a one year old dwelling with you......

Our home has warm glow of toddler hood sprinkled about it these days. Perhaps sprinkled is to subtle of a word, as Jerry Seinfeld puts it "A toddler is kind of like having a blender, but you don't have a top for it."

Luckily ours loves to clean. He is OBSESSED with the vacuum. We can not say this magical word with out him running to the downstairs gate yelling out "Vac" over and over again. Of course words like these can work to your advantage when you need him to cooperate or you want to end a melt down. Yes, I am that parent.

He is quite fascinated with how things work. The vacuum is high on the list but the microwave, remote controls, cell phones, and the blender also occupy his attention. He likes to mimic us. For example Matt is neurotic about our new floors, always wiping them up. So Mason will get a Kleenex or paper towel and walk around wiping the floors, pretty sweet huh? Some girl will thank us.

This is our newest piece of furniture. I never pictured my living room being defined as "eclectic and chic" with a large touch of TODDLER everywhere. BUT as long as its organized 20% of the time, I am happy.

And of course every minute I spend with him makes me happy. When he blows that kiss or plants a big wet one on you, your heart melts into a million pieces.