January 2014

January started off rather nice. We were in Puerto Vallerta, Mexico for Adam's sisters wedding (see previous post). We had unlimited blended drinks and warm weather compared to the frigid temps of Iowa. 

All the time relaxing got to Adam and he decided that we was going to quit his job when we got home and that he would take up the offer his dad had proposed a few months prior and go work for him. While on the trip, our realtor called us asking very specific question regarding our house, because there was a couple that was looking at it for the third time. This gave us hope that the third time viewers were going to make an offer on our house, making Adam's decision the perfect one for us. We arrived back to the cold, Adam turned in his resignation and two days later we got an offer on the house that we accepted. Everything was falling into place. We had looked at some properties previously in Albia, and had a verbal sales agreement on a house (for sale by owner) and just needed to make things official with that, and we were good to go. 

The middle of January, official documents were being prepared for us to buy the 5.5 acres pictured in the photo above. 

Adam began working for his dad on January 20th and was coming home on the weekends. The remainder of the month, we packed up the house a little at a time, and planned for a little girls birthday party. 

I'm back.

A lot has happened since the beginning of the year. I'll start with January and go from there, but while I get all my future posts ready, expect another delay. Only not so long. I should have January and February up by the end of the week. I'm so excited that I'm finally back, there could be a post tomorrow. Maybe. I'll leave you with a few pictures from the last 7 months. 

destination: puerto vallarta

Adam and I escaped for a romantic getaway, just the two of us. That would be nice, but there was plenty of family along for the trip.

So, Adam's sister got engaged on 12/31/12 and knew she would have a destination wedding. Puerto Vallarta was the choice and hopes that a 12/31/13 wedding would be possible. With it being New Year's Eve, the resort was too busy with other preperations,, so a 1/1/14 wedding it was.
Adam and I headed out on the 29th of December for our six days of relaxation. When we arrived, the weather was overcast and humid, since it had just rained. We arrived at the resort to be greeted by Lindsey and Jeff, and Adam's dad and step-mom.  After check-in, we immediately got a cocktail and headed to the room to change and then to join the others, as more wedding guests were to arrive shortly after us.

They hadn't had rain since September, and the first three days we were there, the weather was not ideal for a tropical vacation. It was cool (72 degrees), overcast and rained off and on. However, the food was good and the drinks unlimited.
We did do some exploring along the beach.

 Made a few purchases from the vendors on the beach. Saw gorgeous sunsets. 

Went for a massage outside of the resort.

Witnessed a beautiful wedding ceremony.

 Went on a ziplining canopy tour, held a tarantula and drank enormous margaritas afterward.

 Relaxed. Ate and drank a lot. 

Enjoyed some family time. And finished our stay with a pineapple mango couples pedicure that went to the last minute before our departure.
We had a good time. Experienced a few things we haven't done before and got in some US time without the kids. We will be going back within the next seven years because Adam's parents bought some sort of timeshare deal that offers a free week stay within a certain time period.  And the kids will probably go next time. Maybe.

December catch up

The first was still part of Thanksgiving weekend, and since my brother and his family were in town, my sister organized an outing to a local hockey game. It wasn't 'beer for a buck' day, but we all had a good time.

Adam got all the Christmas stuff from the storage unit so the kids and I could decorate. I like my tree the way I want it, so little people that want to help really gives me anxiety. I do allow them to help, only after finding the right place for the ornament I pick out for them to put on the tree. I may be guilty of moving ornaments they put on, after they have 'left the area'. I think I get that characteristic from my father, who I'm told i act a lot like. 

My birthday was celebrated at Old Chicago (did you think we would go anywhere else?). It was much better than last year. Instead of getting dessert at OC, Adam wanted to make one of his specialties for me, peanut butter rice krispie treats. He whipped up a batch when we got home and I got to blow out a candle. Really, it was just another day, but more focused on me. That was nice.

The kids and I spent the first weekend of the month at my mom and dad's house. Adam and my dad were both hunting, so I kept my sanity by having my mom's assistance for four days. 

We played in the snow. So far this winter, all of our snows have been light, fluffy, dry stuff, which makes it hard to make a snowman or any other creation. However, it was perfect for some snow angels. 

We had an impromptu family photo session, thanks to my friend Nicole. 

I took the kids to see Santa at bass pro shop. I went during the week, right when Santa come out for 'work' so I could avoid the line. Best Santa experience yet. Because there was no line, my kids got extra time to talk to the big guy and I didn't feel rushed trying to get a good picture of them. We all won on that visit. 

Christmas means traditions. I made sugar cookies and all those candies that you're suppose to make. I cut it back a lot this year. In addition to the cookies, I made pecan clusters from caramels my mom made, Oreo balls and a new recipe, peanut butter cups (my new favorite). 

There was lots of gift opening. We had Adam's mom's Christmas the Saturday before Christmas Day. We did Mick Christmas on Christmas Eve, with pops and nana's before that. And on Christmas morning, we headed to my parents' house to celebrate. 

Since we hadn't experienced Santa yet, we left Des Moines around 6pm so we could get home to see what was left. And to do our immediate family gift opening. The spread was nice. The kids loved what was left and they enjoyed their other gifts. There had been lots of game playing and picture coloring the last few weeks. And lots of Lego picking up too. 

This also happened. More about the packed suitcase in a later post.