coming home

I know this is said, but every time I come home for a visit it just isn't enought time. I have so many people I want to see and places that I want to go because Point have nothing. I am completely exhausted, and still didn't do much of what I wanted to do.

Most of you know that I was born and raised in booming metropolis of Appleton WI. There is just so much more to do in this town, well at least in comparison to Stevens Point. First and most important in my book the mall! Shopping, especially for someone who dresses in the same dress cloths week in and week out. Stevens Point in the past couple of years just got a Kohl's, which don't get me wrong is pretty awesome. But I wouldn't plan on finding much there since it is one of the only places to shop in town it is usually VERY picked over. Then there two other stores in which I like to shop at, which again are always so picked over! I can never find my size or anything professional enough for my profession. Grrr

Second, things to do with Darren. In Appleton there is a building downtown dedicated to kids and learning. Also this place called Monkey Joe's, which is all giant blow-up mazes and jumps and slides. This is where we took Darren today and he is completely worn out tonight. Stevens Point has a over priced and crappy Children's Museum. In the winter there are not many places to take kids to let them burn off constructive energy. And thanks to the full moon this week(at least that is what I am blaming it on) Darren has more then enough!

Third, my family. I don't feel like I need to elaborate on that.

some cute-ness

Darren is much like his father in that he is just plan funny. He makes me laugh everyday. Dan and Darren have come to enjoy a piece of pecan pie together almost ever night. Dan has become the expert on Pecan pie, he pretty much has to have one on hand at all times. Darren gets so over the top excited, I tried to catch him on camera doing his pecan song.
He also has other quirks like when he gets up on the changing table he just kicks back to relax. Like this...
Every time he puts these glasses on he makes us take a picture of him.


And his smile is so bright, just seeing that when I get home from work everyday makes even the worst of days that much better! He isn't the greatest at the fake smiling yet but I think you get the picture.

From here...

Sometimes I feel like I have no idea where to go from here.  I have a good job, a nice house(small but nice) and a wonderful family.  I am truly happy in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.  I just sometimes wonder what else is out there for me and my family.  Maybe it is just a little cabin fever, being stuck in the house since the end of October.  I try to get out and go work out at the YMCA, Darren always loves going to play with his friends there.  But it just isn't the same as getting out and going for a run in the summer.

Now that I think about this a little more I start to feel like this ever winter about this time.  I think about the awesome farmers market downtown on Saturday mornings.  Feeding the ducks down by the river, listening to the city band play as we do it.  Chasing Darren around the most fun park I have seen.  Swimming at the pool at Jan and Dave's house. 

OK well for now I will chalk it up as cabin fever. But I will say summer could come early, and it wouldn't hurt mother nature too terribly.

Where is the time going!

We are well past Christmas at this point, and I have not updated this thing since Darren turned two.  Talk about where is the time going.  So many things have been going on in our lives that I don't even know where to start.  I will start with the holidays.

Christmas was wonderful this year. Dan and I got a new garage door, not super exciting but none the less pretty awesome.  It has been something we needed to do since we got the house, and when it came down to our old one just didn't work anymore, we decided to get a new one.  Santa brought Darren a train set, he loves it!  It was a very nice Christmas and quiet at the same time.  Here is Darren seeing his train set Christmas morning.

We also took Darren sledding for the first time this winter.  He has a blast and didn't want to stop.  Although after walking up the hill himself a couple of times he realized that wasn't really fun and made us carry him.  Wow what a workout!

Darren is just about talking in sentences.  Or at least enough that I can get his story and what he is trying to tell me.  He is just growing up so fast, and we are having so much fun with him.