Moving On Up; Part II

Well we are HERE. In our HOUSE. It is lovely and oh-so surreal. We have space that we don't even know quite how to fill! Oh what a problem everyone would love to have! (Don't worry-- it'll get filled!). We've been here 2.5 weeks now and so far I miss the heat in my condo (its FREEZING in here (according to only me)), I love having my own washer and dryer, I use a ton more gas (living further from the things I am used to using/places I am used to going, and family), I have spent more money trying to make this OUR home than I thought I would (OOPS), I have made a "honey-do" list miles long for Ted, and we still don't have about 15 of our boxes unpacked. I'm sure there is more, but these are the highlights.

I even have my very own reeds:



Eliot LOVES it here. He loves having a back yard. He LOVES helping Daddy shovel when it snows. He loves following Milo around, trying to find him, and wondering where his next hiding place will be. (Milo loves our house too!).


Here's some photos of Ted and Eliot working on building a tractor that Santa left for both of them:


And last, but certainly not least, a very sweet photograph of my dear grandparents and my precious little Eliot. Papa hasn't been feeling well and I've set up for him to see some doctors down in our area so he and Nana stayed with us for our first weekend here so Papa could get some tests done. This is just before bed, Papa reading Eliot a story:

Our Christmas 2011

We had a really nice Christmas this year. Things were a little different and certainly not what we had envisioned for Christmas 2011, but things ended up really nice. We set up our own Christmas space down in the Baker basement (as previously posted about).

Ted & I started off Christmas with a getaway to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary! We went to Foxwoods Resort and Casino for the night while my in-laws had Eliot over night. Surprisingly, it went pretty well for them and they said they'd even do it again! As for Ted & I, we had a wonderful time. It was so nice to sleep in a nice comfy bed without wondering when Eliot will wake up for a drink... or for the day. I wouldn't mind an anniversary celebration once a month ;)
Christmas Eve was about the same as always; a low-key pajama and pizza type day opening gifts from the Baker side of the family. Eliot was most excited about a Fire Engine Puzzle received by Great Gramma Baker, although my personal favorite (of Eliot's gifts) was the curious George Beach Game. All the kids had matching PJs. In fact, I think this was the FIRST Christmas Eve where ALL the kids fit into their PJs and actually did match!

Georgeanne reading stories: notice that my kid is not in the photo for if it does not have trucks, his interest is very limited.

Also, Christmas would not be complete without my two favorite goodies: my chocolate chip logs (which my Mom made me) and Gram Baker's graham cracker brownies. They are the two things I could LIVE OFF OF!

I believe this was the first year we wrote Santa a note and left out goodies for Santa and the Reindeer. Eliot's note read:

Dear Santa,

Eliot Baker lives here. I has been a really good boy, not a single bad boy. I have been good the whole week. I have been liking candy all year and month. Also I love loves candy. I likes Digger, and think he is a good Digger friend. I would also like to tell your Reindeer that I likes Candy a lot. Thank you for coming Santa.

Eliot T. Baker

He is adorable; really a very sweet boy. Santa wrote back to him telling him what a good boy he's been and how Santa notices what a good helper he is to his Mom & Dad.

Eliot started down the basement stairs and TOOK OFF like a bolt of lightening when he saw what Santa had left him!

We had Christmas morning here with my grandparents and Aunt Frances. We had Gingerbread Construction muffins and quiche for breakfast and it was delicious! (DEEE-Licious, as Eliot says). We opened Santa presents (favorite being the big, HUGE, crane!), and presents from Mom, Dad & Grandma & Grandpa & Aunt Fran. Even Milo had a few treats in his stocking from Santa:

Then, we went to my parents for Christmas dinner and yep... more presents! I honestly don't know how we'll fit everything into our new house next week! I think the attic will be our best friend!