Goodbye 2011

Tonight we bid farewell to 2011 and welcome 2012! This past year has been quite eventful for us! At the start of the year Nick was looking for work and we were worried that something wouldn't fall into place and that we would be without an income. After much looking and interviewing, he finally was offered a position with Oriental Trading Company and started his new job March 16th. In July Emma and I went to south Missouri with Mom, Dad and Ethan for vacation in Branson and Eureka Springs, Arkansas. On August 6th our baby girl turned a year old, and we had her party at our house!

In August I decided that I really needed to spend some time outside of the home and doing some adult activities, so I interviewed with Oriental Trading and was hired as a Customer Service Agent and trained to take orders and do other menial tasks. I started my job on August 29th. In September I turned 26, and in October Nick turned 31. I also began RCIA classes to convert to Catholocism. Emma was a Giraffe for Halloween, and we took her to the Amazing Pizza Maching where she got some candy and rode some rides :) We spend Thanksgiving with the Spotanski's in Grand Island, where Nick and I got a 40" Emerson TV on Black Friday!

December came and the 17th was my last day at my job with Oriental, as it was a seasonal position. We knew that there was the possibility of being called back for full time permanent employment, but both Nick and I were unsure if that was a path I wished to pursue. A few days after my last day of the job, they called back to offer me permanent employment, and I graciously declined so that I can stay home and spend more time with Emma, which we hope will result in her being happier! December 17th we also had our Christmas with the Spotanski's, and the following Wednesday I went back to Missouri so I could spend a little extra time with my family because i hadn't gotten to spend much time with them since I started working. Emma had a wonderful Christmas, as did the rest of us! I purchased a Sony Vaio laptop with my Christmas money (which I am still waiting on to arrive), and Nick bought a pistol with his :)

Now tonight, on New Year's Eve, Dad is here with us! We went to the zoo this afternoon, ordered a pizza for supper, and are now watching a movie called "Wrecked." 2011 was a pretty good year, all in all, and I have resolved not to make a resolution, but rather just to try and be a better wife and Mom in the year to come. Happy 2012 everyone!!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Well Christmas is right around the corner and I can hardly wait! For the past week or two we have been decorating the house, and this year we have a new, white tree that we decorated with bright colored garland, lights, and ornaments! Emma really seems to like it, especially pulling all of the ornaments she can reach off of the tree :P I have gotten most of our shopping done, and really only need to do Dad's, Nick's, and Greg and Wendy's! On the 17th we are headed back to Grand Island for our Christmas with Nick's folks, which will be fun! Emma really likes playing with Jayden and Jordyn, and they keep her busy and entertained, so it works out good for all of us :)

Then, two weeks from today I'm heading back to Missouri to spend some extra time with everyone before Christmas since I haven't gotten to see them much since I started working. I think one day Ethan and I are going to go down to the city so I can see his new place and so we can go to a new store called H & M. It's a clothing store that is really good priced with really cool things, and I think the closest one other than the new one in KC is Chicago! Anyhow, I'm really looking forward to that, and I think everyone down there is too :) The 17th is supposed to be my last day of work, and I'm not sure if I will go back if called back at the beginning of the year. I kind of want to so that I don't feel stuck at home with Emma all day, but I know that she doesn't take both naps at daycare, which makes for a super grouchy kid in the evening, and one of the things we really don't want to listen to after a long day at work. All in all, I think both has their pros and cons, but I am leaning towards staying here with her. I think Nick and I are going to decide on that tonight because I have to talk to Emma's babysitter soon about what we are going to do.

Also, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the Spotanski's! I will let the Thanksgiving and decoration pictures tell the rest :)