Tree

We put up our Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. We put the lights on the fresh Fraser fur and then a couple days later picked a handful of he hundreds of ornaments we have collected over the year. It was funny to have a "strategy" while hanging ornaments this year. Breakables towards the top, soft towards the bottom. Teagan has gotten really good at collecting the child friendly
selections from the low hanging brances. She also was able to participate in a tradition Rick has had since a child. There is this one ornament that is a Santa flying a wood plane. It has always been the last ornament on the tree and is added by flying Santa into the branches (aka tossing him). Rick let Teagan help this year and she caught right on! Now, she thinks that is THE way to place any ornaments back on the tree. Too funny! I vote we keep a tree up year round. I love turning off all lights at night with just the glow of the tree and the smell of the fresh branches.

Turkey Day 2012

Well Thanksgiving 2012 has come and gone. I have to say that is one of my favorite meals of he year. Stuffing, potatoes, turkey, green bean casserole, new dishes oh and let's not forget the desserts. I heard in the news the average Turkey Day feast can easily rack up over 4000 calories. It is so worth it! In 09 we spent Thanksgiving with our surf friends and hosts in Nicaragua and then in 2010 we headed to Las Vegas for Chris's 21st Birthday bash. Those were both unique and amazing experiences but there is something to be said for pigging out and then digesting over some football! That is exactly what we did this year at Dan and Candys house. Ryker and Teagan were non-stop all afternoon. Teagan enjoyed her first true Turkey Day meal that she could actually eat! She even decided to use some of the mashed potatoes as hair gel!

XO,
EAT

8 years

I recently celebrated 8 years at CDW...wow! I certainly did not think I would make it that long coming right out of college. Sure there are days where I walk out the door with a grimace on my face but mostly it has become a place where my customers are my friends, I learn about new technology at the cost of only my time and the culture, benefits and work/life balance are pretty awesome too. It is incredible to see how technology has evolved over my 8 years there. At the same time, it is wild to think it has been 8 years since I migrated north to Chicago!

I once spent my days selling computers and toner to small businesses and now play a role in selling/designing/supporting enterprise solutions to large corporations. Working on an account team with Mike for nearly 5 years has taught me lessons in the value of a partnership and teamwork. Each day presents a new challenge at work. It makes the days I spend at home with Teagan that much sweeter and leaves me with the satisfaction I need at this point in my career. Who knows where this will take me but I feel lucky to work for a great company and fortunate to have the opportunity to grow with my customers!

Parrot

We have reached the parrot stage of toddlerhood...although I am fairly certain this will last well beyond the toddler years! Teagan is really into mocking our words and actions lately. I am sure this started months ago but it has been recognizable the past week. It seems like all of the sudden she understands English! We tell her or show her to splash and she does, we ask her to blow kisses and she does, we ask where a specific toy is and she shrugs her shoulders with open hands as if she is indicating she doesn't know (of course then she runs around shrieking until she finds it!) It is so fun to see the lines of communication spoken and unspoken opening up more and more.

Other actions that crack us up lately -

Clapping whenever she hears it or sees it
Laying a blanket down and we lay on it then she comes up and pulls our heads off so she can lay on it (for 2 seconds max)
Dancing when she hears a rhythm
HIDING...this one scares me sometimes but at home, she thinks hide and seek is hysterical
Throwing things...ok, not funny but it is cute when she goes for the wind up
We all know she says hi to anybody and everything but now it is BYE as well...and not when somebody leaves but to the cabinet/dishwasher when she closes it, the teacup when she shuts it, to us as she runs out of the room, etc
Climbing...also not funny but my word she is strong for a 14 month old!
Throwing kisses...nothing cuter!

XO,
EAT

Routine

Teagan used to sit in our laps while we read her a book or two before bed. Now, she climbs into her book bin and reads them to us! It has become part of the nightly routine now. She enjoys sitting on the books and pulling one out to flip through. Apparently we have a handful of books in foreign languages! Oh and it is election night 2012. Looking forward to hearing the results and then cheering them on as they take the signs down, pull the scathing ads off air and stop putting paraphernalia on our door :)

XO,
EAT

A day at the Museum

CDW had a corporate day at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago last weekend. We invited our friends the Littles and took advantage of a free day in a super fun place. I haven't been there in years and and knew there be plenty for all ages. We played in the Industry area and my personal fav, the science of storms and weather. Teagan was fascinated with all of the stimulation but she mostly wanted to socialize with the other museum goers! We hit up Tot Town that had an awesome Idea Center for activities geared towards the little ones. We will definitely be going back to continue the explorations!

Trick or Treat

Halloween this year was a big success! Rick and I dressed up for he first time in several years and Teagan was big enough to go trick or treating...well, more like running around people's yards, climbing stairs, eating Teddy Graham's and eventually breaking through to a Kit Kat. We participated in school's Trunk r Treat outing where we decorated our trunk and visited with other families. It was fun to see everybody outside of the normal environment and Teagan loved socializing as our little pink octopus. On Halloween eve we met Dan, Cara and Ryker at Gma and Gpa's to trick or treat in their neighborhood. Rick was a pirate and I was a captured princess. We figured this might be the last year we get to pick out Teagans outfit...last year was the lady bug. Who knows what her choice will be? 2012 was a success and fun for all ages!

XO,
EAT