Snow On The Pines

              Today I am updating you from the comfort of my own couch here in Michigan. It is 8 degrees out and has been snowing for 3 days straight. We really haven't gotten as much snow as you would think. Anyways today was my first ("snow day") no go to work day. I had to shovel the driveway and the porches though, that is much much more work then I normally accomplish in the CG.
             Last weekend was filled with sports. Some wins, some loses, the Pats will try again next year while the Bruins have finally just started. Norah is going to be raised in a sports loving family, hopefully she adapts.She seems to like being dressed up in Boston sports apparel, she is already playing the part of a Boston fan, but her fragile heart is still unknowing the torment her favorite teams will put her though year after year.
             Norah is getting stronger and smarter everyday. At night while I'm home I like to hold her up so she is standing, she can go for quite a while now. Norah has found her hands and has realized that she can use them. Its so funny to see the delight in her eyes as she simply bats at her stuffed animal hanging above her on her play mat. Norah has a doctors appointment on Friday for her 2 month shots, we will also find out how much she has grown. She is growing up much to fast for my liking.
             When Norah was born Allison sent her birth announcement to the White House, today we received a letter back from the President. I thought that was pretty cool and a great idea of Allison's.
               I brewed my first batch of beer on Sunday and now I just sit and wait a couple of weeks until bottling day. I look am looking forward to tasting the fruits of my labor.
             Papa White introduced me to audio books and now I can't get enough.It sure makes my 40 minute ride to and from work much more enjoyable. Our local library is very nice and I am amazed with the amount of books and audio books at my disposal. I just finished The Woods by Harlan Coben, I really liked it and would recommend it.
             Anyways here are a few pictures to tide you over.

Look at the weirdo plows Whitehall has, they do a pretty aweful job as well.

Before last Sundays game.

Norah wants you all to know her thighs are not chubby, we have been doing squats and those thighs are pure muscle.

Sad face after last Sundays game.

Photos From Vacation

Jackson Daigle and Norah Mae

Uncle Cam and Baily

Testing out snowshoes.

Eloise and Norah

Cousins!!!

Nana D with Norah Mae

Passed out in Buffalo NY. She is a good traveler.

Home For The Holidays

            19 days ago we left Michigan and headed East bound for New Hampshire. The drive was surprisingly painless. Norah, Stella and Allison were great to have in the car with me. The first day we drove 11 hours and spent the night in Utica NY. What a pit that place was. I wouldn't recommend vacationing there. The next day we left the hotel early and drove through Vermont. I read online somewhere about Route 9 being one of the most scenic rides in America. Route 9 may very well be a scenic drive but we wouldn't know it. We started our drive through VT in the dark followed by about 15 minutes of scenery before the sunrise was so blinding we again couldn't see a darn thing. Anyways I don't believe we will be driving Route 9 again.
           
            Once we reached NH all sorts of festivities unsued. I was delighted to see that both sides of the family had purchased plenty of Hood Golden egg nog. Its just not Christmas without it. We had a few great days with my parents at the beging of our stay. Christmas eve eve found us at the Whites house doing a family Yankee Swap. I had never taken part in a Yankee Swap before and I thought it was a hoot. Kimmy stole my "Ipad" and I ended up with a very nice plate set. Allison ended up with a Target gift card, which I'm sure will get good use. Nanny and Papa made us all a delicious meal, I think the best part was the Gorganzola sauce though, I'd like to shake the hand of the man who made that haha. On actual Christmas Eve we again enjoyed a nice evening with the Whites and Katie Kimble. The 3 of us swung by the Croteau's party at my uncle Bub's as well. Christmas morning was spent opening presents and watching my nephew Bailey open his. Christmas has a whole different meaning when children are present. After our time at the Whites we went to Nana and Grampie D's house for more presents and food. It was great to see the whole Durant side of the family. December 26th we woke up and opened presents at mom and dads house. It was a nice way to make Christmas last.

         We got plenty of snow shortly after Christmas so dad and I took out his new snowmobile. I was happy to see him having fun with his new toy. I had a blast as well, I hadn't been on a sled since Alaska. Dad and I woke up early one morning to go to LL Bean so that I could return some stuff. That store really is great, they took all of my returns no questions asked. With our return money Allison bought herself a new winter jacket and I got a sun tent sowe can take Norah to the beach this summer. John and Ashley Daigle stopped by my mom and dads so we could all meet our new family members. There little boy and girl are pretty cute and we couldn't be happier for them.

          All of Allisons siblings were around for Norah Mae's Christening . This made for a chaotic White house but it was a lot of fun. Nanny White got all 8 grand kids together for a photo. I'm not sure how she managed to get everyone to sit still long enough.

         It was extremely hard to leave NH and our family behind and head back to Michigan but I guess we all have to do things we don't want to. The ride home went pretty well also. We travelled 10 hours to Erie Pennsylvania where we spent the night. Erie wasn't to bad from what I saw of it. Today we woke early and made the remaining 7 hour drive home. What a day, without anything to really look forward to those 7 hours felt like 40. We are home now and all unpacked. It feels good to be in our own house and sitting in my own chair. Its a great feeling to know that 900 miles away we have a bunch of people who care so greatly for us. We care for you all as well.  We can't wait to see you again in May!!!

Pictures to come, the website is having difficulties.
             

Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra, Ra Ra Ra Ra

Its getting closer and closer to Christmas and I am in the spirit!! The closer it gets to Christmas the closer it gets to our cross half country trip. Allison, Norah and I are really excited to spend the holidays with friends and family in New England. Norah is doing really well, we had a doctors appointment last week and she weighed in at 9pounds 11ounces. She is already growing out of her newborn clothes. It really tugs at my heart strings to see her growing so rapidly. After today's Connecticut school shooting I hope she never grows up. If she never had to leave my sight my heart would be much more at ease. On a lighter note we went to my office holiday party last night and Norah was just the bell of the ball. She was the only baby there and everyone just cooed and cawed over her. We all had a really good time overall. They had a white elephant swap and Allison and I fared pretty well, Allison scored a hot cocoa set with mugs and I took home the 6 pack of beer that I had brought. They also held a raffle to give away gift cards, I won a $50 card to Applebees. Only two more days of work until we embark on our journey home. I can't wait to see you all.

We got a little snow the other day. Maybe a white Christmas???

My beautiful girls, does life get any better?

Nana & Pepe' Croteau's Visit

Norah is 3 weeks old today and Pepe' is 53. Happy Birthday Dad. It has been an uneventful but fun visit with my parents so far. They seem fairly smitten with Norah. We practically have to wrestle her away from them. It has been a lot of fun having them around. Today we went to Grand Haven to do a bit of sight seeing. We walked to the end of the Grand Haven Lighthouse and took a few pictures. The weather was really overcast, I really wish it would have been nicer for them. Norah has been quite the little night owl lately, much to the dismay of her mother and I. She is such a good baby though we just can't get upset with her. At 3am when she is bright eyed and bushy tailed it is easy to be grumpy, then she looks up at you and smiles and the world is right again. I guess we will just take it day by day and cherish every moment.

A Croteau / White Thanksgiving

Norah Mae is 2 weeks old today. The time is flying by already. Everyday there is something new we notice about our beautiful girl. Allison and I are settling into parenthood quite well and seem to have gotten much closer. It warms my heart to look at all my girls. Stella Blue is jealous as ever. I have been taking her for walks and we both try to play with her as much as possible so she knows she's still loved. Allison's parents left on black Friday and headed back to New Hampshire. We had a great time with them here in Michigan. It was so nice to have some familiar faces around for Thanksgiving. It meant a lot to us. Nanny and Papa White slaved away in the kitchen making the best side dishes a guy could ask for, Allison made some delicious pie, and I drank craft beer and deep fried a turkey while sitting around a campfire. I think I got the best deal. Saturday we put out our Christmas decorations and watched Christmas movies. It was snowing out and it really put us in the Christmas spirit. I am really happy that we will be in New Hampshire for the holidays. I haven't been home for the holidays in about 5 or 6 years. Nana and Pepe' Croteau will be here on Wednesday to meet baby Norah for the first time. It will be fun to show Norah of to her other set of grand parents. I plan on inundating this blog with pictures of Norah so hopefully that is okay with everyone.

1st snow of the season

Norah Mae's Thanksgiving Outfit Thanks To Aunt Tina and Kerry Fay.

Norah Mae Says Touchdown Is GOOD!!

Allison Is Pointing Norah Down An Expensive Path haha

This Is The Last Year Of Our Little Christmas Tree. Next Year We Will Be Cutting Down A Fresh One.

First Week / Nanny & Papa's Visit

Its hard to believe that my baby girl is already a week old. Oh how the time flies. We can already see her changing and becoming more alert. It is very cool to see her looking back at you, I really wonder sometimes what she is thinking. We have had many firsts this week; first time out in public, first bath, first time meeting her maternal grandparents, first Patriots game (yes it is a milestone, she is going to have to get used to her mother and father yelling at the screen) and he first doctors appointment. We met her new Pediatrician on Thursday and he weighed, measured, and examined her. We were nervous to begin with but Norah gained 5oz. and was about the same height. The doctor said everything looked really good. Nanny and Papa White came to spend the week with us on Thursday. It has been a great time so far. It has been nice having a seasoned vet like Nanny helping us learn some tricks on taking care of a newborn. Papa White has kept us all well stocked in candy, hey what the heck we are on vacation right? Its so nice to have someone besides strangers to show her off too. In one month Allison and I will  pack up the car and head East for Christmas. We can't wait. I hope everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Happy Birthday Nana Croteau, I only missed being your bday twin by a few days.

Norah Mae's first bath, she was NOT thrilled.

Norah Mae laying on daddies chest, this is my favorite thing to do these days.

Rise up this morning, Smile with the rising sun.

My three girls, Stella has been needy and will take any attention from Allison she can get.