Another Good Visit

Nana and Pepe Croteau came to Michigan for another visit this past week. It was great to see them. We didn't do to much due to the weather but I know they were just here to see Norah Mae anyways. I did make a great seafood chowder, everyone seemed to like it. I would definitely make it again. Norah is changing as each day passes and it breaks our hearts. I really wish she would stay my little girl forever. Being a father is such a great feeling. We can't wait to come home in May. Looking forward to seeing you all.

The Great Michigan Car Show

               Yesterday Allison, Norah and I braved the elements in order to attend the Great Michigan Car Show in Grand Rapids. We drove for over an hour to get there and it turned out that the car show was pretty small. I think we spent under and hour inside. It was still fun though and it got us out of the house. I think Allison and I both found our future cars, should we win the Powerball. Norah Mae was very well behaved and didn't really make a peep the whole time we were out.
                After the car show we went out for lunch at the Grand Rapids Brewing Company http://grbrewingcompany.com/ . Its a 100% organic and locally produced brewery and grill. The appetizers were amazing, Allison had a Pork belly lollipop and some fried pickles w/ avocado ranch sauce. I had a scotch egg. Our meals were great and the service was even better. Our server brought me over a bunch of samples of beers to try so I could make an informed decision on what beer to choose, he also gave us a complimentary dessert in congratulations of our new daughter. Needless to say I think Allison and I will be back.
               The weather here has been absolutely crazy. Last week we almost hit 60 degrees with rain and it effectively melted all our snow. It put me in the spring spirit although it was still January. Now we have had 12" since Sunday and are supposed to have another 12" by Monday night. Shoveling the driveway is getting a little old. Its a good thing all our snow has been powder so far.
               Allison and Norah are doing great. They have settled on a schedule that seems pretty accommodating for the both of them. I hate to leave them every morning for work but Allison helps out by sending me pictures throughout the day. Norah Mae sure loves being read to, We bought here Shel Silversteins The Giving Tree the other night. That book is one of my favorites.
               School is going well, world religion is pretty interesting and there is so much to it that it can be a little overwhelming at times. Being able to complete a majority of my classwork at work is a big plus for me. It's a pain now but I know it will pay off upon retirement.
               Nana and Pepe Croteau are coming out for a visit in a couple weeks, we are all looking forward to that. I sure hope the weather conditions are agreeable so they make it in.

The Croteau's w/ Grand Rapids news team 8

Allison in her Mini Cooper

Me in my Cummins

Waking up from my nap

Daddy and Norah reading time

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.