Winter Doldrums

Winter is still here and shows no signs of departing anytime soon. Winter was cute and fun in December, it was just fine in January, in February Winter was getting old but we went on a trip to New Hampshire and got to go snowmobiling which made it bearable. It is now March, Snow and Negative degree temperatures are unacceptable. Our family is going stir crazy due to it being to cold to go outside and play. I am having serious spring fever and yet there is no spring in sight. I'm sure Spring will fly by and Summer will be too hot which will give me something else to complain about.

The Michigan Croteau family had a great trip to New Hampshire. We all had so much fun. Its great so see and spend time with family. Sometimes we forget how great it is to have family around, we really wish we could raid your refrigerators more often! It was great to see the Durant side of my family and the Whites, Suni we will see you again one day. There were way to many highlights during our trip to name them all but being able to ride snowmobiles with my dad meant a lot to me. It is something that I won't ever forget. On a side note, if dad never forgot anything our trips would be much less exciting.

Allison and Norah stayed in New Hampshire while I had to head back to Michigan for work. My flights were packed with excitement. First off my flight from Baltimore to Grand Rapids was delayed by an hour. Then we boarded the plane only to sit there for a while before the pilot came over the intercom to inform us that our plane was broken and we should deplane. I left the plane and waited in the terminal for an additional hour. We finally took off for GR only to circle the city a few times before the pilot came over the intercom yet again to inform us that our plane was broken again and we are getting diverted to Chicago. We sat in Chicago for an hour or so before they found  us a new plane and finally got us home. Southwest is easily my favorite airline and its because of things like this; The day after my flight I received and email from SW apologizing about the delay in my flight and gave me a $200 travel voucher. It was a long trip but Southwest's customer service will keep me flying with them.

This lead to two long weeks alone for me. Now that I am married and have a little girl I find being alone to be much less fun then I remember. Coming home to an empty house is not something I enjoy these days. I also had to chisel and shovel the ice and snow from our driveway before I even was able to get the car in. I did however manage to have a little fun while they were gone. The first weekend included an outdoor fire, a nice snowshoe through a local state park with Stella and some garage organization. The second weekend I went to the Grand Rapids boat show and filled my head with thoughts of open water and summer only to be disappointed by walking outside and into the freezing temperatures. I had lunch and drinks at the Grand Rapids Brewing Company, one of the finest restaurants I've had the pleasure of eating at here in Michigan.

After two long weeks my girls are home with me again. I picked them up at the airport and it was enough to melt my heart seeing my daughter run into my open arms. I missed her so much and I was happy to see that she remembered me. It was also nice to see my loving wife. This is their first weekend back and we are again bored as ever trying to come up with something to do in these frigid temperatures. Spring can't come fast enough for this family.
                                                      
                                                    Quickly What's New With Us:
Allison:
She is teaching Norah new things everyday so it is always interesting when I get home from work. Allison is also signing up for her very first photography class this Spring so everyone so look forward to seeing some awesome new pictures on here.

Cameron:
I have started studying for my upcoming May advancement test. I have a good feeling about this one. I have decided to start looking into making better sauces in the kitchen, hopefully they will make some of our more mundane meals a little bit more exciting.

Norah:
Norah is growing at a rapid pace and now has quite the mouthful of teeth. She is very able to climb her way onto my chair and our couch now. She is much more vocal and getting very good with her sign language.

Stella:
Stella is now tormented by birds and squirrels eating from our families new bird feeder. I was letting her chase the squirrels out of the yard until today. Today she surprised Allison and I and actually got one, she bit it playfully and flung it into the air. The squirrel ran off without injury but we decided that the game wasn't fun any longer.

Nanny's gaggle of grandkids.

Kavi is a Texas kind of guy.

Chris Craft, if anyone is looking for a Bday present for me. It will only make you around 90k lighter.

Over The Mountains & Through The Woods To New Hampshire We Come.

           First off I hope everyone had a happy holiday season this year. This Croteau household is very pleased with the way things turned out. We had plenty of snow for a white Christmas due to a 22" storm on the 23rd. Allison and I did some night shoveling by headlamp while Norah slept. It was actually kind of fun. Christmas Eve is when we make our big meal, mostly due to the fact that on Christmas I like to relax and snack on leftovers. We had Prime Rib, green beans and shallots, sweet potato casserole, and stuffing. Everything turned out really well!!!

My new Christmas Eve shirt thanks to Nanny White.

                   Christmas eve was fun but I was too excited to sleep. I tossed and turned all night waiting for it to be time to get up for the morning to see if Santa came. Fortunately I am happy to say that jolly ol Saint Nick was able to find our house. We spent the morning with Norah while she opened all her presents. Norah was an unwrapping master by Christmas morning because aunt Courtney and uncle Kyle sent her a book to open each day for the 25 days of Christmas. It was such a great Idea and we were very grateful. Allison and I each got some wonderful presents that we very much appreciated.

Christmas Day all tuckered out.

Grampie Durant carved me this Bass. One of the best presents I got. I love it!

SOOO happy with her Christmas toys.

Before Norah stared tearing things apart.

                 The day after Christmas I went ice fishing with friends from work. It was fun and we all had a good time. It was a cold wet day and I only caught one fish but it was a lot better then being at work! I had about two weeks off of work for the holidays so we spent a lot of time as a family. A lot of our family time has been spent outside, shoveling and going for walks.

Went to an antique shop in Grand Haven and spotted this beauty. I thought I was the first person to bring this glorious elixir to Michigan, I guess someone else in this state has good taste.

                 I am writing this blog in the midst of a west Michigan cold snap, tomorrow we are looking at temperatures as low as 30 below. The cold temps coupled with blizzard like snow conditions have given me a snow day tomorrow. I love my job and look forward to another day bundled up at home with my girls. I'm sure many of you already know but Allison, Norah and I will be coming home for a bit in February. We all have been rather home sick and are very much looking forward to getting back to the Granite State for a bit. We can't wait to see everyone. Stay warm out there.

Santa Baby

              Last weekend we went to the Coast Guard Festival committee's children Christmas party. I was pretty fun. We all bowled a few frames and enjoyed some pizza. Santa made appearance at the party and gave Norah a new baby doll. Norah got the opportunity to sit on Santa's lap and she was just overjoyed!

               
                It has been snowing here pretty much non stop. Now that we finally got Norah some winter boots we are able to get outside and enjoy it. Norah just loves being outside. We have been pulling her around on her sled and she loves to just walk around. The poor girl isn't very sure footed but she gets around. Whenever we bring her back indoors she just screams wanting to go back out.

            Allison and I have been in the Christmas spirit and along with that goes gluttonous eating. Alli made us rice crispy treats last weekend and yesterday I made gingerbread mittens. The house has been filled with all sorts of delicious smells. Also for all those who were worried I have found an egg nog that is a suitable replacement for my all time favorite HOOD. Its not quite as good but it will do.

                  Allison went out for a girls day today with some of her friends. They are going to the movies to see the new Hunger Games flick. This means that Norah and I are home alone and can get into all sorts of shenanigans without mom telling us no. We are having so much fun, Norah is crawling all over everything while we watch the Patriots play like crap....again. Allison being out of the house also means we finally had time to wrap her presents. Our work is complete and now Norah and I can sit back and wait for the big guy to pay us a visit.

Leave her alone for one second and she WILL empty your linen closet.

We will have a fire this year on Christmas morning!

FA Ra Ra Ra Ra, Ra Ra Ra Ra. Happy Holidays

           The holidays are upon us. Allison and I have been very much in the holiday spirit lately due to the cold weather and snow. We had Thanksgiving at our house and it went of without a hitch. Our neighbors must think I am crazy seeings how as I lowered our Turkey into the magma hot oil I was wearing all of my welding gear to include my welding helmet and face mask. I am scared to death of the oil melting my face off. It was pretty nice sitting by the fire, outdoors waiting for our Turkey to be cooked. Allison was a regular Barefoot Contessa inside making all of our side dishes which turned out fantastic. Allison even tried her hand at making Aunt Tina's famous pumpkin roll, the two of us glutinously ate the whole things ourselves in a couple days. That's what the holidays are for right? There always next year to lose those extra couple pounds.
           With Thanksgiving in our wake we wasted no time to move on to Christmas. On black Friday Allison, Norah and I went to Montague Tree Farm and trekked into the snow to cut down our very own Christmas tree. It was a blast. Norah's parents were not expecting 18" of November snow and unfortunately for her we neglected to buy her snow boots. I think it upset me more than her because all I wanted to do was pull her around in a sled outside. We have since rectified the situation and will be ready for the next snow storm.
             This weekend will be filled with holiday shopping, football and my works annual children's Xmas party. It will be Norah's first time meeting Santa, I really hope she isn't petrified. I think it may end up being the only Christmas party we attend this year so hopefully its a barn burner. Norah like to party pretty hardy so hopefully it meets her expectations.
           
              Quickly Whats New With Us:
* Allison has been a baking and crafting machine, I never know what I am going to come home to.
* Norah is still cutting teeth and is now chomping away on everything.
* Stella is still determined to keep our yard clear of free loading wild animals. Darn squirrels!
* I am still waiting to hear the results of my advancement test, fingers crossed that I advance. Norah already has her hands on my money.

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