All about Eric!

In trying to catch up on the blog I realized a lot of what I wanted to post included Eric so I thought I would just combine it all into one. Eric had a really busy month after his New Year's vacation. We figured out he had one full day off in a 38 day stretch. Today is the last day of a 9 day vacation for him. He definitely needed a nice break and so did we! We were able to fit a lot into 9 days. Here are some pics to document what we've been up to since I last posted.

As a 2nd year resident Eric was required to build a birdhouse. What does a birdhouse have to do with Orthopedics?? This annual requirement came about a few years back when one of the residents had a hard time using orthopedic tools in surgery. Since orthopedists are considered bone carpenters, the attending told him to learn to use everyday tools such as a hammer, drill, etc. by building a birdhouse and now it is something everyone has to do. Eric decided to do his using wood dowels and I think it turned out pretty great. He also added wine corks and an Air Force coin which made it a little more personal to him.

































Eric turned the big 31 on February 4th. He was on call so Hayden and I made a trip to see daddy at work. We were able to grab dinner where I got this cute shot of him and Hayden.














For his birthday, Eric decided he would sign up for a tough mudder race with friends in Atlanta. At the start of his vacation my parents stayed with Hayden and we flew to Atlanta for the race. The tough mudder is a 12 mile course with 27 different obstacles along the way. He ran with 4 other teammates. It turned out to be 30 degree weather and windy the day of the race. It didn't help that the 3rd obstacle was a garbage dumpster filled with ice water. It seems like torture to me but they are already talking about which one they will do next year. :)

Here Eric is running through electrical wires that shock you with 10,000 volts of electricity. Fun!



















The team at the finish!













Eric, Pat, and Matt celebrating after the race!














Me and E














Me and my ATL friends, Teresa and Steph














Once we got back from Atlanta we still had 7 whole days with Eric home. We started the week off with a Valentine's playdate at our house with some of my mom friends. The kiddos decorated mailboxes and filled them with Valentine's from eachother. I was proud of the Valentine's I made. I got the idea from pinterest of course. I spent way to much time making them but I think the kids liked them!


























Hayden enjoying his first pixie stick. :)

















On Valentine's Day, Eric was able to be the class parent at Hayden's school. Hayden loved having daddy there. I got this pic of Hayden giving out his Valentine's with daddy.













The rest of the week we were able to catch up some stuff around the house and just have fun with Hayden. Its been a great vacation for all of us!

Nana & Papu Visit

Eric's parents drove up from Alabama on the Thursday after Christmas. It had been a year since they last visited and we were all very excited to have them here for a few days. On their first night here we got a babysitter and went out in Ellicott City for drinks and dinner. We had a great time catching up! Hayden enjoyed lots of trips to the mall with Nana and Papu and on New Year's Day we visited the train museum again! We also got a chance to visit with our brother-in-laws family who live in the area. Mel & George left early New Year's day to get back on the road. We had a great time and hope to see them again soon! Here are a few pics from their visit....

Walking to the the trains!



















Eric & Hayden checking out the trains



















Excited the real train went by



















Playing in the caboose














Mel & George



















Happy New Year!

Christmas Day x 2

Christmas day Hayden woke up to many presents under the tree and was very patient waiting for daddy to get home before he opened any. Everyone was excited to see Eric and get the opening under way. Hayden made it through 3 or 4 gifts and just wanted to play with his new firetruck. He ended up taking 3 days to get through all his gifts. :) Eric was originally supposed to work Monday but they gave him the day off last minute so we were excited to get to travel to my sister's house Christmas night to do a second round of Christmas Eve and Day with my niece and nephew. Hayden had a great Christmas and is enjoying all of his new toys, books, puzzles, etc. Here are some pics form our Christmas x 2!

Hayden's first look at what Santa brought.



















Ryan and Hayden tackling Eric



















Opening gifts



















Opening gifts is exhausting















More gifts at Aunt Vicki's



















Hangin with my daddy

Christmas Eve

This year we spent Christmas Eve at our place. Eric was on call but my parents and my sister's family all traveled to us to stay the night and have Christmas morning here for Hayden. The kids had fun getting ready for Santa. Grammy brought huge gingerbread men for the kids to decorate and we relaxed before bed watching the Polar Express in our new jammies. It was so nice to have all my family here! Here are some of my favorite pics from the night....

Hayden decorating his gingerbread man














Hayden, Ryan, and Sarah














Watching the Polar Express














Putting out the milk and cookies for Santa....and carrots for the reindeer














Santa has arrived!

Christmas Playdates

We had lots of fun playdates leading up until Christmas. We hosted a Polar Express Playdate for my mom's group and Hayden had a blast. The kids all got their very own ticket for the Polar Express and a bell just like in the movie. I made lots of fun treats for the kids and moms.
**all food and craft ideas thanks to Pinterest :)















Taking a break to watch the movie



















Hayden ringing his bell!



















Next we went to a friends house for cookie baking and decorating. I did most of the decorating but my friend caught a couple good shots when Hayden did sit down to help me. :)


































We had another friend over to make fun ornaments. We did a thumbprint and hand print ornament which I thought turned out really cute.






































Thumbprint Reindeer



















Hand print Snowmen