So, I thought a slideshow of pictures would be best for this post. There were just too many good photos this year! Jared and I hosted his side of the family on Friday and Saturday. Bryce and Sadie had SO MUCH fun with their cousins, Evan and Norah. Of course, they were all bummed when it was time to say good-bye.
When we returned home from Christmas Eve service, there was a note from our elf, Ziggy. Ziggy said goodbye to the kids (and also told them a few things to work on for the next year) and left PJs for them to wear the rest of the year and think of him. Ziggy even thought of matching PJs for Sadie's American Girl Doll. The kids had a blast putting out cookies and milk for Santa and reindeer food on the front lawn.
My parents joined us Christmas Day. The kids were so excited to see what Santa had brought them. Sadie got The Barbie movie she asked for and Bryce got A LOT of football stuff (flag football, Madden for DSi, and an NFL book).
This was such a wonderful year and full of excitement for the kids. Both of them truly understood the meaning of Christmas. What a joy it was to celebrate AND enjoy the Christmas holiday!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Kids School Parties
Before Christmas Break began, the kids had activities/programs that the parents were invited to the classrooms. Sadie is in her 3rd year at Carmel United Methodist Church Preschool. They have an interactive program where the kids go on a "Walk to Bethlehem". They sing songs and hear the story of Jesus' birth. Each year the story grows, as the kids attention span becomes better :) Sadie was so attentive during the story, and of course did not miss a beat of the songs!
Bryce's kindergarten class was decorating gingerbread houses. We had so much fun getting sticky and making a cool house! It was fun to be in his classroom and interact with his friends. Bryce is in the picture with his best friend, Connor (who he has been in class with for 4 years now)!
It has been nice to have both kids home, together, during the day. They are playing very nice together and using their imagination well! We have been spending the day in our PJs, baking, watching movies and having fun!
Bryce's kindergarten class was decorating gingerbread houses. We had so much fun getting sticky and making a cool house! It was fun to be in his classroom and interact with his friends. Bryce is in the picture with his best friend, Connor (who he has been in class with for 4 years now)!
It has been nice to have both kids home, together, during the day. They are playing very nice together and using their imagination well! We have been spending the day in our PJs, baking, watching movies and having fun!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Christmas Greeting from The Hamilton's
We hope this post finds you and your family doing well. The Hamilton’s have had quite an eventful year and have so much to rejoice for.
We are still living in Carmel, Indiana (on the north-side of Indianapolis). We have been here for almost 6 years now and absolutely LOVE IT! We now call Indianapolis, HOME!
Jared continues to work as an IT Security Consultant. He had trials this year to overcome, medically, having 4 surgeries in a month period to correct a skin condition. We are so happy to report he is completely healed and doing great! He participated in the church softball league in the early fall and is looking at joining a basketball league for the winter. He still enjoys his fishing and began mountain biking this year. A joy in Jared’s life is our new family dog, Boiler! She is a black and tan dachshund.
Ashley is working two 12-hour night shifts, per week, in the Neonatal ICU and could not be happier to be back working with babies! The part-time schedule allows her to tend to all the kids school and extra-curricular activities. In her spare time, ha, she has managed to go back to school…completing her bachelors’ degree from Purdue University! Sometimes she is not sure if she is coming or going, if it’s night or day, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Bryce will be 6 years old in January, yikes! He is such a fun, loving, and active boy. He started kindergarten this year, going full-day five days a week and is LOVING it! Bryce is our super sports star. This year, he participated in swimming, gymnastics, baseball, flag-football, and basketball. He also learned how to ride a bike, without training wheels this year!
Sadie, our social butterfly, will turn 4 years old in January. She is taking an active roll in planning her birthday party this year, she has “specifics” that she wants for her party! She attends preschool two days a week from 9-1. She is always eager to go, mainly to see her little friends! She took swim lessons this year and really enjoyed it. She continues to do ballet and tap. This girl sways to the sound of music all day long! Sadie had 2 surgeries this year as well, earlier in the year for a new set of ear tubes and the second, just recently for sinus surgery and a fourth set of ear tubes. We had a bit of scare during surgery but happy to report ALL IS WELL!
With all the trials and chaos our family endured this year we found many things to be thankful for. We celebrated Bryce’s 5th birthday in Disney World! Jared and I were able to spend a week in Hawaii, with my brother Eric. We escaped to Brown County for 2 long weekends this year and thoroughly enjoyed just being a family! Of course, we are still die-hard Purdue football games, attending both football and basketball games.
We are so thankful to our loving family and friends (near and far) who have helped us through all our despair this year. The prayers, emails, calls, food, gifts and kind thoughts were much appreciated. We are beyond blessed!
We are still living in Carmel, Indiana (on the north-side of Indianapolis). We have been here for almost 6 years now and absolutely LOVE IT! We now call Indianapolis, HOME!
Jared continues to work as an IT Security Consultant. He had trials this year to overcome, medically, having 4 surgeries in a month period to correct a skin condition. We are so happy to report he is completely healed and doing great! He participated in the church softball league in the early fall and is looking at joining a basketball league for the winter. He still enjoys his fishing and began mountain biking this year. A joy in Jared’s life is our new family dog, Boiler! She is a black and tan dachshund.
Ashley is working two 12-hour night shifts, per week, in the Neonatal ICU and could not be happier to be back working with babies! The part-time schedule allows her to tend to all the kids school and extra-curricular activities. In her spare time, ha, she has managed to go back to school…completing her bachelors’ degree from Purdue University! Sometimes she is not sure if she is coming or going, if it’s night or day, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Bryce will be 6 years old in January, yikes! He is such a fun, loving, and active boy. He started kindergarten this year, going full-day five days a week and is LOVING it! Bryce is our super sports star. This year, he participated in swimming, gymnastics, baseball, flag-football, and basketball. He also learned how to ride a bike, without training wheels this year!
Sadie, our social butterfly, will turn 4 years old in January. She is taking an active roll in planning her birthday party this year, she has “specifics” that she wants for her party! She attends preschool two days a week from 9-1. She is always eager to go, mainly to see her little friends! She took swim lessons this year and really enjoyed it. She continues to do ballet and tap. This girl sways to the sound of music all day long! Sadie had 2 surgeries this year as well, earlier in the year for a new set of ear tubes and the second, just recently for sinus surgery and a fourth set of ear tubes. We had a bit of scare during surgery but happy to report ALL IS WELL!
With all the trials and chaos our family endured this year we found many things to be thankful for. We celebrated Bryce’s 5th birthday in Disney World! Jared and I were able to spend a week in Hawaii, with my brother Eric. We escaped to Brown County for 2 long weekends this year and thoroughly enjoyed just being a family! Of course, we are still die-hard Purdue football games, attending both football and basketball games.
We are so thankful to our loving family and friends (near and far) who have helped us through all our despair this year. The prayers, emails, calls, food, gifts and kind thoughts were much appreciated. We are beyond blessed!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Halloween Fun
The kids had a BLAST Trick-or-Treating this year. We had a cul-de-sac party before we ventured out. 10 families were in attendance. A group shot of all the kids will come later (I was in charge of keeping them focused on someone else's camera)! Bryce actually got more candy than we handed out!
Sadie had a costume party at school...
Bryce's school had a Fall Party.
Carving Pumpkins. Bryce LOVED scooping out his pumpkin. Sadie really didn't want to get messy!
Sadie had a costume party at school...
Bryce's school had a Fall Party.
Carving Pumpkins. Bryce LOVED scooping out his pumpkin. Sadie really didn't want to get messy!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Fall Break in Brown County
We headed down to Brown County for 3 nights in a cozy cabin. We had a lot of fun just being a family and just being away from the hustle and bustle of life. The boys went fishing at the pond, the kids played on the swing set and loved the hot tub. We spent each night around the campfire roasting marshmallows and giggling. The last night we played a game of hide and go seek (in the dark)...the kids LOVED IT!!!!
We spent a morning driving through the State Park and taking in the beauty. We also spent an afternoon horseback riding. We ventured into downtown Nashville for lunch and shopping.
We had a nice and relaxing time.....back to reality!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Visitors and ZooBoo!!!
Uncle Aaron and Aunt Ashley came down for a visit. They rode the MegaBus from Chicago and were pleasantly surprised with the experience and service. We packed the two days they were here with FUN!!!
On Friday, we all got up early and got Bryce on the bus to school. The rest of us went out for pancakes and then off to Conner Prairie.
On Saturday, we lounged around the house and enjoyed the sunshine then ventured down to the Indianapolis Zoo for ZooBoo! A fun time was had by ALL!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Life is GOOD
I am happy to report I have been absent from blogging due to being busy...in a good way!
Jared is fantastic! We are happy to put his surgeries behind us and move forward. He joined the church softball team and played games as his (and my) schedule allowed him to. He has also gotten in some rounds of golf. I am so happy to see him doing things he enjoys!
Bryce is an excellent student and is LOVING kindergarten! He is learning so much. I am in awe everyday of the things he is learning. He loves math or anything to do with numbers. He is a sports fanatic. He just finished his first season of flag football. He cannot wait to play tackle football! We have a few weeks off before he begins basketball. He is such a lively and fun loving little boy.
Sadie is a spunky 3 year old. She is out to conquer the world, on her own of course. She is into imaginative play. Everyday, she is a different princess and goes on many adventures. She attends school 2 days a week and would love to go more if I let her. She is quite the social butterfly. When she comes home from school she cannot stop talking about what she did with all of her friends. She is still enrolled in ballet and tap class and would not dare of quitting it! I think she has found her niche, she is a dancer!
I have gone back to school to complete by bachelors degree in nursing. A nurse has 3 different paths in which to become a registered nurse. After doing 2 years of undergraduate schooling for pre-pharmacy at Purdue, I switched my major to nursing. The waiting list was 3 years long, so I opted for a different route. I went to a diploma school, which teaches its nurses through clinical training. I am grateful for my training to become a registered nurse, but always wanted to finish my degree.
I have been working 2 nights a week (7pm-7am) in the neonatal ICU for the past year. I have been a NICU nurse for 7 1/2 years, but have only worked about one day a week since having Bryce and Sadie. With being back in the NICU, my work has a tuition reimbursement program to finish my bachelors degree. I am happy to report I am enrolled back at PURDUE to finish my degree.
As always, I apologize for the lack of postings. The Hamiltons' are doing well, correction, The Hamiltons' are doing FANTASTIC!!!!
Jared is fantastic! We are happy to put his surgeries behind us and move forward. He joined the church softball team and played games as his (and my) schedule allowed him to. He has also gotten in some rounds of golf. I am so happy to see him doing things he enjoys!
Bryce is an excellent student and is LOVING kindergarten! He is learning so much. I am in awe everyday of the things he is learning. He loves math or anything to do with numbers. He is a sports fanatic. He just finished his first season of flag football. He cannot wait to play tackle football! We have a few weeks off before he begins basketball. He is such a lively and fun loving little boy.
Sadie is a spunky 3 year old. She is out to conquer the world, on her own of course. She is into imaginative play. Everyday, she is a different princess and goes on many adventures. She attends school 2 days a week and would love to go more if I let her. She is quite the social butterfly. When she comes home from school she cannot stop talking about what she did with all of her friends. She is still enrolled in ballet and tap class and would not dare of quitting it! I think she has found her niche, she is a dancer!
I have gone back to school to complete by bachelors degree in nursing. A nurse has 3 different paths in which to become a registered nurse. After doing 2 years of undergraduate schooling for pre-pharmacy at Purdue, I switched my major to nursing. The waiting list was 3 years long, so I opted for a different route. I went to a diploma school, which teaches its nurses through clinical training. I am grateful for my training to become a registered nurse, but always wanted to finish my degree.
I have been working 2 nights a week (7pm-7am) in the neonatal ICU for the past year. I have been a NICU nurse for 7 1/2 years, but have only worked about one day a week since having Bryce and Sadie. With being back in the NICU, my work has a tuition reimbursement program to finish my bachelors degree. I am happy to report I am enrolled back at PURDUE to finish my degree.
As always, I apologize for the lack of postings. The Hamiltons' are doing well, correction, The Hamiltons' are doing FANTASTIC!!!!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
We are BOILERMAKERS!!!!
Another Season of Purdue Football is upon us. This marks our eighth year with season tickets. It has become a family affair. The kids LOVE to go. My parents, Joe and Sally, are joining us again this year.
Boilermakers....always loyal fans!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Preschool "Officially" Begins for Sadie
Sadie has done a PARENTS TIME OUT program the past two years at the same preschool Bryce went to, so not much as changed. This year she officially enters into the preschool program. Instead of one day a week, for four hours, she goes TWO days a week for FOUR hours. A total of EIGHT hours a week to myself (not really, volunteering and school work will take up this time, more on that later).
Sadie was SUPER excited to meet her new teachers and see her new classroom. She has many of her same friends from last year in her class, including her BEST FRIEND Lily!!! So, what did I do with my first day of "freedom"? I grabbed coffee with friends for an hour, then volunteered at Bryce's school for 2 hours, ran home and walked the dog and my 4 hours was up (don't worry I scheduled a massage for Thursday)!
Traditional Front Porch Photo
Proudly showing her "share card" for school (a collage of her favorite things-family, dog, stickers of princesses, drawings, and of course a picture with her best friend, Lily!)
The infamous Lily!
Ready for 3 year old preschool
It's hard to believe this is our 5th year at Carmel United Methodist Church Preschool. We absolutely LOVE it there!
Sadie was SUPER excited to meet her new teachers and see her new classroom. She has many of her same friends from last year in her class, including her BEST FRIEND Lily!!! So, what did I do with my first day of "freedom"? I grabbed coffee with friends for an hour, then volunteered at Bryce's school for 2 hours, ran home and walked the dog and my 4 hours was up (don't worry I scheduled a massage for Thursday)!
Traditional Front Porch Photo
Proudly showing her "share card" for school (a collage of her favorite things-family, dog, stickers of princesses, drawings, and of course a picture with her best friend, Lily!)
The infamous Lily!
Ready for 3 year old preschool
It's hard to believe this is our 5th year at Carmel United Methodist Church Preschool. We absolutely LOVE it there!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Bryce's First Day of Kindergarten
We have been talking about Bryce going to kindergarten all summer long. He has been so excited. We have been on a countdown the past 2 weeks. We took him to his class last night to meet his teacher and he was so happy!
This morning, Jared and I both woke him up at 7am. He snuggled a bit and we talked to him asking what he was most excited about. He said he was most excited about seeing his teacher, Mrs. Herring. He chose his breakfast, Frosted Mini Wheats, brushed his teeth and got dressed.
He was out the door before Jared and I. He took his standard pictures on the front porch, gave his sister a hug (very sweet), and ran off to the bus stop with our neighbors. Not a glimmer of fear was seen in him, pure excitement!!!! I gave him a hug and a kiss and told him to follow the other 7 kids onto the bus so he knew what to do. What did he do, jumped to the front of the line!
Not a tear was shed by any of us! I am so excited for my little man. He is so excited about starting school. It is hard to believe a new chapter in his life has begun.
This morning, Jared and I both woke him up at 7am. He snuggled a bit and we talked to him asking what he was most excited about. He said he was most excited about seeing his teacher, Mrs. Herring. He chose his breakfast, Frosted Mini Wheats, brushed his teeth and got dressed.
He was out the door before Jared and I. He took his standard pictures on the front porch, gave his sister a hug (very sweet), and ran off to the bus stop with our neighbors. Not a glimmer of fear was seen in him, pure excitement!!!! I gave him a hug and a kiss and told him to follow the other 7 kids onto the bus so he knew what to do. What did he do, jumped to the front of the line!
Not a tear was shed by any of us! I am so excited for my little man. He is so excited about starting school. It is hard to believe a new chapter in his life has begun.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Summer Picture Catch-up
Bryce's Last Day of Preschool at Carmel United Methodist Church
Sadie's Last Day of Parent's Time Out
Sadie's Ballet Recital- Good Ship Lollipop- June 4th
Aaron and Ashley's Wedding- June 18th
Sadie's Last Day of Parent's Time Out
Sadie's Ballet Recital- Good Ship Lollipop- June 4th
Aaron and Ashley's Wedding- June 18th
Friday, August 5, 2011
Wild and Crazy Summer
Most of you know that the Hamilton’s had an eventful summer to say the least. Jared has a skin condition, that he has had over 10 years, in which needed surgical intervention this summer. We prepared ourselves for 1 surgery, which was on June 1st. The first 2 weeks home were pretty good and then things went bad going into the 3rd week. Jared was readmitted to the hospital on June 27th and underwent 3 more surgeries and a 10 day hospital stent.
We are very fortunate to have such wonderful family and friends that have helped us along the way. Helping with the kids, mowing our lawn, keeping our house in order, making meals, talks and your thoughts and prayers were wonderful! We don’t know what we would have done without you all. We appreciate EVERYTHING!
In the middle of all the madness, we found time to step back and enjoy my oldest brother, Aaron, marry his long-time girlfriend, Ashley. It was such an honor for all 4 of us to be in the wedding. I am grateful Jared had the strength to stand up in the wedding and take some family pictures.
As summer is winding down, we took time last week to get away from everything and enjoy some peace and quiet as a family. We rented a cabin in Brown County for 4 days. The kids loved the hot tub, fishing ponds, and campfires! We rented a boat for an afternoon on Lake Monroe. It was so nice to relax together!
It is hard to believe that next week Bryce will enter into Carmel Clay Schools as a kindergartener!!!! We attended parent orientation last night. We are so excited for Bryce this year. He has a great teacher and also has his best friend in his class, this makes 4 years of them together!
I will post pictures as time allows from all of our adventures this summer!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
New Addition to the Family....
We are proud to announce.....
BOILER!
She is a three year old black and tan, short-haired, miniature dachshund. This is the dog Jared has wanted since he was 5 years old. We adopted her from a girl that was moving and could no longer keep her. She is really good with the kids (the kids could be nicer to her though) and she LOVES to play ball.
BOILER!
She is a three year old black and tan, short-haired, miniature dachshund. This is the dog Jared has wanted since he was 5 years old. We adopted her from a girl that was moving and could no longer keep her. She is really good with the kids (the kids could be nicer to her though) and she LOVES to play ball.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Ashley turns the big 3-0!!!
So, I thought when I turned 30 the world was going to come to an end. This is what I thought when I was 20! Turning 30 has been great. I am exactly where I never expected my life to be! I wouldn't change anything. I have a wonderful husband, healthy children, a great family and the best friends a girl could ask for. I have truly been blessed.
Thanks to my brother Eric, Jared and I had the opportunity to head to the island of Kauai and spend a week there! We had a blast. I always treasure the time I get to have alone with Jared, sans kids. We are fortunate to have family that helps out with the kids so Jared and I can have time to ourselves. This trip was a bonus as I go to spend a week with my brother who lives in San Francisco.
Things I have learned over the years...
1. I love God.
2. Live each day as if it were your last.
3. Make time to build relationships old and new.
4. Embrace new opportunities.
5. Be honest with yourself, it helps you go further in life.
6. Don't compare yourself to others; Be the Best that YOU can be!
7. It has taken me 30 years to be ME and I happy with ME!
8. Don't sweat the small stuff.
9. I can keep going long after I think I can.
10.It's not what I have in my life, it is WHO I have in my life.
Every path I have been on over the past 30 years has been my journey of life. I can't wait to see where the paths lead me over the next 30 years!
Thanks to my brother Eric, Jared and I had the opportunity to head to the island of Kauai and spend a week there! We had a blast. I always treasure the time I get to have alone with Jared, sans kids. We are fortunate to have family that helps out with the kids so Jared and I can have time to ourselves. This trip was a bonus as I go to spend a week with my brother who lives in San Francisco.
Things I have learned over the years...
1. I love God.
2. Live each day as if it were your last.
3. Make time to build relationships old and new.
4. Embrace new opportunities.
5. Be honest with yourself, it helps you go further in life.
6. Don't compare yourself to others; Be the Best that YOU can be!
7. It has taken me 30 years to be ME and I happy with ME!
8. Don't sweat the small stuff.
9. I can keep going long after I think I can.
10.It's not what I have in my life, it is WHO I have in my life.
Every path I have been on over the past 30 years has been my journey of life. I can't wait to see where the paths lead me over the next 30 years!
More Activities
In the winter, he FINALLY got to play basketball!!! Bryce has been shooting hoops since he has been able to walk. He LOVED basketball and was quite the all-star. The shot on 8 foot baskets and he made almost all of his shots! He needs to work on dribbling, we will conquer that in the off season.
Bryce and Sadie have completed to sessions of swim lessons and really enjoy it. The both have progressed well.
Sadie continues to do ballet and tap and I have to say, she LOVES, LOVES, LOVES it! She is eagerly waiting for her first dance recital. I think Sadie has found her niche!
Bryce and Sadie have completed to sessions of swim lessons and really enjoy it. The both have progressed well.
Sadie continues to do ballet and tap and I have to say, she LOVES, LOVES, LOVES it! She is eagerly waiting for her first dance recital. I think Sadie has found her niche!
Activities Galore
So, I already feel like I am the Mom Taxi, getting the kids to and from school and to and from their activities.
Bryce has been dabbling in different sports and has thoroughly enjoyed all of them. In the fall he chose to do gymnastics. With his small frame, he was perfect for the sport. He loved the trampoline and bars (because he gets to fall in the pit). He progressed well and even made it 3/4 up the climbing rope!
Bryce has been dabbling in different sports and has thoroughly enjoyed all of them. In the fall he chose to do gymnastics. With his small frame, he was perfect for the sport. He loved the trampoline and bars (because he gets to fall in the pit). He progressed well and even made it 3/4 up the climbing rope!
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