Chicago/Texas

On Aug 29 we headed to Chicago to celebrate Joe's sister Jeannette 30th birthday. We had a great time with her and uncle Casey. We went to the aquarium first. Joseph loves fishes so he had a blast. At the aquarium we saw a 3D video of Sponge Bob. It was alot of fun but Joseph would not keep his glasses. Then we walked around Solider Field. It was nice seeing the field up close and personal. That night we went to the navy pier. We rented a quad cycle for an hour. It was alot of fun but it was hard work. I did not pedal as much as the other but oh well. On Sunday we got up and went to breakfast early after breakfast we went to Millennium park. Joseph loved to run all over the park. We dropped off Uncle Casey and Aunt Jean at Wrigley field and then we headed home.

The next day we were heading to Texas for almost 2 weeks. We had a great time visiting with family and friends. We don't miss Texas summers. Supposedly it was cooler than it had been but we thought it was pretty hot. We did get to go swimming since we have only went swimming here in Ohio a couple of times this summer. I did get to eat at all my favorite local restaurants. I probably gained at least 10lbs or more. While it was nice seeing family and friends I am glad to be back home with Joe. Home is where your heart is.

I love this picture of Haley, Bradley, and Joseph.

Are you ready for some football??

Football season is getting closer. In our house we love college football. I love the Texas Longhorns while my husband loves the Florida Gators. I think the Big 12 is the best and he thinks the SEC is the best. Well this year should be interesting and hoping that we will finally have the Texas vs Florida show down. Should be a great season. Here are some pics of Joseph in his two jerseys.

Feeding the ducks

At our apartment complex there is a pond where several ducks and swans live. Each week we go down to feed them the leftover bread from the past week. This time I was able to capture some pictures of Joseph feeding the ducks. One funny thing is that when we give Joseph the bread to throw to the ducks he always takes a bite. This kid cracks me up.

Joseph did so well at mothers day out. He listened to his teachers and did not get into trouble. I am so proud of my little guy. I was really nervous because he does not listen to me very often, but I guess it is just because I am his mother.

Mother's Day Out

I have been looking all over the internet to find a mothers day out program in the Dayton area. In Texas there are a ton of programs at different local churches. Well here it is not a popular as it is in Texas. Well I finally found the one and only Mother's day out program in Fairborn Ohio. The day we went to meet his teachers and fill out all the paper work Joseph threw a fit when it was time to go home. He wanted to stay so bad and it made me sad that he had to wait until next week. He also has to take a lunch so we went to Target and got him the cutest Cars lunch box. Joseph started last Wednesday, and I was a little nervous on how he would do in a more structure setting. Well he did great and had a great time. I am glad that he adjusted well because starting next year he will be attending preschool two days a week. Here are a few pictures:

What a crazy last 5 months.

Where do I start. Well Joe left for OTS in Jan and we did not get to see him until his graduation in April. That was the longest we have ever been apart since we started dating back in June 2000. The year 2009 has been a life changing year so far and we are only have way through.

Here is what the Grunwaldt family has been doing. We sold our house on Eagles Nest. I am still really sad that it is no longer our house. That was our first house we bought. We brought Joseph home to that house. Joseph took his first steps on that carpet. I could go on and on and on about how special that house is/was to me. But it was really good that we did sell the house because it would be really tight to carry two house payments.

Now we are living in Fairborn, Ohio which is right outside of Dayton, Ohio. So far so good. The weather is awesome and we actually had to wear jackets to the July 4th fireworks show. I am really nervous about the winters here. I am excited that Joseph will actually get to see snow, but not for months and months.

In May Joe had to go back to Alabama for more training, but this time we all got to go with him. Six weeks in Montgomery Alabama was a challenging because we lived in a hotel for six weeks, but I met 3 wonderful ladies that I consider good friends. It was really funny because each time we got back to our room Joseph would say we are home. I guess yes it was our home for six weeks. Joseph did amazingly. He is great with all the traveling and he adjusted great to moving and then relocating for a short time. While we were in Alabama we went to visit our friends the Varvarigos family in Tampa and then we were able to attend Ryan's 2nd birthday party.

In June Joseph and I went back to Texas for a visit with my family. We had a wonderful time with family and friends. It just went by way to fast. We also celebrated our 5th anniversary on June 12. If someone asked me in 2004 what did I expect to be in five years I would of never answer Ohio.

In July we went to visit Joe's parent in Milwaukee for the circus parade. We had a fabulous time that we stayed for a couple of more days. It was really nice to be able to spend time with Mimi and Gramps. I am sure Gramps is still catching up on sleep. So I think I have covered everything that has happen in the last five months.

Can't believe it is already February!

Where did January go? Let's see this month we have alot going on. My mom's birthday was the 2nd, Bradley's is the 10th, Dale's the 14th, my dad's 19th, and mine on the 26th. What a busy month. This month I will turn 30. I can't believe I will no longer be in my twenties, but there nothing I can do. Also this month we have already went to visit Tiffany and McKinlee in Palestine. We had a great time visiting and playing with them. Next weekend we are going to see the Delaney family in Tyler. Jordan and I have been friend for a long time, but lost touch for a while. Jordan and her husband Kevin have two little boys around Joseph's age so I am sure they are going to have a blast.

We are also counting down the days until we go to Joe's graduation in April. I think as of today it is 64 days. Slowly but surly it will get here. We do get to talk to Joe everyday so far and we hope that continues. I think that is about it for now and I will post some pictures later.

Happy New Year

I can't believe it is 2009, and my baby is turning two on Jan 18. Where does time go someone please tell me. We had a wonderful Christmas. Joseph must of been a good boy because Santa was very nice to him. Out of all of his presents I have to say the basketball hoop is his favorite. It was really nice to be off two weeks during Christmas to spend time with Joe and Joseph.

We did not do anything on New Years Eve. I rented three (bad movies) and we order Outback take out. (which was the highlight of the night) We almost did not even make it until 2009, but we sucked it up and stayed up until midnight. The next day we went to my parents house for smoked turkey, black eyed peas, and cabbage. (Yummy)

We are celebrating Joseph's second birthday early on Jan 10 so Joe will be able to attend. Between the holidays, packing up our house, and planing a birthday party we are exhausted. Joseph party will be at a local jumping place. He loves to go there and he can jump with the best of them. He is not scared to climb the big slide all by himself.

Joe is leaving on Jan 11 for OTS. It is really an exciting time for us, but also a sad time. We will not be able to see Joe until his graduation in April. While Joe is gone, Joseph and I are going to live with my parents. Hopefully our house will sell before we leave Waco. I think that is about it!

The Grunwaldt Family