So I've been seriously lacking in my upkeep of the
blog. I will blame it 100% on my tireless (ahem) dedication to completing
Connor’s baby book. J Combined with the
fact that for those of you with Facebook and Instagram, I have bombarded you
with updates and pics of our little man and world traveler, I know, I’m that
mom, my apologies. But in our annual tradition, I thought I would put our “best of
the year” post out there, since I believe this to be our best one yet! Yes,
I realize, I say this every year, and forgive me, for I’m sure it is a phrase I
will repeat every year going forward, one can only hope! It’s long, feel free
to skim…
Cheers to a happy, healthy and wonderful 2015 to you
and yours!
Love, the Harper Crew
14. Connor’s Baptism: We kicked off 2014 by getting our
little man baptized. It was a very special day, and we were lucky to share it
with all members of our immediate families, including Connor’s Godparents,
Frank and Gretchen McQuillan. We truly believe that Connor is the most amazing
blessing either of us has ever received, and we hope to share with him faith
and belief every day.
13. Daycare: As two kids whose mom’s stayed home with
them, the concept of daycare was daunting, scary, and quite new for me and
Mike. However, we have known since the day we stepped foot in Four Square
Daycare and Preschool that they would love our little man as much as we do and
we have never looked back. Connor has loved his time in the infant room and we are really going to miss it! We’re in
the midst of the transition to the toddler room, and our little man loves it!
Chasing the big kids, sleeping on a cot, and shoving his face full of food all
on his own, he is one happy camper!
12. Trips to Iowa: We enjoyed several trips back to
Iowa this year to visit friends! We showed Connor around the ISU campus, and
told him all the stories of our time there, stories he will NEVER hear again J
11. St. Patrick’s day: I had so much fun celebrating my
favorite holiday! We kicked it off by dressing up our little Irish man for a
party, and then passed him off to Grandma and Grandpa Mac for our first overnight
away. He did great, and both Mike and I had fun…possibly a little too much fun…
10. Trips to WI: We were able to head to Richland
Center, WI, where Mike’s mom and dad are from, several times this year. Some
were so much fun, where Connor brought unimaginable joy and smiles to his great
grandparents. Some were harder, as we had to say goodbye to Mike’s Grandpa Eng
this December, a great man, who will be dearly missed.
9. Cabin weekends: We are so lucky to have so many
family and friends who graciously host us in their cabins in northern
Minnesota. It is truly my favorite place to be, out on a lake in MN in the
summer, and we are blessed to be able to spend so much time up there. (Don’t
worry, we will pay you back when we buy our house on a lake…someday…)
8. Twins Games: This was a special summer of Twins
Games. We were able to go to the All Star Game and Home Run derby! It was
bittersweet as Amy and I have decided not to renew our season tickets, but you
can bet we will still check out several games in the years to come,
particularly with our main man Torii Hunter coming back!
7. Swimming Lessons: Connor LOVES to swim! We did a few
rounds of swimming lessons at Wise Swim School in Apple Valley with our friends
the Henry’s. Connor and Callen loved the water, and Mike and Shannon tolerated
getting in their suits once a week while Nicole and I looked on from the sidelines.
Connor almost got kicked out, as
apparently babies with a serious spitting up problem tend to disagree with a
pool, but he got it under control, and enjoyed every minute of it…only one time
did he cause a cancellation of EVERY class following ours…way to go kid! L
6. Weddings: Another year, another boatload of weddings
for me and Mike, but we love it! This year was no exception as we celebrated
with friends and family who tied the knot! Connor also discovered his love of
dancing…apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, or should I say trees…
5. Amma Baby outings: While on maternity leave, Connor
and I met the most amazing group of moms, babies and their daddies. We have
continued our friendship with this group and consider ourselves so lucky! From
outings on boats, Happy Hours, a charity 5k, to a one year old celebration bash
at a cabin up north with 14 adults and 8 one year olds, this group is the best!
4. Trips to Florida, Colorado, Napa: So Mike and I love
to travel, and we always said that we hoped having a family would only add to
this joy, not inhibit it, and we’ve stayed true to that, in year one at least.
Connor has been a trooper on all trips and we are so fortunate. We’ve also
taken a few without him, including scratching one of my most desired locations
off the list with a trip to wine Country!
3. Cousin time: Before I became a crazy mom, I was a
crazy Aunt, and I love my nieces and nephew like they were my own! It has been
so fun to watch Connor interact with his cousins, especially to watch him and
Emma as they are so close in age! They just started to really play with each
other, rather than next to one another, and it is awesome!
2. Jobs: 2015 was a big year career wise. Mike had a
bittersweet year, when he left Federated Insurance after 8 years there. He
loved his time there, and especially the people, but it was time for a change,
and a shorter commute! He started at Target in November, and is a Systems
Engineer for the Replenishment team. Yes, we both drink the Kool-Aid now…no I
did not recruit him, nor manipulate him in any way! On his last day at Federated, his team gave him an amazing red and khaki send off!!
1. Connor turned 1! By far the most exciting part of
2014 was when our little man turned 1. If you can’t tell (which I’m sure you
can, given I can barely get thru 1 sentence of this post without mentioning him,
I’m annoying, I know) Connor is the center of our world. We are truly blessed,
truly amazed, and truly honored to be his parents! What an amazing year!
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