On December 30 we began looking back through my blog and hers (http://rkreigners.blogspot.com/) to remember some of the things that took place. Here is what we have come up with:
January
We both agreed that for January it would be bringing in the New Year with Family and Friends. For the past however many New Years we have spent them with friends having fun, playing games and just enjoying having a party. The following day we have made it tradition to go out to lunch with Renae's parents. January is also when my mom's side of the family hosts their Annual Christmas get together.
We both agreed that for January it would be bringing in the New Year with Family and Friends. For the past however many New Years we have spent them with friends having fun, playing games and just enjoying having a party. The following day we have made it tradition to go out to lunch with Renae's parents. January is also when my mom's side of the family hosts their Annual Christmas get together.
February
This month was one of the toughest ones to come up with something for because not much had happened. However, February holds a couple of things that I would love to remember. First, it was the term in the winter deemed "Snowpocalypse". During this time record amounts of snow fall took place, as a teacher I had off 1-2 days a week (and a few delayed openings sprinkled throughout) to make a short marking period. Secondly, it was when Renae and I went to the birthing class at the local hospital...those videos and some of the Q&A discussions have scarred me for life.
This month was one of the toughest ones to come up with something for because not much had happened. However, February holds a couple of things that I would love to remember. First, it was the term in the winter deemed "Snowpocalypse". During this time record amounts of snow fall took place, as a teacher I had off 1-2 days a week (and a few delayed openings sprinkled throughout) to make a short marking period. Secondly, it was when Renae and I went to the birthing class at the local hospital...those videos and some of the Q&A discussions have scarred me for life.
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| Record setting winter snow falls...second year in a row. |
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| I still get the pleasure of having snow days...not many people get those after high school...even fewer after college. |
March
March was a no-brainer. Even though I was hoping for a true Irish blessing of having a St. Patrick's Day baby, Logan was born on March 27, 2011! Between the being 8 days past the due date, confusing Braxton-Hicks with real contractions, waiting for a phone call while at work, taking Paternity Leave for a week and just soaking in the reality that I was now a father...the last few days of March really were packed full!
March was a no-brainer. Even though I was hoping for a true Irish blessing of having a St. Patrick's Day baby, Logan was born on March 27, 2011! Between the being 8 days past the due date, confusing Braxton-Hicks with real contractions, waiting for a phone call while at work, taking Paternity Leave for a week and just soaking in the reality that I was now a father...the last few days of March really were packed full!
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| We put all of the nursery together on a day where it snowed like crazy and so I came home by lunch time. |
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| This was another snow day, about two weeks before Logan made his appearance...I wanted a baby bump shot too! |
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| Welcome home little man! I think you'll do just fine here! |
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| One day I'll have the smaller hand... |
April
April was narrowed down to our time over Easter or Spring Break. Logan's birth was at the perfect time. I had off for a week, went in to school for 4 days, had a full week of classes, and then had Easter Break. During this time we hung out as a new family, I was able to get out in the warmer weather and do some outdoor landscaping with some awesome friends and we spent Easter with my family at Uncle Eric and Aunt Carol's house.
April was narrowed down to our time over Easter or Spring Break. Logan's birth was at the perfect time. I had off for a week, went in to school for 4 days, had a full week of classes, and then had Easter Break. During this time we hung out as a new family, I was able to get out in the warmer weather and do some outdoor landscaping with some awesome friends and we spent Easter with my family at Uncle Eric and Aunt Carol's house.
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| Front of the house when we first saw it. |
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| There is the side shot... |
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| Day 1 of the outdoor work - the front. |
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| Day 1 of the work - the side. |
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| Lucky for us we were given some more plants and solar lights, so this was how it ended up...it's now filled with colorful flowers and bushes. |
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| Gotta love the Phillies support of Easter Sunday with the Reigner Clan. |
May
May was a rough month. This is when I made it completely official that I was leaving the school where I had been teaching at for 3 years (and was a student for 13...k-12). It was a tough decision to make, but looking back it was the best decision, and God has totally blessed Renae and I by following Him through faith. May also marks when I officially became a Grad student and started my Masters Degree program with a 4.0!
May was a rough month. This is when I made it completely official that I was leaving the school where I had been teaching at for 3 years (and was a student for 13...k-12). It was a tough decision to make, but looking back it was the best decision, and God has totally blessed Renae and I by following Him through faith. May also marks when I officially became a Grad student and started my Masters Degree program with a 4.0!
June
As a teacher, June is the time when both teachers and students fix their eyes on in January or February. It was sad for me because I was leaving a school that I loved, but I was happy to embark on a new life journey. I was touched when the students threw me a "surprise" party at school and chipped in for a few gifts and gave me a book with letters from my students and parents. June was also great because Renae and I did a series of family trips because we knew that she would be returning to work shortly after I was done teaching. For these trips we went to the Baltimore National Aquarium, Strawberry Picking, Hiking and Logan's first Beach Trip.
As a teacher, June is the time when both teachers and students fix their eyes on in January or February. It was sad for me because I was leaving a school that I loved, but I was happy to embark on a new life journey. I was touched when the students threw me a "surprise" party at school and chipped in for a few gifts and gave me a book with letters from my students and parents. June was also great because Renae and I did a series of family trips because we knew that she would be returning to work shortly after I was done teaching. For these trips we went to the Baltimore National Aquarium, Strawberry Picking, Hiking and Logan's first Beach Trip.
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| Our first day trip was to Baltimore on a bright and beautiful day! |
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| A group of girls were more than happy to take a family photo for us. |
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| After the aquarium we walked around the Inner Harbor and enjoyed the perfect day. |
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| Day 2 we went strawberry picking...it was Logan's first time as well as my first time. |
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| Day 3 we went to Stroud's Preserve and walked their trail. Unfortunately the weather was bad that day, so we didn't stay out too long. |
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| A huge thank you to the Boyda's who let us use their beach house to give Logan his first ever beach experience. We know that this is something that he is going to love every summer... |
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| I threw this is as one of my favorite shots of us together at the beach. I can't wait until he is 18 years old, 210 pounds and 6'3" and standing on my shoulders. |
July
Was awesome in the fact that I had a series of interviews with a school in which I was highly interested in working for, and the final interview is where they offered me a job. As I was sitting in the HR department I sent Renae a text saying that she could put in her two week notice (which was perfect because she was struggling with being back at work and not home with Logan). Also, in July we had a second opportunity to go to the beach in MD and so we invited Renae's family to come with us and had our yearly beach trip (this was nice because we didn't think that we would have an actual beach trip this year).
Was awesome in the fact that I had a series of interviews with a school in which I was highly interested in working for, and the final interview is where they offered me a job. As I was sitting in the HR department I sent Renae a text saying that she could put in her two week notice (which was perfect because she was struggling with being back at work and not home with Logan). Also, in July we had a second opportunity to go to the beach in MD and so we invited Renae's family to come with us and had our yearly beach trip (this was nice because we didn't think that we would have an actual beach trip this year).
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| A nice picture...unfortunately it was blurry :( |
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| Renae's brothers still appreciate the fine art of picking on the only girl sibling! |
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| They are all awesome. I married the best looking one though...sorry guys. |
August
For August the only thing that we could really think of was that I started training at my new job and we finished the attic to office remodel. But then remembered that there was also Hurricane Irene which rocked the East Coast of the US. When that day hit we actually got together with some friends to play games while it poured outside. Over the night tons of places were flooded out, homes were without electricity and businesses were shut down. For us, we just took the day in stride and enjoyed being lazy inside the house.
For August the only thing that we could really think of was that I started training at my new job and we finished the attic to office remodel. But then remembered that there was also Hurricane Irene which rocked the East Coast of the US. When that day hit we actually got together with some friends to play games while it poured outside. Over the night tons of places were flooded out, homes were without electricity and businesses were shut down. For us, we just took the day in stride and enjoyed being lazy inside the house.
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| Prepped up the attic and took stuff down to make some room. |
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| This was my first blank slate home project...and I had spent loads of time idealizing how to maximize the space. |
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| Phase 1 was over last Christmas break, installing the insulation. |
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| Than I ran new electric for lighting, receptacles and baseboard heat. |
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| Then both far walls needed to be studded out for hanging drywall. |
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| The drywall was tough as nothing pre-existing in the house was plumb. |
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| Drywall done and ready for mudding. |
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| A good friend of mine was huge in helping me mud the joints...because I suck at it, and it would have looked like crap. |
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| Walls painted, and flooring being installed. |
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| Add baseboard and chair rail...this room was the inspiration for chair rail in the living room and dining room. |
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| A pretty and finished. |
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| Looks a little different huh? |
September
This month, when looking back, seemed to be packed with awesomeness. I started my new job which inevitably led to me making some really great new friends. We went to the Lampeter Fair with Renae's family, spent time at Linvilla Orchards trying to get into the fall mood, went to a few Phillies games and were lucky enough to go to a Penn State vs. Temple football game with some friends of ours from church.
This month, when looking back, seemed to be packed with awesomeness. I started my new job which inevitably led to me making some really great new friends. We went to the Lampeter Fair with Renae's family, spent time at Linvilla Orchards trying to get into the fall mood, went to a few Phillies games and were lucky enough to go to a Penn State vs. Temple football game with some friends of ours from church.
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| Logan enjoyed the animals...especially the cows, but I think it has to do with the sounds that they make when they moo. |
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| I had to take this picture because it reminded me of Uncle Eric when we used to go to Rough and Tumble as kids. |
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| They had calf and steer roping at the fair and I was lucky enough to snag a spot right up against the post...they even asked us to back away at one point for our own safety. |
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| Love this shot...he was the man...the only one that could really bring them in. |
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| Linvilla was a success as well...Logan loved all the pumpkins. |
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| He loved them so much he even tried to eat one...by the stem! |
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| Gotta love the face things...whatever they are called. |
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| They had a good year...record setting actually...they just didn't finish strong in the post-season :( |
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| There's my boy Chase Utley! |
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| My first PSU football game...and it was at the Linc. Couldn't have been better! |
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| The usher was kind enough to take our family picture during half-time. |
October
We wanted to continue the fall festivities throughout the month of October so we got a group of friends together and went apple picking at Highland Orchards. By the end of the month we hosted our 2nd Annual Reigner Fall Fest and a few days later took Logan out for his very first Halloween.
We wanted to continue the fall festivities throughout the month of October so we got a group of friends together and went apple picking at Highland Orchards. By the end of the month we hosted our 2nd Annual Reigner Fall Fest and a few days later took Logan out for his very first Halloween.
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| Logan loved picking the apples...or was it eating the apple leaves? |
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| Renae picking the perfect apple. |
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| Trying to warm up for the Reigner Fall Fest....hmmm I think we need a bigger fire pit. |
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| People enjoying a game of ladder golf on my home made PSU set. |
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| Got the grill started and began cooking up the goods! |
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| Then pumpkin carving was fun, all in all I think we had about eight pumpkins carved...some good ones too! |
November
November was a tough one as well, but I think that Thanksgiving (Wed-Fri) takes the cake. I spent Wednesday night with some great friends from church while Renae was in Lancaster, Thanksgiving was with family, and then Friday I took Logan out for Black Friday. All around, this was a great extended weekend...and paved the way for my December trek to be more intentional with time spent with the family.
November was a tough one as well, but I think that Thanksgiving (Wed-Fri) takes the cake. I spent Wednesday night with some great friends from church while Renae was in Lancaster, Thanksgiving was with family, and then Friday I took Logan out for Black Friday. All around, this was a great extended weekend...and paved the way for my December trek to be more intentional with time spent with the family.
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| First Thanksgiving turkey! |
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| One of my favorite pictures from the day. Logan and I with Nana! |
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| Logan's first bites of his first Thanksgiving meal. |
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| And he loved it...dove right in for more!!! |
December
This was the hardest month to chose from, but also the easiest. This month we updated the dining room, living room, the entryway, and the upstairs hall way. We also removed the old lighting from the kitchen and replaced them with recessed lights, and installed recessed lights in the living room. O yeah, we also got new furniture...and then there was a week off of work and Christmas thrown into the mix. This month was too awesome to break down. If you're interested in all the awesome things that happened, then take a look back at some of my previous posts ;) I'll leave you with one more picture!
This was the hardest month to chose from, but also the easiest. This month we updated the dining room, living room, the entryway, and the upstairs hall way. We also removed the old lighting from the kitchen and replaced them with recessed lights, and installed recessed lights in the living room. O yeah, we also got new furniture...and then there was a week off of work and Christmas thrown into the mix. This month was too awesome to break down. If you're interested in all the awesome things that happened, then take a look back at some of my previous posts ;) I'll leave you with one more picture!
Thanks for sharing, Helped me to get through a very tough day. Lots of love, see you soon, Aunt Arlene
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