okay...I THINK I am back!

I am hoping to keep it up! I thought about and thought about it....and decided, okay--like an online journal and if no one reads it at least it is there for me! So, i'm back. Now, computers can be time suckers, so I am hoping not to have that happen. But I do love to write and have a way to look back on past memories. In fact, you will notice my last post--which is titled "Finally Settled" was never posted (until tonight) but I had to post it to see what I had written....that was a long rant! So I'm back....hope you enjoy. I'll try to share something cute or funny or just plain fun soon! till then....

Finally settled!

Well, to start off, I apologize to those few friends of mine, (who actually read my blog and myself for that matter) for not blogging in quite awhile. It has been a hectic, stressful and busy life--busier than I have been in a LONG time. But I am happy to say we are finally settled in our new home and I couldn't be happier. I honestly think each and every day how much I love my house and I couldn't be happier. I think the best part of all of this is that I finally feel as if we have found a home we can live in and grow for a long time, so the changes we make, the paint we choose, the garden we plant, we will be able to enjoy for many years. Let me tell you, this is something I have been wanting for many years and it is good to finally be settled in a home that I love.

The last few months have been hectic, stressful, BUSY and life changing but when it all comes down to it, wonderful. It all started with a car accident--at the end of November (not so much fun). I totaled the Prius when someone pulled out in front of me while I was going 40mph on Greenbay Road. Two days later, we got the offer we needed on our house and it was time to start really looking. I swear everything has been a blur since then. The offer was quite a surprise (as he had lowballed us weeks ago and finally came up to our lowest price) . We took it--as you never know in this market--and I really consider ourselves lucky. I still cannot figure out how we fit all our stuff in our teeny house--since we have filled this house pretty well!

Christmas came and went (honestly I think Charles and I just wanted the holidays to be over so we could concentrate on moving). Nolan loved Christmas even more this year and picked out a train set he really wanted, which Santa did bring him. He loved it so much he played with it all Christmas day and ended up bruising his hands from crawling around on the floor so much. Jonah turned one December 29th and we had a small celebration. He enjoyed the cake and the attention. Moving day was January 21st. Thankfully, the previous owners let us move many things into the garage the week before, which really helped. We had A LOT of stuff! We unpacked and settled pretty quickly. Both boys have had their share of colds, ear infections, viruses etc. this winter (and are still fighting some germs), we ALL got the stomach flu over Valentine's Day (thank god we now had more than one bathroom) and we had the big event of February---Nolan turned FOUR! This was the first time we could celebrate a birthday in our house with family (as our other house was too small). Nolan also had a small celebration with a few friends. This was his first real birthday party and I think it went well--although I am glad it was only a two hour celebration!

So, this was the first weekend in which I wasn't packing, unpacking, celebrating a holiday or a birthday or taking a child to prompt care. It has been nice. Believe me, I didn't just waste my weekend. We headed to Menards this weekend to pick up some paint colors and although I love what we picked for the family room, I was not so sure about the kitchen. Too bad we only got samples for the family room and actually bought the paint for the kitchen, (which we will probably not use since I don't like it): Alright, Charles thinks I have rambled enough, so this is it. I hope to update soon. Much sooner than I did before. And of course, if you decided not to read (or you actually wanted to see what was going on is the Gasser household) enjoy the pictures below. It has been a wild ride these last few months. I am looking forward to a little calmer and quieter life.

To continue or not....that is the question!

I am writing this for my own benefit, and just wondering what others are feeling.

I started my blog in 2007 when Nolan was born--to share pics and stories of our little guy, and our life. Then I discovered facebook and blogspot went on the back burner. Now I am questioning what to do. As many of you know, I am a scrapper and love to scrapbook. I do love the blogspot, but I always wanted to be able to print out my blog and put in a scrapbook of some sort (I think I have finally found a solution to that!!!). I also want to write more and capture the memories of my little guys.

I just read through my blog (or briefly skimmed) to see what was in there. I was pleasantly surprised with a few of my older posts--I had forgotten things, was happy I had them written down here for myself to see in writing and color! I am hoping to take some of those memories and make smaller "yearbooks" in my scrapbook program to be able to cherish. What do you do with your posts? What does blogspot do for you and why do you do it?

Just curious. I am thinking I might get back into it.....your thoughts? Alicia

I know....I haven't been updating!

Okay, I admit, I have not been as up to date on my blog as I would like to be. It was a busy summer and I didn't get nearly as much accomplished as I would have liked! No traveling for us this summer, besides going up to see Charles' mom up north. But we did a lot with the kids and kept busy and as cool as possible. I can't believe I am back to school already and Nolan too! He started in Early School at Prairie. It is nice to have him there with him, especially when I get to see him at lunch time or run into him in the halls. I think he is wondering why every adult in the building knows his name!!! So far, he has loved it!

Other things to fill you in on in the Gasser household. Charles has been busy at work but even busier with the band. He went to LA this summer for a few shows and played with the Bryan Brothers. He then toured around Wisconsin and Michigan, playing at Kamplified with a bunch of other bands for different camps in the area and then headed to Colorado to play some more. The band has also released their CD nationally, we will see what their future may hold. It's all very exciting and busy---I just don't know what else to say as this is all unchartered territory to us...I'll keep you in the loop. (By the way, if you haven't seen their music video, My World, it is definitely worth watching(: They are having an official CD release party in September in Milwaukee! YAY! They also are currently #69 on the charts!!! Pretty awesome!

Jonah is HUGE! Seriously, I can only tote him around for five minutes before my arm hurts. He eats all the time and is a really happy baby (except when he is hungry and I do not have a bottle ready). He will be eight months this month (August 29th) and weighs....drum roll please....22 lbs! He is a FAST crawler and surprised us Friday night by pulling himself up to stand. A trick he has been trying to work on since he got the crawling thing down. I am pretty sure cruising isn't far behind. Nolan is a great big brother and sometimes gets a little jealous but we are working on patience (a quality his mother lacks at times). But we are working on it. I seriously cannot believe Jonah is already 8 months old---time really flew with the second baby! Before I know it, he's going to be a toddler!

And finally, the house, probably the one thing constantly on my mind! We had a rough go of it a about a month ago. We decided to put on a new roof and all hell broke loose. We also decided to put in an offer on another house--contingent on the sale of ours. Well--it was just one thing after another.....the roof was probably the easiest transaction of all of them. Charles' car died that week as well and was later deemed unfixable. We had to buy a new car and the house we liked--it appeared they were going to take our offer and then declined it at the last minute. The cherry on top was when a sudden storm ripped our front screen door off it's hinges and threw our patio umbrella to the backyard (about ten minutes after we left the house). Needless to say, I was a little panicked as money was just flying out of our wallets and we don't neccessarily have the means to have that happen. But it has all worked out and we are back to thinking positive thoughts about the house and life. (We love our new used Prius by the way!!!)

So, here are some pics! Enjoy and I PROMISE I will not be so delinquent this fall with pictures!

Spring has arrived

This will be a quick post as I am a busy girl these days!

Jonah is now four months old and is the happiest baby ever! I just put him in his crib and he falls asleep on his own!

Amazing!!!

We will see what teething brings! My sister Clare is convinced that since Jonah is so easy I will have a third...still thinking about that one Clare but I am sure you will be the first to know (after Charles of course!)

He just started rice cereal. Took him a few days to get the hang of it, but now he's all about the stuff. Can't wait to s

ee what veggies and fruits will do to him!

We also made our first trip to DQ--about six or seven blocks from the house. I think this is the first time Nolan has had a true ice cream cone. He almost ate the entire thing! I told Charles to ask for a kiddie cone next time (much smaller!!!). We realized about

half way there that Nolan usually rides in the stroller to Dairy Queen. He was a trooper the whole way there and back. The entire trip only took us an hour and fifteen minutes!!! I couldn't believe how late it was when we got home! He also just learned to peddle his trike although he refuses to go over ant hills with it (don't ask me--last year he was sticking his fingers in all the ant holes). I guess he doesn't want to wreck their houses! Happy spring everyone!

(No I did not buy this car--it's a loaner from my friend Jeanette!)

Happy spring!

Well, it is back to school for me next week. I have truly enjoyed my time off with Jonah and think I will find it hard to go back to the "real world". But honestly, I only have ten weeks and then SUMMER VACATION!!! I know, I planned my pregnancy pretty well without planning it! It will be good to get back in the routine of things for awhile. But I will miss spending time with the little ones and being a "stay at home mom". It has been fun.

Jonah is changing so much these days. Although he is a happy baby--he still gets me up about twice a night now and he has gotten in this pattern of getting up at 4 a.m. and that's pretty much it. He's ready to begin the day. His mother is not! He just learned to laugh, which makes all of us in the Gasser household laugh too. He is a lot of fun and his brother Nolan can't wait for him to be able to play! (neither can I!!!)


We also put our house up for sale. We are looking for something bigger, as we are starting to outgrow our little Cape Cod. Since I was on maternity leave, it was the perfect time to declutter and tidy up the house to try and sell it. We had an unsuccessful open house and two private showings but no bites. We have only had it on the market for about two weeks so I'm not too concerned. But it has been fun looking at other houses!!!

Oh, and the biggest news in the Gasser household these days--Nolan has tackled potty training! He decided the time was right and that was it. It took him about a good week to get a hold of it, but he's got it down pretty well and has even woke me up a couple of times at midnight to go potty! Yay! One finally gets out of diapers and...we have another kid! I'm just happy I'm not changing two anymore! Enjoy the slide show below. I may post more pics after Easter as we are getting together with the fam and having an Easter egg hunt! It should be a good time!! Happy spring and Happy Easter to you and yours--love The Gassers

The second time around the block...

I must say, the second time around the block with a baby is a little easier. You know what you're doing, you've been there before and it just seems easier. Having a three year old also in the mix does change things a little bit, but for the most part, I think we have the hang of it! Both Heidi and my mom are on my case to post some new pictures of the baby. Check below at the slide show, but before you do that--take a look at the two pictures below: One is Nolan and one is Jonah--can you guess who is who(I'll post the answer at the bottom of the page)? I think they look A LOT alike--but I am sure their personalities will be quite different. It will be interesting to see how Jonah grows and changes. Can't wait. He is already a great baby. Eats ALL THE TIME and sleeps pretty well too. I can't complain. Nolan loves being a big brother and does get the twinge of jealousy once in awhile but really is a pretty good boy these days.



Besides the new baby, things have been a little hectic. To keep me from going stir crazy, Charles and I have been decluttering the house--as we are wanting to put in on the market in spring (our goal is the beginning of April). We have a few projects to do, like paint part of the basement, but we should be able to hammer them all out by then. Most of the decluttering is done and we have a ton of stuff in storage. Looking at houses, even online has become quite fun and we are hoping to find something with a bit more space!!! (and at least a bath and a half). Another adventure begins--nothing stays boring here for long--Ali always needs a project!!

We also celebrated Nolan's birthday this past weekend, a little earlier than usual. He turns three on the 22nd but Charles is heading to California this Friday and won't be home to help celebrate it. So we decided to bump up the celebration a little. Nolan had a great birthday--he helped pick out his race car cake (in my opinion it was a pretty ugly cake, but that was his choice!). He loved his presents, especially the garage from Aunt Clare and Uncle Josh. On his actual birthday Clare and I are planning to take Nolan and Quinn to Monkey Joes (an indoor fun park with inflatables). I know Nolan will LOVE that! Pictures will come soon.

And Charles leaves for California this Friday until the 28th. He has a major show at Sunset Sessions, a venue play for tv and radio producers. They also played this venue last year, but this year they are on the main stage (Jason Mraz and Melissa Ethridge will also be playing this stage on Friday). Its a pretty big deal for Bascom Hill. They have the same time slot that the Zac Brown Band had last year--and if you watched the Grammys the Zac Brown Band won for Best New Artist this year. So maybe this time slot will have some luck attached to it! They also will be working on their music video, which stars Mr. Quin Stickler, the Bradley Brothers (tennis champs) and possibly Lou Ferigno--The Incredible Hulk (and maybe a few other stars if they are lucky). He is excited and nervous about the trip. I'll let you know how it goes.

Enjoy the pictures below. I promise to be a little better about posting more frequently! Charles just got a new camera so hopefully I will be snapping more pics as our current camera works only some of the time!



Nolan is on the left! Jonah on the right!