My post for 2012

I know. I know it's be FOREVER but you'll just have to forgive me...I've been...busy. Life has been a whirlwind this past year. Here's what's happened...

Russ has worked his little tail off his last year of MBA school. He was selected to be apart of the venture capital team for Notre Dame, worked with a non-profit to build a library in Uganda, and committed to P90X--losing 20+ pounds, all while keeping up his secret identity and saving the world by night.

Heather's three jobs are finally coming to a close which leaves more time/energy to play with Hannah. Woohoo!

Hannah grew up, potty trained herself, finally grew some hair, and is spunky as can be. She thinks she's pretty cool and we have to agree.

Russ is graduating is three weeks and we'll be moving to St. Joseph, Michigan where he'll be working for Whirlpool in their Financial Leadership Development Program. This is the house we'll be renting and it's only a few blocks from...

...THIS! I know it's a lake but it sure is a beautiful beach with lots of fun things for a family to do. We're looking forward to our new home.

Things aren't perfect but they're pretty darn close.

Catch Up!

Here's a review of the last four months....

Hannah hates Santa Claus.

Russ' Christmas present--his very own T-Shirt quilt.
I can officially say I've sewn something.

I love Christmas Eve dinner.

German Christmas Festival in Chicago...I almost froze to death.

"Finger puppets!? You've got to be kidding me."

For Christmas Russ wrapped up random household items to
give me more presents to open...thanks Russ!

Hannah got her first full-time job.

My mom came to visit us.

Russ wears his Notre Dame Snuggie regularly, complete with ribbon.



Hannah and I went to visit Marianne & Mike Phillips in Florida.



For those of you who actually got to the end of this blog post...Russ has a summer internship with Whirlpool in the Finance Department. Go Russ!!!

Thanksgiving

I look forward to Thanksgiving all year. It makes me warm and fuzzy inside thinking about stuffing myself with all those nostalgic foods. So imagine my dismay when Russ and I both get the stomach flu the day before Thanksgiving. It was a humbling experience to have my husband incapacitated on the couch while my daughter stands by the toilet and watches me throw up. Talk about miserable. Some friends took Hannah for the afternoon until I felt I had enough energy to disinfect the whole apartment. Ironically, getting the stomach flu made this Thanksgiving extra special. Russ and I were feeling well enough to go to the Thanksgiving dinner on campus (which was fantastic by the way) and it was our first meal in a day or two. I've never felt so full of gratitude at a Thanksgiving meal as I did at this one.

Video: Thanksgiving with the Cramers

I always find random pictures, like this one, whenever Russ feeds Hannah.

Aaron and Andi Britton with us at Thanksgiving dinner.

She's definitely a Cramer. She can eat enormous amounts of food. :)

Chicago at "The Bean"

Chicago Millennium Park

The Holidays is the time for kids to play in big boxes. This was the beginning
 of Hannah's fort complete with tunnel.