2016: Best is Yet to Come

This year was crazy upon crazy. Career changes and a new family member, but my Best is Yet to Come

January

The school year was in full swing. Evie attended four-day threes, and weekly tap/ballet classes. Maggie enjoyed Mom-and-me gymnastics. Elizabeth substitute taught 9th grade Scripture and 10th grade Roman Lit for Kolbe. Eric started seriously training for a Half Ironman. We had a few snow days. We found out Baby Buergler #3 was a boy!

February

Eric took the girls to their annual Chick-fil-a Daddy-Daughter Date Night. Eric rode with Roswell Bikes on Saturdays.  Maggie and Elizabeth had the flu. Nannie had emergency surgery. Evie went to the circus with Grandma and G. Daddy. Spike stayed with us for a few weeks. We bought a new-to-us van! Elizabeth made 100 Club at Pure Barre.

March

The month opened with the Presidential Election Primaries. Eric attended Donuts with Dad at Evie's school.  We celebrated Easter. Evie did physical therapy for her gross motor delay.

April

Nephew Joey was Baptized. Eric did a sprint triathlon in Athens. Maggie turned 2 and we celebrated with Disney on Ice and a trip to Babyland General. Eric went to New Orleans for his 32nd birthday and Ironman 70.3.   Evie started swimming lessons and had her very first dance recital. Katie and Leeann hosted a Baby Shower for Baby Buergler.

May

Elizabeth attended Muffins with Mom with Evie's class. We worked on Disney Trip plans. Elizabeth photographed several baptisms. We took maternity photos. We drove to Watercolor, Florida for a Corsetti Family Beach Vacation.

June

Elizabeth took early maternity leave from Pure Barre and the family joined LifeTime Fitness for the summer. Both girls took swim lessons. We enjoyed many nights swimming as a family. Eric finished building the girls beautiful bunkbeds. Evie went to preschool summer camp and Vacation Bible School.  Elizabeth went on modified bedrest until a scheduled induction in July.

July

Eric ran the Peachtree Road Race.  Elizabeth was 100% focused on keeping Baby Buergler healthy which included daily visits to the OB or hospital for pre-eclampsia.  Nathan arrived, healthy as can be, on July 8th.  We adore him.  July was full of dance and gymnastics camps for Evie and Maggie. Eric had two full weeks of paternity leave.

August

Nathan was Baptized. Evie enjoyed a few more fun outings before school started. Maggie was home with herpangina. THEN both girls got strep. We missed our August summer camps because of this.  Evie and Maggie met their teachers and started school.  We decided four days before school started to have Evie tested into start Pre-K5 instead of Pre-K4. Best decision ever. Maggie started two-day twos and loves it. Elizabeth completed teacher training and started her school year.  Eric held us all together. Some how we managed a cabin trip and a trip to the Roswell ice cream festival.

September

September brought the beginning of tap/ballet and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for Evie and gymnastics for Maggie. Nathan is awesome at going with the flow. We finalized our Disney Trip plans. We went to the cabin for Sibs Weekend.

October

Eric took the girls to Stone Mountain for our now annual day-cation with the Buerglers. Our crew went to the Pumpkin Patch with SBMG. Maggie had her first ER visit for sticking a bead up her nose. The next day had her second ER visit when she dropped a bench crushing her toe. She spent the next 4 weeks in a cast. Halloween was celebrated at Pap and Nannie's and then quietly at home. The girls passed out their own candy instead of trick-or-treating.

November

Eric and Elizabeth voted in a historic presidential election. Evie turned five with The Best Day Ever! We surprised her with a trip to Disney World.  All three kids were incredible on the flights and on the whole trip. They're begging to return. Maggie got her cast off, but struggled with her foot. We had two Thanksgivings with lots of pie. Elizabeth wrapped up photography season.

December

The girls went to the Atlanta Children's Parade.  Evie "starred" in her school Christmas Pageant.  Eric took a week off from work and was mystery reader for Evie's class.  Maggie had an MRI to figure out why her foot and toe are still swollen (no news yet).  Eric had a coworker pass away and Elizabeth's beloved high school band director was killed.  On an up note: We celebrated Christmas with all the family and the girls were enthralled with the magic of Christmas (but were diligent about remembering Jesus!).  Nathan still isn't rolling over or sitting, but he tried a few bites of solid food. We rang in the new year by cleaning out the cabinets (This is life at 34, y'all!).

What was new in 2016?

Nathan! Eric finishing his Ironman 70.3. Maggie mostly potty trained. Evie is learning to read, write, and do crazy math!  Elizabeth is teaching two sections of 10th grade Sacraments + Church History.

What stayed the same in 2016?

Eric continued to work full-time in software development. He would like to add that he did not learn as much "technically geeky shit" as last year but "I do have a really awesome Minecraft World" (and there we have it).  He goes to CHRP once a month. Elizabeth streamlined life: Mom, photography, on-line teaching.  She continues with her girl's bible study.  Together we continue with our couple's bible study and involvement at our parish.

What ended in 2016?

Elizabeth "retired" from The Natural Baby.

Where did you travel?

30-A, Highlands, NC, and Orlando, Fl ....and a LOT of hospitals.

Biggest accomplishments?

Elizabeth - Growing photography business almost doubling last year's income; first year teaching
Eric - teaching himself word working and building incredible bunkbeds; PR an Ironman 70.3
Evie - learning to swim; graduating from PT; going poop in the potty
Maggie - starting school; learning to be a big sister; rocking a hot pink cast
Nathan - being born ;)

What would you tell your grandchildren about 2016?

Our first family Disney Trip!

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