Our "Holiday"

Jake and I are both enjoying time away from both school and work. We have had a chance to stay up late and sleep in a bit (he has actually been sleeping past 7 a.m., which is good). With me being home comes yummy food for breakfast (pancakes and big breakfast!). We didn't really go anywhere the entire week and the TV wasn't on too much (Tivo is broke too!), did it feel good. Got the house in order, caught up on some reading, and worked on a special project in memory of Gram..still have a ways to go, but I am enjoying myself and can't wait to see it complete (hope everyone likes it too!). Most important, I had time with my boys!

Grammy had surgery on her knee today, so Nana will be with the boys until at least Friday. It will be a good change. I will be sad come Wednesday though, when I have to go back to work.

Jake's New Ride

After our trip to the library, I took Jake out to ride his bike (the temp was in the 50's!). He did pretty good, but kept braking, which was frustrating for me as I was pushing him along because he didn't quite have the "you need to keep pedaling to make the bike go" concept. So we made it around the block and then I needed to come back. Daddy's turn next!

Off he goes!


Go speed racer!

Christmas Day

Luckily, the kids weren't up at the "crack of dawn"! As you can see, Kaleb was sound asleep at 7:30 a.m. and we had to wake him to go open presents. (Jakob was actually in his room watching tv until it was time to go downstairs..?).

I have more video than pictures this year =(.

Although Kaleb wasn't into the unwrapping part, the kids loved their presents. Jake was a little disappointed with the train that came with his new Thomas movie as he had it already...and he was quick to point out that Santa brought a game made exclusively for Target (uh, Santa had to shop at Target in the North Pole!). Jakob ended up playing with Kaleb's toys and Kaleb played with Jake's. Maybe I should rethink the gifts for next year...

Todd looking for the chap stick he lost.

If you know Todd, he would have searched all day if he had to....

Grammy and Grampy arrived first, then Kevin and his family and finally Nana and Candi. We had lasagna, meatballs, and Italian sausage for lunch. After we ate, we opened gifts. Here are my favorites (dig photo frame, photo stamps, and Japanese Cherry Blossom from Bath & Body Works).

After gifts we enjoyed cheesecake, chocolate cream pie, Mexican hot chocolate, and cookies.

Nana playing a game with Jakob and Shawn

Resting after a busy day!

Christmas Eve

I decided to save my wrapping for tonight...it's pretty late, but had to wait for my Dad to pick up hamburger on his way home from work. Just realxed today, ran an errand with Jake. Todd came home around lunch time.

The boys each opened one gift (both from Scott & Rachel) tonight.

Before bed, we sprinkled "Reindeer Food" in the backyard with the thought that the shiny glitter will sparkle in the moonlight and the smell of oats will guide Rudolph to our house.

Jakob left cookies for Santa...

And yes, matching jammies...

As visions of sugar plums danced in his head...

Holiday Happenings

We headed to church this morning..Pastor Rob had a really good message. After the service, there was a turkey/ham diner. The food was good and so were the desserts! Of course, Todd had 2 plates..he was the only one!

We then went on a mini road trip to visit Charlie. He had some gifts for the boys; he liked the pictures we brought.

Bahstin

The family (minus Kaleb and I...still wasn't feeling good) headed to Boston today. They checked out the Museum of Science and had dinner at the Union St. Oyster House. Jake had so much fun with Daddy, Scott, Rachel, and Nana. Jake kept telling me he had dinner "AT THE OLDEST FISH HOUSE!".

Special Dinner

We had dinner with Nana, Scott, and Rachel tonight at Illiano's. Was the food good....had a little too much to eat, but still had to have my Tiramisu.

O Holy Night

I learned tonight that Gram loved the song O Holy Night. This song has been my favorite for as long as I can remember. My favorite version is sung by Selah. (Click the title above for more information on the songs origin). Gram's service was nice and the church was beautifully decorated. It was nice seeing everyone, missed Gretchen and Daylyn. We met Derek's fiance Lesley (Kaleb just fell in love with her!).

Cookies, Hot Chocolate, and a Special Visit

Uncle Kevin came from Denver to attend Gram's memorial service. We had a chance to spend some time with him during his short visit. Jakob opened the front door and exclaimed "The pizza guy his here!" (it was actually Kevin holding 2 boxes of pizza for dinner)...it was funny! After dinner I made cookies and we drank hot chocolate (if you look close enough, you can see a line of marshmallow on his cheek) while the boys played video games.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Today was the Charlie Brown Christmas Party. We had a good time. We met Buzz Lightyear (Kaleb was the only one who wanted his picture taken), played games, did Christmas crafts, and snacked on pizza and cookies (Kaleb loves brownies...). We drove around and enjoyed the winter landscape on the way home. Later on, Jakob and I headed out to finish Christmas shopping.

Jakob eating his sno-cone.

Kaleb and Grammy

Kaleb and Buzz Lightyear

Enjoying the scenery

Gram

Gram passed away this morning. I told Jake that she went to Heaven to be with Gramp. He said that he was sad and that he would miss her, but now she and Gramp could be "togeder".

Children's Christmas Party

Work held a Christmas party for it's employees children. We had a great time! Each child had a chance to sit on Santa's and tell him their Christmas wish; they each received a Melissa and Doug puzzle. Before the party Jakob was only interested in the gift and not meeting with Santa..thankfully, he changed his mind. He did comment at the craft table "I wonder who is under the costume?!". The children enjoyed cookies and milk and holiday crafts.

Kaleb staring at Santa

Brothers~ December

He's One

Our little baby turned one today! We celebrated with Nana and Grammy by having pizza for dinner and of course cake for dessert! Kaleb wasn't too thrilled with the ckae, but LOVED the frosting. His favorite gifts were the Thomas laptop and Thomas ride on.

Larry

Larry passed away this morning. He and I have worked together for a few years now. He was such an awesome guy and had a great sense of humor! He always had a smile on his face, even during times of frustration. I had the joy of starting my day with him saying "Good Morning Jenn" and "Oh hello!" through out the day....I will miss that. He loved to ask about the kids, especially "Baby Bobo".

Christmas is only a few weeks away

Not much time these days to make scrapbook pages and post, so here are a few pics since from the last 2 weeks.

Missy and Luc came over to bake XMAS cookies this past Sunday. What a great time! I think Jake enjoyed eating the frosting and sprinkles the most and Lucas loved eating the ones he had decorated!

Lucas and one of his cookies

Jakob and Missy making sugar cookies

We decorated the house for the holidays Thanksgiving weekend. The first thing Jake does when he wakes up in the morning is turn on the tree and all of the XMAS lights downstairs (he even has some in his room in place of a night light).

I found the antlers and nose (it blinks when you have it on).

This Saturday morning on our way out for coffee, it was snowing (the second snow of the season..it actually lasted a few hours)...here is Jake trying to catch snow flakes on his tongue.

I was able to do 95% of my shopping Friday night and only going to 2 stores. Finished up making our cards..just waiting on Shutterfly to print and send; also finished projects for the Grandparents. This week won't be as busy as the last or the upcoming weeks. We will be celebrating Kaleb's first birthday (just having cake with the Grandparents) this week and Grampy's the following. The next two weekends we will be busy with holiday celebrations (my work is having a party for the kids..along with Santa; and a Charlie Brown Christmas). On the 10th, I will be heading to VT for work..unfortunately, no play. Then before you know it, Christmas will be here.

Can't wait for Christmas morning!

Happy Thanksgiving

The temperature outside read 73 degrees as the turkey was being cooked in the fryar. It was warm and beautiful out!

My brother arrived early and my parents were late. I did most of the cooking this year as I didn't want anyone in "my kitchen"..hahaha...and my Mom was able to relax for once! Kaleb enjoyed a little bit of everything for his first Thanksgiving meal....Jake at a few things..Shawn ate hardly anything.

After dinner, everyone relaxed; I had the house put back together by 3 p.m. Nana came after 5 for dessert and leftovers. She and Kaleb enjoyed a little nap.

*click the yellow person in the lower left hand corner of the slideshow, then click on the album name for a larger view

Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Festival

Missy, Scott, and Luc came along for the Thanksgiving Festival held at my parents church. We had fun: they had a fresh popped popcorn table; a toast table with all of the "fixings"; food and refreshments; games (one game was turkey bowling in which you had to use a turkey as a bowling ball), crafts, and raffles; and pictures with Charlie Brown and Snoopy!




More pictures will be posted on Shutterfly..

Family~ Kevin and Shawn

Brothers~ November

Halloween

The kids both have more Halloween pictures on their pages.

We had to wake Jakob up to go Trick or Treating, otherwise he would have missed it! After dinner we visited our neighbors and then headed through town on foot. We went to new houses and some old- a few people over at Cathcart Commons remembered Jake! We walked around for about an hour..Jakob couldn't even carry his pumpkin it was so full. He ran into a classmate even! He loved going door to door, but we had to remind him a few times what to say because he was so excited. He even commented on the architecture of some of the houses by saying "I love your house!". Kaleb was dressed up like Pooh and Daddy was his driver for the night. He was really good, not a peep out of him. Of course when we headed back down our road, Jake wanted to keep on going!

Romp in the Park: Part 2~ Simonzi Park