Brothers~ February

Mommy and Jake

S' Ghetti Face

Who's That Birdie in the Window?

We have 2 new neighbors. They are pretty quiet for the most part. They each sleep in a corner of one of our bedroom windows. Tried to get a picture tonight (you can see him in the left corner along with some of their droppings in the sil...).

Moment of Remembrance

Remembering Gramp (4), Grama (3), Steve (5), and AJ (4) this month on their anniversaries; and Bob on his passing (2/6).

Poor Babies

What a week.

Monday, Jake's ear hurt so bad that he couldn't ride the bus home and Todd picked him up. A Dr's appt confirmed an inner ear infection (he has on't had outter ones). I felt so bad, he cried quite a bit that night. As we waited in the waiting room, he said quite loud, "Mom, am I going to have to take "anibionics"? Remember it gives me diarrhea!!". He ran a fever until Tuesday. I spent the day at home with the boys. He freaked out a lot with his ear "leaking"..it was pretty gross.

Tuesday night Kaleb developed a fever and had one on and off until Thursday, along with "messy pants". Wasn't quite sure what he had (everyone where I work is sick), but he did cut 2 more teeth and it looks like 2 more are coming in. He has been lounging a lot.

Happy Love Day

We had a nice Valentine's Day! Grammy stayed for a special dinner and dessert (Nana was in FL on vacation).

To Daddy from Jake

60th Dinner

Tonight work held a 60th dinner at the Laurel House. Entertainment consisted of a live band.

My favorite part was dessert.

Two in a Million

Bob is not well, I will write more about it another time.

Todd and I think the world of him and Doris, so much that Kaleb is named after them.

Cooking for the Kids

At the library last weekend, I decided to borrow Jessica Seinfeld's new cookbook "Deceptively Delicious" (click the link above to visit the books site hosted at Oprah.com- they have the recipes too). Todd and I both thumbed through it and saw some good recipes.

We decided to make meatloaf made with ground turkey (we have never cooked with ground turkey before..and it is cheaper than hamburger!) using Todd's recipe with Jessica's concept of "hiding pureed veggies" in the meat. We used broccoli, cauliflower, and pureed carrots...and the kids couldn't tell (Kaleb has no issues eating veggies, it's Jake); the consistency of the meatloaf was more mushy than firm...but was very good. (We also made turkey meatballs the next night..very good!).

Brothers~January

Charlie Left a Few Inches

It started snowing Sunday night into Monday. Unfortunately I had to go to work, but I would have loved to stay home and play with the kids. The ride in wasn't too terribly bad (snow/ice mix)..except when some truck driver in a little fat Dorito truck decided he was going to pass me and got a little too close- his "drafting" was causing me to go off the highway.


This is what the back yard looked like by the time I came home. Todd and Jake went out for a bit, and they enjoyed hot chocolate to warm them up. The pictures didn't come out well enough for me to want to post (will have some of Jake and his red cheeks on his page).

Story Time

Can't Keep Him Away

Todd and Jake were playing a Thomas game on the laptop when Kaleb "the computer guy" noticed he wasn't included. He screamed to be picked up and then all was quiet. (Yes, Todd is wearing a "wife beater"...he wears them under his work shirts.)

Happy New Year

Todd and I managed to stay up to watch the ball drop, then lights out! We ate a big ham dinner for lunch...and the boys passed out. This was waht they did most of the day (except Jakob). I did housework, prepared for work/school, and sent my thank you cards off to be printed at Shutterfly.

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...