A New Elf Dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Some how I deleted this, so the new one is up top. If you think you already saw our Disco-Dancing Elves...Check out this new dance with a little surprise in it!

Traditional Cougs in Leaves Picture

Every years since JJ was born I try to get a picture in our front yard. Our tree turns bright red and then when the leaves drop, they turn to crimson. What a great Coug tree! Here are some pics from this year and some from the past. Neither of my boys are thrilled with photo sessions, so I get what I can!

"Official 2008 Coug Leaves Pictures"

Not a great pic here, but I love Jacob's expression with the escaping Maggie!

This is a 3 year old sitting still!

2007

2006- Look at that soft baby hair!


2005
These are pictures of pictures. I wasn't as diligent about loading pics to my computer back then!

Still friends!

New Table!

Another good thing that came from our break-in was getting a new table! I pretty much consider it free, because once you pay your deductible, your done! Although I have bittersweet feelings about having to give them our old table (the one I grew up with) I love our new one. The bench is Jackson and my favorite part! It gives us much more walking room. Now I just have to stop stressing so much about all the scratches the boys will be putting on it! Anyone know of a good remedy for this besides glass or tableclothes?

Jackson Tagged by Rhyan

Then ............and...........Now

Name/Meaning: Jackson James- Marcus and I picked out this name in college while we were watching Steel Magnolia's...Yes, he actually watched it with me and took me to a dinner theater of it! Then by the time we had him it was popular :o( James is his paternal grandpa's name.


Age: Little over 3 and 1/2


Nicknames: JJ, J, Bugerbean, Sugar


Favorite Activities: Playing trains and planes, gymnastics plus (he wanted this on here, really wants to go today), play outside, do anything with daddy!


Favorite Foods: Peanutbutter and Jelly, breakfast bars, chocolate milk, apples, broccoli


Favorite Music: He mainly listens to Christian music with me, but loves the song "Blessed be the Name", his "special mommy song", and the airplane song (anyone know these?- we do!)


Favorite toys: planes and trains, but he does enjoy reading before dinner and bed


What Makes You Happy: Airplanes, trains, and doggies (He has been carrying around 2 stuffed dogs that Colleen, our secretary, has loaned him for almost a week) mom, dad, grandparents, movies, ice cream walks


What Makes You Sad: Having to share with Jacob when he doesn't want to, when visitors have to leave, waking up from naps before he is ready, and in his response..."I don't know". He is a pretty easy kid most of the time!


Jackson tags: Ella, Britain, Hudson, Ava, Harper Twins

Happy Halloween

We had a fun Halloween. Jackson wanted to be a pilot, as most of you know his new love is planes, where as last year it was trains. We decided to use the dalmation costume one more year, but because Jacob loves dogs it was very appropriate! Below is the picture of Jackson at the same age.

Oh, I miss this cute little face!

But (in my opinion) he is still a cutie, just older!

Dancing Pilot

We went to Marcus' work and trick-or-treated all the lawyers. They were ready for us! He came out with his whole bucket (the fisher-price airplane) full of candy. Jacob kept trading his candy at each office we went to. I think he finally figured out you want to keep it after he got to eat some. Jackson was so tired already that he passed out on the way back home.

We had a quick dinner before heading to a Harvest Party at the church where I go to MOPS and Bible study. Both boys spent about 1/2 and hour in the bounce houses before we forced them to try the games. I think Jackson decided this was okay after he figured out you get candy at each one! Jacob was a bit to young, and after wanting to actually swim in the duck pond(he managed to get one foot in), I took him back to the bounce house!

Serious fishing face!

This would be the duck pond Jacob enjoyed.

Squirting bottles down.

Jacob is really into kissing his girl friends. Here he is moving in on sweet Kara!

Carving Pumpkins

Believe it or not, this was the first time we carved pumpkins with the boys. JJ wasn't to sure about all the goop at first, then we couldn't keep him out of it. Jacob had more fun watching Jackson.

I wish JJ's face was turned a little more towards the camera. The sound effects during this phase were great!

Daddy taught JJ how to "sneeze" out pumpkin guts. AaaChooo!

Oooo, what's in there?

Too cute.

Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze

We went to the pumpkin patch last weekend with our church. This year it was a beautiful warm day. It was nice to be able to play without jackets, hats, and gloves!

Jackson had no trouble this year climbing the stacks and going down the big slide. He liked taking Jacob down the slide with him but "security" told him he had to stop.

In the physical department, this kid is doing everything early than Jackson did...since he has Jackson to watch.

Look, Mom! Just my size!

Jackson loved the goats, although they didn't return the affection.

Heading into the corn maze. Thank goodness for the "extra" trails that people made, otherwise we would still be in there!

Not a great picture of me, but Jacob's face is priceless!

We spent much of the time in the maze hiding and scaring each other.

Another funny Jacob face.

To the Fair!

My friend Tricia and I headed to the fair with our boys last week. It was opening day (and cheap day until 3) and packed! We left our house at 2 and finally got in the gate at 3:10. With some quick thinking and exercise, we both got in for a buck! For those of you in Seattle who may think an hour and 10 minutes is not too unusual of a time frame, I should remind you that I live only about 4 miles from the fair. We spent 40 minutes in traffic waiting to park! But...the boys all did great and were ready to play! Marcus met us after dinner, I was very ready for him to come help!

A favorite, the tub of corn!

Jackson could have spent all day with the rabbits. I was ALMOST tempted to buy one, but then reality kicked in!

Jackson also loved the reptile barn. He wanted to hold a snake but I vetoed it!

Hudson and Jacob chowin' on some slow cooked beef.

Pumping the water.

Are kids supposed to sit on the prize pumpkin?

Jackson with one of my old students and her horse.

Favorite Kid Things

So, I figured I would share a few of my favorite kid things with you moms that "blog stalk" like I do.

First, my absolute favorite sippy cup (Thanks, Drury!) These are made by First Years. They do not have an insert, just two air slits on top. They usually don't leak, but if they do you just stick your finger in the slits to let pressure out, instead of having to open it and re-pressurize (?) the insert. I love not having to wash three parts!

PLUS!!! If you live by a ShopKo, they are only $6 for 2 this week! I should get paid for this! :o)

This is a Frog Pod. It sticks to the tiles in the bath, although would probably work better on the fiberglass showers. The bucket part comes off to scoop up the toys and they don't get stuck like they do in net toy holders. There is also a back shelf and you can hang things off his fingers.

Fisher-Price Easy Link. Kids can plug in the character "key" to take them right to that website. They can jump to other keys on their own, but they can't get back out to your hard-drive, desktop, or other pop-ups or sites. I love that JJ can just jump on the computer without me even down there. It has other parent controls such as time limits, etc. if you want to set them!

Anyone have other favorites?

Welcome Fall!

Yeah! Fall is finally here! I LOVE the beginning of fall. Some of you (Tyffany) know exactly what I mean and get the little kid "giddyness" just like we all did, or still do, the night before Christmas. The weather is cold in the morning and night, perfect for walks with coats and hats. You can start smelling fires in the evening, dress in sweaters and socks, look forward to carving pumpkins, watching football games with good food, and sipping something delicious in the evenings. If you are me, you also bust out "The Blue-Nosed Witch", my favorite book since I was in 4th grade! Yes, I am a fall freak!

The boys and I took out the fall decorations today. Jackson loves doing this as much as I do! They are still playing with their buckets, using my quick-tie flash cards as "mail". What interesting imaginations!

Jacob discovered that the scarecrow has spring-legs!

I highly recommend static-cling window stickers for any mom! They are easy, fun, and clean!!!

Jacob's First Coug Game

Usually when we head to Pullman for a football game we have family that will babysit the boys. Last Saturday they all deserted us! So, we took both of them to the game for the first time. Jackson had gone as a baby, which was very easy as he was in the "sit on your lap" stage. Now that both boys are VERY active we were a bit reluctant, but also excited. They both did great although they didn't watch the game much. JJ loved all the cheering (we actually had a lot to cheer about this game) and of course the snacks! I headed home with the boys at half-time as the weather took a turn and started to get cold and wet. This was a great choice as the game took over 4 hours!

Not the best "quality" picture, but you can see the joy on Jacob's face of getting to suck on a Push-Pop! These kept them busy for about 1/2 an hour. Unfortunately, they kept me busy too as I was having to wipe down their hands and clothes from the dripping spit!

It was fun to walk through campus with the boys. Although JJ didn't really understand that this is where we spent our college years, it was still exciting to share it with him. Here he is with the "silly book guy".

We found some "silly ears" (everything is silly these days) in The Bookie.

The night before the game had perfect weather! Grandma and Grandpa had a fire and s'mores going when we pulled in. The kids rode "bikes" in the driveway for awhile after they had their dessert. Marcus and I decided to wait to have dinner until we got there as he was craving Sella's. Doesn't that name make you hungry, all you former Cougs!

AND SOME EXTRA PICS....

Jackson's friend Noa was over to play and they decided to play "going to bed". JJ would tuck Noa in and give her a kiss goodnight. He would check for monsters under the bed and turn off the lights. Then repeat. They played this for about 20 minutes!

Lately, if Jackson has to go sit in time-out Jacob will go over to the stairs and sit with him, even if the offense was against him! It is so cute, I only wish they were that fond of each other all the time!

And I will leave you with this wonderful picture! A friend reminded me that we (moms) usually only take pictures of our smiling kids. Will we forget their sad/angry faces when they grow up? So, here is my darling, being not-so-darling!