Halloween 2009

We had a busy day - started off with an early soccer game for Jacob. His team is the perfect color for the day - the orange Tigers! After naptime and dinner, the boys got ready. Levi could have worn his favorite character - the Elmo costume Jacob wore when he was 3. But - Levi freaked out from the head piece - a bit claustrophobic. Not too easy to find good 2-year old costumes (either baby-ish or too big). So - we found some pretty cool jammies that he wore. We bought an Iron Man costume for Jacob - but it was too small (he is getting so big!). When we returned it - I let Jacob pick out the costume. Oh my - he has the shopping decision making ability like his mother!!!! Took him several minutes to figure out which one he wanted. He chose The Incredible Hulk. Why - you ask? Cuz it has a scary face - of course :)

Isn't he scary............and a bit freaky!

Levi's cheesin' grin! He was a cute lil Woody -- just wish I coulda found a brown cowboy hat -- but he probably would have preferred not wearing it -- so it all worked out!

We went first to a church's trunk-or-treat -- a church in the older part of West Sac where we rented the house and where the daycare is. After getting a bounty of sweets, we walked down the street to a few houses for trick-or-treating.

Cute lil boys getting their stash!

Then we progressed to the next church party! We went to the church in the Pocket Area where Jacob attends AWANA. The boys got to play a few games (bean bag toss, pop balloon with a dart, and fishing). And - Jacob got to jump in a bounce house. We saw a few of Jacob's teachers - that was fun! Here is a picture at the photo area of the church - so festive!

After leaving - we headed back home and let the boys trick-or-treat on our street. We headed home at about 8p - and then they helped give out candy for the next half hour or so until bedtime - amidst snacking on some tasty treats. It was a good day -- beautiful weather again this year - high of 74 or so during the day. No jackets needed - and not chilly at all. It was a good family evening - can't wait til next year. Although - we (meaning Jim and I) did overindulge on candy. Too bad someone wasn't around telling us we could only have 1 piece!

First Team Sport - SOCCER

Jacob began practicing for his first team sport in mid-August. He plays on the "Tigers" - a West Sacramento recreational league - that has about 16 teams his age (under 6 age). Our first game was on September 12th. This had been an adventure for all of us. He has really progressed from his first practice. His first few practices - he had more "unauthorized" water and potty breaks (about 6) plus the few that the coach gave them - which for a 45 minute soccer practice - amounted to very little soccer practicing! But - he now does well with usually only breaking when he is told to go get some water.

Here he is at his first practice - all hot and taking a water break - not sure if this was a team break - or Jacob only :)

The first game - Jacob kept yelling as he ran all crazily along the field. When we asked him what he was doing - he said he was yelling to scare the other kids so that he could get the ball. We quickly broke him of that method!

Here is Levi - taking his own water break! The water bottle was a big hit for several practices - something to play with. He also has his cool Spongebob hat on. Levi has done well at the practices and games - he usually entertains himself pretty well. But - it is hard to keep track of him - and Jacob at times. Not sure how anyone does it with more than 2!

We have been a bit frustrated at times - because Jacob is VERY unfocused at games. I guess we need to just laugh and not worry about it. He seemed to do better at his last game - actually participating quite a few times (as opposed to the previous few - where he walked along the lines of the field - let the ball come rest next to him and continued to stare and crouch down and play with his shoelace - complain about his legs being tired - fight with his brother over who got to sit in the stroller - etc - etc - etc). He is only 4 1/2 - we have to keep reminding ourselves of that. We really just want him to enjoy it - have fun - and try. We will see if this sport stuff is really his thing. Below he is kicking the ball to start play after a goal was made.

Again - looking at the ball and being a part of the "team."

Running with the pack toward the ball.

I can't believe I got this pic - totally by accident. I am proud of Jacob - he was running with his team - and got tripped up when another player kicked the ball. He landed on his face and legs - but got up - thought about crying and coming out - but kept on playing. He also got hit by the ball in the cheek during the game too. He just kept playing. He is improving. We do need to relax - and continue to encourage him to have a fun time and keep trying. That is what it is all about.

It makes us feel a little more at ease - when we see other kids doing cartwheels during the game - or being totally distracted too. I know this is just the age. We truly don't care that Jacob probably won't be the next Pele - but want to instill in him how to be part of a team, to mind and obey his coach, and just to have fun. He has progressed over the last two months. Sometimes I think these experiences are more for us to learn - than him. We need to continue to reassess our motives and drives during these times too - why are we so frustrated when he isn't paying attention - are we really looking to his well being - or is our pride getting in the way. It is definitely different being a parent of a player - rather than playing myself. I guess there is a lot for me to learn too. Go Tigers!

Blue....blue....and more blue....

Being the creative decorators that we are.........if we paint a bedroom in our house...........it is either blue......or another shade of blue.......or a different shade of blue! We finally painted the master bedroom this last weekend. It was a pretty awful light lime/sage green color with a black chair rail. We now have an ocean blue (looks lighter in the pictures) above the now white chair rail and sand color below. Yes - we went with an ocean theme. Don't know that it really looks like the ocean - but it does have a nautical feel.

Here is a "before" picture of the attractive green tone -

And another "before" pic looking towards the master bath.

Some more "after" shots. We are pretty happy with the way it turned out - although it was a lot of work. Several hours of taping and prep work before I even opened the paint can!

Here is the view toward the bath.

I have had a request for other pics of the house after we moved in. Finally got around to posting some. Here are some before and after shots of Levi's room. Here is the "princess" room before we got it "boy" ready. It was lavendar and green with flowers and butterflies.

Here is Levi's room now. We decorated with the theme that was previously Jacob's - since Levi is much more into cars and trucks than Jacob ever was. We have a twin bed ready for him when he is ready for his "big boy" bed - although we are perfectly content for him to be in his crib for a year or more :)

Currently, his bookcase is in his closet since we have a bit less wall space with 2 beds in his room.

He has a great angled wall as you walk in - that fit his name perfectly. It is all boy!

Jacob's room was the original white when we moved in - pretty boring.

So - we painted it.....too.......blue of course............what else would we choose!

We originally had his name a different direction - but the door usually cut it off - so it is vertical now. Also - it is a bit harder to find transformer room pics and other decorations - so his isn't quite as filled with the theme. But - that is OK - he will probably change what he likes soon :)

Here is the dining/living room combo. It doesn't get much use - Jacob sometimes hangs out in the living room during rest time.

This is the family room. It fit our oversized couches well - that was nice. It is filled with lots of colorful toys most of the time - scattered about.

This is looking towards the dining/living room and front door from the family room.

View of the kitchen and nook.

Here is the kitchen nook. We are trying to figure out how to cut out the echo/way the noise carries. With two boys that have one volume (loud) - it makes meal time a bit loud at times. Not sure if a rug - or curtains would help absorb some of the sound.

Spare bath downstairs - just went with the red and made it a patriotic theme. Jacob likes to give tours of the house - and let everyone know there are cobwebs in that shower. Needless to say - we don't use it too often. What other secrets is he revealing!?!

Spare room - with the patriotic theme continued. We want to paint the room - it is a stark white. But - what color should we choose? Not sure we could ever choose anything besides blue..............hmmmm............a nice shade of blue might look good......................;D

We have also been making some changes to the backyard. I will work on getting some pictures of it posted too. We love our home - and feel very fortunate that God blessed us with it :)

Lake Tahoe - July 2009

Our family went to Lake Tahoe again this year - North Shore - for the last week of July. The weather was perfect - nice - not too warm or cold. This is our family photo - Guy had shirts made for us - Jackie was overjoyed to wear hers :)

This is the house we stayed at for the week - a 6 bedroom, 4 bathroom, 2 story, with a super large deck and 2 master bedrooms. It was a nice home - and fit all 13 of us well.

Mom and Dad - and Guy and Jackie - had to get another picture of her with her "cool" shirt on - as she tries to hide it with her arm!

The kids playing with the fishing game - Jacob with his cousins Salma and Antonio.

Chillin on the deck - this was a very small part of the huge deck. It was all shaded - most of the time - very nice.

The kids with one of the many toys Nana and Poppop brought - the bubble guns. You can see more of the expansive deck.

We all went miniature golfing one day. It was warm in the sun - but the kids had fun. It was Jacob's first experience - Antonio was a pro. Levi and Salma tried it out a little too.

Jacob - learning to hold his club correctly - he did better as the day went on - and daddy helped him with his grip.

Antonio - he is a cool cat - effortlessly plays great.

Salma - she is a cutie!

Cheesers hangin out as a fam - enjoying the competition and fun.

Hanging out on the couch together.

Everyone went to the beach a couple of days - this day we went before lunch. Almost everyday we were there it rained a little after lunch - so we thought we would take it in before then. The water was COLD!!!! The kids enjoyed it - mostly just digging in the mud - and walking in the water some. They don't seem to notice the cold - as much as we do.

Jacob did not like getting his hands dirty. We found a toy shovel - and he liked digging with it. Not too fond of digging with anything else though.

More playing in the sand....cutie Salma again!

The three moms catching some rays......a few of us need to catch more than others!

Salma and Antonio playing at the park.

Overall - it was one of the best family vacations we have had. Most every year we rent a house somewhere together - many years we have been in Tahoe. We played poker 3 nites - and that was a lot of fun - at least for most of us. The kids did well sleeping - and playing together. We look forward to many more family adventures.

Sprinklers

Levi received a sprinkler for his birthday - and the boys had a blast playing outside in it. Levi is getting more brave - and Jacob still loves to touch everything and see how it all works.

We love our backyard - with the boys being able to have an area to play and have fun!