Christmas 2009

My friend Missy flew into Sacramento a week before Christmas to spend time with us and see friends and family in the area. Both Jim and I took the week off - and it was a good time with her and the boys.

We are chilling on the couch - listening to Jim read the real Christmas story of Christ's birth and the night before Christmas. We tried to reinforce with the boys why we are celebrating - but it is hard for them to get past all of the excitement of presents and toys.

We let the boys open one gift - a Sponge Bob "shaving" kit - and then they got to take baths.

Levi wasn't quite as patient or into getting soap on his face to shave - but he is cute!

Jacob had to shave a few times - so much hair when you are 5!

Just being cute -

We celebrated our Christmas on Christmas Eve morning - to allow the boys a whole day to play and relax and enjoy each other. Here is Jacob opening up his stocking stuff. This is the first year he has been curious about Santa - so we had to play it up a bit - with cookies, candy, and milk left out for Santa.

Levi testing his musical skills on his new kazoo

Levi got some new Cars slippers - here he is posing with a good "cheese" pose!

Levi surrounded by his haul

Jacob surrounded by his huge quantity of toys. These were just the gifts from us and Jim's family - the boys both still had much more to look forward to the next day.

Jacob trying out his new scooter. He is still riding it around the house - a good gig til it touches the outside dirt - then it will be an outside toy

Levi riding his new ride on - a twist and turn scooter (or something like that) - that propels itself by turning the wheel back and forth.

Levi's stacking blocks - almost bigger than he is

Jacob looking mean with his new big rapid fire nerf gun

The boys posing with their new aprons - they will all be cooking for Mommy soon - not a bad idea!

Levi "dressing up" with glasses and his brother's stethoscope. What's wrong with that?

Missy and the boys - trying to get them to smile - and a tickle produces this!

Missy and Levi - on Christmas night at bedtime

Missy and Jacob - getting ready to head off to bed

Missy and Levi playing with his new tow truck puzzle

Missy and Jackie - a few days before Christmas

Mom and Dad (or Nana and Poppop) on Christmas Day. We spent the afternoon/evening on Christmas at Uncle Joey's and Aunt Ofelia's house.

Guy had a time of it getting the kids to cooperate for a picture.......well, actually.....I guess it wasn't "the" kids - but rather "our" kids to cooperate.

Here's old grumpy gus....

Jim and Holly - one of our only pictures together this year - hard to get the photographer and videographer in a picture together

Ofelia, Joey and Caleb - great picture!

Unfortunately, the photographer didn't get in many pictures - here is Guy taking a break from corralling children for picture taking and opening presents.

Salma got some beauty aids as gifts - here she is pampering Missy

Doesn't Levi look like a natural with the pink hairdryer...

Another hit this year for both Antonio and Jacob were Nerf guns - they both got a few. Here is Caleb trying to permanently get some bullets suctioned on the windows.

And Jacob - yes - he managed to win the prize on getting a bullet stuck to the highest spot - on some crown molding near the ceiling - high ceilings at that. I am sure my oh so tall bro Joey is loving us today!

We played Lego Rock Band - what a blast! Jim is cheesin it up singing Free Fallin' with Caleb on the drums and Missy strummin it.

Caleb was good to help Jacob out with the guitar (after a previous freak out episode when he thought he wasn't going to get to play).

Jim had some mad-skills on the drums - along with Pros Antonio and Missy.

Last song of the night was a must see. Jacob on vocals for "Ghostbusters." Don't worry - although he didn't know the words - he rocked it! Might need to dry the mic out a bit - but he was singing and "dancing" the whole time. And sometimes he would ask for my help - and then subsequently within a few seconds - tell me to stop and go away.

Priceless moment - Jacob at the end of the song - leaning back and screaming/hollering giving a great finish. Where did he learn that! He was overtaken by the power of the mic - and was loving it for sure!

It was a great Christmas - wonderful time off - good times with family and friends. We leave you with this - a video of Levi and his sweet, innocent voice singing about the birth of our Savior

Recent Videos of the Boys - Fall 2009

Levi singing Happy Birthday -

Jacob singing Happy Birthday to his cousin Jayme who turned 15 a week ago -

Levi speaking with his Minnesota accent -

December 2009

In preparation for our Christmas cards - we took about 30 pictures to get a few that the boys were both looking the same direction. I can't imagine life without digital cameras - how many rolls did you have to go through to get a decent picture when you couldn't instantly review each one! The boys did pretty well - and tolerated it - with Levi's bed-head and all!

I really like this picture - with Jacob hugging his lil brother - even with sleepy eyes.

The boys looked so cute on their tummies watching TV.

Taking a pic with my big boy. The cameraman doesn't get in many pics.

A pic with my lil bit.

Jacob's 5th Birthday Party

We celebrated Jacob's 5th birthday at Chuck E. Cheese. It was the first birthday party we have had that wasn't celebrated at home. We didn't tell him about it - until about 10 minutes before we were going. He was so excited!

Here he is blowing out his candles. He did very well taking a break from the games - to eat pizza, cake, and open presents. Sometimes that can be pretty difficult!

Here he is opening some of the many gifts he received. He opened presents there - and then the next day got to open several others that he received from Grandma and Aunts and Uncles who don't live nearby.

Salma and Jacob playing a game - how cute are they!

Levi riding a Bob the Builder car -

Levi playing games with Uncle Guy - who I think was the most excited to play games there! This one - he let Levi hit the button to win points and tickets.

After playing for a few hours - they all got to pick out some toys at the store. You know - spend oodles of money - win hundreds of tickets - pick out toys worth about 25 cents. But - the kids think it is great! It was a fun evening - and Jacob had a blast!

Thanksgiving 2009

Jacob made this hat/headress with people he is thankful for. Each feather had people listed on it. One feather had Mommy and Daddy and Levi. Another feather had Nana and Poppop. And another feather had Salma and Antonio. His cousins sure rate high on his list!

We celebrated Thanksgiving at our house again this year - on Friday. We had a good time with family - got to see Jackie for the first time since she moved to San Jose to go to college. We played Family Feud DVD - which was fun. The kids all had fun together. Didn't get many pictures - but here is one with the kids (notice Levi enthralled with a lollipop he got!).

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!