Christmas 2008

Our first Christmas in California as a family. We celebrated at home on Christmas Eve. We are trying to get a family picture by the tree - so hard to get all four cooperating at the same time!


Missy flew in from Kansas and spent the week with us. The boys loved having Auntie around - it was a fun week!


Before opening the gaggle of presents - we read the Christmas story. Sweet picture with Jacob listening and cuddling with me.


Levi and Mommy. So hard to keep him in one place to take a picture.


We went to Uncle Joey's and Aunt Ofelia's house for Christmas Day. Here are Nana and Poppop - posin' for a pic.

Jacob got a Big Wheel from Nana and Poppop. He had to go outside and try it out. It is so much fun!

When Levi was told to get ready for a picture - he had to go sit under the tree. I guess we had taken so many shots under the tree - that is where he associated that every picture must be taken!

On Christmas morning we opened stockings. Jacob took out each item and presented it like it was the best thing ever. But - something kept making jingly music - and he couldn't figure out from where it was coming. He would just stop and listen - and then the music would stop. It was pretty funny. We finally had to tell him it was the reindeer - the candy pooping reindeer.

One of Jacob's gifts - a racetrack. Levi and Jacob love letting the cars race down it.

Levi loved the bows. Priceless picture - don't get too close - you might get something extra special!

Levi loves to jump on the bean bag chair that Grandma got Jacob for his birthday. It was a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. Too bad we have to wait a whole year before doing it again!

Jacob's 4th Birthday Bash

Jacob turned 4 on December 3rd and we celebrated on Saturday. He got his own digital camera - and was enjoying taking pictures of us now.


Blowing out his candles - one at a time. Good thing he wasn't older! He took cupcakes to school on Wednesday for his actual birthday - and wanted cupcakes again for his party.


Brother Levi enjoying chocolate.......he didn't eat much pizza - but knows what the good stuff is!


Opening up his presents - walkie talkies and Mr. Potato Head. The boys enjoyed hiding and spying and talking secretively on the walkie talkies......sometimes they forgot to quit pushing the button though......


Jacob was excited - he got "dollars"! Hasn't quite figured out the difference in monetary amounts - he would have been just as happy with $1 bills :)


Cousin Salma was enjoying playing with a monster car with Uncle Jim - and everytime it rolled over his hand - she cracked up.

The kids were catching butterflies with the Elefun Game. Jacob needs some practice - didn't quite have the hang of actually moving his net around........sometimes one would happen to fall in - that was fun.

We can't believe our BIG boy is actually 4 now. The last 4 years have gone by pretty quickly. We call Levi - lil bit - sometimes - but he is getting bigger too. They sure grow up quickly and learn to do things. When Poppop asked Jacob - if he is 4 this year - how old will he be next year - Jacob paused for a moment and then said "18". I am glad he won't be growing up that quickly!

Thanksgiving 2008

Our first Thanksgiving in California as a family. We all met at our house on Friday instead of Thursday so that we could celebrate with my brother Joey and his family too. Here is Salma - isn't she a cutie!

Here are the boys - Jacob, cousin Antonio, and Levi - eating their "snowman lollipops" and playing in Jacob's room.


Here is Nana Cyndy and Uncle Joey - laughing at a funny story of Uncle Joey's (at least he thought it was!). Everyone had a good time together.


Here is Poppop Joe and Uncle Guy - everyone loves to have their picture taken!


Antonio and his Mom Ofelia - having a cuddle moment. The kids played hard together. And - there was a LOT of screaming - the three older kids were running from the "monster" Levi - who was learning to scream after all of them. They were having a blast - it was very loud - but they were having fun.

After all the kids had their jammies on - it was "jump on Uncle Joey" time!


The intent was for Levi to warm up to him a bit - but the kids weren't shy about tackling him too. Even Uncle Guy got in on it - missed that picture though!

Daddy and Levi at the table. It was a fun day - and a fun first Thanksgiving together in sunny California. We missed all of our family and friends that weren't here to share the day with us - all of those in Kansas and Texas - and our first Thanksgiving without Grandpa Jerry - Papa.

Leaves....Leaves....and More Leaves....

We are enjoying being in an older neighborhood with mature trees.......for the most part. Raking, mowing, sweeping, raking some more, mowing some more, is a constant battle. Fortunately, the leaves are ALMOST all gone from the tree. And - fortunately for me - Jim does all of the work! Here is the next Tiger Woods.....or tiger.....in the woods....

Here is our yard - with a weeks worth of leaf trappings....

Some more fun leaves.

Here is Jacob's first experience jumping in the leaves. In Wichita - our baby trees dropped about 10 leaves a piece.

More fun playing in the pile. Isn't it fun being a kid!

Church Duds - November 9, 2008

Here are the boys - getting ready for church on Sunday morning - dressed in their spiffy duds.
Jacob has a new found love of button-up shirts. He has just learned how to do buttons - and loves to wear them and button them himself. He also has several new jammies with buttons.

Levi looks like such a BIG boy in his dress shirt and jeans. He is getting so big. He can sing - well actually hum - "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "ABCs" - I know - it is the same tune. He hums it really well though - and does it when waking up in the morning, when driving in the car, while playing, etc. He also makes sounds to say "Jacob" and "Mommy" and "Daddy" - doesn't really say it - but does voice fluctuation - so you know what he is doing.

The BIG 75th Birthday Bash

On Saturday, November 1st, 2008, we celebrated my dad's 75th birthday. It was held at the club house in their retirement mobile home park. All of the residents were invited, along with all of our family and long-time friends of my dad. We played bingo and visited with many that we don't get to see very often. Oh - and my brothers got to "roast" my dad by telling funny stories - and how we all think he is pretty cool. Jacob did ask - "why is Uncle Guy talking on that thing" - he sure was enjoying the power of that mic a bit too much :)A group picture with Caleb, Joey, Aunt Carolyn, Mom and Dad, Guy, Aunt Judy, Jackie and Levi and me.

Debbie, Jackie, and Guy with my Dad. It was a very wet Saturday night - but we all braved the weather to celebrate and share with my dad.

The Williams Family - longtime friends of our family. Debbie, Jim, Nadine, and Joseph with my dad. Jim was my brother's best friend since junior high.

Here is my niece Wendy and sister Nancy - along with Holden - my Dad's first great-grandson. This was the first time he met him - along with the rest of us. Holden is almost 8 months old. I hadn't seen Wendy in 6 years - and Nancy in 3+ - it was good to see and share with them.

Here is my nephew Marty with his wife Missy and their son Holden - along with proud great grandparents - Nana and Poppop. It was Jim's first opportunity to meet Wendy and Marty - and our first chance to meet Marty's wife, Missy. I hadn't seen Marty in over 7 years. Wow - it's been so long.

Cute lil Holden Ryan Walsh. He has more hair than Levi - and is almost walking as well!

Here are my mom's sisters - Aunt Carolyn and Aunt Judy - with Carolyn's beau Larry.

There were many people that we missed in pictures - a few of which were Jim and Jacob. Also - the many, many friends that live in their community park. And - my Dad's long-time buddies who plan "Pan" (panguini) and do monthly luncheons. There were so many people to see and talk to that we see so rarely - it was hard to keep track of with whom my Dad has taken pictures.

It was great to be able to celebrate with my dad - and share how much we appreciate and feel fortunate to have been a part of his life. Our dad Rocks!

Halloween 2008

Our first Halloween in California. The day started out iffy - wet and rainy in the morning - but the storm cleared and it was great in the afternoon. We travelled out to my brother's area in Rancho Murietta (about 45 minutes from our house) - to trick-or-treat with cousins. The weather was gorgeous - no wind - pretty warm - not chilly at all. Here is our lil Spiderman himself!


Levi dressed as Spiderman too. He was going to be a doggy - but couldn't handle the hood. So - he wore some pjs that Jacob wore when he was 2 for Halloween. It worked out well.

Here is cousin Salma and Aunt Ofelia. Isn't Salma cute as a lil mouse!

We met at some friends of my brother's. Here is her daughter - she was 9 and the oldest child there.

Here is cousin Antonio. Doesn't he look great as Pirate Jack Sparrow.

Here is Jacob and Antonio. Jacob took off his mask for much of the trick-or-treating - since one lil girl (she was 3) we were walking with was a bit freaked out by his mask. So - without the mask on - they were good friends.

Here are all of the kids getting their bounty. See lil Levi in there - he was such a big boy - would walk right up there - pick one candy out or take it from the adult - and then put it in his bucket. He had a great time - wanted to be like the big kids. Wasn't too happy to be put in the stroller.

After about 45 minutes of fun - it started to sprinkle some - and then it would stop - and then it would start again. After a few more minutes - Levi had about enough - so we ended our night of fun. It was a great first Halloween in Sacramento. The boys had such a good time with their cousins!