Thursday, December 31, 2009

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

Friday, December 18, 2009

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!).