Happy Birthday Jacob

We took a year off from throwing a birthday party for Jacob.  Instead we had a family day to celebrate.  Over the past year Jacob has become very interested in rocks, minerals, crystals and fossils.  He gets books on them whenever he can.  He has also spent many hours searching through my moms buttons for special crystals.  So we thought this would be a good year to take the boys to The Cave of The Mounds.  Just as we thought, they loved it!  Especially Jacob.  He bought some rocks and crystals and already wants to go back to get more.  

For this years cake Jacob asked for a Packers cake.  I didn't have too many supplies in the house so I had to work with what I had... turned out pretty good.

Minnesota Christmas

The holidays flew by for us.  We were able to spend Christmas in Minnesota with my family this year. Of course I forgot to take pictures but my dad was able to get a good one after Christmas mass.

Christmas pictures

To get a picture of the boys for our Christmas card I bribed them with Culver's ice cream.  We went downstairs and took lots of pictures hoping for a couple to turn out.  Here are some we didn't use.

Halloween 2011

This year we did not have a family theme for Halloween.  We were walking through Costco one day and Jacob and Evan saw Transformer costumes.  It was a done deal.  Jacob would be Optimus Prime and Evan would be Bumblebee.  I think these were the easiest costumes yet.  I was sad that we were not all dressed together like our previous years Super Family and Pirates but I couldn't fight with Transformers.

This was also the first year we were able to go trick or treating in our own neighborhood!  The 'hood' has become packed with kids of all ages.

Here are some pictures just before we headed out trick or treating.  

Pajama Fun

The boys and I have been having fun playing charades at night.  They do a really good job thinking of things and then acting them out.  I took a couple pictures last night but then they just wanted to be silly.

Busy Barns 2011

We made our annual trip to Busy Barns this past weekend.  It was a brisk windy fall day.  Here are a couple pictures I managed to get.

 

 Pumpkin launcher

Hayride to the pumpkin patch.  Hard to get a good picture looking into the sun.

Flag Football

The current sport at our house is Flag Football.  Jacob's team is made up of kindergarteners and first graders.  Jacob is one of two kindergarteners on the team.  Of course he is one of the tallest kids so it took a couple weeks for everyone to realize that he didn't play last year.  

Kindergarten

Well, the day finally came, my oldest has started school.  I have been so nervous and anxious for Jacob.  Of course being an independent kid, he did great!  I think it helped that he knew some of the kids. When he got off the school bus he came up to me and before I had a chance to hug him he said, 'Mom, I just have to tell you one thing... Paper is made from trees!  All paper, even the red kind.'  Gotta love him!  

 The neighborhood crew getting off the bus!

First Tooth

About a week and a half ago Jacob told us that his two bottom front teeth were loose.  When we took a closer look we noticed that his new teeth were coming in... beginning to bulge through his gums on the back side...ouch! After talking to his dentist we found out that this happens a lot and 'usually' the tongue will push his new teeth in the correct spot once the baby teeth fall out.  She did say that if the tooth isn't coming out that they would assist in removing it... no thank you!  So we told him to wiggle like he never wiggled before!  

Last night one of them seemed to be getting a lot looser so he was relentlessly cranking on it.  We finished stories and the boys were tucked in bed.  No more than 5 minutes later Jacob comes running out of his bedroom with tooth in hand and blood running down his chin.  He was so excited!  All four of us just stood in the bathroom laughing at his bloody face in the mirror.  It looked like he was in a fight.

Jellystone Park, Warrens, WI

This past week we headed out to Warrens to spend some time with Yogi, Boo Boo, and friends and Jellystone Park.  The weather was perfect.  We had a blast and kept very busy with all the activities.  We spent most of our time in the water either going down water slides or lounging on the lazy river, or battling waves in the wave pool.  We also had fun launching water balloons at each other and playing mini golf and a little baseball. I think the boys favorite part was cruising around on the golf cart.  Can't wait to see you next year Yogi!

Our pimpin' ride.

Taking a train ride.

Mini golf

Pool time.

Hangin' at the campfire.