Cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer

Here is the reason we go through all this work to get ready for Christmas.

The look on his face is priceless. This is when he first walked out to see what Santa had brought him.

The stocking
His new art easel courtesy of grandma and Grandpa Ringstrom.
Santa brought him exactly what he wanted.

The Polar Express

Cookies are great, but no thanks to the hot chocolate.
Holding on tight to his ticket. He didn't want it to blow away.
Looking out the window at the North Pole with Lily.
Forced Family Photo
Hello Santa!

We had a magical experience this year on the Polar Express. Jake wasn't sure he wanted to go on the train after seeing the movie. He is a little afraid of the ice scene. Once we were on the train with family and friends he was super excited. It is a great reminder of the Magic of Christmas. He was so thrilled he wanted to take his book to school the next day and show all his friends the conductor's signature. If you are around him anytime soon be prepared to play Polar Express. Don't expect to be the conductor though, that is strictly Jake's job. It is too cute when he calls out "All Aboard!"

Visit With Santa-Santa's Secret Adventure

Sliding With Sofia
Singing Carols
Cheese
My Favorite Picture Of The Year
Helping the Elves Wrap
Can You Believe It Is Almost Christmas?

Things To Be Thankful For

Turkey Cupcakes

The Girls

Impromptu Performances

Halloween Fun

Pumpkin Head

Who cares about the pumpkins. Where is the candy?

Trick or treating with two beautiful girls!

Not bad for a three year old.

Visiting Grammie at the rehab facility. She dressed up in scrubs like a doctor.

To infinity and beyond

Buzz is off to save the world collecting one piece of candy at a time

Jake came with me to my school carnival and wanted to play the game we were doing as a fundraiser. The kids are suppose to eat the donut without touching. It was so hilarious I had to take a video. Mind you he had more than a few donuts playing this game.

The Little Man Turned 3

Auntie Carrie's Masterpiece
The gang in their recycled party hats and trash talker t-shirts.
Swimming with his buddy
Ripping open the loot!

The stickers I had to order. They say I got trashed at Jake's 3rd birthday with a garbage truck on them.

So this year Jake has been obsessed with garbage trucks. I wanted to do a garbage truck party for him, but could not think of any ideas. Thank goodness for the internet. This women created a birthday party for her son completely around garbage trucks. So, thankfully she shared her ideas and even created invitations, iron on transfers, and stickers. I used some of her ideas and added a few of my own. The party turned out really well, not because of the stuff but because we were surrounded by people we love. We had a great time even if it was all surrounding garbage.

Big Boy Bed

Look who got his big boy bed today. We ordered it several weeks ago and it arrived today. Papa worked hard to put it together so Jake could sleep in it tonight. He has been waiting for it to come and was very excited to see it all put together. He even picked out the sheets he wanted. Today we said good-bye to his crib. So long to the side rails that held him in. Wish us luck on a good night's sleep. Who knows how this new freedom will work out?

Mama note-It is sad to see his crib gone and my baby in a big boy bed. As he told me on our trip, "I'm not a baby!" Can you hear my heart breaking just a little bit?

The Fourth of July

Hiting the pinata

Eating Popscicles

Picking up his loot from the pinata

Playing with Sprinklers(Aka sparklers)

Waiting with his Sofia

Disneyland

Riding in the caboose of course!

Flying with Dumbo

On the monorail with Papa

(Don't you just love the ears?)

Meeting Mickey

(I like you, but I'm not so sure about you touching me!)

Hanging out with Goofy

We had a blast at Disneyland! We spent two days between the 2 parks and had loads of fun. Of course we visited every train option more than a few times. He loved the trains. He figured out after awhile that you could sit in the caboose and that is where we sat except on his favorite the monorail.

We went on many rides including The Haunted Mansion, The Matterhorn, and The Pirates of the Caribbean. Jake was just under the height requirement for the big rides, so next time he will be able to do even more(if he wants too). He had lots of fun, but didn't much care for the rides that were in the dark. His favorites by far were the trains. Probably could have saved a lot of money and just took a train ride somewhere, but it was worth it.

Summer Vacation With The Cousins

Auntie Liz protecting Jake on the Jungle Cruise

Spinning with Cate on the Tea Cups

(Just so you know the tongue hanging out really helps you spin faster.)

Swimming with Jack and Samantha

Jumping on the trampoline!

Jake got to spend a few days with his cousins on our little vacation. He absolutely loved hanging out with them. He got to do all kinds of fun stuff. His cousin Sammy took great care of him and loved him so much she didn't want him to take his nap. They were absolutely adorable together. When it was time to go home Jake didn't want to leave. Of course who could blame him, Laguna Beach or Sacramento?

Mama and Jake at Sierra 2 for the Curtis Park Easter Egg Hunt with Papa and Granny JoJo.

Jake got his face painted

Getting ready to dye eggs

The hunt is on.

Decorating eggs.

Marc and Cooper's Birthday Party

Grace keeping the boys in one place, at least for a moment.

Marc the Birthday boy.

Cooper the birthday boy.

Jake enjoying the cupcakes

Great America

Having fun riding the pumpkin.

Mandatory ice cream break.

Jake getting his hands up, training for the bigger rollercoasters. Jake did ask to get on some of the bigger rides that went upside down and moved even faster, too bad he wasn't tall enough.

Jake racing his boat down the river.

Jake and Sofia on the ghosts.

Mama and Jake having fun on the roller coaster.

Buddies starting to fade at the end of a long day-with no nap.

The end of a fun day at Great America. Congrats to Clyde's kids from Holmes Junior High taking first overall for the Band Festival that brought us down here.