Thank You Grandma Claudia

Big smiles from a sick little man

His favorite part!

On Wednesday when we got home there was a package waiting for Jake. I have to say it came at the perfect time. The poor little guy started his day throwing up in the car and didn't feel well at all. So it was a really nice surprise for him to get a brand new blanket that he could cuddle up in on the couch. His eyes just lit up when he noticed the blanket had all of his favorites on it. It has Thomas, trucks, cars, trains, and his absolute favorite recycling trucks. Grandma Claudia really did a beautiful job! Did you see the embroidered recycling trucks? Can you guess what his new favorite is at our house?

Vacation Fun

This week I was very lucky to get to spend the week with Jake. We had lots of fun. We took Granny JoJo to the zoo on Monday. We visited Jake's new school on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday we got to go to the train museum with Papa. Yesterday we went to a birthday party and then we got to see Grandpa Ron and Grandma Claudia to celebrate my birthday.

I have to say though it is the little things that have been the most memorable to me. Today Jake decided we needed to make some cookies. When I asked him what kind of cookies he said chocolate chip. So, we made the cookies. He helped me dump stuff in the mixer and turn it on. I also asked him to hold the chocolate chips. He took this job very seriously and decided he better sample the merchandise. So, for the remainder of the baking experience he sampled chocolate chips while I worked. When it was finally time to put the chocolate chips in he wasn't exactly thrilled. He would let me have two or three chocolate chips at a time. It was really pretty funny.

Xmas 2009

Well Xmas 2009 is finally complete and I thought we would show a few pictures of all the fun

A lovely walk through the the Fab 40's checking out the Xmas lights with the Quicks.

Jake and Sofia having some Xmas fun.

Tough to beat those Xmas smiles

Sorry Maggie, couldn't save you from the reindeer ears.

Xmas Eve with Dan's side of the family

Jake's cousin Marc hanging out.

Jake getting his first look at his "Garbage (recycling) Truck"

This has become his favorite toy in the world.

More present opening madness.

Video clip of Jake working the chalkboard with Cooper and a little "Jakedance" in the middle.

Dear Santa, I can explain

Mama trying to get Jake to actually open the presents Xmas morning

Jake wasn't crazy about actually opening the presents, but he loved to play with afterward. Also this picture is for all of the people that say Jake is always smiling.

Jake checking out the new motorcycle from Grandma and Grandpa.

Jake hanging out with Auntie Carrie.

And Granny JoJo

More to follow....

More Gingerbread Pictures

Handfuls of candy.

Moms helping

Another happy beautiful girl!

Three gorgeous houses.

A little more candy. Did I mention we had a little candy?

Gingerbread Houses

Yesterday we made gingerbread houses with our buddies Sofia and Lily and their mom's too. We had lots of fun! We built our houses and decorated them. Of course we had to sample the candy. We found out that all three of them really like candy canes especially when they have been dipped in frosting. I agree with my friend Sarah that this will have to be a new tradition for us. You can look on her blog to see more pictures of the event.

Lily enjoying a little candy cane and a little frosting. Did you know candy canes make excellent dipping devices for frosting?

Sofia doing the same.

Jake decorating. He did lots of sampling before anyone else arrived. Then he did a little more.

Oh the choices! Can you see the glazed over look in their eyes? CANDY!!!!

Happy beautiful girl!

Ollie Is Here!

Jake's very own tree in his room.

(Jake said, "Just like Sofia's.")

Our start at decorating

This is Ollie

Ollie is Jake's very own Elf who has come to visit until Christmas. He flies back to the North Pole every night to tell Santa if Jake has been Naughty or Nice. When he comes back every morning he will be in a new place where Jake has to find him. So far, Jake is not really understanding what is happening. We told him Ollie's name and he thought he was supposed to say aah. I guess we will see what happens tomorrow morning when Ollie finds a new spot.

Dan and Jake Go to School

Today was Dan's day off so he and Jake brought Meg lunch at school. Jake saw Auntie Carrie as he was walking onto school grounds so he ran up to give her a hug and a kiss. Dan and Jake then got to have lunch with Meg, Auntie Carrie, Sarah, and Mary. After lunch the kids came back into the classroom and Jake got to help Mama read them a story. Jake has "Where the Wild Things Are" just about memorized so he was able to give Mama a hand. The kids were thrilled to see "Baby Jake" and he was grinning ear to ear being in front of the class. Meg tried to have him sit on her lap during the story but Jake saw a Jake-sized chair and pulled it up next to Mama in front of the class. Jake was happy to point out some of the things the class might be missing, like the moon in the window and Max's Sailboat, and the kids really enjoyed him. Mama seemed pretty happy to have lunch with her two guys too.