Santa's Visit

For the last 3 years, we have gone to my cousin Candice's house to see Santa. He makes an early special trip to check in on some boys and girls. We had some great food, pictures with Santa, and even an early Christmas gift. It was a "pajamas optional" theme. Although, I think my invitation was the only one that said this since we were the only ones that showed up in our pjs, except for 2 others and some kids. We all had a great time!

Jake with Santa

Jake opening his gift from Santa

Santa talking to all the kids

Mimi and Ben

Ben opening his present

Jake got a remote control Thomas the train

Ben found a snowman to play with

This is Dah with Ben. I am not sure how to spell her name, but she is my uncle's niece from Thailand and is living here to go to school.

Candice and her son Dylan with me and Jake. Jake and Dylan are only 2 months apart in age.

Having a beary good time at Emma's party!

Yesterday we celebrated Jake's best friend Emma's 3rd birthday at Build A Bear Workshop. This place is so cute! They pick out a bear and make it. Unfortunately, Jake did not take his nap that day so he wasn't too thrilled with the bear. He picked one out, but refused to hold it and make it most of the time. We then went upstairs to eat pizza and cake and ride the carousel or as I used to call it the merry go round. It was such a fun day! Thank you Emma for inviting us and we hope you had a Beary Happy Birthday!

Emma and her daddy

Emma giving Jake one of her hearts that goes inside the bears.

Jake got to step on the pedal that made the machine start stuffing his bear.

Here are Austin, Jake and Emma washing their bears.

Here they are sitting with their bears

Jake carrying is bear in a box

Jake, Jack, and Emma sitting in these cute cars

you can buy for your bears.

Me and Jake riding the carousel.

Emma and her princess cake her mommy made for her

Jake and his friend Paige checking out the cake

Travis and baby Brodie eating cake.

Actually, Brodie was eating the plate.

Jake, Jessie, and Austin

Visiting with Grandparents!

On Friday the kids and I went to visit my grandfather. He has been staying at my Uncle Richard and Aunt Sandy's house so that they can help take care of him since he has been sick. They told us that he only had a few days or weeks and that was a little over two months ago. We are very lucky to still have him. He looked good, but very frail. He loves seeing children and enjoyed watching the kids chase Richard's cat around their house and play in the floor with some toys. Jake talked to Paw Paw a little and he said "hey buddy" to Jake. It was so sweet. Paw Paw also grabbed my hand and held it for a few minutes while we visited. I got to take a couple of pictures of Jake and I with him, but Ben was getting a little fussy and would have nothing to do with it.

Then on Saturday my dad, myself and the kids went to see my Granny and other Paw Paw. This is my dad's mom and stepfather. We had a great time seeing them since we have not seen them in a while. Unfortunately, Ben is not too fond of people he doesn't know well and he was reluctant to let Granny hold him. He warmed up to her a bit later. The kids had fun playing with all of Granny's toys and she gave Jake a little hand held radio and Ben a play ATV for his birthday. Jake rode with Papa on the way there and back. He listened to his radio on the way back while bobbing his head around to the beat, at least until he fell asleep.

Jake saying chesse with Granny

Ben on his ATV Granny gave him

Ben playing in the floor

Jake loved playing with these giant lego blocks.

He played with them for at least an hour.

Granny and Ben with his crazy hair

Ben finally let Granny hold him without any screaming.

They had fun doing patty cake.

Ghosts, Ghouls, Fishermen, and Pooh!

We hope everyone had a Happy Halloween and received many treats and few tricks. Jake had the best time this year. He really understood what was going on and even said "trick or treat" when we went to each house. After he got his candy, he would ask if we were going to get more. At first, he wouldn't take the candy if they offered it, but wait until they gave it to him. He then got the hang of it real quick and began to pick out his candy. My parents came over and we took turns going around with the kids and staying at home waiting on trick or treaters to arrive. They brought along a giant pumpkin that has a hole in the bottom so you could put it on your head. Of course my dad and Lee had tons of fun with this and even wore it around while we took Jake trick or treating. Jake got lots of candy, even a chocolate covered prune. Yuck! My dad ate it and said it wasn't too bad. One lady gave it out along with lots of candy with foreign writing. I missed this house so I don't know where she is from, but Lee said she gave them a ton of it. I love Halloween and I am sad it is over. Oh well, there is always next year.

Jake the fisherman, Ben as Pooh, me, and Lee as pumpkin head man.

He even had a pole with fish attached.

Here we are before trick or treating

Outside the house waiting to go get candy

Me wearing the giant pumpkin head

My parents posing with the boys and that pumpkin head again

Walking down the street trick or treating

Ben had a piece of candy which is all over his mouth

My mom

Papa and Ben relaxing after the trick or treating

Jake's stash of candy