Camera & Flowers

I just had 2 little things to add today...

1. Dustin got me some very cheerful flowers for Valentines Day. That would be almost 2 weeks ago. Never in the history of cut flowers did I know they could last this long and still look so perfect. I am beginning to question if they are fake? Nah, they're real, but I'm still amazed they look this good after 2 weeks!

2. I got this idea out of a magazine, so I can't claim credit, but I tried it and love it. I like to keep my camera in my purse, but my camera big is a little too big to put in my purse. So I took one of Dylan's baby socks and put the camera in it. It fits perfectly, it's cute and soft and it protects the camera (and is easily washable when it gets dirty!). Certainly a tip I wanted to share!

Remembering Jacob's 1st Birthday

So I was looking through some old videos with the kids and I found this one. It's Jacob's first birthday. Both of my kids went full throttle with the 1st birthday smash cakes. Yes, it's fun and makes for excellent pictures, but just remember that a serious bath has to take place afterwards!

Jacob's First Birthday Video:

Happy Birthday Dustin!

Today is Dustin's Birthday. Given he had his gallbladder removed on Wednesday, we didn't get to do too much partying (I know, hush, as if we really "party" anyway, right?). But Jacob and I made "faux petit fours" and we had a picnic lunch down by the waterfall in Old Towne Helena. Then we played on the playground nearby. It was such a beautiful day!

Our Faux Petit Fours!

Picnic Lunch!

Throwing rocks in the water was the highlight for the boys.

This would be Dylan pitching a fit because the rock throwing had to come to an end.

Jacob looking for good rocks to throw.

Dylan on the playground

Jacob and Gigi playing on the playground.

Where have I been?

I love blogs. I love catching up on what other people are doing when I have a few minutes of free time here and there. It seems this month has kicked off to a busy start and my free time has been more absent than normal. But that's a good thing!

In any case, I owe my fellow blog-followers an update. I don't have a lot to report, but here are 3 websites I've been working on for the past few weeks. 2 out of 3 are live, with the 3rd launching next week hopefully.

The boys are all doing well...

Dustin has been going through some tests and may possibly lose his gallbladder soon. We'll miss it if he does. Life will not be the same without that troubling gallbladder.

Dylan is talking more and more each day. One of my favorites is when he tells me he's "All done" with eating, he'll say "All D"! I guess the "done" word is just too long, he's already abbreviating!

And Jacob explained to me to that he didn't listen in school very well yesterday because "his ears were on crooked". But he quickly let me know today he put them on straight. Thank goodness for that!

I hope you and your families are well!

Granny Wade

We lost a dear lady this week. Granny Wade - aka Sydnia Crump Wade - lived 94 years before leaving us on January 2nd to join the angels in heaven. Technically, Granny Wade is our "step" great-grandmother. But for the many years Matt, Laura and I have been a part of this family, they have always, always treated us as true great-grandchildren. Granny gave the best hugs, had a sweet, happy smile and was so amazingly and admirably independent for a 94 year old. She raised her own garden of veggies each year, made the best pickles! lived in her own home, kept up with everything the 4 children, 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren (jacob and dylan) were doing.

When I am old, I want to live like she did. We all should.

It's like the preacher said at the funeral, we bet there were so many angels waiting to greet her at the Pearly Gates, but we're afraid they haven't been able to catch up with her yet!

Below:

Granny's birthday was near Thanksgiving, so in 2007 Jacob helped Granny get started on the Birthday Cake. He was eating icing off the cake with his fingers (no, I didn't realize it), and Granny thought it was so sweet and let him keep on doing it!

Christmas Catch-up

Well, the past 2 weeks have been a complete whirlwind! I had a blast, but am so glad to get back to routine. Sorry for the delay in blog updates. There were so many pictures to go through and post that I just kept putting it off. But here are a few I've pulled that express the fun we had.

Dinner with Friends - we had some friends over for dinner shortly before Christmas. The house was full of little ones. Here is Dustin and Marcus with the little guys - Dylan and Ian.

Christmas Eve - Dylan is dancing with Grandpa to Christmas Music

Christmas Eve - Jacob and Dylan love to climb the column at my mom's house. They try to touch the ceiling. Thanks to Aunt Laura for always giving them a boost.

Christmas Eve - Dont let Matt's scary face give you the wrong idea. He's got a heart of gold. This year for Christmas he refused gifts from everyone -said we should spend the money on other things. He did get some donations towards a mission trip he's planning to take this year though and we made a donation to give 2 kids clean water for life in an undeveloped country in his name. I was super proud of him.

Laura, oh Laura! This was a bonus Christmas Gift I gave Laura. I saw it and said, whatever she does on New Years, she'll sure stand out in a crowd! She loved it and Matt was completely jealous!

Christmas Eve Evening - Here is my sweet Jacob looking for Santa. His excitement and love and joy was enough to melt the coldest of hearts. He was such pure joy this year.

Christmas Morning! Santa left a big Pirate Ship in the middle of the Living Room! He even had to move the coffee table out of the room. The boys immediately jumped in and started playing - they forgot there were other presents to open!

Jacob got a guitar and a harmonica for Christmas this year. He is very proud of the guitar and says he doesnt need lessons, he already knows how to play. Mommy would object to that! It's a joyful noise though.

Dylan honestly could have done without Christmas this year I think. It overwhelmed him a bit. All the parties, gatherings, decorations, gifts, etc. This was his favorite toy he got but he didnt care to open many of his presents. We even forgot about his stocking until 5:00pm Christmas night. He just kept going to the back room (play room) and playing in the regular quiet room with his regular toys!)

Christmas Morning - After the dust cleared, Gigi, Matt and Laura came over for breakfast and played with the boys. Here Jacob is playing with the Leapster 2 and Dylan is laying down - yet still vaccuming!

Christmas Afternoon - The aftermath at Dad's house. Presents opened and played with, food eaten, now the naps commence!

Jacob got a Storm Trooper costume from Nina and Poppa (dad and carol). He wore this for the rest of Christmas Day after he got it. He thought he looked pretty cool!

School Parties and Gingerbread Men

The boys had their Christmas Parties at school this week. Here are a few pictures marking the festivities. I even made some dairy and egg free cupcakes for Dylan's class so he could enjoy one too! Here is where I start asking for some extra prayers! They are home with mommy now until after New Years!

Dylan enjoying some Party Snacks

One of the twins considering taking Dylan's Pretzel.
(she was not even close to being successful!)

Dylan reading his new book from the book gift swap.
He got "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".
His teachers say this is his favorite spot to be in the classroom.

This would be the party craft/snack for Jacob's Class.
Decorate an ice cream cone into a Christmas tree. It was so cute!
Jacob was threatening to eat it all...I was trying to convince him it was a decoration only!

Jacob and Mrs. Jenni at his Christmas Party.
We love Mrs. Jenni!

Gigi and Dylan dancing to Christmas Music in the kitchen!

Gigi came over for dinner this week and afterwards we decorated some gingerbread men.

The Final Results! Mom's is on the left, then Jacob's and then mine.
We had fun and Jacob doesn't understand why we can't eat them now.
1. They would put us in a sugar coma
2. They would taste like cardboard!


One of the songs the 3K and 4K classes sang. We Wish you a Merry Christmas!