It's not summer unless...

There is a redneck swimming pool to play in. 

    (This is the smile I get when I tell Sam to smile! Oh boy!)

The girls, Mia and Lauren, are in their swimsuits all day long.

And Jake is trying to sell something.

(Look! Sam smile as Sammy.)

Happy Father's Day!

Jake's TEN!

I can't hardly believe that my little man is already TEN YEARS OLD!! He had quite the day. First off, a special birthday breakfast. Jake requested the whole shebang and ate it all with gusto. On the menu was scrambled eggs with ham and cheese, pancakes with mini chocolate chips, bacon (of course!) and orange pineapple juice. Yum! We all enjoyed his choices.

In class, he gets to have a poster up all week all about him. I love his poster because it is SO very much him! He chose his pictures and arranged them himself. He requested that I cut out his name in different fonts and decorated it all. And yes, it was his idea to add "is awesome!!". He makes me laugh!

That morning, I got to go and talk to the class about him. Looking slightly embarrassed, he happily sat as the center of attention. The kids get a chance to ask questions about him and they asked some good questions like these:

• Q: "If you could live on any planet, where would you live and why?"
• A: Pluto and ummmmmm........?
• Q: "If you could be any Star Wars character, who would you be and why?" (Do they know him or what?)
• A: "CAPTAIN REX! Because he's the best!"
• Q: "If you could have any super power, what super power would you have? "
• A:"FLY!"

And on and on for a good ten minutes, he answered question after question. The kids were really good and they all seem to like him pretty well.

I was back in his class just two short hours later to throw a Valentine's party. A very successful party considering I forgot the correct time the party was supposed to start. Let's just say it was a blessing in disguise that only one mom out of five could come and help. Ryan and I ended up throwing the party almost by ourselves! Dumb, dumb, dumb Linc.

After school, the boys (Jake, Dallin, Mike and Sam) all jumped in the trunk of Ry's jeep. The scariest thing happened when the tailgate opened. Ryan said his dashboard beeped that the door had opened and he looked up just in time to see the door open and Sam disappear. He slammed on the brakes and ran back there expecting to find Sam in the road but thankfully, Jake and Dallin saved him and were holding onto his pants. Ryan was relieved! He said the boys just looked at him with a goofy grin and told him that they saved him. Jake sang all day that he saved his life that day. I agree! It could of been so bad. Needless to say, riding in the trunk is no longer allowed.

That night, we went to Golden Corral with the Sevy's. Jake's choice of course. He boasted that he ate 5 1/2 steaks that night! FIVE and a half! And that wasn't all he ate. He had plate after plate of fried chicken, ice cream, orange slices, bacon spinach pizza etc. etc. I'm surprised he didn't have a stomach ache!

Finally home for presents, he was thrilled to open his 3 in 1 clone blaster that he wanted with all his heart. I'm glad that we got it for him and that he was so happy about it.

Cherry cheesecake was his requested dessert. Yum!

And to finish an already long post, just a few highlights about Jake.

• He still loves Star Wars with all his heart! Still into the clones the best, but likes to play Anakin too.
• He's doing well in 4th grade. His teacher, Mrs. Langford is working to help him be organized. It's not quite working yet. :)
• His best friend is Dallin Thompson. They play together everyday after school.
• He still makes friends easily.
• He's happy to play and grumpy to clean.
• His favorite games are Guitar Hero and Star Wars Battlefront.
• His favorite color is red.
• His favorite foods are steak and bacon and insists that he needs meat in every snack or meal of the day.
• He is still as busy and goofy as ever!

Happy Birthday my Jakey!! I can't believe that you are already TEN!

With much love,

Mom

Pumpkin Patch

We went on a pumpkin hunt to find our perfect pumpkins. 

The children searched long and wide to find their perfect pumpkins.

Oooo, this one is just right for Jake.  So heavy, but determined to make it his.

He placed it in the cart next to Sammy's perfect pumpkin. 

Then Mia found her perfect pumpkin.

And into the cart it went.

Along the way, we picked up this cute little pumpkin.  He sure was a keeper!

Then off to the hay maze to have some fun.  Jake followed them making videos so long, my memory card filled up. 

And of course, the obligatory photo op even though the sun was in their eyes....

And the trip to the pumpkin patch was done and of course, we are eagerly planning our trip next year.

Family Outing

A much needed, good ol' family fun outing was had tonight. We don't see much of Ryan these days so we thought it would be fun to go miniature golfing. Jake was super excited. Sam loved it and set up every shot for himself. Mia was all about hitting the ball crazily. The sun was setting, the light was beautiful, the air was getting crisp. There was laughing and good times for all.

Nine is FINE!

Tradition: birthday breakfast on the "You are Special Today" plate. Jake's requests: ham and cheese eggs, Eggo waffles, sliced strawberries (yum!) and cranberry juice.

Tradition: Birthday dinner out with the grandparents. Jake chose Golden Corral and enjoyed three steaks! He did not, however, enjoy the singing. He would not stand up. Verdict is hung if he really was embarrassed or not.
New tradition: Birthday "Wish" decoration. Now, if I can just get the birthday banner made. Problem is, I think of it when it's time to put it up and not before it's time to put it up.

Tradition: A picture with his presents.
Tradition: Star Wars presents of course. And look at his dimple. It still kills me.

Tradition: Jake super-de-dooper excited over the Clone Wars blaster game. Thank you Super Target clearance!

Happy Birthday Jacob!!

Nine years old today!!

Jake's 2008

A year in review of Jacob.

January

Jake rocks his first ever tumbling review. I am especially proud at how hard he worked at it and how he overcame his insecurities.

February

Jake turns eight. He has a energetic Star Wars party with several of his good friends. I learned that the next party I do will be at a venue with lots and lots of space to run around and yell.

March

Jake gets baptized. He was so excited and looked so handsome in his suit that Grandma Sharon and Gramps gave him for his birthday. Jake loves being the center of attention and usually gets very rowdy but that day, he had a reverent spirit about him. Ryan and I were blown away that we had a child old enough to be baptized already.

April

I love watching Jake play with Sammy. He's always been pretty good to him. Jake had spent quite a bit of time setting up his Lincoln Logs and soldier men requesting I take a video of his battles. Sam was instantly by his side, knocking down his buildings and men. Instead of getting mad, he pretended that Sammy was attacking the village. Unfortunately, Blogger won't upload the video clip.

May

A very successful end of year tumbling review and proud to be a bobcat.

June

Jake blogs about his Pokemon cards. Jake loves to have me take pictures of his collections. He often calls for me anxiously asking me to take pictures of his latest battle or collection. And he loves to blog about it!

July

The 4th of July parade water fight was the highlight of Jake's month. He was looking forward to using his new water gun and getting soaked.

August

Jake's first day of 3rd grade starts with tears, he mows the lawn for the first time and he blogs about his soldiers.

September

Jake enjoys his first season of soccer. I had been encouraging him to try it for years and finally, he wanted too. He did pretty good too. But, the highlight of the month for me was him finally, finally, FINALLY learning to ride his bike! Hooorrray!

October

Long gone are the days when I could encourage Jake to pick a costume that I loved. This years choice was 100% Jake. Halloween 2008 was good fun!

November

November flew by for me! Not much blogging was done but that doesn't mean we didn't have fun!

December

This year, Santa made all of Jacob's dreams come true by gifting him a Star Wars AT-TE walker! I hope Santa knows how 110% happy Jake is with it and plays with it daily.

It's amazing to me to look at how much he has grown this year. It's been fun for me to look back at all the fun things he has done this year! Here's to 2009!!

Twas the night before Christmas...

And these kids were excited!

They looked over the presents with care

being sure to decorate the ones that were bare.

When all of the sudden, an elf came to see!

The kids were excited and to find where he might be.

They ran out the door hoping to find that elf,

but instead found three presents stacked high on the shelf.

With wonder and excitement oh what could it be, the paper they ripped revealing special Christmas jammies for three.

Happily they sat by the Christmas tree

for Mama to take their picture in their new Christmas jammies.

Then stories about Jesus were read by their Dad

and reverently they listen about where Jesus laid his head.

The stockings were hung and the cookies were left,

then sweet little children danced off to their beds.

Soon all was quiet in our cozy little house,

the children were dreaming of Star Wars and cars,

make-up and jewelery and a new sparkly blouse.

That Santa we love slid down the chimney real quick,

and left presents for all, that good St. Nick.

"Merry Christmas" he laughed as went back to his sleigh,

and before we knew it, it was soon Christmas day.

The children were happy as they found their new loot,

and that Sammy we love was too darn cute.

Star Wars and treats found by our oldest boy,

cars and books for our baby boy.

Make-up and jewelry made this princess happy

and Santa even gave us our own Guitar Hero!

Then off to Grandma's we went through the snow,

for more Christmas presents and warm breakfast too.

More family we visited, we think they are nice,

then home to play Guitar Hero more than twice.

A Merry Christmas it was with our little friends,

but before we knew it, the day came to an end.

One by one we went off to bed,

with smiles and kisses on each little head.

Then Mama and Daddy crawled into their bed,

"A very Merry Christmas it was!" we each had said.

And a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!