Jaeden's 4th Birthday Party

Jaeden had a blast at his Pirate Birthday Party. He'd been waiting for his party for several weeks. When I asked him what he wanted to do for his party, his response was party games. We played musical blankets while listening to some fun pirate music. Jaeden and James, who was the oldest 6, were the winners. We then went outside to find some scattered pirate treasures - party favors wrapped in foil. Before going outside, the kids could pick a hat, hook or eye patch to wear like a pirate. We then ate cake and opened a few presents inside. Next, we went outside to follow a treasure map - the kids listened to steps required to find One Eyed Crazy Joel's treasure. They ran, hopped and skipped from the backyard to the front where they found a big red 'X' on the fence with One Eyed Crazy Joel waiting and protecting his pinata treasure chest. Jaeden and the kids loved this game, and when the fence was opened, they picked up the treasure chest and took off running. Jaeden had to play the game again after his friends left. And his favorite part was walking the plank - a 2 x 6 balanced on cinder blocks. The first thing he asked this morning was if he could go walk the plank - at 6:40 am when he woke up, luckily it was still fairly dark. Somehow we've managed to not yet go outside, but I'm sure that won't last for long. Jaeden talked about his treasure hunt the rest of the night. It was cute, when he said he thought there was going to be a real pirate behind the fence, not daddy. I'll try to find more pics, but I think we videoed more of the party than took pics.

The pirate ship cake with a small (un-iced) island, since Jaeden doesn't eat icing. Jaeden informed me that he wanted the treasure chest buried on the island, not put on the boat, and the parrot was to be looking out for the treasure chest.


The kids loved all the candy on the boat and the swedish fish in the water.


Daddy and Jayce looking for treasures. Jayce picked an eye patch to wear and looked very cute.


Brandon enjoyed walking around in the yard. Junie and Jaeden are seen behind him.


Jaeden blowing out his candles. Zachary came dressed with his own pirate hat. Jaeden had told him last Friday that it was a dress up party. So Zachary came prepared.


Jaeden blew out the candles first like he wanted, and then we lit them again for everyone else to blow them out. He sat there very patiently the second time around.

Our Trip to Utah - Nov 2008

As all that read my blog know, I'm still trying to fill in the 3+ months of no blogs that occurred at the end of last year. I last left off with Cancun... Two weeks later we made a suprise Thanksgiving trip to Utah; well, Windy and Misty knew since someone had to help pick us up from the airport very late Wed night. Joel loves suprises. He called his mom early Thurs morning pretending he was making his favorite yams here in Texas. We drove down to Jorgy and G's house and exited the car at the end of the street. We then walked the short distance to their house and rang the bell just in time for a yummy Thanksgiving meal.

The boys had a blast playing in the snow. Jaeden and Jayce loved throwing snowballs. Jaeden even tried hitting a little girl on her sled with one of his snowballs. Jaeden liked stomping on his mini snowmen that daddy made.

FINALLY... belly shots for those in Utah

This is me today at 33 weeks and 3 days....





This is me at 39 weeks and 2 days, on my way to the hospital to deliver Jayce...

First Day of Preschool 9-8-09

The boys had orientation on 9-3, but I was actually able to take them to their first full day. Jayce has had no problem adjusting. He ran right into his classroom and didn't look back. It helps that he took Jaeden twice a week last year to that same room. Jaeden has a new teacher, Ms. Catherine, but the same assistant Ms. Deanna is in his room again, which he's very happy about. He's enjoying his new class at least from what I can tell. The 3 year old and older classes have Chapel each morning for 15 mins or so where they sing songs and learn a bible story. Last night Jaeden told me that at school they pray with their hands together, but he prefers to fold his arms like we've taught him. He's too observant.

These are the only pictures I was able to take on our way out the door. Jaeden did not want to let go of the lion, and Jayce had to find a toy he could hold too (a dora microphone).

Go Buckeyes!!!

I forgot to dress the boys in the jersey's last week, but OSU still won!! This week's game is more important anyways. The boys love wearing their jersey's and have been playing football with daddy. here's a few pics...











Jaeden went to grab his ohio state football helmet to play football... It was the helmet we made for Halloween when he was 1.

My cars new windows

This past week has been quite an event for my almost 4 year old car. Last Saturday, we took my car to be inspected, and they failed it only because there was a small tear in the windshield wipers. Of course, Joel was not going to pay to have them replaced, when he could do the job for 50% less. Well, while changing the wipers that day, one of them slipped from his hand hitting the window and causing 2 large cracks. Of course, in TX this would have probably passed inspection - good wiper blades and large crack in windshield. (Didn't they know we've been in a drought, and NO ONE has used their wipers for the past 3 months!!) Anyways, I couldn't tolerate the crack, and Joel didn't want to have it reinspected with the crack, that wasn't there the 1st time. So we called on Monday to have the windshield replaced. It was very quick and easy since they come to the house. Well, we thought all was well until I walked out Friday morning on the way to my 32 week ob visit and saw tons of glass behind my car. I was thinking did someone hit my car?? It had been parked in the driveway all night. Anyways, on closer inspection, it was obvious the car had been shot 5+ times that night. (Most likely a pellet gun) At least 3 of the shots hit the window which was 100% shattered. One hit the car near the back wiper and one hit the driver's side tail light. Our neighbors said they heard the shots around 9 the night before. There was 5 or so rapid fire shots. They didn't know at the time what had been hit, but obviously it was my car. Joel's car luckily did not get hit eventhough it's parked only a couple feet from mine. Of course this happened on a Friday, so I had to call everyone - the police, insurance... to get everything arranged, knowing it would be much harder over labor day weekend. So I called my dad, to help drive us to the doctor's appt. When we got home, I called the police to report the accidenct. Jaeden was very excited to meet a real police officer, and the guy was very nice to both Jaeden and Jayce. Of course, Jaeden noticed his gun and had to go get his own. Well, after multiple transfers while talking to our insurance co., I finally got to schedule for the back window to be replaced. Suprisingly, they let me pick one, which I chose the same group that came on Monday. And they were able to come that day :) Joel's comment..."I cracked the front windshield, so we'd know who to call." Anyways, I'm still scheduled to meet with the insurance adjuster on Tues AM for the rest of the car. But my car now has brand new front and back windshields right before it's 4th birthday 9/24. (which I know only because Jaeden came early and was born 5 days later) Thank goodness for close friends in Ohio, because Jaeden came the day they were coming to pick up the car to put in the after-market leather, which helped decrease the cost.








Some of you have been asking for a pic of me pregnant, well inadvertently my reflection is in one of the pics, although I think it misses my tiny belly. Jayce's reflection is seen in the one with the tail light.

The boys at play

This past week, the boys have created the perfect game on their own. It allows each one to do what he likes best while playing together. Jaeden created the 'game' where he is a dog trainer, and yes Jayce plays the dog. Of course, as a trainer, Jaeden gets to command and boss the little dog around, which everyone knows, if Jaeden is in charge - then he will always be happy. Jayce loves to pretend being a puppy, and suprisingly, he doesn't mind Jaeden telling him to: 'sit', 'come', 'stay', 'lay down'... Jayce will even 'fetch'. However, he picks the toy up with his hands then puts it in his mouth before delivering it back to Jaeden. Jayce usually walks on his feet instead of crawling like a puppy, and Jaeden enjoys "dragging" him around. For 'sit' Jayce just plops to the ground. It's pretty hilarious to watch all of it.