Already

Jacob is in Kindergarten! Yesterday was his first day of school and we all survived. He was moving a little faster that morning, getting in the car and buckled before the rest of us were in the garage. He even had a little extra bounce in his step as we walked towards the school. I kind of laughed at this and asked him if he was excited. He replied, "Nope, just nervous."

When it was time to go into the classroom he was a little apprehensive to let me leave, but reluctantly, he finally did.

Jamie had meetings in Redding (just below the Oregon border) the day before and the day of Jacob's first day. He couldn't stand to miss it though, so he drove home late the night before, came with us to school, and then headed straight back. What a dad!

I was anxious to hear how Jacob's morning went. I stood around with the other parents waiting the arrival of our new Kindergartners, when I see my son with a goofy expression marching towards me. I knew he had a good day.

Later when he called his dad to tell him how his first day went, he told him, "It was a little scary, but pretty great." We are excited for Jacob and all of his adventures, both scary and great, that lie ahead. Mostly, I just can't believe that I am a parent of a school age child, already.

30 and still got it!

Turns out it was my birthday on Thursday and I turned the big 3-0!! When Jamie asked Jacob what he wanted to get me for my birthday that I would like, Jacob said "How about me and Parker in a box?" Jamie agreed that I would like that but wondered if he had any other ideas.

This is what he came up with. (I love that my boys know me so well.) So, I got a pound of See's and some Dr. Pepper from Jacob and Parker.

I had a small party the week before and went out to lunch with some girlfriends on Thursday afternoon (I forgot my camera at lunch and the only picture that was taken is on a camera in Vegas).

On the night of my birthday, Jamie and I went to dinner at Kincaid's in Burlingame. My steak was delicious and we had a table by the window so we could enjoy the view of the bay. Then went to see Batman. (Thanks again Laina for watching the boys and thank you Ronna for letting Jacob come over that afternoon!)

This was my gift from Jamie. (Any suggestions? I'm leaning towards the Honda Pilot.) I know, I did good in the husband department.

It was a great birthday and I felt very celebrated. Thank you to my dear friends and family for the calls, cards, gifts, and well wishes. 30 is bound to be a great year with so many amazing friends!

Utah Report

We were in Utah a few weeks ago because we needed a Grandma fix. We always have a great time. My sister and her family live there and Jacob loves that he gets to play with cousins too.

We went to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. Jacob made a mold a of a T-Rex tooth, build canyons in the sand, and ended with a dinosaur dig, good times.

I got together with few friends from high school, me, Maggs, Missy, and Lindsee. We went to lunch at an old favorite and then took the kids to the pool. We only had an afternoon, but it was fun to catch up.
The town I grew up in had a celebration each year of the city and we ended up being there for the festivities. We missed the parade, but a favorite of mine was always the carnival. It was fun to be there and take the boys. I had my nieces to go on the "big" rides with me.
Grandma (my mom) even read a bedtime story to everyone one night (Jacob made sure he had the best seat).
Just before we headed for the airport, we went up to the canyon for lunch. We roasted hot dogs, made s'mores, the whole nine.

It was a really fun trip, just not quite long enough.

The Obsession Returns

The funny thing about Jacob and his love for all things garbage, is how long it's been going on. Honestly, one of his first words was "tash" (trash). He's been going pretty strong ever since. He would pick out a garbage can a mile away. Even while watching TV, he would always find the garbage can.

For the last few months, however, the obsession has backed off a little. Not quite an obsession, but still more than a hobby. He was still interested, but if he didn't see the garbage man come his world didn't end, nor did he have to bring in the empty can the second we got home. I've started to notice a slight increase and after yesterday, I think we might be back.

We had a pretty relaxed morning (Jacob finally changed out of his pj's around noon) and the boys were just doing their thing. It was only at the end of the day that I really stopped to think what Jacob had been doing ALL day.

It started when he climbed in bed with me at 7 o'clock and said, "We need to take the garbage out today." I reminded him it was only Monday and we wouldn't do that until tomorrow. He then asked to watch the movie his cousin, Max, gave him for Christmas a couple of years ago. "Wink and Blink, A Day in the life of a Garbage Truck". He watched it over and over, all the while he had a couple of his own trucks and a handful of garbage cans out playing garbage. As the day went on, he moved from room to room playing various forms of garbage. Some were recycling, some were green waste, but most involved clamp trucks (he likes those the best).

Considering our day so far has gone pretty much the same, with an intermission to go to see cool animals with Charlie in Half Moon Bay, I'm thinking we may not have moved on from garbage like I once thought. If you've never witnessed it first hand, you are missing out.

Scraggly No More

I FINALLY got Parker's haircut. This was the first cut and it was long overdue. He had mangy curls all over and it would get all matted in the back. No so cute.

The Before

(Sure he looks cute just when I don't want him to because I am trying to prove a point. Already defiant.)

The during.

(He did a great job and was totally digging the car he got to sit in.)

The after.

So clean, so cute.

Jamie's Big Day

Today Jamie turns 32 and where he would much prefer to be able to let the day slip quietly into the night, he should have known better when he married me. Although, I am honoring his request for no party, I will not let the day go by without giving him some acknowledgement (it's killing you, isn't Jamie).

In front of the banker's heart outside his old building.

He teaches the boys to appreciate important things early in life.
After an alumni hockey game at BYU.
Nothing beats coming home from basketball all sweaty and gross just to have your newborn spit up all over you -- he's such a good sport about it.



Jamie keeps us all laughing and we love him for it.

Happy Birthday Jamie!!

More Flags. More Fun.

Last week we met up with some friends at Six Flags. We went with Lisa and family, and three of her friend's girls. Good times at Discovery Kingdom! It was so fun because the 3 girls that joined us were old enough to help out with the kids. Which meant Lisa, Merrill, and I were hitting the rides too. I love rollercoasters!

Lisa and Madeline went on the whale ride with Jacob and it was only after the ride had started that Lisa remembered she didn't like the round and round rides.

Jacob posing like Batman after he got a matching cape.

Jacob was loving Thomas Town, especially when he got to see Sir Topham Hatt.

Jacob, Lisa, and Maddie riding Thomas.