Home for the Holidays

Jon showing Jake the fire

Ladies in the kitchen as usual

Expecting Parents of a BOY!!!!

Jake tearing into one of his many gifts... he was spoiled

Eko and Jon playing backgammon

Jake with his favorite gift from Santa, Thomas the Train!

holidays 08

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Packing and Snacking

Over here in Sharpland we are preparing for the holidays and loving every minute! Last night we had a neighborhood gift exchange. It was wondeful to meet more neighbors and it confimed that I picked the right street to live on! We are all packed up for our weekend in Baltimore. Our presents are almost wrapped so, life is good. We head down tomorrow. My family always has a Christmas Eve party and I can't wait for Jake to see everyone. It should be a fun time. When we get back, Jon and I have to start packing again... this time for MEXICO!! We are going with Jess and Mike. First trip alone, 4 nights- no JAKE:(. I am a little nervous and will miss him SO SO much, but we need it and it is going to be amazing. Well, have a wonderful holiday everyone!

Waving Bye Bye

Jake opening his first Christmas gift from Jess and Mike!

He loves it!

Aunt Jill during a double feeding session

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Family Road Trip

This past weekend, we took a family road trip down to Alexandria, VA to see Eko and Nikki. It started off... well... not so fun. Jake stayed AWAKE the whole trip down! Over three hours.. this picture sums up the ride!

Jake loved their Xmas tree and continued pulling down ornaments all weekend.

We took Jake to see Santa and he was so happy. He snuggled Santa and was very smiley!

Again... the tree..

It was a wonderful weekend. We went out to breakfast (my favorite), made dinner as a fam and watched movies. SO relaxing. Jake slept very well while we were away and the whole way home.

Holding Hands

Jake and I love to hold hands...

Today I'll hold my baby's hand

And take time to explore.

The secrets of a baby's world

This moment has in store.

For that same hand will wave goodbye

When baby days have passed.

Today I'll hold my baby's hand

For babies grow so fast.

Feeling Much Better!

Pulling on the Christmas Tree


Jake the Builder

Playing with Anna Even While Mommy is Trying to Tutor, He loves Anna

His Most Recent Obsession, climbing the stairs and being chased!

Sharing is Caring

So, Jill and I are together a lot and therefore so are our kiddos. We try to teach Jack and Jake that sharing is caring. Cheesy.... but great! Anyway, the kids have been taking it to a whole new level lately. Every cold or illness Jake gets, Jack and Brooke do too. Now, Jake and Brooke have RSV, a nasty respiratory virus. It can be scary with little guys because their breathing can really be effected. Jake luckily just has the beginning stages. He is pretty happy considering, he's just not eating or sleeping as well. However, you would never know he was sick by this video... he is such a sweet, happy boy!

Boys and Their Cars

It start early... this morning while playing, Jake said "truck" like 5 times. It is crazy how many different sounds and words he is trying to create. I am lovin' it! You will notice in the video Jake has to carry a toy wherever he goes.

First Pasta

Well, if you know me at all you know I love Italian food. So, it is no suprise that my son does too. Jake had his first taste of spaghetti today and LOVED it. What a mess! He loved using the bowl and spoon and couldn't stop smiling.

Happy Turkey Day

Future golfers...

Little Guitar Heroes!

Abs was home and lovin' the boys

Uncle Chip and Aunt Jodi spoiling Jake

Mom in the kitchen workin' hard as usual

Thankful

This time of the year I am reminded of how lucky I am.

I am thankful for:

-My adorable husband who loves me more than anyone

-My healthy,happy baby boy who makes everyday special amd exciting

-My wonderful and supportive family and all of our moments together

-My friends who add so much happiness to my life

-My sister's growing baby

-Love of all kinds

-The smell of winter

-The holidays

-Comfy clothes

-Music and lyrics that touch my soul

-Soda and sweets ofcourse

-Memories and photographs

-Great love stories

-The feel of a warm fire

-Second chances

-The fact that everything happens for a reason

-The knowledge that God is always in control and he loves and protects me

It is easy to be thankful when life is going well, but I pray that I can continue to be thankful through good times and bad.

Family Fun Weekend

Holiday Photo for the Christmas Card
Pop Pop playing with Jake
Carol and Pregs (that's right.... Nikki is PREGNANT!!)

Mike and Katie in the kitchen as usual

We had such a great weekend! Saturday was Jack's 2nd birthday party. I can't believe hewill be two in just a few days!!! Jake had a great time at the party and we both loved seeing our friends. Afterwards, my family came in for the night. Every year we do a combo celebration for my birthday as well as my brother, Mike's. It was fabulous. This year we had a chili cook off! We made a traditional beef chili and a buffalo chicken chili. So yummy. Then we cozied up by the fire and played Seinfeld scene it. The next morning we met the Sharp's at the bagel shop for breakfast. My kind of weekend.

Pre-Burn Funtimes with Jack

Tragedy... Baby's First Visit to the E.R.

SO last night Jon and I were eating dinner and it needed to be re-heated. I stood up to put it back into the oven and Jon got up to get a drink. In the second it took me to lean up and put the casserole in, Jake tried to stand and pulled up on the oven door! His little hands were burned pretty badly. He has second degree burns and blisters on both hands. It was horrifying and we had to bring him to the E.R. They wrapped his hands and covered them and they need to stay that way for 2 weeks!! I don't know how we are going to make it 2 weeks, but I am sure we will. He is suprisingly happy today besides wanting to be held a little more and wanting his pacifier. The poor little guy had a tramatic night and we didn't get back until 10PM. Considering what he went through, he is a little trooper! God was definetely watching over him, it could have been much worse.

What We've Been Up to...

Heavy Drooling...

Pulling things down as usual

Playing the Drum, Piano and Miracas (my personal fav)

Touching Plants

Eating Plants

The last few days I have had strep throat. Which has really taken me by suprise. I forgot how painful and long lasting it can be. Jon has been amazing. He took a half day Monday just to come home and be Mr. Mom. It was great and cute to hear them downstairs playing together. I am feeling so much better now and getting back into the swing of things. Needless to say, we have been in the house a lot. Here are a few of our adventures and one fun video!

Day at Johnson's Farm

This Saturday Jon, Jake and I met our friends Jess and Mike at Johnson's Farm. We went on a hayride, that Jake enjoyed. We picked sweet potatoes, popcorn and saw cotton growing. We also ate apple cider donuts, my favorie! It was great! Jake loves Jess and Mike.