Thanksgiving 2010

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year!  We went to see Tangled (SO CUTE) with Trevor's family on Thanksgiving morning, then hung out with his parent's for a bit, then went to my family's for dinner that evening.  It was a busy day but so nice to have a chance to spend some time with all of our family!  We hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday.  We truly have so much to be grateful for!!!

Hunter comes home with the cutest things from preschool.  I was so surprised he actually let them paint his face and put a costume on him.  It's just not his forte..very much unlike his brother (although Jacob refused to have his face painted when he did the Indian costume).  Hunter did ask to take the costume off immediately when we got in the car.  On the way home, he kept asking for wipe to take the makeup off his face.  The paint was gone within minutes of our arrival home.  I'm just glad I got a picture of it before he disassembled his cute costume!

Jacob also made a cute costume in honor of Thanksgiving.  I took this picture a week later.  I found his costume on the floor in the family room and figured it was only a matter of time before it was ready for the garbage (it's made out of a brown paper bag).  I told him to put it on so I could take a picture of him in it since I never got one.  He said, "O.K. but don't throw it in the garbage..alright?"  He's starting to catch on!

Hunter's Bizarro Hives

This all started a few weeks ago when I made pumpkin bread for the first time this year and apparently the first time in Hunter's life.  I made some muffins out of my leftover batter for the boys.  They ate probably 8-10 muffins between the two of them.  All I know is I left them on the table and the next time I saw the pan it was almost empty!  That day he started having small red bumps that looked like mosquito bites.  He had been outside playing so at first that's what I thought they were, but I noticed they were mostly on his rear end, where no mosquito could have had access to.  I wondered if it was another kind of bug like a spider or something.  The next day he had a slice of pumpkin bread and by bath time that night, they seemed to be even larger and had spread down the backs of his legs.  We were so confused about what it could be, but suspected the pumpkin bread.  We gave him some allergy medicine and the hives were pretty much gone the next day. 

I made pumpkin bread again a few weeks later and decided to experiment with it.  He knew from the last experience that it wasn't a good idea.  "I told you I'm sick of pumpkin bread!"  Translation:  Pumpkin bread makes him sick.  I told him I wanted him to try it again, just to see what happens.  So we did and there was quite a hives explosion.

They started pretty quickly after he had the bread and they continued to spread and spread all over his entire body, instead of just his rear end area like last time.  They lasted a little more than a week and moved around everywhere.  One day he would have one on his face in a certain place.  The next day it would be moved to another location on his face.  There were big ones & small ones.  It was crazy!  We debated on taking him to the doctor, but after some online research, we decided to wait and see, especially since he was acting completely normal and not in any pain.  After about a week, they FINALLY went away.  We are glad to have him back to normal and will make sure he avoids pumpkin bread in the future!  We aren't sure exactly what ingredient in the bread is causing it, but are just going to avoid all pumpkin for now.

Trevor and I think it's strange that we have never been allergic to anything but our kids have crazy allergies like this.  Weird! 

First Shave

Jacob decided to take my razor for a whirl without any guidance or training.

His lip was all bloody & jaggedly cut.  He tried to dress the wound on his own.  By the time I found him, he had a band-aid across the top of his lip.  I later found a bloody towel and blood all over the band-aid box.  We hope he learned his lesson and saves shaving for when he actually has something to shave!

Christmas Lessons at Our House

I called Trevor a Grinch when he turned off our Christmas music in the car.
Jacob: "Daddy you're a Grinch!"
Trevor: "Do you even know what a Grinch is?"
Jacob: "It's someone who's never happy and someone who doesn't have a big heart!"

As we are putting together our Christmas tree..
Trevor: "Why do we celebrate Christmas?"
Hunter: Because we need Adam to come out."
Trevor: "No.."
Hunter: "Because Santa could come."
Trevor: "Is Christmas about getting presents?
Jacob: "No."
Hunter: "Yes!"

Jacob:  "Oh Mom, I forgot to tell you.  I need some of your money!"
Me:  "For what?"
Jacob:  "For school!"
Apparently they are doing a Holiday Store and he would like to make some purchases!

Kids = Built-In Entertainment

Jacob:  "I don't want to get married!  I just want to be an explorer and find gold!"

Jacob:  "I really wish I had 4 arms.  Then I could grab everything!"  He even asked me if he wished for 4 arms, would it really come true.  Sorry, son.

Last Sunday, Trevor was outside with the boys.  He told Jacob to do something, which Jacob continued to ignore.  Jacob finally realized Trevor was about to lose his patience, so he obeyed, telling Trevor, "I was just waiting for you to say 'PLEASE,' Dad!"  Followed by, "It's OK to wait a little while."

Jacob is very appreciative when he is getting his way.  After I took him out for his birthday on Monday, he told me, "I wish I was older so I could go to the store and buy you a ring!"

Hunter came in from the backyard bawling yesterday.
Me:  What's wrong?
Hunter:  THE ANTS ATE ME!
Jacob stayed outside while I got Hunter calmed down.  He told me later that he was "killing the ants because they hurt my brother!"

Today, I was on the computer with headphones on.  I could barely hear one of the boys yelling, "MOM!"  Trevor was nearby and he decided to be helpful.  He yelled, "What do you want?"  Hunter yelled back, "Dad, you're not Mom!!"

Jacob's Birthday Extravaganza

In keeping up with the tradition that birthdays should last longer than a day, we celebrated Jacob's birthday all weekend long! 

On Saturday, the 6th, we had his birthday party at the park.  Each year I ask him where he wants to have his party and it's always there.  The park offers a built-in party so I wasn't about to argue!  We arrived early to set up and then Jacob asked me about every 2 minutes when his friends would be arriving.

I hear from a lot of people that my boys look alike.  I'm sure that especially applies when they wear the same clothes!  They got themselves dressed like this.  They love to wear matching clothes, pjs & underwear.  I think it's cute cause they choose to do it!  It would be way corny if I made them do it.  I'm sure this is a very short-lived phase

Jacob & Nauni

Brigham, Jacob & Blake

McKenzie, Jacob, Alek & Hunter

Brigham & Jacob

Jacob & Zachary (bestest cousin)

I felt a little sorry for the other kids.  Zachary is a huge Jacob-hog and Jacob picks Zachary to play with over anyone.  We had some hurt feelings during the party because Jacob "wasn't playing" with them.  I did my best to try & have Jacob distribute his time evenly amongst his friends, but it was a challenge!  Not the easy-going birthday party I had envisioned!

 

The Party Gang

Hunter, Blake, Alek, Chase, McKenzie, Zachary, Jacob & Brigham

   

I hadn't planned to play any games.  I figured the kids would be just happy playing on the playground equipment.  That was before some of the guests were feeling a bit left out.  We decided to gather everyone to play games.  It really helped bring all the kids together.  We started with Duck Duck Goose.  Funny how classic that game is but we had to teach some of the kids how to play it. 

After enough Duck Duck Goose, we played Tag.  Another classic, but some of the kids didn't really get the point of running away from the person who was "it". 

Jacob finally got to open his presents.  He had been asking me since the beginning of the party.  I love how excited he gets!  His face says it all!

He has been waiting for this Light Saber ever since the summertime.  He was with me when I bought it, despite my efforts to hide it from him.  I finally had to tell him he would be getting it for his birthday.  I'm sure that felt like an eternity to him, but it turned out to be one of the favorite presents!  He first asked for this in May when we went to Disneyland.  I just want him to appreciate anticipation and the excitement of a new toy!

Jacob LOVED having a Light Saber battle with his dad.

The birthday train carried over into Sunday, the 7th.  The primary sang to him and gave him a present.  He asked for lasagna for his birthday dinner.  Ever since he has been introduced to Garfield, he has LOVED lasagna just like Garfield does.  He asks for it all the time.  We invited Nauni, Papa, Tiff & Kathleen over to help us celebrate.

Most of Jacob's birthday wishes were centered around Ben 10 Alien.  It is his new favorite character.  Luckily I found some acceptable toys on clearance a few months ago.  He LOVED them!

Nauni & Papa gave Jacob a birthday card with $25 & a zebra beach towel.  When Jacob opened his card he said, "I love the smell of money!"  Uh-oh.

The ACTUAL Birthday Boy!  After all of our pre-celebrations, his birthday finally arrived on Monday, the 8th.  He woke up at 6:30 a.m. to go to the bathroom.  It was still mostly dark so I was keeping my fingers crossed that he would make it back to his bed for a few hours.  Especially since he went to bed late the night before.  I even warned them that if they woke up and it was still dark outside, they were to stay in bed and go back to sleep.  When Jacob was going to the bathroom, he asked, "am I 6 yet?"  I wanted to lie because I knew that would be the end of bedtime for him..but I couldn't.  I told him he was 6 but that it was still early in the morning and he needed to get more rest.  I tucked him back into bed and told him to try and go back to sleep.  2 minutes later, I noticed the kitchen light on.  Jacob was up and asking Trevor for breakfast.  I just turned around and went back to bed.

Jacob LOVED getting phone calls from people wishing him a Happy Birthday.  He got so excited every time I told him the phone was for him.

McKenzie & Alek came over to help celebrate Jacob's birthday with him that morning.  McKenzie has been asking me if she could go inside our trailer for a few weeks now.  She only asks me when they are getting ready to leave and we don't have time.  I told her to ask me earlier next time and we could.  She finally remembered so I let them go inside.  Then they asked if they could eat lunch in there.  I thought that would be a fun birthday treat for Jacob so I made them some sandwiches & delivered them to the trailer.

Jacob was able to take a treat to school to share with his class.  I asked him what he would like to take, fully expecting to have to make something.  He answered "OREOS!"  I was happy to comply!  I've become very lazy these days so picking something up at the store was right up my alley.  I didn't even have to deliver them to his classroom.  I just stuck them in his backpack!  How's that for easy?

While Jacob was at school, I decorated his ceiling with glow-in-the-dark stars.  One of his favorite things to do when we go camping is to look at the stars.  I used to have stars on my ceiling too when I was younger and I loved it.  I also cleaned his room for him.  He HATES cleaning his room and I thought that would be a good birthday treat for him to not have to clean it that day.  He appreciated them both!

Jacob had a great day at school.  He came home with a birthday crown.  My mom came over after school to give him his present.  He loved his new Batmobile & all the guys that came with it..even though he already had all the guys except for one.  He told me how great it was to have extra guys because his old Joker was all dirty and his old Robin's arm doesn't stay up.  Hunter wanted to help Jacob break in his new toys, but Jacob was being a tad selfish.  I told him to just let Hunter play with his old guys, and he still wasn't swayed.  After a few lectures from me & Trevor (who was on the phone during this time), they finally found a way to play together.

I wanted to take Jacob out for his birthday that evening.  My plan was to go to Toys 'R Us so he could pick out a toy with his birthday money, then go to Red Robin for dinner.  He decided he did want to go to Toys 'R Us but wanted to go to "that pizza store with the play helicopter" (Peter Piper Pizza).  I asked if he really wanted pizza or just a play area.  He said he just wanted to play.  I offered McDonald's to him and he decided that is where he wanted to go. 

My kids take a while to choose toys.  There is just too much to choose from and they want everything!  Plus it is such a rare treat to actually get to go and pick out a toy from the store to buy.  We finally narrowed it down to a remote control helicopter that actually flies and a robotic bug.  I let Hunter get a pack of cars since he never spent all of his birthday money.  We have had this random $5 bill floating around the house since June.  Unfortunately, within an hour of being home, the robotic bug stopped walking correctly.  The next day the remote control helicopter didn't work as well either.  I ended up taking them back and trading them out for new ones. 
We'll see if they hold up!

After dinner and playtime at McDonald's we came home and I got them to bed as soon as possible.  They had been going to bed late and getting up early all birthday weekend!

Here are some shots of Jacob's birthdays past.  Time has flown by.  I can't believe how quickly he is growing!

Happy 6th Birthday Jacob! 

 I hope you had the best birthday ever!  We love you and enjoy all the sweetness & humor you bring into our family!

Halloween Festivities

When I was a kid, Halloween lasted ONE day.  That was it!  We wore our costumes to school ON Halloween...except for those rare times it fell on a weekend and if it did, we still had a Halloween party the Friday before and got to wear our costumes for the ENTIRE day, despite the worry that they are "too distracting" or "upsetting for other kids".  We had our ward Halloween party/carnival (not Trunk-or-Treat) on HALLOWEEN afternoon and it ended right at dusk so we could go Trick-or-Treating.  Things sure have changed!  Here is how we celebrated our Halloween week in 2010!

Hunter discovered my Halloween cookie cutters when I pulled them out of my cupboards during a frantic search for muffin liners one morning (I was running late, of course).  He begged me to make Halloween cookies.  I put him off for a few days before I finally found the time and energy to do it.  On Saturday, the week before Halloween at 9:30 in the morning, I decided to get it over with.  I knew if I didn't do them right away that morning, I would lose my gusto as I normally do as the day progresses.  Here are the final results:

I'm sure you can tell which ones I frosted and decorated compared to the ones the boys were in charge of! 

On Sunday, October 24th, we went to my mom's for family dinner.  Jacob is probably happy to be allergic to cats since it entitles him to play outside in the backyard the entire evening!  They did come in to decorate their pumpkin cookies, one of my mom's Halloween traditions.

Jacob and his "bestest" cousin.

Out of the numerous costumes this kid owns, he had his heart set on being a ghost.  Apparently a friend from the ward was a ghost last year and Jacob hasn't forgotten about it.  He originally planned to be a vampire, but decided a ghost was a better choice.  I got some plain white fabric and with a little sewing help from my mom, voila!

Hunter insisted that he wanted to be a ghost like Jacob.  Luckily I had bought some extra white fabric for another project.  I ended up having my mom help me convert it into a ghost costume for him as well.  While we were trying it on him to measure where to sew, he changed his mind and said he didn't want to be a ghost anymore.  We (my mom) sewed it anyways in case he changed his mind.  He didn't!  He decided to go as a fireman.  We had our ward Trunk-or-Treat that night, October 25th.  They loved every minute of it!  Except for the dinner menu.  They will not eat chili & baked potatoes!  I learned that lesson last year and fed them before we went.  Hunter wouldn't eat it of course.  I threatened that he wouldn't get to eat any of his candy if he didn't eat all of his dinner.  He wasn't swayed and seemed satisfied with not getting any candy.  Of course, the candy ban didn't last very long once we got there.  I'm kind of a softie on "holidays".

On Friday, October 29th, Jacob's school had a costume parade.  Jacob goes to afternoon kindergarten, but the class was invited to participate in the parade that morning.  It was fun for him to see his class dressed up.  He got to go home right afterward.  All the kids that stayed at school had to remove their costumes immediately after the parade and wear boring old clothes for the rest of the day.  So sad!

Jacob & Brigham (Brigham is Jacob's favorite friend in his class)

Party of Five

On Saturday, Halloween Eve, we went out to eat at Chili's.  They had a deal that kids ate free if they wore their costumes.  The boys didn't complain!

Jacob really started getting into his costume by the 3rd time he wore it!

He actually wanted to wear his vampire costume tonight.  We had planned to go to my parents after dinner so I told him to wear his ghost costume so Grandma could see it since she helped put it together.  We didn't even make it over there that night!

We did go to see my Grandma after dinner.  She looks forward to us coming & Trick-or-Treating every year!

Unfortunately, Hunter fell asleep on the way over and missed the entire event.  Grandma had lots of candy to spare and put some in Hunter's bucket for him to find in the morning.  Grandma likes to keep her apartment WARM.  Trevor walked in and told her it felt like summertime in there!  After about 10 minutes, Hunter started thrashing around.  He was probably roasting in that fireman costume.  We tore his jacket off so he could be a little more comfortable.  He ended up staying asleep for the entire night!  After we returned home, I took Jacob to some ward member's houses.  They had announced that certain homes would be handing out candy & I didn't want Jacob to miss out on Trick-or-Treating entirely this year since Halloween fell on a Sunday.  We got a late start so most of the lights were out, but we were grateful to find 2 houses who were handing out late! 

 

On Halloween, we went to Austin & Deedra's for Trevor's family Halloween party.  Jacob was permitted to wear his vampire costume to this one.  Hunter started off the evening in his fireman costume, but became shy as soon as we got there and asked me to remove it.  He didn't even want to walk inside with it on.  My arms were full carrying stuff so I made him come all the way inside before he could remove it.  Jacob wanted to wear his the entire evening.  It's funny how different they are! 

Hunter is laughing because he was trying to shoot this dart at the target and he hit me instead.

After the party we made a late night stop by my parent's house.  Luckily they held off going to bed so we could stop by and Trick-or-Treat. 

We were all exhausted by the time we got home.  We dropped everything and hopped into bed.  No matter how hard you hope the Cleaning Fairy will come, the mess will always still be there in the morning for you! 

Hope everyone had a safe & fun Halloween!