Jacob's 5th Birthday

Our SILLY little Jacob turned 5 this year. For his birthday we told him he could choose where we ate for lunch. His first choice was Pizza Ranch because they have a pizza buffet and he wanted to FEAST. I'm not sure why this little boy wanted a FEAST, but that is what he was looking for. I talked him into Old Country Buffet because we were going to be in the city for Chuck E Cheese. The boys loved all the different choices of food, but their favorite thing was all the drinks and they got ice cream with gummy bears.

After we headed to Chuck E Cheese.

One of these days we are going to get smarter about when we go to Chuck E Cheese. Saturday in the winter is NOT the day to be there. Everyone that has a birthday chooses this place since we can't do anything outside. The boys love it though, they don't mind all the people.

After our fun afternoon, we headed home for cake. Jacob wanted a Uniqua cake from the Backyardigans. I think this might be the only pink cake I ever get to make. He didn't want Pablo or Tyron because that is who Andrew likes, so he wanted something different.

For his birthday, Jacob wanted legos. He enjoyed putting his lego castle together with Dad.

Jacob is such a fun little boy. I love that he makes me laugh all the time. His favorite thing to do is go cross eyed because it always makes me laugh. If I'm getting upset with him, he will do something funny with his eyes and I always have to laugh. He is also very good to Danny as they are home together each day. When Andrew gets home from school though, Jacob is his little shadow.

We love you Jacob!

On another note, I came downstairs the other day to find the boys "looking like Mom." I guess that is what I look like to them, that I just put a ball in my shirt. I wish that it would go away as easy as their balls came out of their shirts. Thanks a lot boys:)

Christmas 2010

This year we had a wonderful Christmas vacation. We were able to spend 2 1/2 weeks in Utah with our family. Doug had his last class of the semester on Dec. 15th. I had the van loaded ready to leave as soon as he got home. That night was our ward party, so I took the boys to that and finished up somethings for primary since I was going to be gone for so long. Then we came home and waited for Dad to get home. About 11:00 pm we headed out. There was a snow storm that made driving through the night really slow, but once we got out of Minnesota the roads were much better. We made it to Logan in 21 hours!

We stayed in Logan from Thursday, December 16th until Monday, December 27th. We really enjoyed having such a long stay in Logan so we were able to relax and enjoy our time. We spent much of our first week with Doug's sister Kristin and her family. The boys loved playing with their cousin Tasha and chasing the rabbits around the house and playing with their dog.

Doug and I were also able attend the Logan temple which is always wonderful.

On Monday, Dec. 20th Doug's brother Darrin and his family came to Grandma's house and brought with them stuff to make gingerbread houses. The boys were thrilled to get to make a house with their cousins. I think Danny loved most having so much candy right in front of him.

One afternoon we decorated our stockings for Santa to fill with goodies.

The boys were most excited to be at Grandma Hobbs for Christmas Eve. We had a wonderful dinner and then the highlight of the night was pass the present game. Grandma had a little something for EVERYONE in the family. The boys always love to see what Grandma and Grandpa have for everyone. It was a wonderful evening with family and the boys were plenty tired so they had no problem going to bed so Santa could come. 

(Christmas morning I was so excited that I forgot to get the camera out. My darn pregnancy brain failed me again.)

The boys loved having Grandma, Grandpa, Leslie & Melinda all there to see what Santa brought them. Andrew got kung zhu pets, pokemon cards, and a bee pillow pet. Jacob got electronic drums, a remote controll car, a dolphin pillow pet and pokemon cards. Danny got a monkey pillow pet, Woody doll that talks, and a huge Toy Story coloring book. The family also got some new board games and 2 new wii games.

After we opened our Christmas and ate breakfast, we went out to Kristin's, Darrin's, and ended in Brigham City at Sandy's house. Doug's highlight of the trip was golfing in Brigham City for FREE on Christmas day. We all had a wonderful time getting to see what Santa had brought and getting to see all the family. The boys loved playing with everyone's new toys as we went to all the houses.

On our way down to Cedar City we made a stop at temple square. I think everyone had the same idea, so it was PACKED! We weren't able to see things very well, so we didn't stay long since we had the drive to Cedar City a head of us.

The boys were thrilled to get to play in the snow at Grandma Stott's (even though we had plenty of snow in Minnesota). Doug went out and pulled them down the hill in the sled. They also had fun throwing snow with their cousins, Justus, Jared, Elaina, and Emma.

It is always a great time when Jane Ellen and her family is at Grandma's house. Justus, Jared, Andrew and Jacob sleep together in the same room and wake up every morning ready to play the next day.

Grandma was well prepared to entertain us for the 5 days we were there.

One afternoon we went bowling. That was and adventure with 9 little kids, but a lot of fun.

One afternoon we decorated sugar cookies.

Another day we went to a fun place that had 5 different inflatable slides. This was a great way to get some of the energy that all the kids had. That night Grandpa took everyone to a SUU basketball game. The boys loved that Grandpa got them each popcorn and a soda.

The boys also were able to open their presents from Grandma and Grandpa Stott. They loved the new books and money they got.

The thing we did the most was sit at this table and eat all our meals. With everyone there, sometimes it seemed like all we did was clean up one meal and get ready for the next. One day Doug asked me if my Mom ever stops. I told him NO. She is always getting ready for the next meal.

Thanks Mom for all the delicious food and the 10 pounds we all put on while at your house!

On New Years Day, Grandma Stott's 2 brothers and sister and all their families came to Grandma's house. We really enjoyed seeing all my cousins and family that we don't get to see very often. Around 3:00 pm we loaded back in the van and headed back home. We drove through the night and made it home the next day. By the time we got home I was feeling VERY PREGNANT!. Sitting that long might not have been the best idea at 30 weeks pregnant, but we were grateful for the wonderful Christmas Vacation!

Fall 2010

I'm trying to get this blog up to date before this baby comes. I've got less than 4 weeks to go and so much to do!

In October, we were lucky to have my sister Jane Ellen and her husband John come out and visit us. John came out for a conference for work, so Jane Ellen was able to spend the week with me. It was so much fun to show her around where we live.

One afternoon we went to the Arboretum. It was decorated for fall. It wasn't as pretty as it usually is in the summer, but we still had a fun time.

One afternoon, Doug took off from work and we went into Minneapolis and showed John and Jane Ellen Minnehaha Falls. We took a picnic and also ate lunch there.

Andrew was thrilled to be in this picture, as you can tell.

Halloween was on Sunday this year, so our ward had a BIG Fall party on Saturday night. The boys were excited to get all dressed up for the trunk or treat where they filled their bags with plenty of candy.

This was Danny's first Halloween where he really enjoyed all the festivities

Jacob is a SCARY Skeleton

Andrew is ready to get some CANDY!

One afternoon Danny was eating Oreos, boy did he get messy!

This year for Thanksgiving we had a relaxing dinner at home. We had a great meal and enjoyed football and playing games together as a family. Here is Danny ready to dig in.

Andrew was also excited about the food, but more excited to watch football with Dad.

Jacob is always ready for a FEAST!

Danny loves to get this BIG coloring book out and lay on the floor and color.

Throughout the past year, I have been collecting Christmas books. Some I find at garage sales and others I have bought. Each night in December the boys pick a book that is wrapped from under the tree and we would read it before the boys went to bed.  The boys really enjoyed this new tradition.



Out of the mouth of Jacob:)

Tonight we went for our Sunday walk around the block. Andrew was riding his bike and Jacob decided to take his baseball mitt and throw and catch a ball around the block. As we were walking Jacob had made some really good catches. Doug said, "Jake, you are getting really good at catching the ball." Jacob said, "Dad you should sign me up for baseball." Doug said, "sure, we can sign you up for t-ball next year." Jacob said, "NO Dad, PROFESSIONAL BALL."
I'm glad that he has such confidence in himself.