Go Tell It On The Mountain

I have been really humbled lately thinking about Christmas and our celebration of the birth of Jesus. How amazing is it that God sent his only son Jesus to save us from our sins. And the depth that Jesus loves each of us despite our mistakes.

We sang this song this past Sunday at church and the message really resonated with me. What a wonderful time of year to spread the good news:

He brought with Him forgiveness
He live to show us the way
He came to redeem all creation

And to wash all our sins away

Preschool party

It seems making my public statement about leaving the camera in the car has prompted us to halt that bad habit, hooray.

Here we are singing Christmas carols at Jaden's preschool party

This picture is priceless - Jaden is not so sure of Santa

Jaden with teacher Karen

Parents were invited to come sing Christmas carols which the children have been practicing for a few weeks, enjoy snacks, visit with Santa, and pick up the holiday crafts they had been working on. Jacob and I both were able to attend, along with Caleb. So much fun!!

Christmas party

Jacob and I have created this wonderful new habit, take the camera with us to an important event and then leave it in the car!! Wonderful isn't it? So the amount of pictures during this holiday season is small.

Luckily a co-worker of mine took pictures for us at the Home Life Holiday party.

Here we are with the raffle gift I won; I sure look excited:

Jaden looks like he might have had a little too much to drink:

And the family :)

The party was held at the local country club and luckily we had no crazy weather, except for rain, rain, and more rain. Last year an ice storm hit during the dinner so we all drove home while slipping all over the roads and the year before that the party was canceled due to snow. The person wearing the most festive holiday attire won a prize, unfortunately I don't really have much holiday attire. Caleb sported his but did not win.

We have been able to keep ourselves busy lately, as if life with 2 boys was not busy enough. This past weekend Jaden attended his first birthday party, well first party that he was invited to for someone his own age. It was for a friend from church and held at a local indoor play area. He now talks frequently about Zabel's party. After the party we ventured over to Story Book Land in Albany. Jaden is at the perfect age to enjoy walking around and looking at all the characters from many of the books he reads, including "Thomas blue train" (as Jaden would say). We definitely will be heading back each holiday season for the next few years.

Sunday

I got myself all ready for church this morning, makeup and everything, but Caleb decided he was too tired to eat before we left so I am now all prettied up with no place to go. It was too risky to take him to the nursery and then have him get upset because he was hungry.

So now I am watching Bounty Hunter (the movie with Jennifer Aniston) while Caleb rests. Jacob and I rented it last night but I fell asleep while watching (at like 9p, which makes me laugh) so I headed to bed before it was done.

Here are some Thanksgiving pictures:

We all gathered at Ashley and Paul's house for a yummy dinner, game playing, ornament making, and football watching. It was a lovely afternoon; thank you to Ashley and Paul for hosting!!

Snow in November

It snowed in November in Corvallis, it never ever snows this early in the winter season (at least on the valley floor). Now it was only about 2-3 inches but for us Corvallis folk that is a lot and the town basically shuts down. Schools were canceled so that meant no school for Jaden, his first snow day :).

A few snowballs were thrown, we attempted to make a snowman but the snow was too dry, and learned that you can eat snow (as long as it is not yellow, Jacob's tip). Unfortunately we do not have a sled of any kind, sad, so we could not go sledding (aka. mom and dad pull Jaden around). I should get on buying a sled so we are prepared for next time.

After spending time out in the cold snow it is always great to come inside and drink hot chocolate

Visitor

Fun at Wacky Bounce while Garrett visited for a few days:

Full car

Reading to Caleb

Picnic lunch

While Jeff and Crystal enjoyed their honeymoon Garrett came to stay with Ashley and Paul, Grandma J and Papa, and spent time during the day with us. Jaden and Garrett played and played and played; not wasting a minute of their time together. A wonderful time was had by all!!

Family

Jaden loves Caleb, or Caboo as Jaden calls him, and I know Caleb will love his brother once he is able to express himself. One never knows how the addition of a new baby into the family will go especially when other children are involved.

Luckily for us Jaden is an AMAZING big brother. He helps give Caleb a bath, change his diaper, gives him his pacifier, sings to him, and loves on him daily. And Caleb enjoys watching Jaden run around being his crazy self. Hours of entertainment there.

As their momma I am so proud and honored to watch their brotherly bond develop. I can not wait to watch them grow together and for this bond to become even stronger. I know they will have many years of fun playing together.

Trick or Treat

Pumpkin carving party:

Halloween:

Our weekend was full of Halloween festivities. We started Friday by trick or treating at Fiserv (the company Jacob use to work for) with Jacob's friend Cindy and then Jaden and I headed to the library for a city party. On Sunday we joined a group from church at the Calvary Chapel's Harvest Festival and for food at one of the couples house, and then trick or treating at Grandma J's house (Papa was out of town elk hunting).

Jaden is starting to get the idea of collecting candy and has a bucket full that will last him for a few weeks. Caleb wore the same dog costume that Jaden wore his first Halloween; Caleb was swimming in it (size is 6-18 months) so he wore it for pictures but that was it. Maybe it will fit him better next year!

Pumpkin patch

You know it is October when everyone starts blogging about going to the pumpkin patch!! Here is our pumpkin patch 2010 edition :)

Caleb, Jaden, and I met up with Crystal and family (along with Ashley, Paul, and Mom) just outside of Canby for a fun afternoon in the sun.

Caleb's 2 month stats:

weight: 12 lbs - around 59%

height: 22.5 inches around 45%

head: don't remember measurement but around 70%

The poor guy received 3 vaccinations and 1 oral vaccine

And lastly Jaden has picked up some good football skills. This is a short video (taken on my phone so poor quality) of Jaden playing along with the OSU football team. He watches the TV and when the quarterback hikes the ball he begins to run!

2 months old

Caleb is 2 months old

Gotta love the double chin and serious look! It is as if he is saying "really mom, another picture."

Jacob is out of town for the OSU vs. UW football game so we 3 are hanging together. We plan to meet up with Grandma J, Ashley, Paul, Crystal, Jeff, Remmy, Tom, and Garrett to go to the pumpkin patch this afternoon and luckily it is a nice fall day to do so.

Game Day

What has been going on?

Lets see:

Jacob: Working lots in between taking care of the little ones, joined a dodge-ball team, videoing for the OSU marching band again, and hoping the Bears season turns out better than the Cubs.

Jaden: Still enjoying preschool, wearing big boy underwear and very successfully using the toilet, playing lots of baseball, and loves his little brother.

Caleb: 6 weeks old, sleeping for about 6 hours straight at night, and taking real baths now.

Andrea: Working, went running the other day (made it about 1.5 miles, is a start), volunteering for the Great Pumpkin Run committee (about my 4th year doing this) and will actually participate in the event this year, and enjoying my 6 hour stretch of sleep at night :).

Enchanted Forest with Garrett

Playing together

Bowling for Papa's birthday

Preschool and life

Last Tuesday was Jaden's first day of preschool. I was a little nervous as the day approached but kept reminding myself of all the positives that go along with him attending. The main benefit and reason we enrolled him at 2 years old is for him to socialize with other children his own age. To learn those important social lessons; like sharing :).

1st day of school picture

Jaden has enjoyed preschool so far and had no problem staying by himself the first day. They say he is very easy going and seems to be getting along with everyone. Let's hope that continues!

Some cute things from preschool last week: on Thursday I asked Jaden what he had for snack and he responded "gold fish crackers," I was surprised he actually answered the question. And we often hear him singing songs that he has learned.

Plus when I pick him up he gives me a big hug, such a sweetie :)

In other life news I started back to work today. Last night I was a little emotional having to leave Caleb and Jaden but as the morning approached all went well. Jacob seemed to handle both boys just fine and Caleb drank his bottle with no problem. Luckily my schedule is part time so I can come home and spend the afternoon with my family (or morning if I work in the afternoon).

Caleb - 1 month old

Caleb is 1 month old today!!

Here is some general information about what he is up to at 1 month old:

- still sleeps a lot

- up about 2 times a night

- just as easy going as his brother

- sleeping in his own room

- loves to be held (no complaining here!)

- trying to figure out being awake and happy during the day

- great eater

I go back to work on Monday so Jacob will be on his own with both boys for about 4 hours each day. We have tried a bottle with Caleb once and it went well so we should be good to go with him eating while I am at work.

Our life is crazy at times but it has been a fun ride and I laugh daily because of it :)

Art

Awhile ago Jaden started creating an art piece for his new room, with the help of Aunt Ashley. Here is the progression:

The final product (with a little help from mom):