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!