Christmas Week Pictures

Hayride at Nana and Papa's

Zoo trip with Uncle Will, Aunt Anna and Scarlett

Getting together with old friends.
Nathan and Samantha


Nathan and Cooper

Ann-Marie, Rochelle, me and Reese

December swimming. Nathan, Jimmy and Zoey

Baby pigs in our neighborhood....just hanging out on the side of the road.

I know, I know

Shortly after Jake's birthday company arrived and we still have company so I've hardly even turned on the computer. Jen, thanks reminding me to update....I've been thinking about it for days and needed that little nudge. Oh, and I LOVED the necklace you were wearing on your Christmas card!

Jake's sister, Kristen (Hi Krissy) came the Saturday before Christmas and we had such a great time visiting with her. She headed back to CA just as Jake's brother, Kurt and his family arrived and they are here until the 3rd. It's been great seeing everyone, but I'm exhausted. Today, everyone has gone in different directions so the kids and I will stay at home and for some R & R.

Christmas Eve the kids made cookies for Santa and reindeer food (oatmeal and glitter) for the reindeer and sprinkled it in the front yard. They were so excited, in fact, Nathan was up several times during the night watching the clock. Christmas morning Nathan woke us up about 6:45 and after potty breaks and coffee the unwrapping began. Later in the day, more family arrived and we had a really nice Christmas dinner. It was a great day.

We met up with some high school friends yesterday and got all of our kids together. It was great to see everyone.

I'd blog in more detail, but I'm running on fumes and don't have it in me. I'll post pictures later today.

Happy Birthday Baby!

Surprise Birthday Party

I pulled off my first real "Room Mom" responsibility today. When I found out, Nate's teacher, Ms. C's birthday was Jan 1st I immediately starting thinking of how the class could celebrate being that we'll all be out on winter break on her actual birthday. Her class goes to art on Monday mornings and I got to know the art teacher a little bit last year when Nathan went to the art show. I asked her if I could have the kids decorate a Happy Birthday sign during class and surprise Ms. C when she came to get them. I made shirts for all the kids that said, "Ms. C ROCKS!" and one for her that says, "Ms. C's Class ROCKS! I arrived to the art class about 5 minutes ahead of the class and hid in the bathroom. I felt like a complete idiot the entire time. Thankfully, Ms. C dropped the kids off within a few minutes and I was able to escape the potty. The kids did such a good job with the sign and all got their shirts on. Right before Ms. C was due back they lined up with their letters to spell out Happy Birthday, we turned out the lights and waited. The kids were so good. They had to wait about 2 minutes in the dark. When Ms. C opened the door we turned the lights on and shouted HAPPY BIRTHDAY! She was so surprised. We headed back to her classroom for cake and presents. I would love to post a picture, but to respect the privacy of the kids and Ms. C I can't.

Neighbors

We had our neighbors over for dinner last night. Over the last year and a half of living here we've really gotten to know them, attending each other's kids birthday parties, seeing each other at school and impromptu play dates in the driveway. They have two girls, 10 and 7 and while in strong contrast to our boys, 6 and 3 they play so well together. We grilled out and enjoyed the 80 degree Florida December weather while the kids played. When they left I halfway expected the house to be in shambles because we sat and talked for hours while the kids played hide and seek and threw paper airplanes and snowflakes off the stairs. After they left and in the process of getting the kids ready and into bed I noticed the play room was clean with only a few toys remaining on the floor and the kids bedrooms were virtually untouched. Maybe it was the girl factor and maybe that they are older and making a mess of things just to make a mess no longer interest them. I'm still waiting to Reese to give that game up.

Quick Update

The dentist x-rayed Reese's teeth and THEY ARE HEALTHY. He said the discoloration will go away within 3-6 months. Reese was an absolute angel during the entire thing. This was his first time to the dentist so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I did take him to watch Nathan get his teeth cleaned over the summer and that must have helped. He lay in the chair and did exactly what they asked him to do. I was kicking myself for not having my camera with me.

Teeth, Zoo Animals and Work Fun

About a month ago I went away for a girls weekend, leaving Jake in charge of the kids. I came home to find Reese with a busted lip. Jake had taken them to the park and he got hit in the face with a tire swing. It was a pretty hard hit because his lip took over a week to heal. Fast forward to this week, I notice his two front teeth look gray or is it grey....I digress. He has an appointment with the dentist tomorrow. Will they pull his teeth? Will he be front toothless for 3 years until his grown-up teeth come in or will he just have gray/grey teeth for that long?

This morning Jake went into work a little later than usual so the kids climbed in bed with him when they woke up. Nathan says, "Daddy, you smell like a zoo animal." Cracked me up!

Jake is treating his employee's to a day of fun. Yesterday he told them to dress comfortably, but he wouldn't give up any other details. He arrived at work this morning with muffins, juice and a breakfast casserole I made, t-shirts for everyone that said Team Civil 2007 on the front and their last name, nickname and 07 (like a jersey) on the back. A limo arrived at 10:00 to take them to Medieval Times and putt-putt golf. What a cool boss he is!

Christmas Happenings

We went to Christmas party the other night. It was given by a client of Jake's, an amazing couple with an amazing house. It was the first time I've ever arrived to valet parking at someones house. Jake and I guessed this shin-dig probably cost around $20,000. Can you imagine spending that much to entertain for one evening?

My Christmas shopping is done!

This morning I set up our NOEL lighted sign in the yard, except it doesn't spell NOEL. We changed the letters around to spell NOLE (Seminoles), but the E and L are the only letter that will light up. After a half hour of working on it I gave up, argh! I like to look at outside lights, but I don't like putting them up.

We surprised the kids with a Polar Express train for under the tree. It has been so much fun.

Email Santa

The kids just emailed Santa and got a really cool reply. Try it.

More Race Day Pictures

I finally received prints of the professional pictures taken during the marathon...

Christmas Pasts

Christmas card pictures from the past.............

2004




2005

2006

And today I capture this. My favorite yet! Oh, am I in love. So, to those of you getting a Christmas card from me, here is your 2007 sneak peak.

A Great Birthday!

It's official, I'm now 35 years old! And I'm officially Jake's "old lady" for the next 19 days while he remains 34. And you can bet he'll remind me ever day of this fact.

I had a great day. In fact, one of the best birthday's I've ever had. Jake's always a mystery man and I never know what to expect. I woke up yesterday to find bagels and a card waiting me for. The card included an itinerary of the day, but was vague enough that I still didn't have a clue what to expect. I took the boys to school and then to the spa for a facial. I had a gift card from last year and I thought my birthday was a great day to use it up. Then my itinerary instructed me to head home and listen out for a visitor. The door bell rang promptly at 11:00 with a delivery of flowers.

This was huge since it's been 10 years since Jake sent me flowers! I had a boyfriend once who always gave me flowers all the time and frankly it became boring. I much prefer it this way!

Soon after the flowers arrived Jake picked me up for lunch and we had a really nice time, just the two of us. He dropped me back off at home and he headed back to work. My itinerary mentioned another surprise at 1:30 and that my mom was picking the boys up from school so I chilled out on the couch and watched TV until I hear the door bell ring. It's a massage therapist with all the makings of a hot stone massage ready for me. She set up in the house and for the next hour gave me a great massage. This present was another huge surprise because I'm not really a massage person. I've only had a massage one other time and it wasn't that great. This one was fantastic!

Mom, the boys, Ann-Marie, Rob and Cooper all showed up later for an amazing dinner at the Chart House. What a great day. And it ended perfectly with a Chart House Lava Cake and me heading to bed early to rest my tired 35 year old bones.

Thanks for a GREAT birthday, Babe!