Oh, the memories

Jacob with Santa last year. He was a little nervous, I remember. But he was really excited to tell Santa that he wanted race cars for Christmas! He looks like a baby in this picture, I forget that it wasn't that long ago when he was 'small.' This year he loves Santa but we haven't gotten any pictures yet. Well, we went to Wal-Mart one day and a really sketchy looking Santa was right in the door and they were doing free pictures so we got one of each of the kids and then one of the kids together. This year Jacob is asking Santa for a toy dinosaur. It's really fun that he gets the story of Santa this year and is excited!

Naughty Baby

OK, so everyone knows how much I love my kids. I really do, I swear! But I would like to take some time out right here to list the things that naughty little Emrick does. We have had to rearrange much of our furniture to accommodate Her Highness. I'm sure this list will keep growing as she gets bigger but here's it for now:

-Unplugs anything she sees plugged in

-When you tell her 'No, no!' she shakes her head at you and smiles but continues whatever she's doing

-Pulls the bread off the shelf and pokes her fingers through the bag

-Runs off with Jacob's trains when he's not looking

-Tips over the paper shredder spilling out any shredded paper (the shredder has been moved for safety reasons!)

-Notices if the bathroom door is even slightly open and rushes in there to try to climb in the tub or play in the toilet

-When placed in her high chair, any food on the tray is almost immediately swiped onto the floor so she can laugh and watch the dog devour it

-The second her diaper is removed she rushes away and puts up quite a fight when diaper is replaced on her behind.

Her cuteness greatly outweighs her naughtiness, so I think we will keep her. But, some days it's debatable! Does anyone have any ideas on how to get a nine month old to sit still, even for a few moments?

Sunday

Wow, I have left you guys hanging for a long time. Almost a whole week! Well, with Burger working second shift, I get really side tracked during the day. So blame him. He won't mind.

Last week was busy, what with the massive snow storm and Emrick had/has strep throat. The rest of us have colds so I have been using Lysol like crazy today! I got our Christmas cards addressed and in the mail yesterday. We ordered a game from ecrater for Jacob for Christmas two week ago and still haven't received it, but I ordered a different thing from eBay and it came in two days! I love the Internet.

Jacob loves the snow and will jump in it any chance he gets. Yesterday on the way to swimming he took a detour through the snow and it made me so mad because I had to go back inside and get new clothes for him. He wears his snow boots every where because he likes them and it makes me wish I would have bought him a fancy pair (like the Cars I saw at K-Mart) instead of cheap basic ones from Wal-Mart! Oh well, he likes the ones he has and doesn't know the difference. And the cheap orange ones match his coat!

Today we have no exciting plans. Mom and I were thinking of jean-shopping at Kohl's because I got a 30% off coupon in the mail! Emrick is feeling better, but still whining. But that's just kind of her personality. And she's probably really bored with being at home for so long! Hope you all enjoy your Sunday and get to hang out with your family like I do!

Lovely Weekend

We enjoyed a lovely weekend together as a family. We put up the Christmas tree and stockings and I got Christmas cards ready to mail out, but not mailed yet! I feel like a I really accomplished a lot today. I went to work and while I was there Jacob and Burger went grocery shopping and returned some stuff at Target. Then when we all came home the boys shoveled the walkways, Jacob absolutely loves to play in the snow. Burger went to work, still on second shift for an undetermined amount of time. While the kids took a nap (together in their room at the same time!) I swept the floor and used the steam mop. That thing is going to get some major use this winter! It's so easy to use and makes me feel like the floors are really clean. Anyhow, then the kids woke and I got them each a snack while I took care of some bills on the phone. For future reference, after Friday we will no longer have a house phone. You can get ahold of Burger or me on our cell phones at any given time, though, so don't panic! If you don't have our cell phone numbers, just e-mail us and we can get it to you or leave a comment in the comments section of this blog. Right now Jacob is eating some left over tuna noodle casserole and we are getting ready for gymnastics! Hopefully our evening will go as smooth as the rest of our day has!

Emrick Gets Stuck

Snow what...

Today it snowed. Yes, this should not be breaking news in Iowa. Jacob was so excited for snow he had to get his boots, hat, coat, and mittens on immediately and investigate. I was at work so Burger watched him play in the snow. From the kitchen window. He's a funny man sometimes. So now I'm thinking it's definitely time for us to get the Christmas tree up and decorated.

December, really?

All of these pictures were taken yesterday. December first. That's Iowa for ya! You can never count on the weather. It was so beautiful and lovely. We played outside then went to the park with a friend. We stayed out until the sun went down and it got too chilly. Today was not the same. It was cold today, normal December weather.

Burger has been working second shift which actually works out really well for us. He gets to hang out and play with the kids and relax then go to work and come home after the kids are in bed. The kids don't put up such a fight at bedtime because nothing even remotely fun is going on in the living room to distract them. Evenings are easier for me to fill because everyone else I know works first shift and has open evenings to entertain me!

Tonight we went to dinner with my parents. Jacob was naughty and punished by not being allowed to ride in Grandpa's Jeep. He was so sad. Before bed I asked him what was his favorite part of today. We did a lot of fun things today. We made cookies with Burger and went to my mom's school and Jacob got to paint and play with the train set! We went to the restaurant with my parents. Well, he said his favorite part was when he got to ride in Grandpa's Jeep on the way to the restaurant. He said it hurt his feeling when Grandpa was mad and wouldn't let him ride in the Jeep home. Insert misty eyes here. But honestly, I think this kid just knows how to play people's emotions. How do they learn so young?