Pumpkin Carving

With it being four days before the greatest holiday on earth, we decided to carve our pumpkins!!! Gabby, Jason, and Memo came over for the fun festivities. The kids spent the time painting pumpkins and playing outside, but today was more about the grown ups getting their crafts done. Mike bought a dremol tool (I have no clue how to spell that word) to carve his very ambitious pumpkin. About 20 minutes in, Mike got frustrated and abandoned his pumpkin idea. He did however, still make a pretty awesome pumpkin.

One of these photos may not look like the other... and that would be correct. I did end up carving a very lame pumpkin (my mother would be disappointed). But I had another craft on my mind!! I wanted o make a recipe...GASP!!! It must be the fall air combined with my pregnancy that is making me become quite domestic. I wanted to make salt and vinegar pumpkin seeds. Getting the seeds from five pumpkins, according to Gabby, is like getting rice from a rice field. Talk about tedious!! It took forever and I don't even know if it was worth it because I just took them out of the oven today.

Memo and Jacob did enjoy painting the pumpkins. Memo would get upset when she got dirty while Jacob would sit and continue to paint himself more than the pumpkin. They did have a blast together!

Here are the final products from left to right... Mike, Ashley, Jacob, Memo, Jason, Gabby. It's amazing that Mike's pumpkin still turned out amazing even though he was so frustrated and just did this freehand!!

Pancake House Marathon

Two of Jacob's aunties ran a marathon this weekend.  It was their first one and they trained really hard for it!! We are all very proud of Auntie Towee and Auntie Beeze!!! Apparently Jacob really wanted to show them his support by having a marathon of his own. His marathon did not involve running or any physical activity for that matter...it involved eating. This Sunday morning we decided to go out to breakfast as a family, to our local favorite breakfast place, The Pancake House. We got there about 9:30ish thinking that we could be home for most of the Niner game. We had no idea that at 11:00 we would still be sitting at the table.  Most people would think that it took so long because of the service... nope!!! Our child was just eating for that long!!!

He had 2 pancakes, 1 1/2 sausages, some eggs, and almost all his milk.

He really enjoys the process of eating... stopping to read, saying hi to his table neighbors, or just leaning back to take a breather from his wonderful food.

I was unable to catch the true face of Mike at the table. When Jacob asked for "more pancake?" Mike had the most shocked face!! I couldn't stop laughing!!!

When we arrived the resteraunt was completely full with a line waiting outside... this is what it looked like when we left. The waiter was even impressed with Jacob. I think he may be destined to be a food critic...although I am not sure there is any food he does not like!

Fall Brings Colds..

As much as I love this weather and love this time of year, I can't deny the fact that I am not a huge fan of the illnesses it brings. It not only makes my work life busy, but it also makes my personal life busy. Jacob has had a "cold" off and on for almost a month. His humidifier has become a staple in his room. When he woke up Monday morning with his eyes glued shut by eye boogers, I decided it was time to bring him in. The doctor prescribed us antibiotics and eye drops. I asked the doctor if there was any tips on giving the eye drops to a toddler. His response was, "It's easy for me to prescribe them, but hard for you to give them." LOL!!! Thanks for the the advice!! Jacob has always been a good medicine taker, but I thought this would be different. It cracks me up because I tell him its time for your eye medicine and he points to his eyes and says "eye."  He actually enjoys it!! I thought this video was too cute not to share...

 

I love this little guy!!! He is just so easy going!!

When your BFF is a girl...

Sometimes your manhood gets a little compromised.  For Memo's birthday we bought her six pairs of high heels. Now, when I purchased them I never thought my son would be wearing them!! LOL. The funniest part was when he first put them on he was slipping and sliding all over the place...I guess he does take after me!! After a little practice on the carpet he was ready to cruise...

Yes he is pulling a pink wagon!! We were able to get him to change his shoes before going to the park, but the pink wagon had to come with us!!

He did strike a pose before we left...

VOGUE!!!

Parties and Cookies

I love October!!! Most people already know that Halloween is my favorite holiday, but Fall is definitely my favorite time of year. I feel like the month of October gets the privilege of kicking off the holiday season. The smell of pumpkin, the cold crisp nights, cuddling under a blanket, and every one's excitement for what they're going to do for the holidays. Not to mention all the parties and junk food you can eat!! This past weekend did not disappoint!! Nonni and Grandpa came to visit, so we decided to go to Jacob's daycare Halloween party. We all got to see the "projects" that he has been making and get a nice tour of the place he enjoys so much.  It was a really impressive party actually; including a pumpkin patch, face painting, haunted house, and a magic show.  Jacob dressed liked a lion (minus the head part) and Memo dressed like super woman.   As much as it may not look like it above...Memo really did have a good time.  The kids mostly played outside the whole time...

 Is there anything cuter than a lion dunking?!?

I love this action photo... It was hilarious watching is little "paws" move as fast as they did.

Nonni had a great idea to decorate cookies with icing. Unfortunately we never got around to it while she was still here, but Sunday night after I came home from work, we decided to do it. Mikey, being the wonderful daddy that he is, went and bought way more decorating supplies than any 19 month old needs (He is his mother's son...lol).  We had a blast decorating and eating them! Thanks for the idea Nonni!!

He decorated two cookies, but was eating one before I got a picture of it. I know that's really surprising for everyone to hear. ;0)

It was another immediate bath night after that. And luckily with my Swiffer out of commission I hadn't cleaned the floor since the painting of pumpkins night, so our floor has a wonderful tie-die theme going on!

"Beverett"

Kim and I could not have planned our pregnancies any better... Jacob and Everett are three months apart and were born to be best buddies!! Growing up myself with my cousin, who was more like my brother, I could not have been more excited when Matt and Kim told us they were pregnant at the burger restaurant that day!! It was the same place we told them we were pregnant, so when Matt picked that place for lunch I immediately looked at Mike and said "I hope their pregnant!!" LOL! Well luckily that was the case... and I knew right then and there that Jacob and Everett would have a bond like no other!

When Everett was still in Kimmy's belly, Jacob was actually excited to see him (although this picture may not accurately show his excitement.

This is one of the first photos of the boys together (see I told you Jacob was excited!). Even at such a young age Jacob knew that Everett was someone special. It's ironic how two boys who are related could be so different. From day one of Everett's life the differences were noticeable.  Everett was actually the size of a newborn, whereas Jacob was a 3 month old on his birth date. The size between them is not the only difference. As they have begun to grow older and they're personalities are developing... the more differences we see.

This photo just makes me laugh... it really has nothing to do with their relationship. LOL

As their personalities blossomed, Kimmy and I both realized that we may be in trouble!! Everett is very subdued and lets Jacob run the show. However, Everett can be quite dramatic at times and  just throw himself on the floor. Jacob on the other hand, likes to be in control and is probably the most stubborn member of this family (let's face it, that's saying something). 

They do have a big similarity... they love to give kisses!! But even the way they kiss is very different. Beverett kisses mouth wide open and Jacob kisses with just putting his mouth against you. LOL 

 They're so cute!

Although they are very different, they LOVE being with each other!! They have their squabbles here and there, but they genuinely enjoy each others company. The boys have started enjoying the same things...being outside, riding in the wagon, playing with balls, and playing with Noni and Grandpa. 

We have been so lucky that since moving away, Kimmy brings Everett up here for weekends at a time. We tend to pack those weekends full of stuff, so the boys can spend as much time together doing fun things. Like last weekend, they went to gymnastics, Bishop Farms, and Fairy Tale Land!! It's so great watching these two grow up together...it's absolutely priceless! We are so lucky to have little "Beverett"!!

Pumpkin Painting

Thank goodness for Auntie KiKi... she has some of the greatest craft ideas for kids.  I would have never thought about having the kids paint pumpkins, let alone put tape on it to make a face. The boys had a blast painting the pumpkins and themselves. There were two bonuses to the painting madness... Mike was able to make dinner in peace AND I now have an awesome Halloween decoration!!

I've never seen Jacob so focused in my life!!  He was fairly quite for 20 minutes... world record!!

Everett was just slightly more refined than Jacob in the painting process. I love the upper left hand corner picture... his expressions are hilarious!! He reminds me so much of Matt when he does a face like that... "Are you kidding me guys?!?!" LOL

Jacob definitely got the messiest (weird I know). At one point he tried painting the pumpkin with his feet! By the end he was covered in paint head to toe and needed his second bath of the day!  It was a great activity to end an already awesome day!!

Bishop Farms Extravaganza!!

We made another great discovery this past weekend... Bishop Farms!!! It's a family owned farm that has been opened to the public since 1973 (impressed with my history knowledge?!?).  The farm is way more than a farm... it has everything from live music, to pumpkins, to talking chickens, to a train!! It was SO much fun!! Mike and I have decided that this is a new family tradition!! The above picture explains our day really well... complete and utter fun chaos!!! (Family photos aren't as easy as they used to be).  We ended up hanging out there for 3 hours!!! Jacob missed his nap and Everett basically slept in the short car ride there and back, however both of them had great moods!!  The first thing we did was the train...

Both kids were in a little bit of shock when we first arrived because there were so many people and so much going on. So these photos don't truly reflect the fun that was going on.  As intimidating as the line was for the train, we actually waited only about 10-15 minutes and it cost $3.00 a grown-up. The ride was actually pretty long and we were able to see a lot of the farm. The kids loved pointing at everything.

I love these photos of Everett!! There was a little fort that the kids could climb all over and Everett really had a great time!! (Obviously...lol)

While Everett spent time climbing... Jacob spent his time in the fort riding and playing in the "shower"...

He preferred to have "dada" ride with him. 

Hands down the corniest, yet most loved thing by our children were the talking chickens. The chicken would go up and down and sing and tell jokes. Only one other person on the planet would have loved it as much as Jacob and Everett...Dayton. The chickens were full of puns!! Granted I did chuckle a bit. 

The singing was really the entertaining part for the boys. They stood there and danced for probably 20 minutes. Jacob kept saying "more chickens!" 

There was a little bit of fighting to get them to leave the chickens, but they were excited to go on a tractor ride to get their pumpkins. 

all of the cousins (wink, wink) had a great time picking their pumpkins. Jacob and Everett had the most fun sitting on their pumpkins. They cracked me up!!

Jacob found his most perfect pumpkin that he could actually pick up. He was quite proud of himself... as you can see.

Here is Mikey and Jacob on the tractor ride. Minus the having to sit on the ground... it was a blast. I only complain because it's definitely not friendly to largely pregnant women (hence no pictures of me...lol) The people on the tractor ride with us probably want to forget my sitting styles on the trailer too.

We had such a great day with Kiki and Everett!! I can't wait until we go back!! It was absolutely amazing!!

Settling In...

We are often asked how we are settling into our new home in Rocklin. I must say, quite nicely actually. As much as we miss our family and friends back home, the ability to be a family unit every night and day is something that we will never take for granted.  

 As for Mike and I, we are doing great at our jobs. Of course I still love mine (but I am looking forward to pregnancy leave, lol). Mike is really enjoying his new school. His principal and coworkers are great and he gets to work at a school that resembles Hogwarts!! The kindergartners are giving him a run for his money, but he is loving it. Jacob and I even get the opportunity to visit "Dada" at work sometimes and play on their playground!

Jacob loves his "Yee-Haw" that grandpa got him.

As for Jacob, he has started daycare at Merryhill (Mike's school) and is doing quite well with it. He no longer cries when he gets dropped off and everyday he comes home saying a new word! His vocabulary is off the charts!! He is also becoming a little social bee. The teachers say he is really concerned with other kids feelings, which is ironic because he made a kid cry today at Fairytale Land, but then he apologized. LOL. I'll brag a bit, but not too much :0). Also a bonus for Jacob living up here is being so close to Memo. Seeing as half my posts include her, I'm sure you already guessed that!

The two BFF's hanging out. When they're together they are not open to making friends with others...lol. They become very protective of each other, it's quite cute actually.

 Mike and I were talking the other day about how much more we do up here than we did in the bay area. I'm not sure if it's the excitement of new places or having a toddler, but it seems like we are always on the go.  Since moving here we have bought two annual memberships (Fairytale land and Sacramento's Children Museum), started swim lessons, gymnastics, went to the train museum, Apple Hill, and joined a play group. So needless to say we are busy and having a blast, especially Jacob. 

Jacob on a tractor at Fairy Tale Land.

We have pulled out the bounce house a few times and Jacob is actually enjoying it!!

The other thing we are loving about this area is the random things that happen during the week. For example, last night was Food Truck Mania in downtown Roseville. There was good music and great food!! The kids had a blast just running around. They do this 2nd Thursday of every month...we will definitely be going again.

A Tiny Tumbler

Jacob started gymnastics!! I use the word gymnastics very loosely. There's bars, rings, trampolines, floor pads, balance beam, spring boards, and a ball pit. At the beginning of every class there is singing and playing with little trinkets. Jacob of course skips this part every time and just starts running around on everything.  Seeing as Jacob is one of the few boys in the class... the other mothers look at us a little funny because their girls all follow directions and let's face it, boys are just different. The teacher is completely amazing and encourages independence through out the class. Jacob really loves this class and he's starting to get really good at things.

He's getting pretty good at the bar and sticks the landing every time!!

 The above pictures crack me up every time.  Whenever he goes into the ball pit he says "FACE PLANT!" and falls in head first (I tried to get it on video, but I failed). The one below that may look funny to average person (which it is), but this is his tumbling techniques. I think my dad taught him this last time they went together.

Surprise, Surprise... Jacob's favorite part is the trampoline. He loves to jump!!!

He tends to clap for himself after he does something, its pretty cute!! I love that he is being exposed to so many different things up here.

Apple Hill

We finally experienced the magic of Apple Hill yesterday.  It was everything that everybody said it would be. A few things that we learned that day about Apple Hill....

1. The higher elevation means much hotter!!!

2. It's a bunch of different farms...its not owned by one place.

3. It has everything from carnival like areas to apple picking to Christmas tree chopping

4. It's going to take a long time to see everything that Hill has to offer!

5. Jacob has a serious apple addiction!!

Jacob loved picking them off the tree! He would get so proud of himself...then he would try and take a bite, (Yes, out of every apple he picked).  We picked a almost a whole bag of apples and it only cost $4.00!! These apples were seriously the best apples I have ever eaten. Mike was especially proud of Jacob because he started having flashbacks of Papa's farm.

Your about to be impressed people. We packed a lunch and had a picnic at the first place we stopped. Granted Mike and I bought a corn dog and hot dog from there (which the corn dog was the best ever and there was a sauce that was absolutely amazing!!) Jacob enjoyed some crackers and hummus with a side of mac n' cheese and 'nana', in true hippie fashion. 

Speaking of food... We stopped at another place called Abel's Farm. It was basically a mini carnival, which Jacob was just too young for. However, we decided to have a dessert shmorgesborg!! Holy apple moly!! In the picture to the the left is your standard caramel apple, then to the right is an apple strudel, and then below is the apple dumpling. Mike actually ate the entire apple dumpling (I took one bite) all by himself!! We took the strudel home, which I noticed is conveniently missing from the counter this morning, so I am assuming Mike took it for lunch.  

I guess the 6th thing we learned about Apple Hill yesterday is to come hungry and get ready to eat A LOT!!!

We also visited a pumpkin patch up there, but didn't buy any.  Jacob amazes me every day... without prompting he called this one the "big pumpkin," and another one "green pumpkin."  I feel like he is getting so grown up so fast!! He obviously loved his big pumpkin!

This picture just cracks me up. Mike is actually saying to Jacob, "What are you doing?" Because Mike was trying to get him to pick another apple.  Jacob was just trying to be just like Daddy and squat like him. LOL it was so cute!!!