Jake's Square Dancing

Josh, Jill and I went up to Jake's school today to watch the 2nd grade square dance. It was fun and Jake did a great job.


Jake the bandito!



Jake allemande left's with his corner.



Jake promenades his partner.




Jake and his partner Kelsey.

Jill in the swing

This was Jill's first time in the swing in the backyard. She enjoyed it but kept looking right like that. Mommy is buying her a new one, though because the ropes on this one snowed all over her (they are several years old after all - 5 or so) and I don't want her eating it or getting it in her eyes.

Jake entertaining Jill Part 2

Actually, the caption is misleading, it makes it sound like this rarely happens, when in fact Jake LOVES entertaining Jill and often does it without me asking.


Here is Jill's first time in the Bumbo and Jake decided to show her all the blocks we have for her to play with. She actually enjoyed it a lot!

Jill being Cute

Can you tell I can't get enough of this kid?

Here is Jill in one of her super cute outfits that was a baby gift. Plus she is so dang happy I just had to share.

Jake and Josh Swimming!

Jake couldn't wait any longer and so, here we are in the pool. I signed the boys up for lessons at the Dads Club (it is just the same as when I was there - 15 years ago!) to get back into the swing of things for summer.

Jake begged me to sign him up last fall, but with the hurricane and a new baby, it just never happened. So, my compromise was to let him start early this spring. Josh wanted no part of swim lessons, but I knew I couldn't very well expect him to sit quietly on deck while Jake swam, so he was enrolled, too. After initially balking, he now loves going, too.

We planned on refreshing our skills with group lessons, but after the first lesson, they told me Jake was over-qualified, so they moved him up a group (to the highest group). After the second session, that teacher also told me he was over-qualified and should be on the swim team at Dads Club. I politely agreed, but since that wasn't really an option with summer league around the corner, could he please keep swimming with this group until this session of group lessons was over, that all he really wanted was to be in the water and swimming laps.

I know what you are thinking, 'what is wrong with this kid? Who in their right mind would want to swim laps all day long.' Ohhhhh, yeah, right, so never mind...

Here is Jake. Sorry the picture is kind of lame, but it is dark in there and the flash doesn't travel far.



Here is Josh learning backstroke.

Josh @ School

Josh's class goes to Dominos Pizza!




Josh and Justin make their own pizza to cook and eat.





Josh takes Jordan for a ride on the playground.





Close up of Josh...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Jill in one of her cute Vday outfits.




Here is another.




Mom with her Valentines!

Jill Talks

For those of you who are a little farther away I wanted to post a little video of Jill doing some talking. Now, I apologize that it is out of focus a little, I had to use a different camera since my video is not compatible with the blog, but I wanted you to see just how freakin' cute she is.

Josh's 5th Birthday!

For Josh's 5th Birthday, we decided to have it out of the house since he wanted all his classmates to come. With a 3 month old I wasn't ready to entertain, so I jumped at the chance.

We decided to have it at Monkey Bizness. It is one of those places where they have a huge room with 4 big bouncy moonwalk things and you slide, jump, and climb until you pass out. It was tons of fun and no clean up!


Jake climbs the rock wall. He didn't make it all the way up, but he was proud to announce he went farther than he ever has before!



Josh's classmate Holly climbs to the top of the bouncy rock wall.




Kiki and Owen come down the slide in the bounce house.





Josh and classmate Luke take a pic in front of one of the bounce houses.

Josh comes down the super huge slide.

Justin, Jake and Jake's friend Colter have a spirited boxing match with oversized gloves.

Auntie Kiki, Mommy, Jill, and Auntie Courtney take a break from the fun.

Josh's birthday cakes. We had to find someone to make them as they were a very special request. If you want her name, call. They were yummy!

The fam gets a pic with the cake.

Josh shows off his new Indiana Jones LEGO set from Aunt Judy. Won't daddy have a fun weekend putting that together!

Random Cuteness

Josh receiving a Happy Birthday call from Auntie Michelle in Switzerland. Yes, he is sitting in the middle of the street. He was laying down for a while, too.



Auntie Courtney poses with all her nieces and nephews. She likes visiting and then getting to go home in peace.



Auntie Kiki plays street hockey with Owen in PJs, Josh as Buzz Lightyear and Jake as normal.




Josh and Jill watch TV.

Monster Jam!

Justin took the boys to Monster Jam (twice) this year. Yay for fun dad stuff! Here are some pics he snapped of the boys enjoying their outing.



Josh waves his checkered flag and cheers for Maximum Destruction!



Jake waits for his favorite truck, Grave Digger, to compete.



Max D

Another family favorite, El Toro Loco. He usually ends up broken and missing his horns at the end of the night. Now you know why he is a family favorite!

More Basketball

Basketball Update

Jake's team had their 4th game this weekend. Unfortunately, they did not win, again, so they are winless on the year, but they have improved immeasurably since the season started.

Jake made his 1st point of the year this weekend. He was very proud and excited and was even given a special recognition by his coach. Though, in my opinion he is unsurpassed at defense. His player never touches the ball. The 2 pics below will demonstrate how he "blankets" his man on defense. The poor kid can hardly move.

Jake hoping to catch a pass from a teammate.

More Jill Smiles and a frown

Here are some super sweet pics of Jill including a great smile Grandeb got the other night!


Jill doing her best Jake pouty lip!





Jill moments earlier giving her biggest smile yet to Courtney and Anthony.




Jill visits with Sunny.

Jill just being sweet while at Grandeb's during mom's sewing class.