As we come to the end of the year 2008, I would like to make a note of how grateful I am. I feel so blessed to have all that I have.
I have an amazing husband with a job(especially during these hard economic times) that he works very hard at to provide for our family.
We have a warm home to shelter our family, food on the table (sometimes more than we really even need), a vehicle that gets us where we need to be, clothing, and cozy beds and even a little extra to do fun things together.
I am grateful for my health. I am grateful that I have a strong (well- I try) and very capable body that allows me to care for my boys and to do the fun and active things that our family enjoys so much.
We have three amazing boys that are healthy and strong, and even if I complain a bit about it, I am so happy they are so crazy and full of life.
I am especially grateful for the LITTLE unexpected MOMENTS that make me LAUGH! I am lucky to have a husband and 3 little boys that definately keep me laughing.
Did I mention my amazing husband? I really lucked out to have found such a wonderful guy that I know loves and adores me so much. He loves our boys so deeply and is a very fun dad for them.
I am grateful to have such wonderful parents and siblings that are so close and so actively part of our life.
I am grateful for my grandparents. I have been so lucky to have known all four of them and have had them closely apart of my life for as long as I can remember. Now, my own children are having the opportunity to develop close relationships with them. They love going to G-G-ma's and G-G-pa's. I am so grateful for the opportunity to live so close to them and to be able to serve them.
I am grateful to have such a close relationship with Dan's family. They have loved me as a daughter and sister from the moment I first met them.
I am grateful that my boys are BEST FRIENDS with their cousins.
I am grateful that we have so many dear friends. We have many that we have been friends with since our childhoods and some that we have recently met that feel like we have been friends since the beginning. You have become just as close as family. We are so lucky to have friends we know we can count on for anything. We love you. Thank You!
I am also incredibly grateful to have the gospel of Jesus Christ play the main role in my life. Honestly, where would we be without the knowledge of HIS great love and sacrifice for us. I am grateful for the ATTONEMENT. To know that even when I make mistakes (no matter how terrible) I CAN be FORGIVEN. I don't EVER have to be lost or alone.
I am grateful to KNOW that my family can be TOGETHER FOREVER.
I AM SO BLESSED!
I hope as this next year plays out, I will be able to keep my focus on these things that matter the very most to me.
I LOVE this LIFE!
I wish the very best to all of our wonderful and dear family and friends in the upcoming year. May we all find happiness and learn to LOVE THE LIFE that we have been given.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The Jacobs Crew
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Top Secret Classified: 2008
This is the Christmas letter we sent out to our family and far away friends. There was of course a cute picture of the kids and of Dan and I, but those pics are already posted here on the blog so...
I thought I would post the letter portion for those of you we couldn't get a letter to. And to have a record of this fine piece and to show off my hubby's creative talent a bit.
Top Secret Classified:
OPERATION: I don't speak Whinese! 2008
Esteemed collegues. Many agents were lost to insanity, and one to a TPLM (Toddler Propelled "Lightning McQueen") in bringing you this information. After a detailed and thorough 12 month investigation, it is determined that Family "J" poses no real threat to national security after all. It has been determined, however, that anyone too close of quarters is subject to a litany of potential boo-boo's ouchies and bonked noggins. Many of which, by the screeching the kids make after incurring said injuries are nearly fatal. The fact detailed below speak for themselves. We have used code for their first names in case of this mission being compromised....
Hercules: Poses as a plain-clothes Credit Specialist for a local Oil Company. He was promoted to "Manager" under curious circumstances. Dubiously drives around a mini-van as to not blow his cover. He has been known to consume a small country's worth of calories in a single sitting. Has an affinity for sports of all kinds. He's often threatened to complete his Master's Degree. Agents often take this treat semi-seriously and mostly consider it "chatter". His secret weapon seems to be an operatic singing. Many covert operatives posing as birthday guests were later found uncouscience and bleeding from the ears after his infamous birthday song attack.
Mama Mia: Classy lady with the patience of Job. She can endure endless amounts of torture in the form of 3 screeching children while watching 4 howling others. Do not mess with this woman! She believes that "Water-Boarding" is an activity at the lake. She seems to enjoy the punishment her children mete out and often can be found smiling or laughing through it all. Hercules seems to be particularly interested in her, although she can side-step his advances with the grace and strength of a Russian Ballerina. She did disappear with said Hunk for 7 days and it is rumored they rendezvoused in tropical Cancun, Mexico to devise more sinister plots against our security. All agents attempts at following the couple were thwarted.
Check Mate: So named due to his propensity at the game of chess. Might I remind you he is only 5 years old! He can be found, coloring, jumping on the tramp, pestering his younger brother, and is starting to read quite well. As stated, his newest thing is playing chess, which if left unattended, he will do for hours on end. He has even been found doing this against himself. (It is amazing how he always wins THOSE matches...) We are keeping a close eye on this potential talent as we are supicious that his game playing might be a guise to more nefarious schemes. We fear he could defeat us with nothing but his mind powers if it were his wish. Truly, we are all just pawns in his hands...
Chortle: Don't let the name fool you! This 4 year old is made of pure steel! The superman shirt underneath his clothing is not just a costume! We watched him take a fork to the eye, a "Matchbox Car" missile to the dome, and a flying header down 2 flights of stairs only to get back up after a couple minutes of "fake" crying and play as though nothing had happened. I have watched groomed agents fold like so much laundry under less duress. He has also been know to defeat inflatable punching bags in 10 minutes flat. He has a dangerous wit as well... Comments like, "I threw Lightning McQueen at the big bouncy ball and the bouncy ball threw it back" (as blood poured down his face) are frequent. We know that he is a formidable foe, one that we won't easily subdue. Time-outs seem to have no effect on this fellow.
No, I Go: Named after his favorite word and the fact he thinks he can go and do whatever he wants. This 1 year old is spry, limber, determined, and independent. He is a true recipe for disaster and mayhem. He can disrupt solace and order in a matter of seconds and has been seen running from room to room laughter and discord in tandem...His ability to subdue with a smile one second and then shred your eardrum with his howling the next, makes him a deadly adversary.
Consider yourself briefed... this message will most-likely NOT self-destruct.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Family "J"
I thought I would post the letter portion for those of you we couldn't get a letter to. And to have a record of this fine piece and to show off my hubby's creative talent a bit.
Top Secret Classified:
OPERATION: I don't speak Whinese! 2008
Esteemed collegues. Many agents were lost to insanity, and one to a TPLM (Toddler Propelled "Lightning McQueen") in bringing you this information. After a detailed and thorough 12 month investigation, it is determined that Family "J" poses no real threat to national security after all. It has been determined, however, that anyone too close of quarters is subject to a litany of potential boo-boo's ouchies and bonked noggins. Many of which, by the screeching the kids make after incurring said injuries are nearly fatal. The fact detailed below speak for themselves. We have used code for their first names in case of this mission being compromised....
Hercules: Poses as a plain-clothes Credit Specialist for a local Oil Company. He was promoted to "Manager" under curious circumstances. Dubiously drives around a mini-van as to not blow his cover. He has been known to consume a small country's worth of calories in a single sitting. Has an affinity for sports of all kinds. He's often threatened to complete his Master's Degree. Agents often take this treat semi-seriously and mostly consider it "chatter". His secret weapon seems to be an operatic singing. Many covert operatives posing as birthday guests were later found uncouscience and bleeding from the ears after his infamous birthday song attack.
Mama Mia: Classy lady with the patience of Job. She can endure endless amounts of torture in the form of 3 screeching children while watching 4 howling others. Do not mess with this woman! She believes that "Water-Boarding" is an activity at the lake. She seems to enjoy the punishment her children mete out and often can be found smiling or laughing through it all. Hercules seems to be particularly interested in her, although she can side-step his advances with the grace and strength of a Russian Ballerina. She did disappear with said Hunk for 7 days and it is rumored they rendezvoused in tropical Cancun, Mexico to devise more sinister plots against our security. All agents attempts at following the couple were thwarted.
Check Mate: So named due to his propensity at the game of chess. Might I remind you he is only 5 years old! He can be found, coloring, jumping on the tramp, pestering his younger brother, and is starting to read quite well. As stated, his newest thing is playing chess, which if left unattended, he will do for hours on end. He has even been found doing this against himself. (It is amazing how he always wins THOSE matches...) We are keeping a close eye on this potential talent as we are supicious that his game playing might be a guise to more nefarious schemes. We fear he could defeat us with nothing but his mind powers if it were his wish. Truly, we are all just pawns in his hands...
Chortle: Don't let the name fool you! This 4 year old is made of pure steel! The superman shirt underneath his clothing is not just a costume! We watched him take a fork to the eye, a "Matchbox Car" missile to the dome, and a flying header down 2 flights of stairs only to get back up after a couple minutes of "fake" crying and play as though nothing had happened. I have watched groomed agents fold like so much laundry under less duress. He has also been know to defeat inflatable punching bags in 10 minutes flat. He has a dangerous wit as well... Comments like, "I threw Lightning McQueen at the big bouncy ball and the bouncy ball threw it back" (as blood poured down his face) are frequent. We know that he is a formidable foe, one that we won't easily subdue. Time-outs seem to have no effect on this fellow.
No, I Go: Named after his favorite word and the fact he thinks he can go and do whatever he wants. This 1 year old is spry, limber, determined, and independent. He is a true recipe for disaster and mayhem. He can disrupt solace and order in a matter of seconds and has been seen running from room to room laughter and discord in tandem...His ability to subdue with a smile one second and then shred your eardrum with his howling the next, makes him a deadly adversary.
Consider yourself briefed... this message will most-likely NOT self-destruct.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Family "J"
Thursday, December 18, 2008
10 Years and Still going Strong!
Once upon a time there was a BOY...
...who fell in LoVe with a GIRL.
They started out just singing together with Laytones....
(singing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer- gotta love the look on everyone's faces)
( Homecoming Dance )
and dated...
MORP
...and dated...
Prom
...and that is just a few captured moments. (I am only willing to scan in so many pictures here)
For 4 years they stuck together.....
They SEALED the DEAL on December 18, 1998
Now this BOY and this GIRL are still
HAVING FUN!
*** SPICEY FOREVER BABE!***
...who fell in LoVe with a GIRL.
They started out just singing together with Laytones....
(singing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer- gotta love the look on everyone's faces)
Then they dated...
( Homecoming Dance )
and dated...
MORP
...and dated...
Prom
...and that is just a few captured moments. (I am only willing to scan in so many pictures here)
For 4 years they stuck together.....
through high school
and college
and mission
and FINALLY....
They SEALED the DEAL on December 18, 1998
Now this BOY and this GIRL are still
HAVING FUN!
*** SPICEY FOREVER BABE!***HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
"Special Times"
Once upon a time there were three brothers: Tracen Daniel, Tyler Keith , and Tate Leo who are such "good" little boys..... usually. Here are a few "special" moments.
Tracen and Tyler's (mainly Tracen- Tyler seems to get dragged along) latest interest.
Tracen is actually pretty darn good. He has even been known to give DAD a run for his money.
Tracen has also FALLEN IN LOVE with THE GIRL NEXT DOOR. (just like his pappy)
His new BEST friend is TRISTYN TUTTLE from his kindergarten class. She is also in our ward and lives a few houses down from us. The above pic is of the MARRIAGE PROPOSAL he gave to her on Friday. Notice the nice little house he has planned for her with the Christmas tree in the window and the wreath on the door. Ahhh.... TRUE LOVE!
Unfortunately, since birth, Tate has had "issues" with his little digestive system. He has had a very hard time POOPING to the point of him writhing in pain on the floor. (I know you all are just thrilled that I have chosen this to talk about) It is just SO SAD. So we have been LOADING the POOR KID up on PRUNE JUICE in hopes to help him losen up. Well, one evening, I was giving him a bath (one of the RARE times he has actually gotten one ALONE) when I noticed he was creating his very own BUBBLE BATH. I began to feel concerned of things to come so I quickly placed him here...
Needless to say, this did (literally) KNOCK him out of his FIT... and onto a new one.
**GOOD TIMES at the JACOBS.**
Tracen and Tyler's (mainly Tracen- Tyler seems to get dragged along) latest interest.
Tracen is actually pretty darn good. He has even been known to give DAD a run for his money.
Tracen has also FALLEN IN LOVE with THE GIRL NEXT DOOR. (just like his pappy)
His new BEST friend is TRISTYN TUTTLE from his kindergarten class. She is also in our ward and lives a few houses down from us. The above pic is of the MARRIAGE PROPOSAL he gave to her on Friday. Notice the nice little house he has planned for her with the Christmas tree in the window and the wreath on the door. Ahhh.... TRUE LOVE!
TRACEN and TRISTYN, it truly does not get cuter than that.
** A little side note to this: I am all for ARRANGED MARRIAGES when it comes to my boys especially in regards to this little love affair. So Carrie, we need to talk more about this.**
Tate has had, as Tyler puts it "some hard of times" lately.
Unfortunately, since birth, Tate has had "issues" with his little digestive system. He has had a very hard time POOPING to the point of him writhing in pain on the floor. (I know you all are just thrilled that I have chosen this to talk about) It is just SO SAD. So we have been LOADING the POOR KID up on PRUNE JUICE in hopes to help him losen up. Well, one evening, I was giving him a bath (one of the RARE times he has actually gotten one ALONE) when I noticed he was creating his very own BUBBLE BATH. I began to feel concerned of things to come so I quickly placed him here...
.... and just in time too. Boy that could have been a HUGE disaster!
Kind of like this next story...
Now for those of you who thought the above story was "TOO MUCH INFORMATION" I give you fair WARNING of the content of this next story.
It was a PERECTLY LAZY SATURDAY MORNING. We all slept in, and thought we would indulge ourselves with OATMEAL BANANA GRINCH CAKES! (aka.green pancakes at Christmas time)We were having such a lovely time, it is hard to know just where it all went wrong. The older boys started getting a bit crazy (normal)running around the island and playing the movie quote game when Tate decided he had HAD ENOUGH. I honestly do not remember what set him off, but he began to through a TREMENDOUS TANTRUM. Complete with head being thrown back and body being propelled onto the floor with legs kicking. Now when Tate begins such episodes, we have learned that HE WILL NOT BE CONSOLED and it is best to just IGNORE him. So we left him to his FIT on the FLOOR. Now WARNING this is where the TOO MUCH INFO comes into play. Dan atomatically went into his best DEFENSE mode, picked me up, threw me onto the island and showed me his BEST PASSIONATE KISSING technique and in the process we knocked a 25 POUND BAG of OATS off of the counter and onto our POOR LITTLE TATE who if you'll remember was still pulling his TREMENDOUS TANTRUM on the floor.
So what else do you do (after making sure your child is OK) but take a picture.
Needless to say, this did (literally) KNOCK him out of his FIT... and onto a new one.
**GOOD TIMES at the JACOBS.**
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The Jacobs' Halls are Decked!
So my amazingly talented friend Bethany gave a little challenge for all to share their favorite Christmas ornament(s) and why. So here is a little post about some of my favorite Christmas things.
Growing up, as many do, my family had the "PRETTY TREE" and the "KID TREE". The "PRETTY TREE" was dressed beautifully with all my mom's pretty/breakable ornaments. It usually had white lights and pretty bows. Then there was the "KID TREE" which belonged to us kids. It had colored lights, NOTHING BREAKABLE, was adorned with ornaments we kids had made, sentimental ornaments like the ones we each got with our date of birth on it, and my dad's specially made ornaments which he made out of all our family's old season ski passes. This was a fun tree.
Well, here is my attempt at the "PRETTY TREE":
And the "KID TREE":
Because my kids are just in the beginnings of bringing home ornaments and decor they made at school, this tree is still a work in progress.
**Notice that it is decorated as to be TATE PROOF!**
So to get this tree started, we did a little FHE with the kids and made our own salt dough ornaments. They got to help make the dough, cut them out, and then their favorite part... PAINT them.
Here is one of my masterpieces:
And here are a couple of the boys:
They decided didn't want THEIR ornaments hung on the BIG tree, they wanted ALL of their ornaments hung on their very OWN tree, so here IT is:
Another something I have started doing is collecting Nativity Sets.
This is the very FIRST NATIVITY sets we got when we were first married.
This next NATIVITY was given to us as an anonymous 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN. We recieved 1 piece of the set every night with the scripture telling of the meaning of the piece. I thought that was a really neat idea.
This set we got last year for our boys. THEY LOVE IT. I LOVE IT. Finally a set THEY can use to tell the story of JESUS' BIRTH without mom in a panic for fear of breakage.
This set was given to me by one of my great old roommates from Utah State who knew I was collecting them. It is hand carved from wood and from South Africa! I LOVE IT!
Now to my very FAVORITE one. We got this set in Mexico many years ago. It is made of Mexican Pewter and will NEVER tarnish!
To end I will share one final CHRISTMAS TRADITION that we do.
Every year, we hang a single white stocking.
This stocking is for our SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. Because HE is the REASON for the SEASON, we hang it to remind us whose birth we celebrate. On CHRISTMAS EVE each of us puts (on paper) their GIFT TO CHRIST in this white stocking. Then on NEW YEARS EVE we read aloud(anonymously) what each gift is and dedicate to accomplish this GOAL/GIFT throughout the up coming year. I am hoping this tradition helps our children to focus on the TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS and to set Christ-center goals.
May we all have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and always remember to just...
Growing up, as many do, my family had the "PRETTY TREE" and the "KID TREE". The "PRETTY TREE" was dressed beautifully with all my mom's pretty/breakable ornaments. It usually had white lights and pretty bows. Then there was the "KID TREE" which belonged to us kids. It had colored lights, NOTHING BREAKABLE, was adorned with ornaments we kids had made, sentimental ornaments like the ones we each got with our date of birth on it, and my dad's specially made ornaments which he made out of all our family's old season ski passes. This was a fun tree.
Well, here is my attempt at the "PRETTY TREE":
And the "KID TREE":
Because my kids are just in the beginnings of bringing home ornaments and decor they made at school, this tree is still a work in progress.
**Notice that it is decorated as to be TATE PROOF!**
So to get this tree started, we did a little FHE with the kids and made our own salt dough ornaments. They got to help make the dough, cut them out, and then their favorite part... PAINT them.
Here is one of my masterpieces:
And here are a couple of the boys:
They decided didn't want THEIR ornaments hung on the BIG tree, they wanted ALL of their ornaments hung on their very OWN tree, so here IT is:
Another something I have started doing is collecting Nativity Sets.
This is the very FIRST NATIVITY sets we got when we were first married.
This next NATIVITY was given to us as an anonymous 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN. We recieved 1 piece of the set every night with the scripture telling of the meaning of the piece. I thought that was a really neat idea.
This set we got last year for our boys. THEY LOVE IT. I LOVE IT. Finally a set THEY can use to tell the story of JESUS' BIRTH without mom in a panic for fear of breakage.
This set was given to me by one of my great old roommates from Utah State who knew I was collecting them. It is hand carved from wood and from South Africa! I LOVE IT!
Now to my very FAVORITE one. We got this set in Mexico many years ago. It is made of Mexican Pewter and will NEVER tarnish!
To end I will share one final CHRISTMAS TRADITION that we do.
Every year, we hang a single white stocking.
This stocking is for our SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. Because HE is the REASON for the SEASON, we hang it to remind us whose birth we celebrate. On CHRISTMAS EVE each of us puts (on paper) their GIFT TO CHRIST in this white stocking. Then on NEW YEARS EVE we read aloud(anonymously) what each gift is and dedicate to accomplish this GOAL/GIFT throughout the up coming year. I am hoping this tradition helps our children to focus on the TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS and to set Christ-center goals.
May we all have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and always remember to just...
Monday, December 8, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to MY Mr. Jon Daniel Jacobs!
Today is the day, as is every year, that my love has finally reached the day when he is as old as me! So to celebrate him I have picked a few great pictures that capture some of the many things I LOVE about him.
He was a dang cute kid!
He was a dang cute kid!
My first impression of Dan:
*An all around HOTTY!
We met at Layton High in 1993!
As I got to know him:
*Still a HOTTY! With a special nack for ALWAYS finding a way to get me to LaUgH!
A STEADY and LOYAL friend!
*Still the HOTTEST one of the bunch! (sorry guys)
These guys are all STILL good friends and this is only part of the group.
They have all been friends since Jr. High!
My BESTEST friend!
A Fantastic HUSBAND and ....... :)
A WONDERFUL and SILLY daddy!
And he is ALL MINE!
Thank You my LoVe for ALWAYS being YOU!
Happy 31st Birthday!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Playing Catch Up!
WOW! The month of November completely flew by with out me, I think. So I have done two posts to try to capture the 2 main events I missed. The first being our AMAZING and CRAZY Thanksgiving and the second being a tribute to our sweet Tyler who turned the much awaited 4 years old on November 22nd. So enjoy.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
It all began with a few of these:
...a LOT of this:
... and that is how Thanksgiving was born.
So to celebrate this year, ALL of the Jacob's clan came in to town. When I say ALL, I mean all 29 of us. Dan has 6 siblings, 6 in-laws, 2 parents, and there are a total of 15 grandkids. We took this crew up to the Stratford Family Cabin (my family's) located in beautiful Eden, Utah. Most arrived on Monday with the remaining 2 arriving on Thursday and stayed through Saturday morning. We had a lot of fun together. We played cards, rode on the 4-wheelers, the men golfed (4 TIMES!), we went to the temple together, the ladies saw Twilight (let me just say I was NOT impressed), played cards, went to Surf-n-Swim, had family pictures taken (THANK YOU SO MUCH DAD!) and lastly and definately one of the BEST things we did was... the men took all the kids to the Fun Center in Layton while the women stayed at the cabin and made pies! You might wonder how that was the BEST? Well, because while we were making the pies, we took turns getting a 30 minute message from a professional Massage Therapist that we hired to come up to the cabin. It was AMAZING! I think that is a Thanksgiving tradition we should definately keep. In fact, because all us ladies were so "relaxed" look at what we accomplished!
Yes, you counted correctly, we made 13 PIES! There were 3 apple, 2 pumpkin, 2 cherry, 1 pumpkin chocolate cheescake, 2 chocolate caramel cream, 2 pecan, and 1 german chocolate pie. And YES, we ate every bit of everyone of them. And YES, that is the ONLY picture I remembered or even thought to take of this entire vacation.
It was truly WONDERFUL to see Dan's family in it's insanely CRAZY and LOUD entirety. As CRAZY as it definately was at times, I hope we will do this again!(except let's leave out the breaking of one 4-wheeler, 2 ovens, the smoking up of the cabin, and Kyle having to "save" a missing Haylie that was never missing:)Love to ALL the Jacob's!
** A very special thanks goes out to my parents for all of their extremely hard work in getting the cabin ready for such a crew. It was and is always the perfect place to be with family.**
...a LOT of this:
... and that is how Thanksgiving was born.
So to celebrate this year, ALL of the Jacob's clan came in to town. When I say ALL, I mean all 29 of us. Dan has 6 siblings, 6 in-laws, 2 parents, and there are a total of 15 grandkids. We took this crew up to the Stratford Family Cabin (my family's) located in beautiful Eden, Utah. Most arrived on Monday with the remaining 2 arriving on Thursday and stayed through Saturday morning. We had a lot of fun together. We played cards, rode on the 4-wheelers, the men golfed (4 TIMES!), we went to the temple together, the ladies saw Twilight (let me just say I was NOT impressed), played cards, went to Surf-n-Swim, had family pictures taken (THANK YOU SO MUCH DAD!) and lastly and definately one of the BEST things we did was... the men took all the kids to the Fun Center in Layton while the women stayed at the cabin and made pies! You might wonder how that was the BEST? Well, because while we were making the pies, we took turns getting a 30 minute message from a professional Massage Therapist that we hired to come up to the cabin. It was AMAZING! I think that is a Thanksgiving tradition we should definately keep. In fact, because all us ladies were so "relaxed" look at what we accomplished!
Yes, you counted correctly, we made 13 PIES! There were 3 apple, 2 pumpkin, 2 cherry, 1 pumpkin chocolate cheescake, 2 chocolate caramel cream, 2 pecan, and 1 german chocolate pie. And YES, we ate every bit of everyone of them. And YES, that is the ONLY picture I remembered or even thought to take of this entire vacation.
It was truly WONDERFUL to see Dan's family in it's insanely CRAZY and LOUD entirety. As CRAZY as it definately was at times, I hope we will do this again!(except let's leave out the breaking of one 4-wheeler, 2 ovens, the smoking up of the cabin, and Kyle having to "save" a missing Haylie that was never missing:)Love to ALL the Jacob's!
** A very special thanks goes out to my parents for all of their extremely hard work in getting the cabin ready for such a crew. It was and is always the perfect place to be with family.**
Monday, December 1, 2008
HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY TYLER!
It was April 1, 2003. April Fools Day. Now I am usually one that thoroughly enjoys a good joke. So of course I was trying to plan the "perfect" joke to play on my Dan. I thought to myself, "Wouldn't it be funny to give Dan a big scare and give him a pregnancy test. He wouldn't know how to read it, so he wouldn't know that it was really negative. Yeah, that would REALLY freak him out since Tracen is only 8 months old." So I just happen to have one on hand, (come on ladies, you know you have a few stuffed in the bathroom closet) and pulled it out. Now as I was "taking the test" the thought did cross my mind... "what if?... Nope... No way"... and I set it on the counter to WAIT. 3 minutes later... APRIL FOOLS... on me, not Dan. Yup, 2 gigantic pink lines. I was pregnant! WOW! What a joke! I couldn't wait till Dan got home, so I called him. The conversation went something like this, Dan: "Hello!"
Me: "Hello, my love."
Dan: "Hi, love. What's up?"
Me: "So I had this really great April Fools Day joke to play on you but... well..."
Dan: "YOU'RE PREGNANT! Aren't you? I had this feeling... Deanne, what are we going to do?"
Me: "Umm...love...we're going to have another baby and THAT is NO JOKE!"
And that was the beginnings of our TYLER'S TEASINGS.
Tyler then lead me to believe that I had a chance for a V-back (since Tracen was C-section) because everything was going wonderful in the pregnancy. That is until I went to one of my last appointments to "see how far along I was". That was when my doctor announced, "Oh my, I think this kid has flipped!" "What? What does THAT mean?" "His head is up, his bum is down. He is breech!(aka he's going to come out BUTT FIRST-just like his sweet mammy did)" So after attempting to turn the stubborn kid and without success, it was determined that I would have to have a 2nd C-section. So we scheduled the date to be November 29, 2004, approximately 1 week, and after Thanksgiving, before his due date. Ok, so we have a plan, not the plan I had hoped for, BUT a plan... or so I thought...
So Dan and I were trying to finish remodeling our basement before Tyler arrived, which included fresh walls, paint, new carpet, a beautiful rock fireplace and an amazing log cabin play house built out of the "under the stairs" nook. We had come to the end, the carpet would be layed just before Tyler arrived, and we (meaning my Dad, my Mom, my Dad, Dan, my Dad) were trying to get the logs on the play house and the mantel on the fireplace stained. Well, apparently I did not get far enough away from the strong smell of stain, because I began having what I thought were quite mild contractions. They started early that morning around 3am and were fairly consistant throughout the day. My mom was at the house helping my dad. I told her I thought I had started having contractions. Her response? "Deanne your still two weeks out, you've been on your feet too long, go lay down. We've almost got this done." So, like a good girl, I obeyed. I figured she must be right. These contractions were consistant, BUT, they really did NOT HURT, so they must not be real. I say, WHAT WAS I THINKING? Then about 7pm, I had some kind of reality check because I had the "thought" that I should at least call the hospital to let them know I "might" be coming in tonight and to prepare for the C-section. Well, while on the phone, the contractions got a bit stronger, and the nurse insisted I come in ASAP. So we packed up, left my parents at our house to finish "THE PROJECT", and Dan rushed us to McKay Dee. When we arrived, they of course insisted on checking me right away. Well, it is a darn good thing they did, because I was at a 9. Hello? The contractions only just begun to hurt. How in the world did I progress that far and NOT know it. Man, I am DUMB! So they rushed me in, strapped me down, cut me open.. Oh and Dan had the nerve to say, "Dee, can you smell that?" "Smell what?" "The smoke from them cutting you open?" Now, this is our 2nd time around with the C-section thing, I know what happens, BUT geez, did he have to say that? (love you honey) Good thing I am not bothered by that kind of thing. Anyway, at 10:35pm November 22,2004 our little stinker, I mean sweet TYLER KEITH JACOBS was born. He weighed in at 7lbs 8oz and 21 inches long. He was PERFECT! No trama from labor, a little bruised on the butt, (that's what happens when you put your best side forward first:)), and he had tons of thick, light brown hair with white blonde highlight streaking through it! I am NOT exaggerating. I had never seen that much BLONDE hair on a newborn before. And I could tell his eyes were going to be very different from Tracen dark brown eyes right from the beginning. Oh yes, JUST PERFECT!
Tyler is a tease to this day. He is stil marching to the beat of his own drum. Doing things his own way. He is sweet and SO agreeable, when HE decides to be. He LOVES his brothers. I knew that Tyler and Tracen would be the dearest of friends. And they are... in between some amazing fights. Tyler can quote almost every movie he has seen, he knows all his letters and their sounds, LOVES to spell his name, and is very proud to write the letter T everywhere! He has a very different "look" than his brothers. He is very "Stratford". He is very proud that he has the same name as his grandpa (Keith)and that they both have blue eyes.
HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY TYLER!!! WE LOVE YOU.
Me: "Hello, my love."
Dan: "Hi, love. What's up?"
Me: "So I had this really great April Fools Day joke to play on you but... well..."
Dan: "YOU'RE PREGNANT! Aren't you? I had this feeling... Deanne, what are we going to do?"
Me: "Umm...love...we're going to have another baby and THAT is NO JOKE!"
And that was the beginnings of our TYLER'S TEASINGS.
Tyler then lead me to believe that I had a chance for a V-back (since Tracen was C-section) because everything was going wonderful in the pregnancy. That is until I went to one of my last appointments to "see how far along I was". That was when my doctor announced, "Oh my, I think this kid has flipped!" "What? What does THAT mean?" "His head is up, his bum is down. He is breech!(aka he's going to come out BUTT FIRST-just like his sweet mammy did)" So after attempting to turn the stubborn kid and without success, it was determined that I would have to have a 2nd C-section. So we scheduled the date to be November 29, 2004, approximately 1 week, and after Thanksgiving, before his due date. Ok, so we have a plan, not the plan I had hoped for, BUT a plan... or so I thought...
So Dan and I were trying to finish remodeling our basement before Tyler arrived, which included fresh walls, paint, new carpet, a beautiful rock fireplace and an amazing log cabin play house built out of the "under the stairs" nook. We had come to the end, the carpet would be layed just before Tyler arrived, and we (meaning my Dad, my Mom, my Dad, Dan, my Dad) were trying to get the logs on the play house and the mantel on the fireplace stained. Well, apparently I did not get far enough away from the strong smell of stain, because I began having what I thought were quite mild contractions. They started early that morning around 3am and were fairly consistant throughout the day. My mom was at the house helping my dad. I told her I thought I had started having contractions. Her response? "Deanne your still two weeks out, you've been on your feet too long, go lay down. We've almost got this done." So, like a good girl, I obeyed. I figured she must be right. These contractions were consistant, BUT, they really did NOT HURT, so they must not be real. I say, WHAT WAS I THINKING? Then about 7pm, I had some kind of reality check because I had the "thought" that I should at least call the hospital to let them know I "might" be coming in tonight and to prepare for the C-section. Well, while on the phone, the contractions got a bit stronger, and the nurse insisted I come in ASAP. So we packed up, left my parents at our house to finish "THE PROJECT", and Dan rushed us to McKay Dee. When we arrived, they of course insisted on checking me right away. Well, it is a darn good thing they did, because I was at a 9. Hello? The contractions only just begun to hurt. How in the world did I progress that far and NOT know it. Man, I am DUMB! So they rushed me in, strapped me down, cut me open.. Oh and Dan had the nerve to say, "Dee, can you smell that?" "Smell what?" "The smoke from them cutting you open?" Now, this is our 2nd time around with the C-section thing, I know what happens, BUT geez, did he have to say that? (love you honey) Good thing I am not bothered by that kind of thing. Anyway, at 10:35pm November 22,2004 our little stinker, I mean sweet TYLER KEITH JACOBS was born. He weighed in at 7lbs 8oz and 21 inches long. He was PERFECT! No trama from labor, a little bruised on the butt, (that's what happens when you put your best side forward first:)), and he had tons of thick, light brown hair with white blonde highlight streaking through it! I am NOT exaggerating. I had never seen that much BLONDE hair on a newborn before. And I could tell his eyes were going to be very different from Tracen dark brown eyes right from the beginning. Oh yes, JUST PERFECT!
Tyler is a tease to this day. He is stil marching to the beat of his own drum. Doing things his own way. He is sweet and SO agreeable, when HE decides to be. He LOVES his brothers. I knew that Tyler and Tracen would be the dearest of friends. And they are... in between some amazing fights. Tyler can quote almost every movie he has seen, he knows all his letters and their sounds, LOVES to spell his name, and is very proud to write the letter T everywhere! He has a very different "look" than his brothers. He is very "Stratford". He is very proud that he has the same name as his grandpa (Keith)and that they both have blue eyes.
HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY TYLER!!! WE LOVE YOU.
***For Tyler's B-day, he had a super hero party with all the family. The kids all got to dress up as super heroes. Tyler dressed as his very favorite hero, DASH INCREDIBLE!
This is where I found Dash only moments before the party was to begin.
This is the amazing DASH INCREDIBLE B-day cake that Tyler requested. It was extra special because his very own amazing Uncle Joel made it just for him.
And THIS is one the many B-day presents that quickly became a favorite AND just as quickly POPPED! With MUSCLES like these, it's amazing it lasted as long as it did.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Good to go.... Good to come back!
Isn't that how it always is? You count down the seconds to leaving, to having that perfect vacation to "get away" from the crazy life, the KIDS, the EVERYTHING so you can RELAX and let go of all RESPONSIBILITIES and then when you are FINALLY there you are almost doing the same thing to come home, to get back to "that crazy life", to hang with your kids, to doing EVERYTHING you left behind. WHY IS THAT? It's not right! (Or is it?)
Not to say we didn't have an ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL TIME, because WE DID! It is just so nice to be back. To be perfectly honest, we actually MISSED OUR BOYS! A LOT!
Here are just a few of the 100 or so pictures we took on our little 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY excursion to CANCUN (actually Playa) MEXICO! We've been home for over a week now, it about time we get this posted.
If you can't read it, it says:
Dear Client, Please take all your BELON GINGS when you leave the vehicle.......
Not to say we didn't have an ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL TIME, because WE DID! It is just so nice to be back. To be perfectly honest, we actually MISSED OUR BOYS! A LOT!
Here are just a few of the 100 or so pictures we took on our little 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY excursion to CANCUN (actually Playa) MEXICO! We've been home for over a week now, it about time we get this posted.
As is typical on many of our previous Mexico trips, here are a couple things we are usually greeted with:
This sign was posted on the shuttle that took us to our resort: (we're tourists so of course we took a picture)
If you can't read it, it says:
Dear Client, Please take all your BELON GINGS when you leave the vehicle.......
Seriously, this is not the only time we have seen things like this. (This one is not so bad) You'd think that because of all the tourists, they would actually have someone edit the translation. Oh well, makes for cheap entertainment.
Then... this is one of many. These are EVERYWHERE!
A place inside the resort we thought was lovely
Chess anyone? (this was for Tracen)
This is what we found while shopping in one of the market places in town. Such cute LITTLE guys.
We went on several excursions as well.
We visited the Mayan ruins of Tulum...
The view in Tulum:
And look who we found there.
You go to the other side of the world only to run into your neighbors. What are the odds?! It was really great to see you there Mike and Elise.
Another friend??
We then went to XEL-HA which was AWESOME! It is an inlet where ocean water meets fresh water and it is beautiful. There is so much to do there.
We went KAYAKING.
Hiked through some JUNGLE where we were EATEN ALIVE by mosquitoes.
We TUBED down the river and then went back to the top and SNORKELED down.
We spent almost 2HOURS snorkeling and checking out all the cool fish.
We ate more MEXICAN FOOD at a very tasty little place while we listened to a great MARIACHI BAND (I don't have a clue how to spell that) playing on a huge XYLOPHONE.
We swung from a rope swing and almost jumped off a cliff (I'm a chicken and Dan needed some competition).
We were there all day and still didn't get it all in. We REALLY would have LOVED to swim with the dolphins but at $150 per person we decided to take pictures of them and save up for the next time. It looked incredible!
We then went to Coba. WOW! Now that is the place to go if you are looking for some amazing Mayan ruins.
Dan on the steps of one of the temples.
This is the one we got to climb
Deanne half way up.
At the top. We counted 122 steps going up 156 feet.
Gorgeous view!
This was a fascinating place. Unfortunately, the history of the Mayan people was horrid. They were definitely a WICKED PEOPLE! I don't want to go in to detail, so if you MUST know, you'll have to ask.
More friends in the jungle? 
We also got to visit a little Mayan village and then swim in a CENOTE, which means sink hole.
I fell in love with the Mayan children of course.
The CENOTE!
The rest of our time was spent...
Hanging on the beach,
Drinking LOTS of these... (virgin of course)
And mostly just LOVING being together!
****A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to all those who helped with our boys. ESPECIALLY MY MOM! She took over LIFE with the JACOB'S BOYS. (not an easy task mind you) and did a FABULOUS job! In fact, when we arrived to pick them up, Tate was the ONLY one who ran to me with a smile and said "Mama"! Tracen and Tyler were both crying. Tracen greeted us (through his tears)with, "Hi mom and dad. Can grandma please stay with us for just a little longer?" And Tyler? Well, I never did figure out why he was crying. Possibly, he was in trouble again. He later told me "Mama, I had a hard time being good."
I am so grateful to have family that I can leave my babies with and not worry a bit for their happiness and safety. However, I can't say I did not worry about the happiness and safety for the one staying with them.
THANKS AGAIN MOM! WE LOVE YOU!
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