On a Sunday Afternoon

I didn't even know this photo was on the camera. I took a REALLY long nap this afternoon because I had a headache. I guess Jacob decided to do some repairs around the house.
Benjamin looking happy for the camera. Jacob wasn't willing to pose tonight.

Well, if not spectacularly happy, at least he would look at the camera. That's all I ask.

Jacob with his gift for Sarah. Scuba Barbie with two dolphins! She loved it.

Christmas at Nana's

Saturday was the first in our circle of Christmas celebrations. We went to Nana's house and had a great time! Phil and Crystal gave out goody bags "Grandma Stone-style," which was hilarious. The guys all got plastic toy weapons. Jacob and William took them after the big boys were done...
Benjamin had a great time with his new friend, Don.

Poor Brianna was a little under the weather and slept for several hours on the couch.

Playing with huge sets of legos and building pirate ships. Jacob now wants pirate ship legos.

Jacob wasn't willing to leave the ship to eat dinner, even though Nana had made tasty lasagna!

Heidi, Keaton, Sienna, and Reagan were all in Wisconsin, so we only had 4 little ones around. I think everyone will be present next Saturday for Christmas with Grandpa Stone and Grandma Bonnie -- lots of chaos to come.

Up On All Fours & Conversations with Jacob

Benjamin started getting onto his hands and knees on Sunday night. He's been doing it a lot since then, but doesn't really know what to do once he's in that position. It's crazy to think that he's at the exact same point Jacob was at this age, and Jacob pulled himself to standing a week or two from this point. Benjamin definitely keeps us busy right now!

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A conversation with Jacob:

Me: What do you want to get Dad for Christmas?

Jake: Maybe something for grown ups. Maybe markers.

Me: Oh, that would be cool. What about what you said a few days ago? (I can't say what it is in case reads it, so I'm just going to pretend he said he wanted to buy Greg a book.)

Jake: Well, maybe. Or, I could get him something cooler, like a Spiderman outfit!

(We ended up getting his original idea.)

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Jacob: Let's play frogs. Dad can be the Daddy Frog. You'll be the Mommy Frog. I'll be the Kid Frog, and Benjamin will be the tadpole!

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Coming soon: photos and possibly video from Jacob's Christmas program!

A Long, Lazy Post

(This post is lazy because I didn't feel like taking the time to make sure all of the photos I posted were in focus... I also didn't feel like doing multiple posts that only contained one topic in each. Oh, and they're in random order.)

Last Saturday, we had a Rock Band party. I guess party isn't really the right word for it, since it basically ended up being a family night. A very, very enjoyable family night, but not really a Rock Band night. Jacob got to have his hair spiked and colored, which he loves. He got to play with Grace and Celeste, which was a big plus for him!
His colorful 'do.

Striking a pose and looking cool. He picked his outfit out by himself.

On Saturday morning, we got to see Santa! Jacob told him he wants a black Power Ranger and a white Power Ranger. Ben enjoyed playing with Santa's beard.

On a related note, Jacob wanted to buy Papa a toy for Christmas. I told him we have to make sure we're buying things that people want, not what we want for ourselves. I asked, "Do you think Papa plays with toys?" He paused and then said, "Well, not all of the time. I think he does after I go to sleep." :) Sooo cute.

We were in the store on Friday, and Jacob said (in a loud whisper), "Mom! There are fire fighters behind us!" I turned around, and he was right. I told him he could say hello. He turned around and said a shy, "Hi" and waved. One of the men said, "I have a badge for you" and gave him this plastic fire department badge. :) We saw them again in the checkout line and watched as they left the store. I had to hold him up so he could watch them the entire time. It was definitely the highlight of his day! And how cool is it that the guy carries badges for kids with him???

Benjamin and Jacob goofing around in our bed.

Greg reading the snowman book to Jacob (more details to come a couple of photos down).

Benjamin smiling (as usual).

Jacob posing in front of the tree. I don't have a cool enough camera (or enough skill/know-how) to take a photo that is both in focus and shows the prettiness of the Christmas lights.

My Aunt Karen and Uncle John sent the coolest stocking advent calendar ever! Jacob is having a great time with it. He loves seeing what's inside each stocking and then hangs the stocking on the Christmas tree.

About a week ago, Greg went in to wake Jacob up. Jacob said, "Where's the surprise from Patty?" Greg said, "Which Patty?" Jacob said, "Patty from mom's work!" Greg asked what he was talking about. Jacob said, "I thought Patty had a surprise for us." Greg said, "I think you were dreaming, buddy."

Not thinking, I told Patty about Jacob's dream because I thought it was cute, and then thought nothing of it. The next day, I had a snowman plate on my desk with snowman cookies, a gift bag with a snowman book and a stuffed snowman. Wow. Jacob was sooooo excited.

Let's see... what else? Benjamin isn't crawling yet, but he can do an army crawl and he's rolling everywhere. This means that he is trying to get into EVERYTHING. He loves cords and the Christmas tree. He wants to touch anything that isn't baby-appropriate.

Benjamin is starting to eat more foods now. He had peaches for his first time this morning, and loved them. I couldn't spoon them up fast enough! He ate an entire size 2 container, which is a big deal -- he normally only eats about half of a size 1. He says a lot of "Ooo" and likes to growl at people. He's become very interested in the cat, too.

Jacob is trying to read. He can spell a handful of words and can write a few as well. He's really into airplanes and helicopters right now. He still plays with trains, but not nearly as much as he did a year ago.

We're getting excited about Christmas! I'm going to have Jacob help me start making some Christmas cookie dough next weekend.

Girl Transformers

Jacob recently told us that his airplane transformer is a girl. He said her name is Lindsey Katy Rapunzel. So the cute girls with circle hair are already beating me out. At least I still get to be the middle name. :)

Thanksgiving and Family Time

We were lucky enough to have TWO Thanksgivings this year. We spent the actual day with Greg's mom and his family. It's getting to be quite a zoo with SEVEN grandchildren and all of the chaos they bring. They get pretty excited when they're all together (you might also be able to say the same for the big guys, too).

Jacob and Benjamin had a fun day at home with Dad on Friday. Friday night, we drove to K-wood. On Saturday, another Thanksgiving feast!

Benjamin right before we headed out on Thursday.

Posing on Nana's floor.

Oooo... toys!

Jacob cheesing it up with Brianna.

Uncle Ben and Baby B.

Some laughter at the table... note the chocolate on Jacob's mouth.

In a highchair from my childhood.

The delicious spread.

Jacob's angel lights.

Mike Dunleavy!!!

For some reason, this silly blog won't let me post this picture last... but here's the last photo (first).
Shooting a free throw on the court.

Hanging out with his new sports hero. :)

Looking adorable in his jersey.

Hanging out with the coolest Aunt Sarah ever! Aunt Sarah took Jake to the Fan Jam a few weeks ago. Ever since then, Mike Dunleavy has been a pretty frequent playmate for Jacob.