In Keeping with Tradition

Dear Jacob,
I never know how to start these letters, and before I know it I'm head first in the wonder of YOU!
In the past few months I have realized that the baby who entered my life on Christmas Day 2005 with his ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes, and sleepy brown eyes no longer exists. In that beautiful baby's place is a beautiful little boy with a wonderfully spirited sense of self and life.
I wish I would have taken the time to hold that beautiful baby a little bit more, and stare in wonder at the smallest of features on that chunky little face, and rolling little body; for I didn't understand how quickly that baby would turn into an active little boy who would need to be wrangled for a hug or kiss.
I wish I wouldn't have been so afraid of the unknown on how to handle and care for such a wonderful little package, with its high pitch squeals and globs of drool; for now the package is a growing boy who doesn't need me to handle and care for him as much.
I wish I wouldn't have rushed through the small moments, and taken the time to capture more memories in my head verses using my camera to share the moments with everyone else; for now I feel like I'm forgetting even the largest of details.
Jacob, you have truly helped me realize this past year that life is speeding by, and in the past three years I haven't taken much time to truly sit in amazement of the wonders of that life now that you are in it. I have realized that we only have one chance at 'this' and sometimes opportunities that we thought we would enjoy or re-live again, maybe this time to right a potential wrong, just truly aren't in the cards.
You have my heart Jacob, no matter what your size or age, that will never change, you will forever be my 'baby boy' now matter how many times you remind me that you are a 'big boy'. You continue to amaze and teach me something new with each passing day! You really are an amazing soul.
Happy Third Birthday!
Love Always,
Mommy

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

It is that time of the year again...my birthday! Though this year, something very exciting has happened: I 'get' my birthday. I had a hand in the party that was planned and the guests invited. I was excited leading up to it and totally understand that on Christmas Day instead of holding up two fingers in the shape of a 'V', I will have to add one more finger to make three!!!
My parents planned a party for me, my friends, and family at Jump Man Jump in Reno. It is a big warehouse with three different type of jumping events. There was a traditional bounce house, huge inflated slide and bouncing obstacle course. I was completely blow away with how many people showed up. It was great!
I got so many great gifts. I got an amazing wooden pirate ship, tool box, magna doodle, books, clothes, remote control cars and train, paint your own soccer ball, and the solar system, and a recliner just to name a few things.
It was a great day! Thanks to everyone who came. You all truly made it a wonderful afternoon that I'm still talking about!

Aidan's Third Birthday Party

My buddy Aidan celebrated his third birthday today with a party at the Children's Museum in Carson City. We had pizza, juice boxes and cake...oh my!

Aidan and I have been friends since before our first birthdays, it is amazing how much we have changed in two years. We are totally like brothers in that we argue and fight, but are fiercely loyal to each other and love one another. There are always hugs to be had between Aidan and I. Many of our little friends were at the party and everyone had a great time! Happy Birthday buddy! We had a great time at your party and we hope you enjoyed your day!

Cheers to another year my man!

Thanksgiving

The best part of Thanksgiving, besides being with family and the yummy home cooked food, is seeing all the monster 'blowup guys' my grandma and grandpa have put up in their yard for Christmas!!!

Lets go Blackhawks...Lets go!

Today was a very exciting day. At first I didn't think it would be so exciting. We set out early in the car and picked up Mark and Char. We continued in the car, and continued, and continued, and continued some more. After seven hours of being in the car (literally) we arrived at our destination.

We were in San Jose to see a San Jose Sharks vs. Chicago Blackhawks hockey game. It is a very popular sport amongst our Midwestern friends, but no one in my family had ever witnessed the action live. It was awesome!

We scored box tickets so 'Baby Bina' and I could run around and enjoy all the festivities without worry of being in someones way or having our parents nagging us to sit down and be quiet. We had plenty of milk and food available.

Our friends were rooting for the Chicago Blackhawks, so suddenly the Sharks mascot ended up in our box with this drum that was so loud, chanting 'Here we Sharks...Here we go!', and the intire arena was chanting with him. Baby Bina started to cry and I was hiding in a corner because it was so loud. I don't think anyone in our party would have minded if he had accidentally slipped over the edge of the box.

We ended up spending the night in San Jose, and I was in love with the Marriott's lobby Christmas decorations.

Thankfully our drive home was not seven hours. We had Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma's house waiting. Game was awesome and I had so much fun, but word to the wise, never travel the day before Thanksgiving!

Baby Kelly

Today we got to see Melodie and Ryan's baby girl Kelly for the first time. She was born two weeks ago and just a tiny little peanut of sugar and spice and everything nice. She was napping most of the time in my mommy's arms, and I was a little jealous trying to win her attention, but did offer up this great smile! I was amazed at how small baby Kelly was and loved to touch her little feet and asked my mommy if she had armpits...hmmmm interesting!
Welcome Baby Kelly! Can't wait to show you the ropes baby girl!

Welcome Froggy, Fishy...Cinderella???

Twelve years ago, before I was a twinkle in my mommy's eye she had a goldfish named Bubba, but this wasn't just any goldfish. Bubba was my mommy's first 'pet' after she moved out of her parent's home to live on her own at 18. Times were tough and all she could afford was her 10 cent Wal-Mart goldfish, Bubba lived in a medium sized glass bowl with a little bit of gravel, a plant, and a little shark figurine. Bubba traveled many places and shared five wonderful years with my mommy. That might be a record for a Goldfish.
He was around obviously for her first apartment, her second apartment, and third, all of college and when she married my daddy. Unfortunately Bubba the goldfish never made it to my mommy's and daddy's first house.
My daddy had to deliver the bad news to my mommy after a night of work and school that bubba had passed away in his fish bowl. My mommy still tears up when she thinks of my daddy asking her to sit down because he had some 'bad news' and all he could do was look over at Bubba's little bowl, my mommy knew. This was about two weeks before the big move.
My mommy kept Bubba's bowl, supplies and has moved it from apartment, to house, and now to the house we all live in but she has never had the heart to purchase another goldfish, but guess what?????
My mommy and daddy surprised me with a Crowntail Betta fish. Yep, I now have a fish tank in my big boy room! It is so beyond the bowl. It is Sesame Street themed and has Elmo snorkeling in it. Yahoo!
My fishy is very cool. He has so many different colors of blue, green and red, and he loves to flare out his pretty fins. Best of all I have finally picked a name for my fish...my boy fish...first I picked Froggy...then I called him just fishy...finally (drum roll please) I have decided on calling my boy Betta fishy Cinderella. Yes, Cinderella. Shockingly, we all thought it had a ring to it. Welcome to our home Cinderella!