Catch up!

Oops! I usually try to post at least once (hopefully more) a month, but I just missed February. It is just too short, but at the same time it seemed like it lasted forever. I got my hopes all up over the weather. It was being very strange and it actually was feeling warm...it got into the 40's, 50's and barely into the 60's. I was so excited the snow was gone, and the sun was out!!!!! And of course Jacob and I got sick. Just a cold and Jacob also got a cough, but this meant that we didn't get to enjoy in the good weather that didn't last. Before we knew it there was snow again. Now that I have lived in the snow I can say that I hate it. Mostly I hate driving in it, and having to stay inside because the wind here is horrible. But there are a few pluses...Jacob loves to play in it (for about 30-40 minutes), it can be beautiful just after freshly fallen snow, and Jacob just gets so excited when he sees the snow fall. It has actually warmed up a little now and the snow is all gone again (hopefully for good). The weather has been great that Jacob and I have been going on little wakes together. He just loves to be outside!!!! Other then the weather there is not much to report. We are all doing great. We love spending as much time as possible together; even though with JJ's crazy schedule that is not too much (but he is a great help to me. Love you honey!).
Jacob is totally and completely obsessed with puzzles. The simple ones (put this shape in the right place), or full on kid puzzles. It doesn't matter he loves them all. I honestly don't know the last time that they were all put away. He is also in love with books. One of his favorites is "How do Dinosaurs eat all their Food." He just checked it out from the library after about 3 months of not getting it, and he still knows the story. He started to read by himself before we even left the library. I think that this is going to be one that we need to get for him.
We I will try to be better about posting and keeping you all updated.

December
So I decided that I needed to post something since it has been almost 2 months. Sorry. December was fun and crazy busy. Between finishing gifts, enjoying to season, visiting family and getting JJ done with one rotation only to get him ready for another after Christmas. It has been crazy, needless to say.
We had fun visiting family in AZ, but decided that it wasn't long enough. We were only in AZ for about 1 week, and had hardly any down time. But I have to admit that I loved very bit of it. It was so good to see family. And a special Thanks to our good friends Adam and Laura for coming to a family event just so we could catch up. It was so good to see you guys.
Thank heavens we flew Southwest, because we used every possible free luggage we could (6 checked bags, and we each had a personal item and a carry-on. Jacob included since we had to buy him his own seat.) Thank you to all for all the wonderful gifts! We all have enjoyed them, especially Jacob!

So January has been crazy too.
(ME) I have been going through every room and deciding what needs to be packed (because we aren't using it now, but don't want to give it up), what needs to find a better place to keep it, what needs to be given away, and what needs to be thrown away. I have been working on this all month and I am only about half way done with the house. I also rearranged the family room and the dinning room, without moving too much so I didn't have to redue the large picture arrangements on the large walls.

JJ has been busy with his Cardiology rotation (which he loved), but is starting his Rural rotation in orthopedics today! We are also trying to figure out JJ's 4th year schedule, calling and applying to the possible residency places to see if he can do an "audition rotation" aka "away rotation." So pretty much the fall is going to stink, because JJ will be gone so much. But it will all be worth it in the end.

Jacob has been just as busy and crazy. We have a neighbor that is doing a little music class, that he is really enjoying. Jacob is also taking 2 classes at the local rec. center. He is doing Sporties for Shorties, which he enjoys but starts to get a little bored by the end of class (which is 45 minutes). The other class is Tiny Tumblers. HE LOVES THIS CLASS!!! He hates to leave. He loves to walk on the balance beams, and to jump off the vault. He is learning how to do a somersault and a backwards somersault. He loves to jump on the spring floor (a slightly spring mat on a rectangular trampoline). Jacob is enjoying hanging on the bars and trying to hold his legs out. It is just so much fun to see him learn and enjoy his fun activities. Plus he just loves getting out of the house. It is just too cold to do anything really outside, except for the occasional time we play in the snow (which he loves!!!!! I can't wait until there is enough snow and it is wet enough to make a snowman. Jacob loves snowmen. He has this book called "Snowmen and Christmas" that I use to have to read every night before he went to bed. I read it so much that I still have it memorized. Jacob is even practicing his stretches and the beginnings of a somersalut as I post this blog. Well, I better go help him!

Overall we are doing great here is OHIO, I just can't wait until spring!
*Pictures soon!

Jacob's 1st Snow

This morning it was snowing fairly lightly when JJ went to work, so of course I get Jacob all bundled up to go out and play. This is his first real experience with snow.

This last weekend in Cleveland with James and Tara, it did snow a little, and very lightly, but the flakes were very small and nothing was sticking to the ground. Jacob just loved the snow; I wonder how he will like it when enough actually falls, and stay to play in?

These pictures are from playing in the very small and light snow in Cleveland.

(in Cleveland...p.s.Jacob had a blast with Gene, Brayden and even Annie)

Halloween!!!

This was Jacob's first real Halloween (he has been sick the last 2 years on Halloween), and even though he did have a little fun last year, he wouldn't wear the lion costume we borrowed for him. This was a ton of fun. Right now he just LOVES trains. He has a train from Gpa and Gma Taylor from last Christmas and he just loves to play with it. So I made him a train out of two large (costco size) huggie boxes, paper and paint and a ton of tape. At first Jacob only wanted to ride in his train, so we put it away so he could enjoy trick or treating. After 2 house, he thought that it was "awesome" (his words). Even though we had been practicing saying trick or treat all day, he would only said it at a few houses.

Fall

We have been up to so much this October. WE have had a blast going to the zoo with friends and daddy!!!! (this was at the fun rides) (Jen thanks for always inviting us to go to the zoo. Yeah for season passes!)


Paul and Shawna came to visit!!!!! We all had so much fun! (We went to COSI)



We had a blast going to the pumpkin patch with friends from the ward!! (Amber thanks for planning the mid-week activities)


October has been so busy and fun with our wonderful friends!!! There is so much to keep little ones busy here.

A little update with the family. JJ is enjoying his rotations; he just wishes that he had more time on his hands. He stays pretty busy between family and school.
Jacob is getting so big. The last couple of weeks he is really been trying to push all the limits. So it has been a work in progress to help him learn. He is really loving trains. We checked out this book called "Chugga Chugga Choo Choo" and he is obsessed with it (thanks Lindsay Palmer for the awesome list of kids books). Good thing he is going to be a train conductor for Halloween-(pictures to come soon).
I have just been busy with Jacob and trying to get some of my many crafts done. I am also on a venture to take some cloths that I had before Jacob that don't fit any more and alter them or use the material to make a dress or skirt. Lots to do, but it will be fun!

Apple Picking

Jacob was so exciting to pick apples, and had so much fun (even though he would pick some that weren't good).

I really liked that there were quite a few apples in his range, but he still tried to reach for the ones up higher.

He even figured out to twist the apple for the stem to break off the tree all by himself!


We love going to midweek (play group), and he especially has loved playing with his friend Shane. They have so much fun together; along with the other kids too.

Now what are we going to do with all the apples? (we really didn't get too many)

A few pics of our place.

So we are not totally done, but this is what we have been busy doing....