Jacob turns SEVEN!

Jacob had been asking for a bowling birthday party for a LONG time so this year we finally pulled the trigger and had one!  Over 20 boys came (including Maddie of course) and it was actually super fun!  I was a bit worried about such a big party but in the evenings the alley turns down the lights and plays music and the adults could enjoy some adult beverages and it was a great time had by all!

I can't believe Jacob is 7.  Every year just keeps going faster and faster.  There's not much little kid left in him.  :(  He's doing great in 1st grade...reading and doing math like a champ.  He loves all things sports and actually enjoys watching games on TV now.  I think basketball is is favorite but we're heading into baseball season now which he also loves (soccer seems to be his least favorite).  I'm starting to see him get "embarrassed" by certain things:  like the "babyish" lunch box he asked me not to send him to school with anymore.  I don't think I'm ready for all of that!

Happy Birthday Jake.  We love you more than words can say and we are SO proud of you!

We started the day off with cupcakes in the morning



Then we had a playdate after school when a few friends helped us celebrate!

Jacob REALLY wanted them to announce his birthday on the PA system SO bad. When they finally did, he was so excited!

Christmas Part 3 (Post Christmas)

On Christmas afternoon, we headed to Lake Tahoe to play in the snow and see Grandma, Grandpa, Frank, Paige, Luca, Bella and Tori. WOW. Now that the kids are older, it was SUCH a different trip! They loved trying their hand at snowboarding and skiing and absolutely LOVED everything snow. BIG thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for finding such an amazing house for us all to spend time in. I really can't wait to get them back in the SNOW.

We started off day 1 at Soda Springs near Truckee.  It's a cute place where kids can try anything they want -- snowboarding, skiing, tubing, etc.  All for one VERY cheap price.  It was warm and a GREAT introduction to everything.





































 
Jacob really was fearless!

  

We went tubing in Tahoe on one of our days off of skiing.  Let's take a look at the 4 year old: 


And now let's take a look at the 6 year old:

On Day 2, they took a half day skiing less at Sierra at Tahoe. And that REALLY broke them in.

By Day 3, we were skiing North Star in Tahoe (while I want to tell you the story of Maddie falling off of the lift, I don't have the energy for it.  But don't worry, it will forever be etched into my brain as one of the scariest moments ever.)

And we were ALL tuckered out.

Mark and I decided to ski Heavenly alone and holy moly.  It is BEAUTIFUL.  There are photographers all over the mountain.  SO....Insert cheesy Heavenly pics here:

Christmas Part 2 (REAL Christmas)

So yes, I'm blogging about Christmas 3 months late. I don't even really remember what happened over Christmas now it's been so long. ha. So maybe I'll tell the story in pictures.

The night before Christmas

The excitement on their faces Christmas morning was priceless.

Maddie REALLY wanted a scooter and more specifically, a blue helmet

And a "ninja blanket"

Jacob was all smiles.

And FULL of excitement

I look at this and think "Huh, maybe that's what winning the lottery feels like"

SO excited for his CraZloom bracelet maker

Get this girl and pair of shoes (especially rain boots) and she is HAPPY

The damage was done.  There was no turning back.  And as is the case every Christmas we look at each other and think "Where are we going to PUT all of this?!"