Profeta Family

January Snow!

2011-02-04T13:15:00.000-08:00

In early January, we got our first winter snow! We do not always get snow every winter here in TX, so I told Eli not to get his hopes up this year. Well, I was wrong and he was delighted! After about an hour of constant snowfall, I could no longer contain the boys' constant requests to go play outside.

Isaiah quickly got cold and kept coming inside to warm up and then back outside to play. Eli, on the other hand, was more than happy to stay outside building his snow man and making snow angels.

Before we came in, I decided to try making real snow cones. For flavoring, we used maple syrup, which turned out pretty good! After our icy treat, the boys and I warmed up with some hot chocolate and marshmallows. Snow days sure are fun :)

Company for Christmas!

2011-01-03T15:03:00.001-08:00

Jerry had to work this Christmas, so I asked my mom to come a little early and spend Christmas with us. What a great idea! On Christmas Eve, we shopped at a few stores, then attended a Candlelight Service. Afterwards, we met Jerry at Applebees for a pre-Christmas dinner and opened a few presents once we got home.

On Christmas morning, the boys openend their gifts from Grandma Carolyn and then we got ready to go see Yogi Bear at the movie theatre. I guess it's popular to go to the movies on Christmas, because there were quite a few folks there! When Jerry got home from work that night, we enjoyed a dinner of pot roast and veggies, rolls, and cranberry crumb cheesecake for dessert! The boys were very eager to open the rest of their gifts and stockings now that Daddy was home to share in the festivities :)

The remainder of the visit was spent grocery shopping, and visiting 2 new attractions. The first was the Sci-Tech Discovery Museum in Frisco. Inside were various centers featuring math concepts, and an area full of wooden contraptions for all the hands on fun you could ask for! The boys could have spent hours playing if we had let them :)

On the last day, my mom and I took the boys over to see the Christmas display inside the Gaylor Texan Hotel. The HUGE atrium held a gigantic Christmas tree, a toy train display, various Christmas displays, and our favorite-a gingerbread village! We would have liked to tour the Charlie Brown Christmas ice sculpture exhibit as well, but it was a bit too costly this year. Maybe next time....

Isaiah's 3rd Birthday

2011-01-03T14:43:00.000-08:00

Amidst all the activities, we were excited to celebrate Isaiah's 3rd birthday. Once again, he wanted an Elmo cake, so I let him choose a cake topper at the Walmart Bakery. His cake was gluten-free, of course, and didn't end up tasting too great :( The cream cheese frosting was yummy, though! Kids only eat the frosting anyway, right?

With his birthday, came Isaiah's graduation to Eli's hand me down bike with training wheels. Isaiah proudly rode down the sidewalk, sporting his new ride and helmet! Now he just needs to learn how to ride down hill....

For those of you that know Isaiah, he is quite the character. After multiple attempts to get a good picture, I ended up loving this goofy shot! He is my funny little man :)

Since Isaiah loves Elmo, Grandma Cathy bought him an Elmo game for his Smart Cycle. He eagerly peddled his way through the game, collecting fruits, vegetables, and other foods :)

Holiday Activities

2011-01-03T14:14:00.000-08:00

The boys and I attended the Angel Breakfast at Frisco Bible Church. Jerry was working that weekend, so the family picture only included the 3 of us :( Both boys made a chocolate chip cookie mix jar and enjoyed a breakfast of sausage w/ biscuits and gravy. Eli especially loved the donut holes!

The previous weekend, the boys and I visited Frisco's Merry Main Street for the 2nd year. Jerry was working OT at the event, so we were able to meet up with him for a bit. We snacked on nachos, chili frito pie, and apple cobbler. Then we played handbells to the tune of Silent Night! On our walk back to the car, mom snuck into a candy store to buy some Butterfinger Fudge. Yum :)

Another night, we attended a gingerbread house making party with some homeschool friends. What a turn out! I thought I would try something 100% edible this time, and made the houses from graham crackers. Unfortunately, the icing did not dry in time, so I had to secure the walls with hot glue. On our way out the door, Eli accidentally dropped his house which of course broke to pieces. I did my best to put it back together at home, but it wasn't pretty. Poor Eli was so uspset, so I let him eat all the candy that night after dinner. That seemed to make everything all better!

The week before Christmas, our playgroup had a little party with gift exchange. It was a small turnout, but the moms and kids still had fun :) Eli ended up with some toy airplanes and a 3D puzzle, and Isaiah got some shooting cardboard airplanes and a jumprope.

A couple days later, we bundled up again to go see the lights at Frisco Fire Safety Town. It was a lot less crowded this year, so the boys didn't have to wait in any lines. We made our rounds through the little buildings, collecting candy canes along the way. After a brief storytime and climb on the firetruck, we headed home.

Thanksgiving

2011-01-03T14:01:00.001-08:00

After years of random Thanksgivings, we finally started a tradion (maybe). For the 2nd year now, we spent our holiday visiting Santa's Winter Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops. We are not big fans of crowds, so this is the perfect day to come.

After passing closed or crowded restaurants, we decided to splurge and eat at Uncle Buck's Steakhouse inside Bass Pro Shops. (No, we did not order steak). The boys had cheeseburgers and applesauce, while Jerry and I enjoyed Chicken Fried Steak, mashed potatoes, and veggies. What a tradional Thanksgiving feast! Would you expect anything less from us?

After dinner, the boys had fun at the shooting range, raced slot cars, drove remote control trucks, rode the Reindeer Carousel, and made an ornament. Neither boy was brave enough to sit on Santa's lap this time :)

Birthday Bash!

2011-01-03T13:23:00.000-08:00

This year we decided to combine the boys' birthdays into one party for a change. Several friends joined us for some roller skating in Lewsville. Boy, was it crowded! We did not expect there to be a dozen other parties taking place all at the same time. Despite the crowds, everyone still had a fun time.

The skating rink also had a clever "walker" contraption to assist the beginner skaters. Eli got the hang of it quickly and was racing around the rink for most of the party! Even Mom hitched a ride on Isaiah's to help him get some speed! Of course Jerry did not need a walker, as he skated effortlessly in all sorts of directions. He has always been lighter on his feet :)

Isaiah

2010-11-07T15:26:00.000-08:00

Our little man has definately cost a pretty penny lately! For over a year, Isaiah has been battling digestive issues. We recently took him back to our chiropractor for some adjustments to see if it would help.....but to no avail. The next step was to put him on a gluten-free diet.....success! In an attempt to clear him from his allergy to wheat/gluten, we have been taking him to a NAET (accupuncture/chinese medicine) doctor. This last week, he has received treatment for low calcium absorbtion, and gluten/wheat. The latter treatment does not appear to have worked, so we will most likely attempt another later this week. Our hope is to get our little man back on a regular diet, enjoying a variety of foods again......I'll keep you posted!

Birthday Boy!

2010-11-07T15:25:00.001-08:00

Eli celebrated his 6th birthday last month! Jerry and I surprised him with a new bike at Richardson Bike Mart. Eli was excited to get home and take a bike ride with Dad. His old bike sits in the garage, waiting to be handed down to Isaiah on his birthday next month :)

Halloween

2010-11-07T14:54:00.001-08:00

Fall is one of my favorite times of year, so I was eager to take a trip to the pumpkin patch. This year, we tried a new place in Flower Mound. The patch included bounce houses, wagon rides, rows and rows of pumpkins, and an area filled with wood cut-outs and props for picture taking.

The next weekend, the boys and I waited in the rain with hundreds of frisco residents for the Frisco Fire Safety Town Halloween Spooktacular!!! After an hour and a half line, we were able to trick or treat in the miniature town and the boys were thrilled with their bags of candy! Next year, we will definately wait to come towards the end of the night to avoid the long lines...

The following week, we attended two Halloween parties. One party was a homeschool crafts/cupcakes at the park, and the other was a backyard parade/games/treats with our Little Elm playgoup.

A couple nights before Halloween, we took the boys to the Fall Festival at Stonebriar Church. It was pretty crowded last year, but this year was even busier! We only caught the last hour of the bounce houses and games, but Eli was still able to win plenty of candy!

After all those activities, I was pooped! Our church was holding a trunk or treat on Halloween night, but I opted for a quiet evening. Instead we took the boys around our neighborhood for some good old fashioned trick or treating. Eli was so excited to ring doorbells, that we constantly had to remind him to slow down and wait for his brother! Again, both boys came home with full bags of candy, which we are all enjoying :)

Homeschool Field Trips

2010-11-07T14:07:00.000-08:00

The end of August marked the beginning of another year of homeschooling. This year Eli entered 1st grade and Isaiah started preschool. One benefit of homeschooling is the field trips! Here is a recap of the trips we have taken so far....

"Farmer Duck Tour" at Heritage Farmstead in Plano. The boys got to wash clothes and dishes by hand, beat a rug, grind corn for the chickens, and take a covered wagon ride.

"Autumn at the Dallas Arboretum." The grounds were lined with hundreds of pumpkins including several pumpkin houses for the kids to walk through.

Fire station tour at Frisco Fire Safety Town. The tour guide talked with the students about fire safety and how to communicate with a dispatcher. They even got to try on a coat and boots!

Homeschool Day at the Fort Worth Zoo. We spent an entire day looking at the animals and enjoying lunch/ice cream with friends. I got some unbelievable pictures that day!

Henrietta Creek Apple Orchard. The students learned about the process of turning cotton into the clothes we wear today. Also discussed were bees, polination, and honey. We were then given a tour of the orchard and each student got to pick an apple to eat!

"Pioneer Tour" at the Log Cabin Village in Fort Worth. Students were taken from cabin to cabin to learn about the pioneer way of life. Included were the history of Indian corn, candlemaking, and weaving on a loom.

Dad's Bike Race #2

2010-10-04T21:07:00.000-07:00

This time, Jerry entered a 12 hour race with one other partner. Again, the race was scheduled on a weekend that turned out to be even hotter than before---a high of 107 degrees! The boys and I could not go this time, as Eli had a football game that morning---in 101 degree heat.

At the start of the race, participants had to run with a wheel and attach it to their bikes, then hop on and be on their way. Below is Jerry all suited up and ready to race. Bike riding has become quite a hobby for this active guy! Jerry looks forward to competing in future races...

Ce-le-brate Good Times, Come On!

2010-10-04T20:51:00.001-07:00

July also marked my 31st birthday, so Grandma treated us to my favorite restaurant, PF Changs! That night, Jerry and I went out to a movie while Grandma and the boys decorated a "robot" cake for my birthday :)

At the end of July is another important day.....our wedding anniversary! This year we celebrated 11 years by attending a Rascal Flatts concert. Neither of us had been to a concert in over 10 years, so it was pretty awesome!

Among those performing were Kellie Pickler, John Rich, and of course Rascal Flatts. The concert was hot and humid, but worth every minute :) I can't remember the last time I was up so late at night! Reminded me of the old days.....

4th of July

2010-10-04T20:34:00.000-07:00

Grandma Cathy was with us this year for the 4th of July! Our rainy morning started out with the Plano Independence Day parade, which we went to last year as well. The boys were thrilled with all the free goodies and candy!

That afternoon, we attended the Frisco Freedom Fest, which quickly got rained out. Due to the high winds/rain, all the guests were taken inside of City Hall until the weather improved. After about an hour, the festivities were back in full swing despite the constant drizzle. We were still able to enjoy the bouncehouses, bungee jump, and fireworks.

The next evening, we took Grandma to go watch a Frisco Rough Riders baseball game. Grandma spoiled us with plenty of nachos, hot dogs, soft pretzels, and root beer! Our 4th of July ended with glow sticks and an awesome display of fireworks over the stadium.

Flag Football

2010-10-04T20:18:00.001-07:00

This summer, Eli joined the Lobo Blue Flag Football Team. After the first month of practice, he began to understand the game of football a little bit. Games began in the August heat, and boy was it a scorcher!

Eli's team has won 4 out of 7 games so far and currently holds 3rd place. He has enjoyed playing as a lineman on both defense and offense. This Wednesday, Eli will also get to ride in the Homecoming Parade with his team mates!

Last Day in Karate

2010-07-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

For months now, Eli has been lacking in his motivation to continue karate. It has been like pulling teeth to get him ready to go. We finally decided he had put in enough time to take a break and try some other sports. Eli was so excited on his last day of Karate!

His last day ended up being a "B day" which meant gear, cup, and mouthpiece.....he doesn't like those days. As I capturd a few last photos, Eli gave his typical gesture asking "WHAT?" He can be such a goofball at times!

The funny thing is that once Eli gets going, he starts enjoying himself and is smiling by the end of class. We aren't sure he even know what he really wants. I guess we will see what happens over the next year.....For now, Eli will spend the next 4 months exploring the world of Flag Football (more pictures to come.)

Juggling June

2010-07-17T22:21:00.000-07:00

One major event in June was Vacation Bible School at Crossridge Church. Eli was so excited (because I was so excited) to finally be able to attend. The theme was "Saddle Ridge Ranch" and boy was it full of non-stop activities! The program was M-F from 6:45-9pm, so we were pretty exhausted by the end of the week.

The weekend of Father's Day, we all went to the Denton Air Show.....in 100 degree weather. Despite the intense heat, and 2 broken shade umbrellas, we had a good time. Every 15 minutes there would be another jet or plane or glider sailing above our heads in loops, twirls, and other tricks. Check out the Family Video section of our blog to see some clips of fighter jets!

On another evening, I took the boys to a concert in Little Elm Park. After enjoying the playground, we walked over to the stage where the boys were overwhelmed and overjoyed by the LOUD music! There is another cute video clip of them running around at the concert.

The next morning, we met a karate friend at Lowe's for the Saturday kid craft workshop. The boys each got an apron and safety goggles to take home, as well as a hammer and monster truck kit to build. The project was complete in about 15 minutes and the boys were thrilled with the new toys they had made.....all for FREE!

June ended with a short drive up to the Celina Balloon Festival. We had gone last year, and looked forward to seeing the balloon glow and fireworks again. Unfortunately, it was too windy, so the balloon glow was cancelled. At least we still got to enjoy fireworks with our friends :)

Daddy's Bike Race

2010-07-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

In June, Jerry joined a team of 3 riders and entered a 24 hour bike race.....in 100 degree weather.....the race was from 10am-10am. The boys and I came to visit around noon, but only stayed for about an hour....100 degree weather.

That night, we returned to find that one team member had dropped out of the race from heat exhaustion. Now it was down to 2 to take turns riding....with 12 hours still to go! The boys and I hung around for a few hours and visited with Jerry between turns.

By 3am the other team member had fallen asleep during his break, and was "out cold" as Jerry put it. Common sense prevailed, and Jerry realized he alone could not keep up with the other team of 4 riders. Reluctantly he notified the officials, and settled in for some much needed rest. In the end, Jerry was pleased with his performance and endurance during the race. Don't be mistaken.....there will be a next year, folks!

May Memories

2010-07-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

May arrived, and the weather was finally warm enough to take the boys to the lake beach at Little Elm Park. Eli happily swam in his Spiderman arm floaties, while Isaiah ran around in his Spiderman life jacket. Sand + shovels + buckets + water = heaven for my little boys!

This year, we ditched the blow-up pool and tried out our new Slip 'n Slide. Eli was a little hesitant, so Mom had to show him how to go about throwing yourself down and gliding on your tummy.....sorry, no pictures of that! I'll admit it was pretty fun, even at my age. Jerry was shocked when I told him :)

One Saturday, a friend called to invite us to her FREE neighborhood summer festival. The fun included several bounce houses, a rock climbing wall, snow cones, and cotton candy. What a great way to spend a Saturday morning.....I'm a sucker for anything that's FREE!

The next week Eli participated in a homeschool Field Day event, organized by a playgroup we are in. The kids enjoyed a variety of competitive games, which reminded me of church camp in years past. At the end, everyone received a medal to wear proudly around their necks.

We wrapped up the month with a Batman birthday party for Eli's friend Austin. Upon entering the "Bat Cave" the boys got to decorate their own masks, watch Batman cartoons, and take pictures in the photo booth. After a yummy lunch, all the kids gathered for a visit from Batman himself! Both boys were very cautious, but I finally convinced Eli to pose for a picture with Batman. The party ended with birthday cake, popsicles, and a cupcake decorating table! I think we all left with a major sugar rush :)

Shawnee Cowboy Day

2010-05-10T21:13:00.000-07:00

Last but not least, we met up with some new friends at Frisco's Heritage Museum for "Shawnee Cowboy Day."

After a quick walk (or run, if you're kids) through the museum, we gathered outside for a gun show. Neither of the boys were a bit frightened by the loud gunshots!

We then took a tour of an old school house, log cabin, church, and 2 story home. After that, both families squeezed into a stagecoach for a bumpy ride around the block.

Our day ended at Babe's Chicken where we all shared a family style meal of biscuits & honey along with chicken fried steak, BBQ chicken, salad, green beans, mashed potatoes, and corn. Mmmm, mmmm!

Happy 30th Jerry!

2010-05-10T20:56:00.000-07:00

Jerry finally turned the Big 3-0 on April 19! To celebrate, I made his favorite dessert, Cheesecake. Eli and I also had another surprise in store, and it never did leak out to Daddy :)

The surprise was a 1 hour session in an indoor "flow ride" facility. Jerry gave me a look like "you've got to be kidding me!" (Jerry used to surf when we lived in CA) Nevertheless, Jerry willingly gave it a shot, and ended up enjoying a fun, but exhausting, hour riding the waves. The boys were tickled to see Daddy "surfing." Several times, Eli made sure to tell on-lookers, "That's my dad in there."

April Misc.

2010-05-10T20:42:00.000-07:00

Well, Eli would be proud to announce that he has now graduated from the "Little Dragons" to the "Juniors" class! After having mixed emotions about karate, we discovered that Eli wanted to move up with the big kids. His teacher approved, and Eli soon tested for his Juniors green belt. Along with it came a dose of pride, which Eli generously shared with all around him. Thus, we had a much needed talk about the importance of humility :)

We attended another homeschool event, "Family Fun Day" arranged by Frisco HIS (the local group I am a member of). The fun included a bounce house, petting farm, pony ride, and face painting.

We also enjoyed another homeschool day at the Dallas Zoo. For whatever reason, Jerry is turning out to be bird magnet! This was the 2nd time a bird has landed on his shoulder as he is walking past! (I think I'm the only one who finds this hillarious.)

Right at the end of our visit we stopped to see the gorillas. What perfect timing! The male gorilla (pictured above) was separated from 2 new female gorillas, and he was not too happy about it! I was fortunate enough to get video of him beating on the wall in frustration. You can see the video on our picasa web album. It may be a bit lengthy and blurry, but worth watching :)

More Visitors!!!

2010-05-10T20:13:00.000-07:00

Just after Easter, Grandpa Mike (Jerry's dad) came with Aunt Carol and Stepha. While Grandpa and Jerry went hunting and fishing, we and the girls went to and indoor fun center called "Amazing Jakes." Activities included arcade games, rides, mini-golf, climbing wall, lazer tag (Eli's favorite), and all you can eat pizza! After 3 hours of non-stop fun, mom was pooped!!!

We also paid a visit to the Stonebriar Mall, took a walk at the park, and enjoyed a 3D Imax of "How To Train Your Dragon." All the activity made for a fun break from our normal daily routine! On the last day, we celebrated Jerry's birthday at his favorite retaurant, Texas Roadhouse.

As always, Grandpa brought the camping trailer, which the boys just love to play in! I was able to get them to sit still just long enough for a picture with Grandpa before they headed back to California.

March Misc.

2010-05-10T19:54:00.000-07:00

Our town of Little Elm put together an egg hunt at the park, which turned out to be pretty cheesy. The egg hunt was literally over in 1 minute, followed by a jump house, and free hot dogs. Despite the odd trinkets inside the eggs, the boys had a fun time! I guess it doesn't take much to entertain kids :)

On another day, the 4 of us went "Geocaching" in a nearby wooded area. If you are not familiar with the term "geocache" it is like a treasure hunt of sorts, where you use a GPS to locate hidden items all over world. You would be surprised how many there are around you . We have even found a "treasure" in the Walmart parking lot!

The boys and I met some friends for a homeschool fieldtrip to a small animal park called "Sharkarosa." The park featured kangaroos, monkeys, llamas, and camels to name a few. I even stuffed myself into a barrel for a action packed train ride! (pictures of that on our picasa web album). The day concluded with a tram ride where we got to go hands-on with groups of camels and horses. It was pretty cool :)

At the end of March, we attended another egg hunt with a playgroup we recently joined. This time, the eggs were filled with plenty of candy and stickers! The only things left to do were a few easter traditions: making a bunny cake, dying eggs, ressurrection rolls, and easter baskets (of course)!

Dallas Blooms!

2010-05-10T19:05:00.000-07:00

March also marked the opening of "Dallas Blooms" at the Dallas Arboretum. The boys and I had made several visits in the past, but none were quite as breath-taking! I could not get enough of the abundance of colorful flowers. It was a great chance to get some great pictures of the boys.

We were also joined by my friend Debbie, and her 2 sons. The boys enjoyed the flowers, but their favorite part was the Texas Pioneer playhouses. To see more pictures, view our picasa web album.

Grandpa Stan's Visit

2010-05-10T18:40:00.000-07:00

In March, Grandpa Stan (Karen's dad) came for a week to visit. We had not seen him since last September, so it was fun to spend some time together.

Our activities included movies at home, playing the Wii, and of bowling, of course (Grandpa's favorite hobby)! Since it was close to St. Patrick's Day, we also drove to the Fort Worth Stockyards for the "Cowtown Goes Green" parade.

Out of both boys, Isaiah was the one who took to Grandpa the most. By the end of his visit, Isaiah was jumping and climbing all over Grandpa. Here they are watching Looney Toones.

Snow!!!

2010-03-07T06:58:00.000-08:00

Early February brought a fun surprise...snow!....and 'lots of it...12 inches. To some of you, that may not seem like a lot, but for Texas...it was! We actually hit a record! When it snowed at Christmas, Eli was eager to build a snowman, but there was not enough snow. This time, Eli was in heaven :)

The first day, it snowed literally ALL day, and the boys got to play in the snow that night. To our surprise, there was even more snow the next morning, and the boys were more than thrilled to head out to the backyard again! They even tried to make snow angels, which Tanner quickly laid on once they got up. (Eli was so mad!)

After 2 fun-filled days in the snow, it began to melt, and the dissappointment set in. Both Jerry and I agreed that one day, we would move to a state that has snow all winter long.....who knows where or when, but it is in the cards :)

The Star of the Show

2010-03-04T19:22:00.000-08:00

Eli has been diligently learning his karate patterns and moving through the "Little Dragon" program at an impressive rate. Below is a video of him testing for his blue belt. He was the only kid testing for that level, so he was the star of the show! He sure made me proud :)

Christmas

2010-01-03T22:25:00.000-08:00

This year, Jerry was so kind to buy me and the boys a cat for Christmas. (We had been wanting one for a couple of months----Jerry is not too fond of cats). Anyways, after a visit to the ASPCA and PetSmart, we found a cat that was to everyone's liking (actually Jerry picked her out). Her name is Ivy, and she couldn't be sweeter! She is not a cuddler, but will follow you around the house and lay next to you. (I should say me....I am her favorite). I have to admit, it is kinda nice having another female in the house, finally!

Christmas Eve brought another wave of winter chill, but this time we got snow! The boys were thrilled :) Unfortunately, the winds were very strong, so the boys couldn't really go out and play in the snow. It did snow again later in the week, and they got to play then. (More pictures on our picasa web album).

In our family, we like to shift the emphasis of Christmas more on Jesus' birthday, so this year, I made a cake to celebrate. Eli couldn't wait to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, but ended up in bed with a fever instead. Oh, well....there's always next year. Eli was just as happy to help eat the cake instead :)

A few days later, we had a visit from Grandma Carolyn. With grandma comes lots of presents, so the boys had a fun time playing with their new toys. We even took her to Main Event for some arcade games and skii ball (her favorite, I think.) With grandma also comes shopping, so we hopped from Target, to Walmart, to Hobby Lobby, to Frisco Resale, Sprouts, and Bass Pro Shops. I came home with all kinds of new treasures to show Jerry (who was not too thrilled, might I add.....GULP!) See you next year, Grandma!

Holiday Festivities

2010-01-03T22:24:00.000-08:00

On Thanksgiving day, we met another friend from karate at Bass Pro Shops to see the Christmas kiddie area. When it came time to visit Santa, Eli was shy, but still sat on his lap (without looking at him or saying a word). Isaiah on the other hand, did not hold back and screamed bloody murder any time we got near Santa (it was hillarious!) Since it was Thanksgiving, we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves-----just how we like it!

This picture reminded me of Ralphie and his little brother.....You'll shoot yer eye out, kid!

In early December we took a fieldtrip to the "Polar Express" at the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. We watched the Polar Express movie that morning then the boys put on their jammies, and we were set for our train ride......huge dissapointment. The train ride was only 15 minutes long, with some cheesy singing and a brief visit from Santa. (Eli was mute of course, and Isaiah screamed as expected!) We were told that each child would receive a special gift from Santa at the end of the ride........which ended up being a dinky coloring book and a couple crayons. I'm sorry, but that was LAME! Good thing we got our group discount :)

That weekend, we bundled up for the Little Elm Christmas parade. As I suspected, the parade was VERY short and kind of cheesy---I guess that's what you get in a small town. Of course, there was more candy for the kids who didn't seem to mind the icy winds. I was glad the parade was so short, because it was super cold outside!

That same night, we braved the winter chill to attend Frisco's Merry Main Street. Jerry was on duty directing traffic, so we paid him a visit :) The event featured sponsor booths, school choirs, concession stands, and craft activities for the kids. Eli enjoyed playing in a hand bell song! (You can see the video on our picasa web album). One trip around Frisco Square, and we were ready to go home and get WARM. Poor Jerry still had to direct traffic for 2 more hours, but he made it home without a hint of frostbite :)

The weekend before Christmas, Jerry was on duty again for the Holiday Lights at Frisco Fire Safety Town. As some of you may know, it is a miniature town replica complete with little roads and stop lights! The boys were in Christmas light heaven----(or "Chimmis," as Isaiah would say) Eli had his 3rd and final visit with yet another Santa, and this time he actually told him what he wanted for Christmas.....a Bumblebee Transformer!

See the red balloon? Yeah, it got loose and flew away......both boys had a meltdown, so Mom had to go get another RED balloon. Eli told me later that "the Lord" probably had our lost red balloon.....So precious!

November Outings

2010-01-03T22:21:00.000-08:00

Not only did November hold several birthday parties, but a handfull of outings as well. Not thinking clearly, I took the boys on THREE field trips in THREE days. First we drove about an hour to see a planetarium show at UT Arlington. The next day, we met a friend from karate and visited the Dinosaurs Alive exhibit at the Heard Museum in McKinney. The following day, it was down to Dallas for a field trip at the Dallas Children's Museum. Whew, were we all pooped! About a week later, I took the boys to a community parade in Frisco where they scored loads of candy from all the floats! Finally, we had one last outing at the Dallas Arboretum to see the famous Pumpkin House. It sure was a busy month, and we had lots of fun.

Taking a ride with Nicholas at Dinosaurs Alive Exhibit

The boys enjoying the water table at the Dallas Childrens Museum

Frisco Community Parade (one of the best and longest I have ever seen)

Overjoyed with all the "punkins" at the Dallas Arboretum

Birthday Parties Galore!

2010-01-03T22:18:00.000-08:00

Between November and December, we were swamped with birthday parties almost every weekend! First was Thomas, then Jordan, then Emma. After Thanksgiving weekend, was Becca, and finally Isaiah. Of course, I had to throw him an Elmo themed birthday party with hat and overalls to match. His favorite gift was an Elmo backpack, which he proudly wears everywhere we go----hey, I don't mind. I don't have to carry a diaper bag anymore :)

Isaiah was a little overwhelmed by all the attention and never did blow out his candles.

(Daddy had to help.)

Becca's birthday party at the Wiggly Play Center in Frisco.

Thomas' Super Hero party in Quitman, TX.

Jordan's Pirate birthday party. (Eli and Isaiah were some of the few kids who actually wore costumes---thanks to Mom)

Emma's "Yo Gabba Gabba" party in Dallas

Halloween Festivities

2009-11-17T12:27:00.000-08:00

The boys and I got our share of candy this Halloween, thats for sure! The weekend before Halloween, we went to a fall festival at a local church, where Eli enjoyed playing games and collecting candy prizes, of course! Isaiah dressed up as a fireman, and Eli was a police officer (again). Even Isaiah tried a couple of games (when I let him out of the stroller----Isaiah doesn't exactly stay by my side these days----especially stressful in large crowds, hence the stroller).

On Halloween, we drove out to trunk-or-treat with our friend Melisa and her 2 boys in Quitman. This time, Isaiah rode his bike (which has a buckle) as we collected even MORE candy to add to our stash. As you can see, Eli decided to change his costume to a soldier (thank you Grandma for all the dress up costumes). Don't worry, I did let Isaiah off his bike to bounce in the jump house :) Believe it or not, as I sit here now the candy supply from Halloween has quickly diminished, and now we are left with the not-so-desirable choices----which will probably end up in the trash!

Field Trips

2009-11-16T19:04:00.000-08:00

After two postponed dates, due to rain, we were finally able to take a field trip to the Big Orange Pumpkin Farm in Celina, TX. The boys had a great time feeding the animals with Daddy. (Mommy was a little timid....I know, I'm a wimp!

Next we all enjoyed a hay ride through the pumpkin farm, and the boys were each able to choose their very own pumpkin from the patch. Isaiah found one immediately, but Eli had a harder time deciding (as he was looking for the "most perfect pumpkin in the world.") Finally, we made our choices and posed proudly for a picture :)

Our next field trip was to a Recycling Center in McKinney, TX. Eli was delighted to see the workers scooping, sorting, and finally smashing the trash.....just like his Wall-E book "SMASH TRASH." The smell was not particularly great, but not as bad as I had imagined. Needless to say, Eli is now well educated about where the trash goes after it leaves our house :)

Farewell to a Friend

2009-11-16T19:00:00.000-08:00

Last month, Eli experienced one of the sad realities of life......his best friend Carson moved to Michigan :( We were able to treasure a few last gettogethers, as both boys attended each other's birthday parties.

On the day of the move, Eli attended Carson's T-Ball game, followed by lunch and ice cream at Dairy Queen. We will always remember all the fun we had with the Collins family and hope to make a trip to Michigan sometime in the future.

Trikes & Bikes

2009-11-16T18:56:00.000-08:00

As we take walks from time to time, I noticed that Isaiah has a strong interest in sitting on Eli's bike. I found this push trike on Craigs List, so now Isiah can "ride" bikes too, instead of using the stroller. He LOVES his new bike and especially enjoys ringing his little bell :)

This month I felt it was time to get Eli practicing without training wheels. After about 3-4 sessions, Eli was off and riding on his own. Below is video of his new found skill. (He is very proud of himself!)

Our Big 5 Year Old

2009-10-15T22:30:00.000-07:00

Last week, Eli celebrated his 5th birthday! We splurged, for once, and threw him a Wall-E birthday party at his favorite bowling/arcade center called Main Event.

Eli and 10 of his friends enjoyed an hour of bowling, followed by pizza, cupcakes, and presents. The party concluded with a brief time of arcade games.

Eli was so thrilled to receive some of his favorite toys: Transformers, remote control cars, foam launching guns, and legos. He is all boy and all 5 years old, at that!

Of course, we had a small celebration at home on his actual birthday as well. Eli proudly wore the "birthday hat," which has kind of become a family tradition (for kids and adults alike.) Some of you have already been so lucky to wear the hat in years past!

Below is a video from Eli's karate class, where the kids get to break a board on their birthday. Watch, and be amazed!

Family Reunion

2009-10-15T22:23:00.000-07:00

The last week of September, we flew out to Las Vegas to visit my Dad and his wife, as well as my sister and her family. It had been over a year or two since my Dad had seen all the grandkids together, so we were all looking forward to this trip. With temperatures over 100 degrees, the kids and adults spent much of our time playing in the pool.
One of the cutest parts of our visit was watching Eli and Rylie as they held hands in the mall, played in the pool, and spent every waking minute together. Since we have been home, Eli has written to Rylie and talks about her daily. Occasionally, even Isaiah sings Avery's little song "Know My Name!"

Just before leaving, we attempted to get a shot with all the grandkids......and it turned out pretty well! It was definately a trip full of pleasant memories :) Thank you for making this happen for us, Dad. We had a GREAT time!

I wasn't sure how the little ones would get along, but Isaiah and Avery hit it off right away! Baby Payton stole most of Isaiah's attention as he found every opportunity to dote on her---giving her the bottle, pacifier, and rubbing her cheeks. Isaiah has always had a nurturing spirit :)

I have to say, this was the hardest goodbye I have had to make. The girls and I bonded much more than I expected, and there were many tears shed. We love you guys dearly, and look forward to seeing you again next time!

September

2009-10-15T21:56:00.000-07:00

After our visit from Grandma Cathy, we kept ourselves busy for the next couple of weeks before heading out to Las Vegas to visit family.

The four of us attended a homeschool field trip to the Dallas World Aquarium. FYI: Great way to beat the crowds when it's a weekday at 2pm!

I took the boys to an open house at the local "My Gym" so Isaiah could meet his favorite character, Elmo. Didn't go over so well.....

Next it was a trip to the park where we helped celebrate our friend Hank's 2nd birthday (Hank is the boy with the blonde curls). Pretzels, cupcakes, and apple juice-----the boys were in snack heaven:)

Last but not least, was all the way out to the Fort Worth Zoo for another homeschool field trip. Lot's of fun, as expected!

On the go with "Gamma"

2009-09-17T20:41:00.000-07:00

Jerry's mom came to visit the last week in August and stayed for two weeks worth of activities. The boys had lots of fun and made some lasting memories with their grandma. Thanks for a great time! Here is a recap of the visit:

Dallas Arboretum

Bowling at Main Event

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Rough Riders baseball game

Boat ride & tubing on Labor Day

Action-Packed August

2009-09-17T20:05:00.000-07:00

August was FULL for us, but lots of fun! The month began with a family outing to Barnum & Bailey's Circus, followed by another karate belt test for Eli. Mid month, Jerry's dad and family came to visit for a week packed with fun activities, and then Jerry's mom came out the following 2 weeks. Here are some highlights from our exciting month. To see more pictures, visit our picasa web album.

Train ride at Sandy Lake Amusement Park

Eli's first time ice skating at Stonebriar Mall

Barnum & Bailey's Circus at the American Airlines Center

Eli's well deserved ORANGE belt

Feeding the giraffe at Fossil Rim Wild Animal Park

Playing arcade games at Main Event

Frisco Rough Riders

2009-08-10T20:25:00.000-07:00

Last month, we took the boys to a Rough Riders game in Frisco. The best part was that we had a voucher for 4 free tickets! Eli was excited all day, but soon became bored once the game started. I guess baseball isn't as entertaining as he had thought. To their delight, Jerry bought a HUGE bucket of popcorn for the boys to share, which helped pass the time.

To my delight, there was also a playground at the stadium, which entertained the boys for at least another half-hour or so. On the way back to our seats, we picked up a soft pretzel for Dad, and two helmet bowls of ice cream for me and the boys. I remember those helmet bowls from when I was little, so I am so happy I have two of my own. Corny, I know....but sentimental to me :)

Towards the end of the game, Eli asked Jerry if he could sit in the stands (we were in the handicapped section since we had a stroller), so they went down and sat together---father and son. I could tell Eli felt cool sitting there next to Jerry....I just had to sneak a picture! Isaiah did amazingly well in his stroller, people watching, playing with his "baseball" and of course, enjoying all the popcorn he could eat!

The Big 1-0!

2009-08-10T19:46:00.000-07:00

That's right, folks....Jerry and I just celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary! For those of you who thought we were too young to get married.....HA! Prooved you wrong!! Last weekend, Jerry and I dropped the boys off with some friends, while we enjoyed a "Couples Unity Massage" at the Embassy Suites Hotel. After a relaxing bath and hour-long massage, we concluded our evening with a meal at The Keg Steakhouse. It was nice to get out, just the two of us, for a few hours of uninterupted conversation (you parents know what I am talking about)!

Jerry and I both can't believe how far we have come over the last 10 years. Looking back, yes, we were definately two kids getting married....but 2 kids who were and still are committed to each other no matter what. Thank you Jerry for always sticking by me and loving me enough to help me grow in our relationship. I look forward whatever the next 10 years hold.....ready....set....let's go!!!

Gold Belt Glory

2009-07-11T22:29:00.000-07:00

Last month Eli was invited to another belt testing ceremony to receive his "gold" belt. Once the kids reach this level, they are required to wear sparring gear to class each week. The gear includes a helmet, chest protector, gloves, shin protectors, foot protectors, jock strap and cup (he-he!) and mouthpiece (uh-oh!)

Eli was fine with everything--except the mouthpiece. Let's just say it was just like "pulling teeth." After 1 hour of tears, threats, and screaming, Eli was finally able to conquer his fear of gagging and proudly wears the mouthpiece to sparring days each week. Whew!!!

Frisco Fire Safety Town

2009-07-11T21:15:00.000-07:00

Last night, I took the boys to a free family night at Frisco's Fire Safety Town. Inside, were a real fire truck they could climb around in and a smoky demo room to practice fire evacuation. The boys were somewhat entertained, but the real fun was outside!

The bulk of our evening was spent in the kid-sized replica of downtown Frisco---complete with stop lights and even a "Walmart!" Every 30 minutes the kids could switch from riding bikes to driving Jeeps around the little streets. Eli got a kick out of driving he and his brother by himself---(I just had to help with the traffic laws). All I can say is that I am glad we have many more years before he will be driving! Before we left, I thought it would be cute to get a picture in front of the "police station" for Daddy :)

Starting a New Chapter

2009-07-11T21:12:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, I celebrated my 30th birthday a couple of days ago. My sweet husband had already started spoiling me with gifts a few weeks prior. I was able to add quite a variety of Pampered Chef products to my collection and later I picked out a new water bottle (to add to that collection as well---Jerry says I have a water bottle obsession).

The day before my birthday, I started receiving a large amount of emails from friends and family wishing me a Happy Birthday. Come to find out, Jerry had secretly sent out a request to all my contacts to help make this birthday special for me! But he didn't stop there....The night before my birthday, he was also so kind to paint our master bathroom in the color I picked out!

On the day of my birthday, I received some flowers from my mother-in-law. As you would imagine, the balloons were spoken for immediately. The boys were so thrilled as they ran through the house with Mommy's birthday balloons! Eli kept asking if we could throw me a birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese and eat grilled cheese at Sonic. I told him we could talk about doing those things for his birthday instead! I can't wait to see what he comes up with next year :)

This year, I also decided to try a recipe I have for an ice cream cake. When peanut butter cup ice cream is sandwiched between devils food cake and topped with chocolate ganache---who wouldn't love a piece? Jerry---that's who! Oh, well. More for me and the boys!! Isaiah did not hesitate to dig right in :)

4th of July

2009-07-11T21:09:00.000-07:00

This year, we joined the Collins family for Plano's Independence Day Parade. Eli was so excited to be spending the morning with his very best friend Carson for such a fun event! We arrived just in time to some reserved seating (thanks to Carson's dad) under a nice shady tree.

The parade was a huge hit! Isaiah enjoyed waving his flag and people watching, while the older kids were preoccupied with gathering the free candy passing by. After the parade, we spent a couple more hours playing at Carson's house, which is always a delight for Eli. It made for a great start to our big day...

Later that afternoon (in 103 degree weather), I convinced Jerry to go with us to check out the neighborhood block party. Luckily, there was a shade set up with some misters spraying, so we hung out in there while Eli playing in a water-bounce house. After an hour or so, we headed home for some relief from the heat. That night, Jerry worked the Friso Freedom Fest, and the boys and I went to Little Elm's July Jubilee.

After 2 jump houses, a blue snow cone (which Eli dropped half-way through), 2 glow bracelets, and some nachos, we ready for the fireworks. The boys were not quite as excited this time--since they had just seen fireworks the weekend before--but it was still a good show. Our night concluded with a sweaty shuttle ride back to our van where we were most thankful for the A/C on our drive home. Overall, it was a FUN-filled day and I look forward to next year!

June in a Nutshell

2009-07-11T21:06:00.000-07:00

The boys and I drove down to Dallas to spend the evening with our old friends, The Ahlums, who were in town for the weekend. Jerry and I knew them when we lived in Stillwater, OK. After 3+ years, it was fun to finally meet each other's kids and catch up on everybody's lives. It eneded up being a pretty late night, but the boys did great---and of course konked out on the drive home! We look forward to taking a road trip in the future and crashing at the "Ahlum Hotel" in Arkansas.

One weekday, the boys and I spent a few hours at the local swimming beach at Little Elm Park. I found it easier than taking them to the pool because I didn't have to worry about Isaiah falling over the edge or whatever. The boys played in the sand and Eli tried his hand at building a sand castle (which he quickly gave up on----didn't turn out like the ones in books or on TV.) After a sandy lunch, we ended our time with one last "float/swim" out to the deep end so Eli could touch the yellow "fingy" (barrier/rope). I don't think I have heard him stop asking when we can go back to the beach again!

The last weekend in June, the boys and I drove up to the Celina Balloon Festival to see the hot air balloons and the fireworks show! Despite the extreme heat and humidity, we had a good couple of hours sharing a HUGE strawberry-banana smoothie and watching the balloon glow at dusk. As expected, we all loved the fireworks---Eli was laying with his head on my lap and little Isaiah was hugging me just as tight as he could (scared, but too curious not to look). With each firework that lit the sky, Isaiah would say "Woah." It was such a sweet, memorable night.

Black Belt Club

2009-06-21T20:56:00.000-07:00

Last month we signed Eli up for the Black Belt Club at his Karate school, which means he now gets unlimited classes and can attend the weekly exclusive BBC class on Friday nights. Eli is just LOVING the opportunity to express his 4 year old aggression! Here are a couple video clips from the BBC nights.

Keeping Busy

2009-06-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

Last month we went on several outings with some friends from our church. Here are a few snapshots of where we went:

Dallas Arboretum

Dallas Zoo

Adventure Landing: Bumper Boats

Go carts!!

Mini-golf (even Isaiah played) :)

Movin' On Up!

2009-05-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

Last week marked Eli's 6th week taking Karate class and he was invited to a belt testing ceremony. After a dramatic performance by the instuctors and demo team, the "Dragons" were tested on various techniques to determine if they could move up to the next belt level.

Of course, they all passed and were presented with an official certificate and brand new belt. Eli was thrilled to have Mom and Dad witness his special accomplishment!

(I even started tearing up, myself.)

So now, Eli proudly wears his "high-white" belt to Karate class and looks forward to earning his "gold" belt as soon as he gets all of his stripes. He has recently been invited to join the "Black Belt Club" for his demonstration of character and competence thus far. Way to go, Eli! Keep up the good work!!

Shoe Obsession

2009-05-15T21:19:00.000-07:00

Every time I turn around these days, Isaiah is walking around in some new pair of shoes he has found. When I think back, Eli did the same thing, but not to this degree!

Isaiah MUST be wearing some sort of shoe at all times. If he is barefoot and spots a shoe, he will wimper for us to put it on! How can I resist his sweet request for "shoo? shoo?"

He then proceeds to hobble around the house wearing one shoe and a cheerful grin! This little guy never ceases to melt my heart each day. I love you, buddy!!

My New Hobby

2009-04-14T23:03:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know that I recently signed up as an Independent Consultant for The Pampered Chef a couple of months ago. I have developed a love of cooking over the last few years, and thought this was a fun business opportunity to help"feed" my passion. You can view our products online at www.pamperedchef.biz/karenprofeta. Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in hosting a cooking or catalog show. The host rewards are awesome!

Kung Fu Kiddo

2009-04-14T20:30:00.000-07:00

Ever since Eli saw the movie, Kung Fu Panda, he has been walking around the house saying "Hi-yah!" and trying to do Karate moves. Luckily, one of Eli's new friends invited him to a "bring a buddy" day at a local Karate school. As expected, Eli loved it, so we decided to sign him up.

We actually ended up choosing a different school called Sidekicks Martial Arts, where they not only learn discipline, respect, and self-defense, but earn special stripes as well. The stripes are given for competency and attitude in the class and at home as well. What a great motivator for Eli's growing attitude problem! I was sold immediately.

So far, Eli has attended 4 "Little Dragon" classes and earned 3 out of 6 of his stripes. Once he gets them all, he moves up one belt level, and so on.... Each visit gets better as Eli becomes more familiar with the routine and expectations of the instructors. I think his biggest adjustment so far, has been learning to say "Yes, Sir."

The Circus is in Town

2009-04-14T19:46:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I thought it would be fun to take Eli to the circus in Frisco. He had never been before and was excited to eat some cotton candy! After buying 2 overpriced tickets and a $4.00 bag of cotton candy, we found some seats just as the show began. To Eli's dissappointment, the cotton candy was not as great a treat as he had imagined. He actually found the fuzzy texture repulsive, and so I ended up eating the entire bag myself!

After about 5-10 minutes watching the boring tigers and lame clowns, Eli was tugging on me to leave. I told him we were going to stay and get our money's worth, so he did his best to sit as patiently as any 4 year old can manage. Luckily, there was an intermission half way through the show and Eli got to jump out his energy in a bounce house (another $2).

The show concluded with balancing elephants, a motorcyle trick, and some dorky clowns (which Eli found hysterical). So after dropping almost $30, I left thinking we had wasted our money, but Eli wants to go back again next year! Maybe next time we will fork out the extra money for Barnum and Baley's Circus.

Drum Roll.....

2009-04-14T19:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, folks...the pictures of our house are ready! To view all the photos, visit our online web album http://picasaweb.google.com/jerryprofeta

Be Patient...They're Coming!

2009-03-13T21:30:00.000-07:00

Whew, has it been a CRAZY month! I never knew moving would be so much harder with 2 kids. Let me tell you, we are NEVER moving again!! The last few weeks have been spent getting settled in, hanging those last few pictures, etc. etc...I'm almost ready to start taking pictures so you all can see our new home. Some of you are on the edge of your seats, I know! Well, here is another tease---a shot of our backyard. The boys LOVE to play outside almost every day....especially Isaiah. I think we could leave him out there all night, and he woul not even notice :) Stay tuned.......

Just a Peek!

2009-02-10T20:41:00.000-08:00

Here is a little peek at the fireplace in our new house. Yes, we just recently bought a home and will be moving in next week! More pictures to come...

Attitude Adjustment

2009-02-10T20:34:00.000-08:00

Right after the New Year, we started a reward system to help Eli with his four-year old attitude problem :) Once he earned 30 stickers, he would get a Smart Cycle bike. We used a strike system with 2 warnings and then loss of sticker and finally a grounding to his room. Eli took to this system very well, and I am happy to report a 75% improvement in his attitude.

Last night, Eli finished his reward chart and was so excited to ride his "cycle bike." He rode that thing for almost 2 hours straight until I made him take a break and come eat dinner! That boy has energy, I tell you :) Finally at bed time, Eli decided he needed a rest from his bike. What a great investment for expending energy and expanding the mind!

Isaiah's 1st Ride

2009-02-10T20:09:00.000-08:00

Now that Isaiah is one year old, he can go on bike rides in the trailer. He was just too cute in his little helmet...I had to get a picture! The bike ride didn't last very long because Isaiah started to get fussy...his little helmet kept falling forward over his eyes :( Oh, well. Maybe next time will go better!

Laugh or Cry?

2009-01-17T06:14:00.000-08:00

Last night's dinner started out as a nightmare! I was trying a new recipe from Pampered Chef called White Chicken Chili. Whenever I follow a recipe for the first time, I am usually a little more stressed, since I'm not familiar with it yet. Plus, I am a neat freak in the kitchen (remember that for later). Needless to say, things were going well.....at first. I had cooked the garlic, diced the pepper, onion, and chicken and then it happened. Just as I was carrying the bowl of garlic, it slipped from my fingers and shattered at my feet! Hundreds of pieces of blue glass covered my kitchen floor as I quickly grabbed Isaiah and secured him in the high chair and warned Eli to "stay back!" After taking a deep breath, I tediously salvaged what I could of the garlic and swept up the glass (cutting myself only once in the process). A thorough mopping, and we were good to go!

Okay, that wasn't so bad.....just rinse the garlic of any micro sized glass particles that might remain, and keep going. I proceeded to grab the next ingredient, salsa verde, and gave the jar a little shake before opening it. Yep, catastrophe #2....I guess I had already unscrewed the lid before dropping the bowl. Before I knw what had happened, I found myself with salsa running down my arm and streaked across the counter AND my freshly mopped floor. This is the part where I just froze and didn't know how to react....cry...nope...more like bang my head against the wall (I didn't, don't worry). With as much patience as I could muster, I wiped up the mess, once again, still in disbelief that I had basically thrown salsa all over the kitchen!

Well, the good news is that I still got dinner on the table by 6pm and it tasted great (no glass to be found)! To my relief, Jerry was not present for this charade....I would never have heard the end of it! I did tell him about it later that night and he thought it was hillarious. I guess it kinda was funny when I look back....live and learn. That is my life story.

Grandma Carolyn

2009-01-09T18:12:00.000-08:00

A few days after Christmas, my mom flew out for a visit. We had not seen her since last year, so it was nice to have her. Of course with Grandma Carolyn comes presents---and a lot of them! One of Eli's favorite was a robot jacket, which he insisted on wearing whenever we were out of the house. (Halloween costume for next year??? Just a thought...)

The highlight of the trip was taking Eli to visit an exhibit called "Dinosuaurs Alive!" It was basically an outdoor trail featuring several animatronic dinosaurs that moved, roared, and one that even sprayed water out it's mouth.

Eli was curious but made sure not to get too close, as he thought the dinosaurs might bite him :) After explaining how they were "just machines" I was finally able to convince him to touch a dinosaur, which was a great feat for this non-risk taking little boy (he takes after his momma). Eli might be more adventurous if we take some friends along next time. Peer pressure can be a powerful tool!

Hope you had a good time, Grandma Carolyn! We enjoyed having you (and your fun presents)!

Christmas

2009-01-09T18:08:00.000-08:00

This year we drove out to spend Christmas with our friend Melisa and her family in Quitman, TX. Eli was very excited to know that we would be sleeping in "The Bunkhouse" for a couple of nights (given there are bunk beds). Isaiah, on the other hand, didn't sleep as well....but that's part of traveling, I guess!

Our morning was spent eating Mack's delectable apple pancakes, opening presents, and enjoying time to relax with friends. That night we were served an authentic Mexican dinner of Tamales, Beans, and Rice---which was great, since Jerry and I were both "turkeyed out" from Thanksgiving. I even got the recipes for the rice and beans, which turned out great on my first try at home!

On the last day of our stay, Jerry and Mack spent the day fishing out on Lake Fork. I'm not sure it was a successful trip, but Jerry did catch a few, as usual. (I've never known Jerry to come home without getting at least one bite).

So after a few fun but tiring days, we headed home to get ready for Grandma Carolyn to arrive the very next afternoon. Thank you for sharing your home, Mack and Dee! We are glad to have spent our Christmas with your family.

Birthday Boy

2008-12-22T10:20:00.000-08:00

Last week, our little munchkin turned one year old! We invited some friends over to the house for a small party, complete with balloons, streamers, appetizers, and a froggy cake. Isaiah did quite well when it came time for the birthday song and cake---he cautiously dug in, ending up with a green face by the end. The party concluded with opening presents (which Eli pounced on, of course)! So far, Isaiah's favorite gift seems to be an elmo/cookie monster vaccuum from his Grandma Cathy. Glad you had a fun birthday, Isaiah...we love you!!!

Eli's New Smile

2008-12-13T09:09:00.000-08:00

Eli recently had some dental work done for a few cavities in his front teeth. We were planning on putting caps on, but there was a turn of events. Once they removed the cavities from Eli's teeth, they were not strong enough to hold the caps, and his teeth came right out! As a result, Eli now is missing his 2 front teeth. There is an option of a "partial" which is fake teeth, but it is pretty costly. Jerry and I have decided that we will just wait until his permanant teeth come in. Eli's toothless grin is starting to grow on me more each day. So, I guess the theme song this month is "All I Want for Christmas is my 2 Front Teeth!"

Jerry's Big Day!

2008-12-03T09:43:00.000-08:00

After a long 22 weeks of police academy, Jerry was relieved to finally graduate! His parents/family were also present to help celebrate his big day. The ceremony began as the cadets entered, walking in formation, which was very impressive! Next came a few short speeches and then a slideshow of pictures over the course of the academy. It was nice to get a better glimpse of all the faces and activites I had been hearing about all these months!

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of each cadet as they crossed the stage to receive their graduation certificate. I was so proud as I stood in line to take his picture---that's MY husband! Eli also showed his pride by dressing up as a "police officer, like Daddy." After a nice long holiday weekend, Jerry is now reporting to his department in Frisco where he will be attending yet another "mini-academy" for the next 5 weeks. Upon completion, Jerry will spend 4 more months as a field training officer, then finally hit the streets of Frisco on his own! Hang in there, Jer, you're almost there.....

Halloween

2008-11-05T13:23:00.000-08:00

This year we joined some friends and took the boys to a Trunk or Treat at a local church. To our surprise, there was more than just candy! Inside we found jumphouses and a variety of carnival games.

The boys were very excited to wear their costumes. Eli was a police officer, Isaiah was Superman, and Austin was a horse.

Speaking of horses, Eli finally had his first pony ride. This time, he just wanted to touch the horse, but before he knew what was happening, the handler had hoisted him right onto the saddle! I walked beside Eli and he made it around the circle without even crying.

Isaiah was so adorable toddling around as Superman. His little cape even blew a little as he walked!

Needless to say, it was a late night and we didn't get the boys to bed until well after 9pm. Once again, I was pleasantly surprised at how smoothly the whole thing went! Isaiah was definatley a trooper and Eli was a little angel, delighted with all the C-A-N-D-Y!

These Shoes Were Made for Walkin'

2008-10-27T17:12:00.000-07:00

Well, Isaiah is 10 months old and has been officially walking now for about 2 weeks! Every where we go, people stop and ask us how old he is and are amazed at how someone so tiny is already walking---Most people think he is 3 months younger than he actually is! So here is proof that our little guy can travel solo. I just can't get over how cute he looks---you would think he was my first child. I guess it is special no matter how many kids you have!

A Boy and His Bike

2008-10-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

Ever since Eli got a new bike for his birthday, he has asked to ride it constantly. We took a walk to the park which was easier than I thought it would be! Eli is still getting used to crossing the street and riding down hill, but he sure moves on curves and straights! Jerry and I are just waiting for him to eat it one of these days...

On days when the weather is not suitable for riding outside, I let Eli ride around in the garage. It works out well for both of us---Eli is happy riding in circles and I get to putter around in the kitchen. Even Isaiah is entertained as he watches from behind the baby gate!

One evening I let the boys play together in the garage while I was making dinner, and found Eli using a balloon string to pull Isaiah around in his walker. After a few minor adjustments, I was able to capture this comical charade on video. (Don't worry, nobody got hurt!)

Visitors

2008-10-11T13:38:00.000-07:00

My sister and her family flew out from CA to visit for a few days. We hadn't seen each other in over a year, so it was fun to see how much the kids had grown!

During their visit, we took them to the State Fair of Texas where the kids enjoyed the animals, rides, cotton candy, and the parade! Poor Eli got sick right as we were about to leave, but recovered by the morning :)

Isaiah and Avery met for the first time and were enthralled with each other. Isaiah would continually reach to touch Avery, and she would poke his eye and say, "baby." It was so cute!

The last day we took the kids to play at a pumpkin patch and then had dinner and Jerry's favorite restaurant, Texas Roadhouse. It was a great visit that went much smoother than any of us expected. Thanks for a great time, and we look forward to seeing you next time! Love you.

Happy 4th Birthday Eli

2008-10-11T06:57:00.000-07:00

This year, we threw Eli his first kids party to celebrate his birthday. He and his friends enjoyed playing glow-in-the-dark miniature golf at the Vista Ridge Mall.

Eli asked for a Lightning McQueeen birthday cake and I found this cute pull-apart cupcake pan that I thought would be fun! The kids stuffed their faces full of "tires" and "bumpers" and "windows."

The party concluded with the opening of presents, where Eli received the long awaited BUZZ LIGHTYEAR! I think he was in disbelief that he actually had one of his own at last.

On the day of his birthday, Jerry and I got Eli his first bike. He was very eager to ride it and so we took a SLOW walk around the block while Eli cautiously explored his new mode of transportation. We are still working on riding down hill......

Wrapping up September

2008-10-11T06:01:00.000-07:00

The last couple weeks have been busy for us, so I am a little behind on the blog. Here are some updates from the end of September:

Eli attended a birthday party at Pump It Up, which is an indoor play area with a bunch of blow up jump houses and slides. Of course he had a blast!

A few days later, some moms from our church community group took a trip to the Dallas Zoo. It was a fun way to get some excercise and fellowship while the kids ran around looking at the animals. We even rode the monorail!

Eli had his 2nd visit to the dentist office---although you would have thought it was his first. Let's just say he LOST IT and was screaming at the top of his lungs in terror the whole time. The only thing that would console him was earning an ice cream cone on the ride home. Poor little guy---some things in life are not fun!

We ended the month with another trip out to our friend Melisa's. This time we stayed 2 nights in the "bunkhouse" and Jerry got his fill of fishing all weekend long. The kids played hard and didn't get much sleep, but the trip was a success in my book! Looking forward to next time......

Way to Go, Sarah!

2008-09-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

Our friend Sarah has been attending school to become certified as a dog groomer. Last Friday, I attended her graduation luncheon to help her celebrate. Sarah plans to use her new skills grooming for a vet's office and eventually start her own business. Follow your dreams, Sarah, and good luck!

Carson

2008-09-23T14:09:00.000-07:00

We discovered a couple of months ago that Eli has a best friend in his Sunday School class at church. His mom and I were finally able to arrange some play dates together last week. Needless to say, the boys were thrilled to see each other outside of church and we will be getting together again very soon.

Carson was even so sweet as to let Eli borrow his Buzz Lightyear until their next visit. It's not going to be easy when he has to return Buzz, given that Eli has not put him down for the last 4 days! (What Eli doesn't know is that he will be getting a Buzz Lightyear for his birthday in a couple weeks. I can't wait to see the smile on his face)!

Day Trip

2008-09-03T12:43:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we took a day trip out to see our frind Melisa, who lives in Quitman, TX. It was nice to get out of the city and see the open countryside. As expected, Eli and Thomas clicked instantly and were inseparable the rest of the day. It was a love/hate relationship as they both had a hard time sharing toys....Boys will be boys!

After lunch, Melisa took us to her parents' house which sits right on a lake. Jerry had brought his fishing poles (just in case), so he was all set to go! Eli and Thomas even tried their hand at fishing with little kiddie poles. It was so cute! We were left with an open invitation to come back any time, and I have a feeling we will be returning soon!

Come on, Jesus!

2008-08-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

Over the last year, Eli has developed the childhood fear of MONSTERS in his room and I have told him there are angels that protect him while he sleeps. This fear has recently come to include dark hallways as well, so now I tell him that Jesus is with him wherever he goes. Eli has found comfort in knowing he is not alone and has developed quite an adorable kinship with his new friend.

I have found Eli in his room "playing cars with Jesus," or "showing Jesus my pictures" or explaining that "It's lunch time, Jesus. No more coloring." When Eli walks down the dark hall now, he says, "Come on, Jesus! Come on, angels!" It fills my heart with joy to know that at such a young age, Eli is coming to understand the comfort he has in Jesus. I pray his relationship continues to grow in the years ahead.

Lunar Mini Golf

2008-08-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

Eli had his first experience playing miniature golf-----and boy was he glowing! For once, our little perfectionist didn't throw any tantrums. I think he was just excited to be in such a cool atmosphere. We will definately be back to play again, especially since kids only pay $3!

What a Big Boy!

2008-08-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that Eli is officially potty trained. Last week he completed the third phase of his potty game and earned his punching bag (like Daddy's). He also graduated to big boy underwear--Spiderman being his favorite. Now we just have to work on staying dry all night..........

9 Years and Counting......

2008-07-31T06:21:00.000-07:00

Vow Renewal 2003

Today is our 9 year anniversary! Some would ask if the time has gone by quickly, and my answer would be no. The last 9 years have been full of great memories, but most of all GROWTH. Our marriage has definately experienced growing pains, but they have made our relationship stronger and sweeter as a result. We look forward to this next year together and the journey God has for us. Thank you to those of you who have encouraged and supported us when we needed it most!

Use Yer Melon!

2008-07-26T12:43:00.000-07:00

Wondering what to do with all that watermelon? Here are some yummy recipes I tried that were too good to keep to myself. Happy slurping!

Watermelon-Lime Freeze Pops

1 quart cubed, seeded watermelon

6 tablespoons sugar

4 tablespoons lime juice

1/2 cup fresh mint (or 1/2 tsp. dried mint)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until very smooth and the sugar is completely dissolved. Mixture may be frozen in ice cube trays or in icepop molds.

Watermelon Cooler

1 1/2 pounds (4 cups) sliced seedless watermelon, rind removed

1 cup lemon (or raspberry) sorbet

1 lemon, zested

1 1/2 cups cold water

Watermelon wedges and mint, for garnish

In a blender, pulse watermelon, sorbet, lemon zest, and water until very smooth. Cover and refrigerate until very cold. Serve over ice and garnish with watermelon wedges and mint.

Family Time

2008-07-22T13:22:00.000-07:00

A nice thing about the police academy is that Jerry finally has Saturdays off again! We were able to spend a little family time at a birthday party this weekend.

It was held at Planet Pizza, an indoor fun center with arcades and rides. There was even a baby play area for Isaiah to get in on the fun!

Jerry and Eli have been able to spend more time together as well. As you can see, Eli is enjoying his daddy very much!

Precious Words by Eli

2008-07-22T12:38:00.000-07:00

"Hotch-a-Scotch"

"Hetcher Sketcher"

Happy Birthday to Me!

2008-07-10T15:16:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was my 29th birthday.....Eli helped me make a chocolate chip cookie cake and I decorated it blue and white at his request. Not bad for my first try! Several family members kindly reminded me that I only have one more year until I hit the "BIG 30." I will treasure this last year of being in my 20's....then its an uphill journey for the next 10 years.....but let's just take it one year at a time!

Police Academy

2008-07-02T08:04:00.000-07:00

The police department gave Jerry a list of all the equipment and gear he needed to buy for the academy. We were shocked at how quickly it all added up! At my request, Jerry tried on his uniform and Eli was pretty impressed with Daddy's police gear---especially the hand cuffs!

Tuesday was Jerry's first day of police academy, which proved to be a little different than he expected. The cadets are required to "spit shine" their boots and starch their uniforms every day! Jerry also brought home a couple large books, one that was about 3 inches thick! Apparently, he is going to be memorizing a lot of new information over the next 5 months. Hang in there, Babe.

6 Month Milestones....and Then Some!

2008-07-02T08:02:00.000-07:00

Isaiah is now 6 months old and boy, has he been busy! First he got 2 teeth, which brought 2 weeks of sleepless nights for mommy. Next, he mastered the art of sitting up and is enjoying the great view. Eli is also thrilled as Isaiah becomes more of a playmate for him.

For weeks now, Isaiah has been rocking on his hands and knees and finally discovered how to move his arms and crawl! What followed was both amazing and baffling to me---he is already pulling himself up to stand as well! I think we are going to have our hands full with this little guy!

Grandma's Boys

2008-06-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

Here are some highlights from the last two weeks with our Grandma. We will miss you and look forward to playing together next time. Love you to the moon and back!

Love, Elijah and Isaiah

Congratulations Jerry!!!!

2008-06-21T13:13:00.000-07:00

We are excited to announce that Jerry has been hired as a police officer for the city of Frisco, TX! He has wanted to work in law enforcement since high school and decided to apply this last January. After passing the first test, Jerry was told that the hiring process could take up to a year----

----Well, just this month he received a call that the department had completed his background check and was interested in moving forward. After an oral board interview and meeting with the chief, Jerry was offered the job! The last hurdle was taking the physical, psychological, and polygraph tests----all of which he passed with no problem! Starting July 1st, Jerry will be attending the police academy for the next 21 weeks. We are excited to see what our future holds! Oh, by the way----Jerry wants to be addressed as "Officer Profeta" from now on :)

A Visit from Grandma

2008-06-11T13:28:00.000-07:00

Jerry's mom flew in yesterday to stay with us for a couple weeks. Eli has been enjoying the extra love and attention, and I am enjoying a second pair of hands! (I guess we're both getting spoiled!)

Today we went for a walk around the lake and then checked out "DDD's" at the library. Eli and Grandma had a fun time playing together! Aren't grandma's fun?

Peanut Butter and Jelly AND Sanwich

2008-06-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

Some of you might know that Eli's favorite lunch is PB&J. Every day I ask him what he wants and he says, "peanut butter and jelly AND sandwich." The last few times I have asked him what he wants he has requested PB& J and "yogurt and strawberries and blueberries and pudding and cookies and that's it!" Wishfull thinking :)

We've graduated.....

2008-06-02T12:52:00.000-07:00

Yes, we officially have a "family car." Jerry surprised me with a new min-van a couple weeks ago. I have to say it is a lot easier to load/unload the kids and is much roomier than our Saturn. Eli is also enjoying the space to play while I am loading groceries or whatever. Thanks, Jerry!