Christmas in Ohio

Jacoby was so excited when he woke up on Christmas morning. He wanted to know if Santa had came so we told him he had to wait and we would go see. We ran downstairs and got the cameras ready and then we told him he could come down. He was a little cautious at first, actually I think he was pretty overwhelmed to begin with. He didn't know where to go first.

But it didn't take him long to check out all of his new toys. He got a tractor.

The train set that used to be his Daddy's and a scooter and table and chairs. Grandma and Grandpa J brought everything all the way from Denver.

While we were opening presents he suddenly remembered the snacks he left for Santa and the reindeer and ran over to see them. Santa loved his snack and Jacoby was really happy.

Then it was back to opening Christmas presents. Jacoby was really excited to give his Daddy the calendar we had made for him and I think he was even more excited to give me my present. Jarod let him pick it out all by himself. He asked him what my favorite thing was and Jacoby told him ice cream- he knows me too well! But since ice cream would have melted under the tree they got me a gift card to one of our favorite places here for ice cream. Then he told his daddy he wanted to get me some pants for when I had my tractions. Jarod took him to Target and let him pick out the perfect ones. First Jacoby wanted to bring me home lingerie because he thought they would look nice on me but then he spotted the perfect pair- Mickey Mouse jammies! He kept telling Jarod that they were perfect and I was going to love them. I do love them they are very cozy and remind me of my little boy every time I wear them.

After opening presents, the rest of them took off for our yearly traditional football game.

I was on the injured list this year but I did get a couple of funny shots before they left.

Jacoby trying to be just like Daddy. They had a great time playing football and brought home a very tired boy!

We had a traditional Christmas dinner and hung out the rest of the night.

The next day we went to the nature museum here in Cincinnati and had a great time.

The night of the 26th, I was up for a few hours having contractions and after dealing with them by myself for a few hours I woke up Jarod. We were up all night long with contractions. Later that morning we were making breakfast and Jarod went to open a jar and the entire thing broke in his hands. He cut his pinkie on his right hand really bad. I was standing next to him and he turned to show me with blood running down his hand and I lost it. Good thing his family was there to help take care of him because all I did was go to my room and cry. I was so overwhelmed with everything and just couldn't take one more thing. Poor Jarod had to go to the urgent room and get 7 stitches and his hand put in a splint.

We had made big plans to do a lot of stuff to get ready for the baby but with me being so pregnant and Jarod not being able to use his right hand we didn't get too much done. Luckily for us his family painted the nursery or else that wouldn't have gotten done.

Overall it was a nice Christmas. The best part was watching Jacoby and seeing how excited he was about everything. It was the best!

Christmas Eve 2011

This year for Christmas was our first time hosting. Since I was so pregnant and couldn't travel all of the Jostes' including Bentley came to us.

On Christmas eve, we went to a Catholic mass. Jacoby thought it was pretty interesting and was getting quite annoyed that we had to keep standing up when he wanted to play with his toys but he was a very good boy. Then we came home and had some chili.

Mary always buys him this little suits for Christmas and this year he loved having a tie on and the thought he looked pretty handsome.

Daddy wore this beautiful sweater to work earlier that week and one first place. He loved it so much he wanted to wear it again on Christmas Eve and yes, this is their new pose. We got these adorable Christmas jammies for Jacoby that he got to open up on Christmas eve. He was so excited that they had a reindeer on them.

As we were getting him ready for bed, he reminded us that we needed to leave a snack for Santa and the reindeer. We had completely forgotten. We let him pick out what he wanted to leave them and this is what we came up with. No traditional cookies and milk here. Nope, Santa got a salad, pickle, one piece of chocolate and since "Santa, LOOOOOVES egg nog" according to Jacoby he got some of that too. After I took these pics he also threw in more lettuce for the reindeer and some airplane cookies for Santa.

It was so funny!! What an amazing combination! I had to laugh that he thought Santa needed a salad. Then Jarod and I took him to our room with the Christmas lights on and read all of our Christmas books before he went to bed. He was so excited and kept telling us that he needed to go to sleep so Santa could come.

Train to North Pole

Last year we took a train to the North Pole and it was so much fun that we decided that it is going to be our yearly Christmas tradition and this year Jacoby loved it even more!

He talked about it for days before and days after. It was definitely one of our highlights this Christmas. We drove up to Lebanon, Ohio and took a train from Lebanon to Mason. It was about a 30 minute train ride.

He loved watching out the windows and making all of his train noises. For most of the ride he was the conductor and kept saying, "All aboard- choo, choo."

He was so excited to see Santa!

When we got there they had a little North Pole area set up with a building for coloring some Christmas decorations as well as a little house where Santa was.

They also had hot cocoa and cookies. Jacoby called it hot chocolate before this trip but since watching the Polar Express as well as hearing Santa say hot cocoa, it's hot cocoa now. Just ask him.

He was so cute with Santa. He ran right in and gave him a big hug. Then he told him that he was a really good boy and that he wanted a train for Christmas. Santa asked him a few other questions and he answered him but he was a little distracted by Mrs. Claus sitting next to them.

But Mrs. Claus gave him a big bell ornament and then he was back to talking up a storm to both of them.

He loved seeing Santa! It was so much fun to take him this year and watch him. I have always loved Christmas but it is so much fun when they start getting it and it was so much fun to relive Christmas through him this year.

As soon as we got home, he hung his bell on the Christmas tree and anyone who came over he showed the bell to them and told them that the sound would help the reindeer find our house on Christmas Eve.

Zoo lights in Cincinnati!

Every year we head to zoo lights and this year we were so happy that Cincinnati has their version and I must say it does put the Chicago zoo to shame. It was amazing!

It was 60 that day so we didn't plan on it being as cold as it was but it was freezing for Cincinnati. Luckily we had a few things in the car to bundle us all up. We went and saw the polar bears right after we got there and Jacoby said that they were snuggling to keep warm so the rest of the night he wanted to snuggle like polar bears and actually he is still on that kick. Here he is snuggling with Mama and Daddy like polar bears.

All day that day he had pretended to be an elephant so it was perfect that we went to the zoo that night. We stayed and watched the elephants for a long time and Jacoby communicated with the in elephant language. He is too funny! He even has his trunk up!

We were talking as we left that the first time we did zoo lights we were pregnant with Jacobes and this year we are pregnant with our new little baby. We always love zoo lights and talk about what the next year will be like when we go. Next year we will have one that will probably be almost walking and a 4 year old! Wow!!! We can't wait!

The flood

Well December 6 was not a good day for me. All night it had been raining and we got 4 inches of rain over night. Jarod left that morning to go to Chicago for the week and Jacoby and I were just hanging out. I had hid something in the basement for the elf to bring that day to Jacoby so I ran down to go and get it. When I opened the door there was about three inches of water over my entire basement. I had no idea what to do. I seriously sat down on the steps and started bawling. I did not know what to do, who to call or what to even do next. Bawling was the only thing that I could think of doing. After I got a little composure I tried to call Jarod. He was flying so I couldn't get a hold of him so I called my dad. I was so glad that he answered the phone and told me what to do because I just needed someone to tell me what to do. He told me to call my insurance and so I did and started the long process. In the meantime, we were not sure if it would be covered under insurance because we had no idea where the water was coming from so my dad told me to call a plumber. I did and he came over and we found out it was the sump pump. That was good news because it was covered under insurance and it was rain water not sewer water- thank goodness!
Anyway, later that night we had a party at our house with all the cleaners and evaluators along with my Bishop and another guy from my ward who came to help me move boxes. It was insane!
I was a disaster for a few days. 36 weeks pregnant with my husband out of town with a three year old and no help. It was not a good combination but luckily everything has turned out ok. We lost about $10,000 in stuff in the flood and most of our baby clothes and baby stuff and we are still working with the insurance to get it all covered but the good news is that it is covered.

The big day!

For weeks Jacoby kept telling us that for his birthday he wanted balloons so Jarod and I blew up over 100 balloons and put them on our floor so when he woke up they were right there waiting for him.

He were so excited!!

and had a blast running through them

and making big piles and jumping into them.

I think his day would have been perfect for him if we stopped there but we didn't.

We got up and made pancakes- his favorite and then we took him down to his play room to see his big surprise.

He loves helping us in the kitchen so Jarod and I found this beat up kitchen and fixed it up for our little chef. We got him pots and pans and Mamma and Paka got him food. He was so excited and he loves it! He is constantly making us food and pretending that he is making something.

After lunch, the elf came. The elf has been coming every day in December and leaving something in his advent calendar. The elf came and delivered some more birthday surprises and then we asked him if he wanted to know his other surprises. He told us no that he wanted to be surprised so we loaded him in the car and headed out to the Newport aquarium. About half way there he told us he was ready to here his surprise so we told him where we were going. He loves the aquarium and this was a new one for him so he was super excited. When we got there we bought a yearly pass for all of us for his birthday and enjoyed a really fun day at the aquarium. Then we asked him what he wanted for dinner and it was his pick of course he picked pizza. His absolute favorite. Then we came home and had cupcakes. It was the best day with our three year old!

The Big Three Year Old!

Oh my goodness! I know I say this every year but I really cannot believe that you are three years old. It really does seem like just yesterday you came into my life and changed it in an instant. I can't imagine my life without you now and I wouldn't trade the last three years for anything. Oh Jacoby, your Mama loves you so much! Everything that I do I do with you in mind and I try really hard to be the best Mama that I can be because you deserve so much. You and I are still inseparable and I love our relationship. You are a Mama's boy through and through and even three years later I still cannot get enough of you. When I am away from you I fill like part of me is missing. You have completed me in ways I never thought possible. You have taught me so much about life, me and mostly about love and trust. You are the most trusting and loving child I have ever known. You love so unconditionally and trust your Daddy and I with everything that you are. I am always taken back by your willingness to try new and scary things as long as we tell you that everything is going to be ok. You are so in touch with me and know when I am having a hard time. With this pregnancy you have been amazing! You are so concerned about me whenever I am having "tractions" and you will sit next to me in the tub and rub my back or give me hugs and kisses and tell me that everything is ok. You melt my heart on a daily basis with the love I feel from you and I hope that you feel it from me too.

You are turning into quite a little boy. It makes me sad that you are growing up so quickly but it is so much fun to watch you grow. Your imagination is amazing! We pretend all day long. Today you have gone to space, jumped in books and acted them out, pretending to fight fires and we were both sharks. It is always something and you are constantly coming up with new games and things that we can be. You love to paint and color. You love to use scissors and have projects with Mama. you love to help your Dad and I cook. You love to watch your shows. You are still in swim and you are a little fish! You would spend all your time underwater if the teacher would let you. You gave up your nap but you still have quiet time in your room for an hour. You still love to sleep with Mama and Daddy. You fall asleep in your room but before we go to bed we come and get you and bring you into our room. We love to wake up with you in the morning and it is still one of my favorite times of the day! You love to play football with Daddy along with baseball, soccer and hockey. When Daddy gets home it is a sports arena at our house. We love your little whistle that you do to get our attention. We just love you to pieces!

Jacoby we love you so much and we are so proud of you and the little boy that you are becoming. We want you to know that we love you so much and yes you still make Mama and Daddy all better!

Jacoby's Third Birthday!

We had so much fun celebrating Jacoby's Birthday in Idaho this year with his favorite people! Not only were his cousins there but Ty was in Boise for Thanksgiving and got to come too. It was perfect!

Ash made this really cute poster and Jacoby and I found the other fire engine stuff for his birthday. He even picked out his own shirt. We had been trying to decide what kind of birthday to have either fire engine or tractors, two of his favorite things, and when he saw this shirt he told me he wanted a fire engine birthday. SOLD!

To make it even better my mom set up a tour of the local fire station for the kids and they even wore their hats!

The kids loved every minute of it. They were taking it all in like crazy!
He even had to wear his church boots that day because firemen where boots.
They got to try on all the gear
and practice driving the big engine.
Even Miss Emma loved it!

Boden really liked this heat sensor and he was happy playing with that for quite a while
We were trying to get a good shot of Jacobes from the front of the engine so the firefighter hoisted him up, as you can see he thought he was pretty cool!
But I think the highlight for Jacoby was actually getting to drive the fire engine. He got to sit on the lap of the captain while he pulled it out. He wasn't so sure about it at first. He kept looking at me wondering if he was ok but pretty soon he got caught up in it and loved it.
The fireman put the coat and hat and Jacoby because it was his birthday and I seriously cannot stop laughing every time I look at this picture. The poor boy! The hat ways more than he does soaking wet!
As you can see, he was terrified to move. He kept the same expression the entire time and would only move his eyes. Pretty soon, the hat slipped to the side and took Jacoby with it. It was so funny! He landed face down in the hat and his legs were still straight. Then he just said, Mama. It was priceless. We took them off of him and gave them to Michael.
He was still holding onto the hat though!
Then we put it on Boden. Love this pic!
He was so happy and loved every minute of it!
He didn't want to leave and him and his Dad watched as they pulled away. For some reason the pic didn't post but this was fire station number 3 in Boise- how fitting is that!

After the fire station, we headed back to my mom's house for pizza and white cupcakes with fire engines that Aunt Ash made and Jacoby requested.
He was so excited to have Ty there and we were so glad they were able to make it.
Then we opened presents and boy did we have a lot of help.
Jacoby was so sweet and went around and hugged everyone and thanked them for their presents. Here he is with Grandma GG.

Love this pic of him and Mama! And with Paka! We had the best time and I was so glad to be able to celebrate it with all of my family. Jacoby loves being at Mama and Paka's house and he is in heaven any time he is with his cousins. He loves them so much and it is so much fun to watch him play with them. He gets so excited and they do so well together. They are truly his favorite people behind his Mama and Daddy of course!