Deacon 14 months

Deacon isn't such a baby anymore. He is starting to walk and enjoying playing with his brother more and more everyday. He is becoming a good little eater enjoying many more foods than his big brother. His favorites are pears, peaches, yogurt, mac n cheese and grill cheese. He is trying to say more words everyday but most of it still sounds like baby babble to most people. Hopefully when he is ready to talk we can hear him over Jacob's constant chatter. Deacon has 7 teeth and has 2 little bumps that I'm sure will push through before we know it. He also adores books, he picks one up and then backs himself onto your lap. This is definitely one of my favorite things that occurs at our house daily! He is still my cuddly bear at night I love singing him "Jesus Loves Me" and snuggle him before laying him down to sleep. Deacon is also transitioning into 1 nap a day. Deacon you are such a blessing in our lives. We are thankful everyday for the gift you are in our lives.

Outdoor Discovery Center

The boys had their first experience at the ODC and they loved it!! Couldn't have been a better place for little boys who love animals and the outdoors! We enjoyed seeing the frogs, snakes, bunnies, turtles, and an owl as well as doing a few crafts, puzzles and playing a club house. The boys and I are really enjoying all the fun activities of fall that we can do together this year now that they are both getting a little older!!

Pumpkin Fest

The boys and I made a trip downtown Zeeland to see he Pumpkin fest displays on Friday afternoon. Jacob loved them!! He could hardly talk fast enough to let me know what each one was. His favorite was THE CAT AND THE HAT!! He even needed to be held up for a picture. Deacon wished he could get out and touch everything but until he is a little steadier on his feet we will keep him in the stroller!!

Saturday Jacob and I participated in the Pumpkin Fest run. Jacob did the 100 yard dash with his cousin and I ran the 5k. This was a big accomplishment for both of us. It was Jacob's first race and my first race since 2005. I was content with my finish and would like to do some more road races now that I no longer can use the excuse of being pregnant or having a little baby!!

Lastly we didn't make it to the parade due to the rainy weather and a birthday party to attend. We are thankful for how far we have come since last year after the pumpkin parade Deacon was in the hospital.

Green Lipstick

I no longer have to wonder what Jacob is doing while I clean up dinner and Jason reads the paper. He's finding green lipstick in daddy's nightstand. Maybe it was a highlighter but he was very proud to tell us he found green lipstick and put it on himself!!!

FALL

Now that we are officially feeling the Fall weather here is a quick review of what we have been up to! Last week we made a trip to cranes on Monday evening to get some apples and enjoy a yummy dinner at the Orchard. The kids had a great time. Jacob loved the freedom of running and picking the apples and Deacon thought it was fun to hold and gum the apples.

Tuesday we celebrated Great Grandpa and Grandma DeWitt's 70th wedding anniversary and then Grandpa and Grandma were honored at the Winning At Home Dinner on Thursday!!

We also enjoyed the crisp air on Friday night and took a walk downtown Holland. Jacob loves to be downtown to see all the stores and where daddy works! We continue to do lots of crafts with Jacob during Deacon's nap time. A new favorite is painting bread. Jacob loves to paint and this even gets him to eat the bread!!!!

We didn't slow down when the weekend hit. The Huyser's invited us to a Farm in Kalamazoo and we had a blast. They had tons of kids activities: drain pipe slide, hay maze, swing, apple train, big jumping blob, hay climbing hill and the list goes on... We also did a little apple picking and enjoyed some amazing donuts!!! The kids were exhausted for the ride home so we got a little peace and quiet before heading home for some yummy vitales pizza!

Sunday we went to Chicago with Jason's parents, Aunt Ashley and Ryan to the Tigers game!! Jacob had a fun day of being spoiled with so much attention. We left early and made a trip to the original pancake house before the game. YUMMY!!! Jacob also enjoyed a LOTS of treats at the game!! Thanks for a fun time Grandpa and Grandma D!

Deacon also had a fun day at Grandpa and Grandma Bouwens while we were away. Mommy missed him but I'm pretty sure the game wasn't a good place for a non-walker. Hopefully next year little buddy!!

Silver Lake - Labor Day

Taking a ride in the big red truck up test hill.

Two and a 1/2

YIKES!!! Jacob is 2 1/2 today!! My little guy is growing up way to fast. With this cold weather wearing jeans and sweatshirts he even looks big!! Jacob is still our little chatter box, talking non-stop to anyone and everyone. Lately his favorite things to talk about are hunting and bear stories. Jacob would sit and listen to bear stories all day if we could think of enough to tell him. Then he go on to tell other people parts of them. This makes for some entertaining stories.

Jacob is also starting to eat a little bit more!!! He now likes more than mac n' cheese. I would have never thought I would be so excited to see my little boy eat a hot dog or a chicken nugget. Also when we eat Jacob loves to help Deacon learn his sign language. It is so cute when he tells Deacon to ask for more or say thank you. Hopefully he will always be so helpful teaching his brother!!

We still do lots of crafts at our house. Jacob's favorite right now is paint. We just got some new paint at the store this week that we are looking forward to making some new creations with. Glue is also high on Jacob's list of fun things to use when crafting. With fall coming I'm looking for fun craft ideas for the little guy so if you have any send them our way.

Other favorite things of Jacob's right now are pretending with stuffed animals, building towers and kicking them over, making forts, trying to drive any vehicle he can get his hands on (watch your keys), jumping and climbing on everything and playing with Deacon. We are also attempting potty training right now. Can't say how its going to go but I would bet we wont be going to far without diapers anytime soon.

Jacob you are an amazing little man. I love you more than I could ever tell you. It just melts mommy and daddy's hearts when you keep asking for just one more kiss or hug. Even when it makes dad late for work or you go down for a nap or bed a few minutes later. You say the funniest things and we always say how quiet it is when you are away for a few hours with Grandpa and Grandma, Aunt Ashley, or your buddies Jan & Kenzie. Love you little guy. We are thankful for the fun we have had the past 2 1/2 years and excited for all the things yet to come!!