Turkey Time

The boys and I have been gearing up for Thanksgiving by doing lots of Turkey activities. Jacob loves themes, crafts, baking, sweets, etc. We made a few different turkey crafts but Jacob's favorite was definitely his turkey crown. His favorite part was the dangly feet. We also made turkey cookies and had a special Turkey treat from grandpa B. These cute little turkeys were from De Boer baker and were super yummy!! When I asked Jacob what he was thankful for today he was sweet enough to say "You Mommy and spider man underwear and mickey underwear." Yup you guessed it we are attempting potty training with very low expectations!! Hope to really work on it after the holidays. Anyone who has trained a boy and has advice I would love some. Not loving potty training!

Deacon 15 months

My sweet baby is turning into a toddler way to fast! In the last month Deacon all of a sudden seems BIG. He is doing more and more of what Jacob does. He wont have being left out of anything that Jacob is doing. He is running around the house like he has been doing it forever.

Deacon is starting to talk a little bit more when he doesn't have his paci. Mommy and daddy need to keep working on taking his pacifier away from him!! IT amazes us what he can say if we take the paci out! He has such an expressive face sometimes the little guy doesn't really even need words though. Lately he has been starting the tantrums and has been putting up a little bit of a fight against his brother. He has the saddest little pouty face when things don't go his way. It melts mommy's heart!

We had his 15month appointment and we were a little surprised at just how little he was. We really do think he is BIG. His stats: weight: 22lbs. <20%>75%. I guess Frank the Tank isn't coming back, even his little legs are getting pretty thin.

Deacon also got a haircut this week and now he looks even older. No more baby with the shaggy hair. :(

Florida

The boys and I enjoyed a little time in Florida while Jason was busy in Iowa and up North at Bitely for the gun hunting opener. Jacob has grown up so much and did and awesome job traveling! No stroller for that guy he was walking and helping out like such a big boy!!!

Jacob loved helping me pack this time. Half our suitcase was stuffed animals but thankful with a washer and dryer you don't need many outfits!!

Jacob took his naps on the beach!! I loved this!! I got a chance to read a book something I don't have much time for at home.

The boys LOVED the beach!! We only had one day of clouds and cooler evenings but lots of fun!! It was so cute to see Deacon walking around on the beach!! Jacob also did a great job swimming! ! He was even in the deep water! Major improvement from summer.

Beach BOYS!

Ashley and Jacob baking Christmas cookies!! Jacob didn't want to miss out on his favorite activities while on vacation!!

Halloween

We had a fun Halloween weekend. Jason and I even dressed up this year. We a fun night out without kids the night before and then took the kids to a few houses in the cold on Halloween. We also had a few friends over for pizza after trick or treating. It was fun to see all of the little ones together in their costumes. Jacob picked his costume and I got NO say in the matter but I do have to say he ended up being a pretty cute spiderman in the end.

What's New?

This week we enjoyed the little bit of nice weather we had and spent some time outside as well as inside when the rain hit at the end of the week!! The boys are growing up WAY to fast!! Jacob now has a new big boy bed and it's really BIG! (need to get a pic of this yet!) Along with his big boy bed he is not napping much either. I'm struggling to adjust to this as I'm getting much less done and he if VERY moody without a nap. A couple activities that we did while he didn't nap included planting tulip bulbs, baking cut out cookies and a few crafts...

Gardening gloves and all he was a big helper putting the tulip bulbs in and covering them up!!

Rolling out the dough and cutting out the cookies with Mommy!

Jacob and Daddy helped decorate the cookies after I frosted them later that night!

Doesn't he look like such a big boy!! I don't think Jacob ever filled those overalls out!!

Enjoying some fun on the swing set on a semi-warmer night!!

Deacon is busy walking all over the place and getting into things. He loves to climb as well!! He is really good at getting on top of the Lego table and getting on stools to get things off the counter! YIKES!! He is also talking more and more. His current favorite are "BUCK" and "Moo". He is also getting two of his molars which makes him wake up extra early for his mommy and daddy. I think we had 4 in the bed at 6:30 twice this week. (Not a normal occurrence at our house) Deacon is also a good little builder!! He loves to stack blocks. I think his record is 8 high!! Pretty good for 14 months!

Also new for the boys is a fun train set that Daddy picked out at IKEA a few months ago and put together last weekend!!

We took a fun nature walk this morning and the color was still pretty gorgeous even after all the rain and wind be had Friday and Saturday.

Deacon was a little trooper just hanging out it the stroller except for this one pic!

Jacob was such a big boy he walked and ran around the whole hour and a half we were there. He only sat in the stroller for a minute to have a quick snack!!

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!!