Pumpkin Patching

Joseph, Joe, Jacob, and I took advantage of the beautiful weather and went to our local pumpkin patch. Jacob was excited to navigate Joe's wheel barrel toward the pumpkins. Joseph chose one and Jacob chose them all. He walked down the rows pointing at each pumpkin, then pointing at the empty wheel barrel. "Get in here" he demanded.  He. Is. Adorable. 

The boys helped us to carve the pumpkins when we got home.  Joseph has always had a difficult time touching the guts of the pumpkin. Jacob is equally tentative. 

I love the crack of the pumpkin flesh as you pull the top up for the first time and the earthy whaft of orange mush immediately following. It's just the beginning of the wonderful holiday season. 

Jakers' First Haircut

I've been dreading this day for months. Joe has been relentlessly harassing me about when we were going to get Jacob's first haircut. I've been avoiding it because Jacob's my last little one and it absolutely pains me to admit that he is growing up. Joseph got his first haircut when he was just one and I recall being abjectly devastated that the cut left him without his little soft ringlets. Jacob has the same honey-colored feathery whisps and I didn't want to lose them. I love using my nails to comb his hair to the side of his face!  I can't do that if there isn't enough hair for me to sweep over. 

Initially Jacob wasn't having any of it. Joe was going to hold Jacob in the seat, but Jacob kept crying and clawing for me. Joe grabbed a lollipop and that pacified Jacob temporarily. I appreciated that the stylist cut quickly. She was also very patient and that alleviated some of my anxiety. He looks great and I'm pleased as pie!  Just in time for our family portrait and Christmas cards!  

Jon's Visit to the PNW

My brother Jon has been talking about visiting my mom and I in Washington since we first moved here over 4 years ago. He finally made his way over here recently and he had an absolute blast. He and Teresa stayed in Port Angeles for a couple of days and did some hiking before making their way south to Kitsap.  They love it here!   They love the rain, the crisp cold air, the beautiful scenery, the nature, the absence of traffic congestion, Olive Garden, Applebee's, the cost of living, among a million other things. It makes me appreciate what we have here when someone from the outside loves it so much. We really live in a pretty cool place!

Angry Birds Fanatic

Joseph and I have been having fun working on puzzles before bedtime. Today after school, I took Joseph to Toys-r-Us to get a new puzzle. I had hoped to find a 500 or 1,000-piece puzzle. We've been cruising through our 100-piece ones and I wanted one that we could spend a significant amount of time completing. We found an Angry Birds Star Wars one Joseph just couldn't pass up. It took us less than an hour to do it, but he had to have this one.

Notice his t-shirt and pajama bottoms.  This young man is obsessed. Absolutely. Obsessed.  At least Christmas shopping will be easy. 

Rub-a-dub-dub

These two are bath buddies. For a while Joseph thought he was too big for baths. Recently he's been joining Jacob in the tub.  They crack me up. They play with their boats and letters.  Jacob helps me wash Joseph's hair.  It's wonderful.  I. Am. So. Lucky.

Tour of Joe's Phone

I was breezing through Joe's phone and I found some pictures that I forgot existed!

Jacob used to have blue eyes like his big brother, but they've turned hazel just like dad's.

Santa at Kitsap Mall. 

Days from delivering Jacob. I was trying on the Mobi with baby Warehouse Mouse. 

Snoqualmie Santa Train ride. Jacob was all bundled up. Joseph's exuding holiday cheer!

Joe and I at Silver City Brewery for a date night. 

Jacob enjoying our favorite spot- Silverdale Waterfront park.