Jacobisms V

* Mommy: Jacob, you need to stop growing up so fast.
Jacob: But, Mommy, I have to grow up someday. Otherwise I'll NEVER get to drive the car by myself!

* While my Grandma Mozelle was in town, my dad & Grandma took Jacob out to lunch at Wendy's. Jacob really wanted to dump his own garbage in the trash. While doing so, he managed to spill what was left of his drink on the floor. He looked up at my dad and said, "Bapa, you better clean up that problem!"

* Like in most houses, kisses heal anybooboo....with that said....I was putting Jacob down for bed. As usual, he spent 30 minutes sneaking out of his room. I explained that the next time he came out, he'd get a spanking. 2 minutes later, out walks Jacob.
SPANK!
Crying ensues!
Just as I'm about to leave the room, Jacob rolls over on his side, points to his bottom and says, "Mommy, my bottom hurts. Kiss it."

The Great Minnesota Get Together

If you live in MN, summer's not complete until you visit the State Fair. It's a clogged-artery haven...filled with anything you can think of on a stick and equally interesting people watching. This was Jacob & Sophia's first experience and they LOVED it! Well, Jacob loved all of it. Sophia just loved the food. Jacob getting a KEMPS tatoo
Riding the John Deere Gator

Waiting for the Pronto Pup
Jacob's first taste of a Cheese Curd...YUMM!
Craig's as happy as a clam with his bowl of Cheese Curds

Nothin' like Sweet Martha's cookies & All-You-Can-Drink milk
Jacob standing in front of this year's BIG PIG...

Deano...1327 pounds!!!

I think Deano needs to lay off the Fair Food!

Girls Night

Call me crazy...call me normal...but I love a good girls' night. I'm not the type that likes to stay out until all hours of the night in a bar that's so loud you literally have to be nose-to-nose with the person next to you in order to have a conversation. I love a good meal, with good friends, and good conversation. Tonight...I got the ideal girls' night. My dear friends, Megan & Amanda, came over for dinner. Craig took the kids to Grandma & Papa's house and we got a full 3 hours of uninterupted girl time. GLORIOUS!!

Megan & Amanda are friends that I met in Grad School. Yes, in case you're wondering, we're psychology nuts...not "nuts/crazy", but "nuts/guru's". Anyway, these 2 helped see me through tests, papers, internships & a thesis that could kill the most enthusiastic scholar. And a great friendship developed. They challenge me on so many different levels and I'm always so uplifted when our girls' nights are over. I just wish it wasn't such a long time inbetween...but I guess that makes me appreciate them all the more.

So, THANKS GIRLS, for a great night! Oh, and Megan, the Crystal Lite did come out of the counter. :)

Megan, Me & Amanda...May 2007...Graduation Day
Megan, Amanda & Me
2 years later...and still lookin' good!

Jacob with the girls...

because he never passes up an opportunity to pose for the camera

Congratulations, Brendan & Maggie!

My cousin, Brendan, got married this past weekend up in Fargo. It was so fun to see him and meet his new wife...and celebrate with the entire Baumann family. What a beautiful setting...great food and lots of dancing...oh, and Jacob's favorite...the cupcake tree. Congratulations, Brendan & Maggie!

My cousin, Danielle, & me
Jacob took this picture...not bad for a 3 year old!

Daddy & Sophia having a great time
CHEERS!
Nana & Jacob watching the Groom & Aunt Cheryl dance

Mother & Son Dance
Jacob "dancing" with Sophia
Jacob & Aunt Cheryl
Jacob had a great time...was quite the ladies man at this wedding. Here he is dancing in the middle of all the bridesmaids. HE LOVED IT!

Happy Birthday, Steve!

Our friends, Steve & Genna, came over tonight for a little birthday celebration. Happy 29th Birthday, Uncle Steve!!

Go Vikes!

Unless you've been living under a rock the past few days, you have heard...no, been inundated with the excitement that is Brett Favre. For years, Craig has hyped himself up during the preseason, with anticipation that this year will be our year to win the Super Bowl. This year is no exception...quite the contrary. With an outstanding defense, a Pro Bowl runningback and a Hall of Fame quarterback...we're guaranteed to win at least 8 games...just kidding. :)

Jacobisms IV

* On my way home from picking Jacob up at Vacation Bible School, I asked him what he did today.

Did you learn any new things about Jesus today at VBS?
Yes.
What did you learn?
That God is great, beer is good and people are crazy!!

I can only hope he didn't announce that at VBS!!

Please don't be alarmed. Jacob didn't just make that up. It's from a country song. For those who don't know the Billy Currington song, or just love it enough to hear it again, I've attached the link to the video. Enjoy!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaMgb0JMTeo

* After warning Jacob to behave himself around Sophia, he decided to test me one more time. He was immediately moved to timeout, where I explained that he would sit there for 3 minutes. As I was walking back into the kitchen, I hear him yell, "Mommy, I don't have to tolerate this!" Oh really???

Tonight's Gunna Be A Good Night

Sophia loves to dance...especially to the Black Eyed Pea's "I've Got a Feelin'". This is her in the car. Please note that her legs are moving on their own...no help from Mom or Dad.

Faith of a Child

I think the greatest responsibility as a Christian parent is to raise your kids with a heart for the Lord and to guide them in their faith to a point where they understand and come to know the Lord on their own. For those of you who know Jacob, he's WAY beyond his years in verbal ability...sit alone in the car with him for any amount of time, and you'll see why. The other day, we were in the car, listening to the local Christian radio station. "Blessed be Your Name" came on. And this is the conversation that followed:

JACOB: Mommy, what is this song about?
MOMMY: It's about praising God.
JACOB: God in Heaven?
MOMMY: Yes, God in Heaven, but God in your heart too.
JACOB: I don't feel God in my heart.
MOMMY: Well, you don't always feel Him, but He's all around us.
JACOB: I don't think He's in my heart though.
MOMMY: Well, you just have to ask Him to live there.
Jacob paused for a long time, and then very quietly in the back seat I heard,
"God, will you live in my heart, please?"
Another long pause.
"Mommy!! I really think He heard me!!"

Such a simple prayer. Such an honest request. But at that very moment, all of Heaven rejoiced!

Toddlin'

Can't seem to figure out how to get this right-side up, but if you tilt your head to the left, you'll get the same effect.

The View from Our Backyard

Much to the dismay of deer hunters everywhere, you cannot shoot deer in the city. If you could, we'd probably rent out our house to the highest bidder on deer opener. You'd have a guaranteed shot of a 10 AND 8 point buck! But we're happy to settle for looking at the awesome wildlife.

Little Miss Modesty

This was the view people got as we passed them in the mall. Please note the position of her legs. No modesty here!

Our Birthday Girl

It's hard to believe that a year has come and gone...filled with excitement, laughter, and a little less sleep. Sophia, you are beautiful! Your smile lights up the room, your laughter is contagious, and you have a mind of your own! You are gentle, tender hearted, and a toughie. You LOVE your brother and your Daddy. You know exactly what you want and how to get it. You'll eat anything. You walk and talk and dance. You're a dare-devil and independent. YOU ARE A DREAM COME TRUE! We love you, Sweet Pea!

Sophia's Birthday

This weekend we celebrated Sophia's 1st Birthday. We can't believe it's already been a year. On Friday, we had some immediate family up to the cabin in Aitkin for a birthday dinner.

Apparently, Jacob didn't like having the attention on someone else

On Saturday afternoon, Grandma & Papa Person hosted a big family party for Sophia up in Grand Rapids. Almost 40 people joined us. Thanks to the Stockes, Mossengrens, Becklins & Willi, Segl & Amy for driving up for the big event. It meant so much to us that you were there. And thank you, Rick & Teresa, for all the work you put in to making it such a fun party!

Willi trying to contain Jacob & Sophia
Daddy's Little Girl

Jamaican Me Crazy

This past week, my brother, Kevin, and his family came to visit. For those of you looking at the pictures and totally confused, he's not really my brother, but that's how I consider him. :) Since we don't get to see Kevin & Heidi and the kids that often, we spent some quality time up at the cabin. It was so great to see how big the kids have grown and talk about how our lives have changed over the past 11 years. Good morning!
Sophia & Keonnah (1 1/2)

Heidi with the girls
My Little Fashionista
The "Cousins"

Mikai, Keonnah & Jayden

Uncle Kevin
Keonnah & Kevin on the boat

The boys