here comes the sun

Boating season 2010 has finally arrived...sort of. The weather is perfect for riding on the boat, but getting in the water is another thing. I decided to wait until it heats up a little bit more before I dive in. But Curtis and a few others got in the water with the aid of a wet suit.

Oliver was not much of a fan of the boat, or more specific, his life jacket. However, I think it fits him better now then the last time we went boating...when he was only one month old.

It was nice to get outside, feel the heat of the sun, and realize summer is just right around the corner!

lately

I am in a losing battle with dirt.

I am surrounded on all sides and all there is left to do is surrender.

It's like a scene from a horror movie.

not as easy as it looks

ticket to the scottsdale art festival: $7

strawberry crepe at the art festival: $6.50

parking at the art festival: free

buying a work of art at the festival: VERY PRICEY!

A couple Saturdays ago, we moseyed on over the Scottsdale Art Festival to enjoy some art and the outdoors. Some of the art was absolutely amazing and absolutely expensive. Just being around all this art got our creative juices flowing and a couple times we found ourselves saying, “we could make that at home”

so we did

this is the inspiration piece from the festival

and these are our renditions
(which cost only $30 for both, what a STEAL!)

Can you guess who’s painting is who’s?

Regardless, what we came to realize is that we are NOT artists and art is expensive because it takes a special talent, which we do not possess.

Scottsdale Art Festival, we will never underestimate your work again!

On a high note, we actually did walk away from the art festival with something. We surprisingly ran into my parents there (neither knowing the other was going) and they took us out to dinner afterwards. I think that was the best deal of the festival!

Easter

Holidays are still pretty low key around here but Curtis' mom sent down this bucket with some Easter treats inside. We threw in some teething toys because that seems to be all he wants these days, still no teeth though.

We spent the morning at home then in the afternoon we went to my parents house and dyed Easter eggs and got some more Easter treats. We finished it off with your traditional Ham dinner, which was delish.

It was a great Easter but we can't wait until Oliver is a old enough to hunt around for some Easter eggs!

six months

warning: image in picture may appear larger than actual size.

We all thought Oliver was a CHUNK but this week at his 6 month appointment, we found out that isn't the case and he is actually quite normal.

weight: 18.1 pounds (60%)

height: 26.75 inches (50%)

As Maddie says,

 "He is 10% chubby"

He loves sitting up and is how he prefers to be. I can place a few toys in front of him and he will sit there for an hour playing and looking around.

He demands attention. He needs to be where everyone is and prefers for someone to constantly be looking at him.

He still won't roll over consistently and according to the doctor, he may never be a roller and just go straight to crawling.

I still can't believe my little newborn is now six months old.

my new job

I am finally getting paid to do something I love...watch TV!

That's right folks, my home has been "statistically selected" to participate in Nielsen ratings. As you can see by the two green Washingtons in the picture, I am already bringing in the dough. It was an honor to even be selected but to open up the package and find those two boys sitting in there just made my day!

Goodbye nursing career, hello TV Guide!

sleepover

Last week we had Parker and Grace over for a cousin sleepover!

I think the look on Oliver’s face says it all.

This time of year, our backyard is covered in pecans from our huge pecan tree. Picking them up is not fun work so I offered Parker and Grace a penny for every pecan they gathered. They actually thought it was fun, like an easter egg hunt. The last thing Parker did before going to bed was gather pecans and the first thing he wanted to do in the morning was gather pecans, all in hopes of collecting enough to buy some little green army men.

Seven-hundred pecans later, I realized my piggy bank coins weren't going to cut it and pulled out the wallet to pay them with bills. We headed to the dollar store where Parker got a couple packages of army men and Grace got some stickers and playdough. Besides using them for cheap labor, we made cookies, played games, and watched movies…basically we just had a lot of fun!

the boys

Can you believe these two are going to be in the same grade of school together? There is quite a developmental gap between them right now but it won’t be long before these two are running wild together. When we got the call from my brother-in-law announcing the birth, I had to get to the hospital to see the size difference. Despite how it appears in the picture, Hank is not a little guy. Coming in at 8 pound 13 ounces, and even more astounding, 21 3/4 inches long, he will surely one day tower over Oliver. Enjoy it while you can, Oliver. The Jacobs family is excited to welcome Hank into the family and we are already in love with this little man.

and i'm proud to be an american

Sickness has settled into the Jacobs’ home, Oliver officially caught his first cold and then lovingly passed it on to his mom and dad. No energy and a desire to stay in bed all day has led me to watch more Olympic coverage than I ever knew existed.

Watching all these uber-athletes has lit a fire in my own torch and inspired me to go after my own Olympic medal and now that I have watched almost every sport up to this point, I think I know how.

Step 1 : Find a sport. This is an easy answer…Curling. Who knew pregnant ladies could compete in the Olympics?! When I saw this lady, I knew my chances of making it into the Olympics were not completely unrealistic. I just need 3 more members for my team. Anyone want to join?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Step 2: Find a coach who knows what he is doing. If you didn’t hear, this coach sent the potential gold medalist into the wrong lane, disqualifying him. I can’t risk a stupid mistake like that happening to my curling team.

And when I do finally win my medal, the only bling you will see on me will be gold around my neck. Please leave the tiaras at home!
 
 
 
 
I think I'm all set, look for me in Sochi, Russia at the 2014 Winter Olympics! Go USA!

the heart of the issue

I love artichokes. If you go through my old elementary school papers, whenever asked what my favorite food is, the answer always is artichoke. Each spring, Costco sells a 4-pack of artichoke with a price that can't be beat. As I eat my way through each artichoke, I remember why artichokes are so great.

1. It might sound like I am a health nut saying my favorite food is artichoke but the health part goes right out the door when I dip each leaf in creamy mayo (the perfect compliment to an artichoke).

2. I love the slow pace in which you have to eat it. Only one leaf at a time as you make your way to the choke. Then after you clean out the choke, you are left with the best part, the heart.

3. But my favorite thing about artichokes is the nostaligic feeling I get when eating it. To being a little girl, sitting on the front porch of Gra Gra's (my grandma's) house with my mom and sister, picking at an artichoke. My mom would peel off the leaves for me because it would be too hot to handle. With three of us going at it, we could finish it off real quick. My mom would clean out the choke for us and then she would split the heart into pieces for each of us to enjoy.

Mmm...yummy.