Winter 2018

Boys on Christmas morning.  Foster got an archery set, James got the Thrash and Throw T REX.

This year winter really felt like winter.  Not only was it cold but we had rain every week.  So of course we watched lots of Harry Potter and baked plenty of pumpkin muffins!  James even finished reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone all by himself so we promised that when he finishes all of the books, we will take him to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Because of all the rain, we saw many rainbows this winter.

Foster started piano and pottery lessons this winter and is loving it.  He had been asking for piano lessons for awhile, which was surprising to me since he's only five, so we signed him up and he's been loving it ever since.  James started after-school soccer and loves it.  Running and soccer are his two favorite sports and he is determined to play soccer on a team next fall.  It's fun to watch the boys find their interests and go after them.

Some of the pottery projects Foster completed this year.

Christmastime

As a family project, the boys and I painted this Christmas painting for our mantel.

We had lots of fun activities planned during the month of December.  I was in charge of both their class Holiday parties so I had a lot of planning to do.  In addition I felt it was time to sell the rest of my copies of James the Brave.  I was able to sell 150 copies in the first two weeks of December.  So it was a busy month but a really good month full of great memories.

Class Parties

For the kindergarten class party the kids decorated gingerbread houses and had a children's book
gift exchange.

Luke, Foster, Hagan, Malia

Foster and Mrs. Greenan

Kindergarten book exchange.  Foster is very happy with his gift!

For the second grade party, we had a Holiday breakfast with Holiday games
and a marshmallow snowman craft.  The kids had a great time.

Max, Hudson, Reed, Brayden, Donovan, James

Trying to unwrap candy with gloves on.

Family Traditions

This year we added some new family traditions to our ever-growing list.  We did the Bethlehem Walk at the Methodist Church of Escondido.  It was a tradition we will definitely continue.  They recreated the streets of Bethlehem, with merchants, Roman Soldiers and animals.  The tour ended at the manger with the Savior's birth.  It was impactful and fun for all of us.  

We also visited The San Diego Botanical Gardens in Encinitas with Grandma and Grandpa.  We had never been to the gardens before and it was beautiful at Christmas.  Lights everywhere, a snow hill, horse-drawn carriages, s'mores and SANTA!  

James asked for an Indominous Rex toy and Foster asked for a nerf gun.

This year I went with Anne, Tess and Haley to dinner and The Nutcracker.  It was our "sister date" and it was a nice girl's night.  

We kept some of our favorite Christmas traditions like decorating gingerbread houses, the boys always love decorating the house inside and out, driving around and looking at lights and our favorite; putting straw in the manger each night.

Candy Cane Lane

James and Jacob at the Ward Christmas Party

Foster, Arden and Tatum

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Our favorite little Christmas mouse.

It rained on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day which is as Christmasy as it gets around here.  We went to mom and dad's house for Christmas Eve and Ani's house for Christmas Day.  Santa visited and we had a wonderful Christmas breakfast of crepes prepared by Scott.  It was the perfect way to celebrate.

Christmas Eve

You bring us presents like nerf guns and stuff enjoy the cookies. Love Foster

The boys decorated sugar cookies for Santa.

Santa Visited!

Grandpa and James matched on Christmas Day.

After such a great day, it was time for a Long Winter's Nap!!!

Scott received a nice Christmas present this year.  A brand new Tesla that was delivered
to the house just a few days after Christmas.

Christmas Vacation in Santa Barbara

Visiting the Children's Museum of Santa Barbara

 After 18 months in Macedonia, Pop-Pop and Grandma Olson returned from their mission.  We were excited to drive up to Santa Barbara to see them.  We wasted no time catching up and having fun in Santa Barbara.  We loved their rental property and the boys spent hours playing soccer in the yard and exploring all the paths that went around the house.  It was a great getaway and we are so glad they are back!

We were anxious to get back to the Santa Barbara Zoo!

Grandma Olson treated us to a day at the aquarium followed by ice cream on the pier.  

It was so nice to be back with Scott's parents in Santa Barbara.  We had really missed them and the place we visit them.

Morning walks with great views.

Pop-pop reading the boys his favorite children's book "One Fish Two Fish" with a
quilt to match!

James Turns 8 and is Baptized

We promised James a big birthday party when he turned eight and he really cashed in on that promise.  He invited all the boys from his second grade class to celebrate with him at Pump it Up.  They had so much fun and honestly were so sweaty and tired by the time the party was over, boys have a lot of energy!!!  James felt so special to be surrounded by all of his buddies.  The kids had pizza and cake and James got to sit in the inflatable throne that was a very coveted seat.  He was showered with gifts from his friends and went home a very happy birthday boy!

The Party Goers

So many dog piles on the slide!

James and Seth

Present Time!

We had a family birthday for him the following Sunday and James picked the menu; spaghetti and meatballs, caesar salad and bread.  For dessert, what else but chocolate cake for the birthday boy!

Stats on James at 8 years old:

Favorite Friends: Jacob Whitehead, Hudson McEwan, Evan Engel and Donovan Contreras.

Favorite Subject in School: Running Club and P.E. 

Favorite Sport: Running, Frisbee, Soccer

Favorite Food: In N Out, Sushi, Spaghetti

Favorite Treat: Chocolate bars with M&M's inside, Swedish Fish, Ice Cream

Favorite Toy: Jurassic World Toys, Trampoline, Transformers, Harry Potter wand

Favorite Movie: Avengers, Jurassic World, Harry Potter

Favorite Place to Go: Target (some things never change)

Favorite Thing to Do: Go the the park and play with dad, playdates with friends, one on one time with mom and dad.

Favorite Restaurants: In n Out, Luna Grill, McDonalds

Favorite Book: Harry Potter series

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Song: Animal Inside by Fear and Wonder

James is kind and considerate.  This year he has demonstrated his good character time and time again.   Earlier in the year, at Golden Spoon Day, he and his friend were stuck in an elevator.  His friend was screaming and crying and both boys were very frightened and even thought they might die.  James did not cry but kept very calm.  He suggested to his friend that they say a prayer for help.  His friend had not said a prayer before so James said the prayer while his friend repeated the words.  Soon after their prayer mom heard the elevator alarm and was able to get them out.  James showed a calm faithfulness in times of trial that impressed us all.

He also stuck up to one of his friends who was not being kind to a girl at school.  He told his friend to leave her alone and did not back down, even when his friend told him to SHUT UP.  James made it clear he would not tolerate his friend treating him that way and left.  His friend apologized to him the following day.  I was proud that James knows how he and others should be treated and will not stand for cruel behavior.  "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends."-Albus Dumbledore

James' Baptism

James was baptized on February 9th at 11:00 a.m.with his best friend Jacob Whitehead.  Both of the mother's spoke, Sarah Whitehead spoke on baptism and I spoke on the Holy Ghost.  Lizzie, Kate and James Whitehead sang a musical number and we left time for people to write individual notes for each of the boys.  James received many sweet messages from family and friends.  After his baptism, James told me that he felt very clean and couldn't really remember his mistakes from before.  It was a very sweet day for our entire family.  

To celebrate, we took the entire family to lunch at CPK.  It was a stormy day and we spent the rest of the afternoon with Grandma Olson and Pop-pop then went out for a sushi dinner, James' current favorite meal out.

James and Jacob, just before they were baptized.

Chad, Jacob, Scott, James

Very proud grandparents.

And a very proud family!

Other Exciting News

This winter we found out that we are adding another member to our family.  After the shock wore off,
we were very excited.  No one was more excited than our boys.  They could not believe it.  When we found
out it is a boy, we were also very surprised.  We were convinced that it was a little girl.  So the name game
has begun as we search for the perfect name for our perfect little guy.

Ultrasound at 8 weeks old

Ultrasound at 18 weeks old (baby saying hi).

Fall 2018

It's always hard to say goodbye to summer with its fun-filled, lazy days.  But this year both boys were excited to go to school, especially Foster, who couldn't wait to go to school with his brother.  And mom was excited to experience an empty house for the first time in a long time.

Back to School

James

This year James is in Mrs. Washburn's class.  She is very cool and laid back and James is really liking her class.  This year he has class with Hudson McEwan and Evan Engel.  He is also making lots of new friends and trying new things.  He loves running club and is working hard to achieve 100 miles this school year.  For every 5 miles they run, they receive a foot charm to put on their running club necklace.  He is determined to have the most feet in second grade.  We will see how he does!  To help him in his goal, he has started running with Heidi Trotter once a week.  They run between 4 and 5 miles in an hour and Heidi says he reaches her about dinosaurs as they run.  He has lots of information to share.

He ran a 1 mile race in September and kept up with the fifth graders, finishing around fifth.  Foster ran in the race too but he skipped an entire section of the race.  He did finish strong in front of the crowds, sprinting to the finish line.  

Heidi and James

Both boys went home with a medal

James ran 9 laps in The Painted Rock Jogathon

This photo cracks me up.  On the left is James' school picture from first grade and on the right is his school picture from second grade.  I think it's the perfect imagery for his growth so far this year.  Last year he had so much anxiety over school and had a hard time going every single day.  This year, he runs into school on his own, never complains in the morning and has lots of positive things to say at the end of the day.  His independence and happiness at school is visual!

Starting Kindergarten

Foster

Foster was so excited to be in Mrs. Greenan's class.  And I was excited to Foster to make his own friends and grow socially.  He was fortunate to have a classroom full of nice boys and girls and has made so many new friends.  His new best friends are Hagan, Christopher and Colin.  He is doing great with reading and always tries hard.  He is definitely a class clown and loves attention from Mrs. Greenan and his classmates.  He almost always wants to go to school, unless he is feeling "drippity" which I think means tired.  And sometimes he cannot find socks he wants to wear so that makes us late.  We are working out the kinks and I love watching him grow and enjoy school. 

Foster and Hagan on Wacky Day at school.

 This fall, Foster tried soccer and Scott tried coaching.  There team was The Raptors.  It was a fun experience and we loved cheering our player and our coach on at the Saturday games.  He made one goal during the season and mostly just had fun but he was always fun for me to watch. The Raptors went undefeated during their season which was amazing.  We had some great players and an even better coach.  Go Raptors!

The Raptors played a night game and won!

Foster and Hagan battled it out on the soccer field. Orange Crush was defeated by The Raptors.  But no hard feelings!

Kindergarten Jogathon

Foster ran 6 laps in The Painted Rock Jonathan

JeNae's 40th Birthday

Its' my birthday and I'll have three desserts if I want to!

In September, I celebrated my 40th birthday.  I planned a birthday extravaganza with some of my best ladies.  We went to Disneyland on my birthday, spent the night in Irvine and then went to Roger's Gardens the following day.  They had their Halloween Harry Potter displays up and it was the perfect way to usher in the fall.  It was the perfect weekend and I had so much fun turning 40.  

The boys had a little plan for me too.  I came home to a cake, a decorated house and presents.  To say that I'm spoiled is an understatement.  

It was so fun riding the big kid rides.  It made us all feel 16...not 40!

We had a leisurely lunch at Zacolo including some of my favorites like cinnamon chips and mexican hot chocolate slushy.
YUMMMMMM

We got to enjoy all the Halloween Festivities at Disneyland which is my favorite time to visit the park.
Left to right: Dawn, Me, Suzanne, Melany and Julia...the dream team.

Fall Traditions

Apple Picking

We made it to Julian for our annual apple picking trip and we timed it in the evening so it wasn't blazing hot.  It was still pretty hot and it wasn't the best year for apples but we still love the hunt for the deepest red apples we can find.  We always go home with way too many but that's part of the fun. We had dinner in Julian and Foster even tried a pepperoncini pepper at the pizza restaurant.  He did NOT like it.  We made a stop at the local candy store and went home with assortment of gummy candy that is sure to rot our teeth out.  We also went home with a MOMS apple pie.  We love our Julian tradition and have so much fun taking the boys up there.

CANDY!!!!!!!

Poway Rodeo

The boys have gotten really into the rodeo.  They love watching the bulls and the mutton run.  There's not a chance James will let us leave early, even if it ends after 10:00.  Foster didn't make it to the end but he had a blast on the mechanical bull and we ate lots of kettle corn.  He always puts on a show when the country music starts playing and James loves to sit next to Grandpa and hear all about the bulls.  And of course, it was one of Scott and I's first date so we have lots of good memories of the rodeo.  It's a great night to live in Poway.

Handsome Cowboys

And....he's out.

Halloween

Dracula, Haunted Mansion Lady, Grim Reaper and Zombie

The best time of the year.  This year we hit up some new Halloween stores which were a little too scary.  Think clowns that reach out for you and have creepy voices.  Yep....to scary.  The boys even felt it was too scary this year but that was nothing compared to the movie we went to see.  In my defense, it looked like a silly Halloween movie for kids.  But The House with the Clock in the Walls ruined our lives for about 5 weeks.  Let's just say it was too scary for the boys, especially for James.  And after watching that movie, he slept on the floor of our room for five weeks.  I have officially learned my lesson.

We went to our favorite pumpkin patch in Ramona to pick out our carving pumpkins.  We skipped the hayride this year and opted for the corn maze.  The boys picked out excellent carving pumpkins and we got to visit the Buffalo.  We even found a gopher who kept popping his head out of the ground.  We sat there and watched him for at least 15 minutes...oh the simple things in life!  The boys went home with giant pumpkins and snow cones because of course it was 1,000 degrees.  Gotta love the fall.

There were lots of fun Halloween activities at Painted Rock.  The four of us went to the Halloween dance but not all of us danced.  You can guess who danced.  Yes, Foster and I.  But can you guess who got on the stage with all the fifth grade girls and danced for an entire song.  The question was too easy.  Yes, Foster.  

As room mom for both kindergarten and second grade, I was very busy planning class Halloween parties and had a very full schedule on Halloween running one party after another.  But the kids had a blast and I had a nap...so it worked out.  

Fun Painted Rock Party with the Tilley's thrown by Foster's friend Jack.
Alexis, Tatum, Arden, Foster and Me!

Kindergarten class party:
Kids made bat necklaces
Decorated Halloween Sugar Cookies
Played Halloween carnival games

Mrs. Greenan's Kindergarten Class

 Second Grade class party:
Pizza Party Lunch
Decorated Halloween Cookies
Halloween Carnival Games

James and his buddies Max and Donovan

Halloween Bingo

Mrs. Washburn's Second Grade Class

One thing I love that Painted Rock does is a Halloween Costume Parade.  It's how they start out the morning every Halloween.  Such a fun tradition and the best way to kick off the day.  Here are my Zombie and Grim Reaper in the costume parade.

Trick or Treating

We trick-or-treated with the McEwans this year and saw many of our friends from school.  Summerfield is the best place to be on Halloween night.  MiAni came over and handed out candy and after a few blocks, James joined her.  He loves to see his friends from school come by his house.  It was an amazing Halloween.  Probably one of our best.  So busy but worth every effort!

Ready for Trick-or-Treaters!

James, Hudson, Ruby, Cannon, Bronson, Foster, Skeleton Man.
They are READY!