Jacob and Joshua

Camping at Lake Raven in Huntsville, TX

2012-04-01T16:12:00.006-04:00

This weekend we went camping at Huntsville State Park. There were 32 families from Josh's scout pack camping. We did several activities including flag football, frisbee golf, raingutter regatta racing, and of coarse campfire cookouts. All in all we had a blast. . . . For the record, Josh and I slept in the tent all weekend.

2011 Update

2011-04-07T15:43:00.003-04:00

Just a quick update on what is going on in the boys world. Both Jake & Josh are playing baseball this season. Jake is on the Astros and Josh plays for the Angels (or according to the league website the Angles). Jake tried out for the lead role in his 2nd grade play of "Its a Jungle Out There" and he landed the role of King Leo the Lion. I never would have imagined he would thrive in performing in front of others, but he seems to be extremely confident in his rehearsals and he memorizes lines like an elephant. We couldn't be more proud. Josh is beginning the 3 week tryout for the community swim team and has started off with a bang. He has terrific form and we are excited to see him on his way to many swim competitions this summer. He also has made several outs on the t-ball field (outs are hard to come by at this age). In Jake's coach pitch league, he is batting leadoff and has hit the ball in every at bat so far through 5 games. Their record may be 0-5 but they are having fun.

The Mexican Fisherman

2010-12-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

An American businessman was standing at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish.

“How long it took you to catch them?” The American asked.

“Only a little while.” The Mexican replied.

“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” The American then asked.

“I have enough to support my family’s immediate needs.” The Mexican said.

“But,” The American then asked, “What do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life, senor.”

The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds you buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats.”

“Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the consumers, eventually opening your own can factory. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But senor, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”

“But what then, senor?”

The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO (Initial Public Offering) and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.”

“Millions, senor? Then what?”

The American said slowly, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos…”

School Party

2010-12-19T04:02:00.003-05:00

Josh and his buddy Kowen and Jake and his class book exchange.

Sunflower

2010-07-08T18:34:00.002-04:00

1st Place Athletics

2010-05-28T03:55:00.004-04:00

Jake's team finished in 1st place as his team played their best game of the year in the championship game. Jake had 2 hits, 2 runs batted in, & scored his first run of the year! He was on third when the ball was hit to the pitcher. The pitcher tried to tag him out but Jake beat him to the plate.

A's

2010-02-25T21:49:00.002-05:00

Jake is on the A's and he is playing coaches pitch. We should have a pretty busy spring with both boys playing ball.

Rangers

2010-02-25T19:13:00.003-05:00

We ordered Josh the smallest uniform available and it still swallows him. He does love his uniform and doesn't want to take it off.

Winter Wonderland

2010-01-25T17:42:00.001-05:00

Winter Wonderland at Jake's school this past Saturday.

Grand Prix

2009-10-21T22:57:00.003-04:00

Jake finished his racecar for the Awanna Grand Prix on Sunday. He is very proud of his design.

Pizza Day

2009-10-07T18:54:00.004-04:00

Some of these posts are out of order as I am really behind on posts. Josh had a fieldtrip to a pizza restaurant. They toured the facility and showed the pizza making process. After the tour they got to make there own pizzas and then eat them. Afterwards they went next door to Baskin Robins and chose there own ice cream. The kids had so much fun. Daddy was even able to come to the pizza fiedltrip. Josh was so proud to show off Dad.

Homework, Homework, Homework

2009-10-07T18:44:00.004-04:00

Jake received his first real homework assignment last week. Eventhough he just received his first one we have been working with them each night on other stuff to get them in a good healthy school routine. Jake has his first spelling test and math benchmark test tomorrow. Josh loves homework time, as you can see below. It started out fun and then you can see we now have a divider so there are not as many distractions. Good luck kindergarten teacher! She will definitely have her hands full. :) But he sure is a sweet little guy and all the teachers just think he is the best kid ever. One teacher even said that he brings "Peace and Harmony" to the class. I pretty much said "what and what, my Josh"? That is truly the first time I have ever heard those descriptives for Josh, but it was very nice to hear.

Special Care Package

2009-10-07T18:40:00.003-04:00

This was a special care package from Grandma and Grandpa. They didn't last very long, but the boys sure had fun with them.

Back to School

2009-09-08T16:08:00.004-04:00

The boys are back in school. Jake started 1st grade and Josh is Officially in Pre-K. Jake loves his new school and teacher and is quickly making new friends. Josh LOVES his new pre-school and comes home with a smile on his face each day. Let the check writing begin. Fundraisers, T-shirts, PTO, book clubs, etc, etc, etc. I thought it would cheaper and easier once they got into school. Boy was I wrong! Schools Nickel and Dime you to death. I must say, it is really nice to be back on routine eventhough I miss the boys while they are at school.

Summer Vacations cont.

2009-08-26T14:26:00.007-04:00

We set out to drive to North Carolina to see cousin Will and Angela get married in Wilmington. From there we went to visit Tim and Andi in Cape Coral, Florida. To break up the driving we stopped on our way there in Augusta, GA and on the way back in Biloxi, MS and Baton Rouge, LA.

Biloxi, MS

Everglades, FL

Wilmington, NC

Wilmington, NC

Baton Rouge, LA

Hollie, Jake, & Josh outside Mike the Tiger's exhibit.

Overall, we drove 3400 miles over 7 days through 8 states! We had a blast seeing family and all of the sights.

Summer Vacations

2009-08-26T14:08:00.003-04:00

We haven't had a lot of time to post pictures from our summer vacations so please excuse the excessive pictures. This summer we went to Mexico, North Carolina, and Florida with stops in Georgia and Mississippi along the way. First up, Mexico. We stayed near Playa Del Carmen with most of Jill's family (24 in all).

Notice Jake has a band-aid on his forehead. He cut open his forehead by swimming into the side of the pool wall.

Swenke

2009-08-05T00:28:00.004-04:00

We headed up to Swenke Elementary today for a sneak peak at Jake's new school. Last year there were over 1100 students that attended Ault, so they built a new school. Our subdivision was zoned to the new school. Kind of funny given that Ault (Last years school) is 1.8 miles from our house and Swenke (new school) is 2.2 miles, but who's counting? There is also a 3rd elementary, Keith, in which is 1.7 miles from our house. I was very sad to be rezoned since he and I had made a really great group of friends. Swenke students were invited to sneak peak the new school and also have ice cream after the tour. The school is so beautiful! Everything smells new and the classrooms are much more spacious. The entire school is full of new computers and the Library is so beautiful. After visiting the school and talking with the Mrs. Guthrey the principal who I love and was also the principal from Ault I am so excited for the change. He can't wait to meet Ms. Basinger, his first grade teacher. Last year I had many tearful moments as Jake was preparing for kindergarten and this year I am counting down the days...... :)

Don Johnson and The Comedian

2009-07-29T20:28:00.005-04:00

Joshua came to me the other morning and said, "I am wearing this shirt like this forever because I look awesome." We let him go out with us all day unbuttoned. It was pretty funny. He is very in to himself, constantly looking at himself in the mirror posing different faces and loves for me to spike his hair.

Jake opened a fruit snack the other day and said "Dad, I know why they call this fruit by the foot, because when it is unrolled it is "fruit by the foot" as he showed us the fruit down by his foot. He is pretty funny.

Josh the Rock Star!

2009-07-22T22:41:00.004-04:00

Josh is so funny. Lately when I try to tak a picture he gives me a peace sign, thumbs up, number one or whatever he can think of at the time to put by his face. He is so cute, carefree, and so full of life. I am so glad that he is better and back to his mischivious self. I have to admit I kind of missed it, just a little.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2009-07-03T11:47:00.002-04:00

"Happy Birthday Mom. You're the best mom in the whole entire world. We love you so much and can't believe its your birthday today." Love, Jake & Josh & Dad

Jake lost his first tooth

2009-07-01T22:20:00.006-04:00

Jake lost his first tooth tonight. He was so excited! His tooth has been loose for a few months. In kindergarten they had a big "I lost a tooth" poster that just happened to be hanging on the wall right behind his chair . Whenever someone lost a tooth they got to write their name on the poster. He was so bummed that he had not lost a tooth all school year. Tonight he called me into the bedroom and said "I think I'm gonna lose my tooth tonight". I wiggled and said "come with me lets see what we can do". I took him to dad and we wiggled back and forth until it was almost out. I told Michael to get the pliers and he said "No, that is dangerous!" Huh? Are you kidding? I remember the good ole "plier" days and tying one side of string around the tooth and the other to the door knob and closing the door. I ended up fetching the pliers myself and finishing off the job. After the tooth came out he said "Now the tooth fairy is coming tonight and I'm getting $5!" Wow! That seems a little steep to me. He told me that all the kids at school got that from their tooth fairy. Now what? I can't just give him 50 cents and tell him his tooth fairy is cheap. I did check around in disbelief and he was right, people are seriously giving $5 a tooth. Crazy!!!! Anyway, he loves his new smile and could not wait to go to bed with his tooth fairy bear. What do you think?

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

2009-06-23T02:00:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday to Grandpa Patton from Mexico!

Swim team end of season

2009-06-14T10:25:00.005-04:00

Jake had his last meet yesterday. He concluded with two personal best times on his races. We are so proud of what he has accomplished this season! Hopefully, little brother will be joining him on the team next season.

Jake is on the bottom row second to last on the right

Swimming Continued.....

2009-06-12T13:21:00.005-04:00

It seems as though our life revolves around swimming right now. They can't seem to get enough. when I wake up in the morning they both have their swim suits on and are ready to go and then beg all day long to go to the pool. I finally have reached a point where they get in the water themselves and I can sit by the pool and watch. I am not to the point where I can read a book and relax but it is sure nice that I don't have to get in everyday! We have been going to the pool early where Josh has his swim lessons. This pool has a diving board and now they are hooked on the diving board. Jake is starting to do cool tricks as he jumps. Hopefully I will have more substance to my blogs other than swimming this summer. Josh inherited one of Jake's team suits. Before swim team started we had to purchase suits and the lady selling them told me the tighter the better. When I tried the larger size on she said that it wasn't tight enough so I went with the size smaller. Well, after we got home he wined and complained that it was too tight and he couldn't wear it. After a few days of torture, I felt bad and bought him the larger size. The suits are not cheap, so I decided to let Josh have it. He wears it to every lesson and even to Jake's practices. I guess it makes him feel special and part of the team. He is too cute!

Swim, Swim, and more Swim

2009-06-09T17:44:00.004-04:00

Joshua started his swim lessons today. He was so excited he could hardly stand it. Jake has swim practice at 8:15 in the morning and then Josh has lessons at 4:00 in the afternoon and then they beg to go to the pool everywhere in between. Josh has been on the side lines watching Jake on swim team since April so now it was his turn. In fact, he has been sitting on the side lines since he was born and has wanted to participate in every sport Jake has been in. Now he is finally old enough to join sports and have the spot light on him for a change. I couldn't wipe the smile off his face if I tried. He did really great. Josh kept looking back at me and waving with a huge smile on his face. Whenever the teacher would tell them what they were going to do and then asked who wanted to go, his hand was always the first one up exclaiming "MEEEEE". His only set back is that he can't stop talking long enough to listen to the teacher. He talks non stop and is stirring up trouble while she is working with others. He is constantly asking the other kids if they want to watch what he can do and is bobbing in and out of the water and kicking up splashes when it is not his turn. He only got in trouble a half a dozen times but who's counting. At the end of the lesson they were able to jump off the side of the pool and before he would jump in he would shout "Caaandy ball!!, oh wait I can't do that. Caaandy Ball!!" and then jump. He watches Jake at the neighborhood pool say "Canon Ball" before he jumps off the side so I think he was trying to show off a little. He is such a special little boy really great and can't wait until tomorrow. Although he did tell me when we got home that "he was going to listen to his teacher tomorrow because he did not want to today." Huh? I guess I need to work on that also.