Happy Holidays

Wishing you a prosperous 2009

The Santis

I was happy with a bigwheel

But kids nowadays - they need something more. We had an early Xmas with Nana and Papa on Friday before they headed to sunnier and warmer Charleston (it was a high of 8 degrees here today) so Jakson got to open his gifts from that side of the family. He has been asking everyday when he could open those gifts, and he was sure he had kept his part of the bargain he made with Aunt Lora (if he was good he could open presents!) One of his numerous list items was the 'Martian Matter Alien Maker'. And he wasn't disappointed. This set allows you to create gooey martians (and amazingly enough not too messy). He couldn't wait until Saturday morning to break this thing in.

Jakson is a pro at this now. We have several aliens now.

I still like bigwheels...I'm just to big for the wheels......

Tis the season...

To be busy, busy, busy. It seems like we just got back from Mexico and xmas was still a good month away, now it's next week and we aren't quite ready just yet. We've had some parties, some shopping trips, and a church christmas program, and the month is not quite half-over. Here are some of the things we've done since Thanskgiving.

I threw this one is because these two have become even better buds. Aesa even looks for Jakson when he's not around (I'm sure partially to be on the lookout, but to play too).

Jeff, Lora and the kids came back for Thanksgiving, and we all went to the Santa House and Xmas parade in Sioux City. The kids took a moment to make ornaments at the Santa House.

Jakson made his Gingerbread man ornament.

We finally got around to getting our trees up (a typical xmas horror story - for another day) and Jakson likes to put up ornaments.

Jakson project list included a new dog house for his puppy. (His stuffed blue puppy) So we started this project. He wanted the inside painted too so we had to get that done.

Jakson had his 1st Sunday school Christmas program tonight. He didn't quite get all the words but he did a good job.

Cards to mail, presents to wrap (and buy), well - you get the picture. We have lots too accomplish yet. We hope you are having a jolly season so far.

More Mexico (oh where did it go!?!?!?)

This is a view of our hotel from down the beach.

This was the Tulum ruins. This was very cool.

This was Marisol. See those tasty looking drinks - she would bring those to us all day long.

More to come......

update: try this link to view our photo album (or a portion of the pictures we took....)

Pictures

Looks awesome doesn't it....

Karla and I just got back from Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. I hope to write more as I sort through our pictures, but this will give you an idea of what we did alot of the time. It was usually 85-90 degrees. We came back to snow.

Would you trust us?

I am not sure I would...

Karla has been in MN for the last week babysitting the girls, so Jakson and I went up over the weekend and we took the time to play at the park. These two are a dangerous combination!

Pumpkin Patch Time

Here are some pictures of our weekend trip to the pumpkin patch. We missed the festival last weekend due to the poor weather, but Sunday was a good day.




The orchard has these cats roaming around. Jakson and Karla took a liking, but not enough to bring home yet. They weren't afraid of people and liked attention.

Picking a good one.

They have a small "petting" zoo. Jakson was petting the horse. The horse was nibbling the Jakson

Jakson was trying hard to find a good one for carving.

Jakson loves the hay bales that they have to climb on. He likes to place cops 'n' robbers.

Our growing boy.

I finished!!!!

Just after Memorial Day, I started the "couch to 5K" running program, and for the past 2 months been consistently running a 5k distance 2-3 times a week. Karla has been hounding me to sign up for a race. This race came up as an opportunity, so I registered. It was the Susan Komen Race for the Cure. The race was on Sunday morning, and I ended up not being last.

This was the first year in South Dakota for this national race. It was held at the Dakota Dome in Vermillion. Very foggy that day.

This is me at the end. I was probably skewing my time my sprinting the last 100 yards, but I saw the finish and I just wanted it to end. Let's face it - the body of a runner I don't have.

A little hard to read- but my time was 27:57.5. you can see the official results here. I was 110th out of 156 timed runners (not everyone donated more to get timed)

Am I glad I did it? Sure. Are my knees? Let's just say they're a tad pissed yet.

Jakson Appleseed

This weekend was a nice fall day, so we headed out to the apple orchard. We missed the Apple Festival last weekend due to the windy weather. It's always a good time, wandering through the apple grove, picking apples and eating them right there. Jakson likes the hay bales to climb on and riding the wagons out and back to the apples. I made pie tonight with some of our bounty. It tastes ok, but I am still trying new recipes.

Karla and Jakson with our empty bag. (You can buy 5#, 10# and 20# bags to fill up).

You can't really see it, but his cheeks are full of apple.

Jakson loves to run around on these hay bales.

We picked just over 10lbs of apples. Something about fresh off the tree apples makes these taste so much better.

Busy Busy Busy

Seems like forever since I wrote last...oh WAIT! it has been!!!! Summer is over and it just isn't slowing down. Jakson started pre-school, Blend is uber-busy, the garden has given it's all (super hot salsa fyi - yummy) and football is in full swing. We also got a new camera for our pending vacation getaway. Here are some sample pictures we have as the first test pictures.

Jakson and Aesa - don't they look innocent?

I made an apple pie for our church celebrating the installation of our new pastor. I didn't even get a taste, but it looked good.

Karla bought a Wii Fit (finally - you can't get these anywhere!) Jakson is a natural doing his "tree" pose. We didn't even coach him - he looked at the picture and stepped up. He continues to amaze us. He's my inspiration....

GO STEELERS!

Granted - it was only pre-season - but it's always nice to be able to see my team whenever they are in the neighborhood. And granted - it a rather boorish game as far as games go, but it all came down to the final 4 seconds with a field goal win by the Steelers.

Bugs are cool!

Jakson got a butterfly house for his birthday from the Maddie, Ethan and Maren. We sent off for our caterpillars and when they arrived - started the process.

These arrived via mail after we sent in our caterpillar coupon.

We started with 5 "painted lady" caterpillars. Jakson wasn't sure what to think of them.

Are they butterflies yet?

5 little cocoons.

Are they butterflies now?
Success! Only one actually made it to the final stage.

Jakson was pretty excited about this none-the-less. We plan on sending off for some more butterflies maybe in the spring. Now Jakson thinks science is cool.

Canaries Baseball 2008

Saturday was game night. We had fun. Ice cream, lemonade, other sugar packed snacks....it's all good.

Tee'd Off

Friday night was such a nice night that Karla and I decided to go golfing after work. Instead of getting a sitter we decided Jakson could come along with us. He had such a good time and was a good little boy. He even got to putt some here and there.

Jakson made a good little caddie as he helped Karla rake the sand after her shot.

Still raking away...

Jakson loved to help drive the cart. (He got that from Uncle Richard's place)

I think we might look into the "1st Tee" program for young golfers next year. Ya never know - we might have a PGA champion in the future.

Jakson Turns 4!

Jakson turned the big #4 last week. Here are some of the things he got and we did. Thanks to Nana and Papa who came up the weekend before to celebrate before they went a-cruisin'.

We took Jakson to Chuckie Cheese and had lots of fun.

One of his gifts was a new bike. Nick and Alec from a few houses down were gald to help him out.

Jakson chose to have yellow cake and yellow frosting with red on it. Actually pretty tasty.

Nana and Papa got Jakson a new scooter.

Other fabulous goodies were money and some nerf rockets from Uncle Richard and Aunt Carolyn; a butterfly house and 3D bug book from Maddie, Ethan, Maren, Jeff and Lora; Monsters Inc DVD, flashcards, and electric toothbrush from Allie, Jessie, Megan Doug and Kirsten; a toy Jeep and some moolah from Grandma, clothes and cash from Nana and Papa (and scooter); and a watch from mom and dad.

Thanks to everyone for the great gifts.

4th of July

This year we spent the holiday in Sioux City. Thursday and Friday nights were X's baseball (even though we're Canaries fans, it's always a good time - Go Canaries!) Jakson got to eat "snacks" at the ballpark (aka junk food) and we saw some nice fireworks. Even though we had to leave early on Thursday as Jakson sometimes get so anxious about the noise he doesn't enjoy it, but Friday was better. Friday we also went to the little burg of Bronson for their parade. let em tell you - small towns really get into this. Rescue vehicles, tractors (or lordee lots of tractors) old cars, and horses. Oh - and candy - did I mention candy?!! Jakson soon figured out that if you way to the guys driving the tractors they will unload a downpour of candy. I had pockets filled with it. We also hit the pool in the afternoon for some cool fun in the sun.

Saturday we made the trek down to Richard and Carolyn's in Des Moines for some fun and food. Uncle Richard has all sorts of fun stuff a 4 yr old can do. Little fishing pond, golf carts, water guns....you name it - it was probably there somewhere. Jakson met up with some of his 2nd cousins (I think anyway) and some new friends and had a good time. Too much food later we headed home back to Sioux City. Sunday was a catch up day but not before we had to visit the kitchen at Red Lobster for a tornado warning before heading home to SF.

Here is a compilation of things we did on the 4th of July (in no particular order).

Papa trying his hand at catching a fish. No luck...

Me trying my luck.....no luck. Richard claims there are fish in here but I wasn't so sure at this point.

Jakson has some patience. About 30 seconds worth. Although we did finally manage to catch a bluegill before we left.

Jakson leaping for Karla at the pool. He is really becoming the tadpole. Swimming lessons start next week.

Jakson really liked the zero-depth part of the pool.

Jakson, Nana & Papa waiting for the parade to begin.

The Bronson Shriners.

Waiting for the next tractor to drive by and throw goodies! (notice the full hat - that's probably the 2nd or 3rd full hat's worth)

Tractors!

One of the neater firetrucks in the parade.