2008 -- The Rockettes

Sydni, Aunt Yolanda and I went to see the Rockettes in Austin on New Year's Eve. It was a great show and Sydni enjoyed it so much.

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2008 -- Christmas

Diane's family took a picture together. To look at the photo you would never know Jacob got violently ill before it was taken. He had a stomach bug but sat for the photo once he started feeling better.



I told the kids after last Christmas that they were only getting one present each this year -- yeah, that didn't last.

Sydni got her cupcake maker (and stopped opening presents to go make some), lots of horse theme toys, a barn and a huge stuffed horse.

Jacob and Caleb got the major things the same -- Didj (which they never played with much), Nintendo DS games, and a go-kart (for all three).

2008 -- Christmas goodies

The kids have always enjoyed making gingerbread houses for Christmas. This year I wasn't quick enough at buying them for Sydni - she had Granny Gran take her to Wal-Mart and she paid for a gingerbread house kit herself. Of course, we HAD to put it together that night. She had fun - I don't know what she enjoyed more - eating the icing or building the house?
(December 2008)



I bought the kids some gingerbread people to decorate. They enjoyed that too.



Jacob and Sydni helped me make cookies for our annual Christmas Cookie party. They were a great big help!

2008 -- Thanksgiving

Sydni helped me prepare Thanksgiving dinner in 2008. She and I got up early together and made the turkey, cornbread dressing and green bean casserole. Granny Gran made the rest. Sydni said she wanted to get up and help and sure enough she got up at 6:30 am with me and didn't even complain when I woke her up. Caleb decided he wanted to help too but at the last minute decided he would rather watch cartoons. Jacob slept.

Sydni has the makings of a great chef!

2008 -- More soccer

The boys are playing soccer again....and they are on a winning team!! WooHoo. They are good and are having fun!

(November 2008)

(Jacob kicking the ball; and Caleb #12 getting ready to kick)

2008 -- NASCAR Weekend

Caleb went with me and PoPo to the NASCAR race in Texas. He was not happy that the indoor pool at the hotel was under renovations so he couldn't swim. He enjoys the race but he always takes a nap. This year the TV cameras caught him sleeping and showed him at some point during the broadcast sleeping away. I am sure he was cute but since TiVo doesn't work with DirectTV I couldn't tape it! Ugh.
(November 2, 2008)


We, of course, rooted for Dale Jr. We left a little early to beat traffic and actually saw one of his car haulers on the road.

2008 -- Halloween

All the kids carved pumpkins this year. They got tired after trying to scoop out all the gunk but I think they had fun. Or as Jacob says "it was gross!"

(October 18, 2008)

Jacob is the only one who dressed up this year -- he went as Ironman. Sydni and Caleb stayed to hand out candy. Ever since some man jumped out of a tree when the kids were trick-or-treating when they were smaller, Caleb's been scared of going out on Halloween night.

(October 31, 2008)

2008 -- 3rd Grade Awards

They kids are now in the third grade. They all got straight A's on their first report card. Jacob and Sydni also got reading awards. So far they are all enjoying school. Sydni and Jacob are in the same class - not sure how that will work out but so far so good. Caleb has more homework than them so he doesn't like that.

2008 -- First Communion

The kids celebrated their First Communion on August 17, 2008. They looked so cute in their Sunday clothes. Sydni looked like a Princess/Bride in her dress. They were excited to take the Sacrament and we celebrated afterwards with family at a local restaurant.

2008 -- 8 years old

WE'RE EIGHT!!!



Sydni, Jacob and Caleb turned eight years old on August 9, 2008 and celebrated with family and friends at a local water park. They had a great time.



Of course, they had to have themes even at a water party:

Sydni -- Hannah Montana (see below -- Cousin Yolanda with HM)
Jacob -- Speed Racer
Caleb -- Space Shuttle



We had to abandon the party a little early - some baby that was there left a little gift behind and they had to get everyone out to put in some chemicals. Eek!

Of course, we had a small family celebration at home too.

2008 -- Girl Scouts

Sydni once again was a Girl Scout Brownie. She has a small troop but it is nice because each girl gets individual attention.

Sydni and Katie went to the Girl Scout overnighter at the Dell Diamond. They had fun and tried to stay up late after swimming and catching crickets.

(July 14, 2008)

Sydni took her friend Madyson with her to the Girl Scout Spa outing. They had a grand time getting their nails and hair done. They even made a necklace.

(July 16, 2008)

2008 -- Boy Scouts

Caleb and Jacob have so much fun with their Boy Scout troop. This year they went on a tour of the local fire station and got to sit in the truck and wear the hat.

(April 21, 2008)

They also went to their first summer camp. Boy was it hot! They learned how to shoot a bb gun, archery, canoeing, made their own rockets and tons of more stuff. It was so much fun but super hot and way too long walks. Jacob suffered a tad bit of heatstroke so I had to stay back at the tent with him while Diane took Caleb on to do more things. Jacob and I were very happy at the tent -- I brought a battery powered fan that worked quite well. We were sitting in our chairs under an awning with the fan hitting right on us both -- the SWEET LIFE! One night Jacob came running back to the tent where I had stayed and was yelling that Caleb got hurt by a big bug. He freaked me out -- I'm pulling out the first aid cut and here comes Caleb just moseying along with a bug bite but he was ok. He was so cute how he worried about his brother -- he is the most caring little boy. We'll see if we go back next year.
(June 15-17, 2008)

(Jacob and Caleb enjoying their daily swim)

(Jacob loading his bb gun and Caleb getting ready to shoot)

(Caleb and Jacob before they shot off their homemade rockets)

(Jacob and Caleb with their troop leader and Aaron - making the Akela do all the work on the little paddle boat)

(Jacob and Caleb both got mail while they were at camp and Jacob even got a super helper award for all his help during camp.)

We also went to the sleepover at Dell Diamond - Jacob got sick so Caleb and I went and had a great time.

(July 29, 2008)