2007 - Christmas: the presents

We celebrated Christmas with our family on Christmas Eve. We had our annual family gathering and then went home to open presents....and then more on Christmas Day.

Caleb got his iPod Nano that he has been wanting.
Sydni got Bratz and Littlest Pet Shop toys she requested.
and Jacob got a Wii as he requested two weeks before Christmas!!!

2007 - Christmas

Gingerbread Houses -- December 8, 2007

We made gingerbread houses with the kids at their house this year. Jacob and Sydni were all for doing this -- Caleb decided he didn't want to but then when we were just about through, he came into the kitchen and asked if I had an extra kit.

They all did a great job and did it pretty much on their own. Sydni's house ended up having a roof that was too heavy and it toppled over before we could save it. We caught Jacob's before it crumbled and saved it as best we could. By the time we did Caleb's we were pros and his went along pretty well.

School Program - December 3, 2007

The Second grade class sang Christmas carols at the PTO meeting this year. They did a great job and all three kids sang their little hearts out. Caleb has even been known to be caught singing in the shower.

2007 - Nascar

November 4, 2007

Popo and I took Caleb to the Nascar races in Fort Worth in November. It was Jacob's turn to go but at the last minute he decided he didn't want to go (because he was too busy watching TV). When I went to pick up Caleb, Sydni and Jacob both decided they wanted to go. I had asked Sydni earlier if she wanted to go in place of Jacob and she said no so I said Caleb could go again. They cried and cried and cried. It got to the point where I told Caleb that I should take Sydni since she hadn't been and he had and he started to cry saying that wasn't fair because I told him he could go. Oy vey! More tears and I finally had to leave Sydni and Jacob whimpering with Granny Gran. She called me five minutes later and told me they were ok -- with a little bribe at Wal-Mart.

It all turned out good. We went to the races on Saturday and Sunday. I've lost my pictures to I don't have any of Caleb but here is a general pic.

2007 - Bowling

November 2007

We have been doing a lot of bowling lately. We all enjoy it and it's a good couple of hours of good-clean family fun.

Sydni has even rolled a strike.

Pics: Sydni, Caleb & Jacob bowling

2007 -- Halloween

October 2007

This year for Halloween, Jacob dressed up as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle; Sydni dressed up as a cheerleader; and Caleb didn't dress up. When the kids were young, some idiot jumped out of a tree when they were trick-or-treating and scared the daylights out of him. He hasn't forgotten and has finally decided he didn't want to trick-or-treat anymore because of that one incident.

Granny Gran and I took the kids to the local spooktacular -- Caleb and Sydni stayed and played games with me but Caleb decided he would rather go hand out candy with Granny Gran. After we played all the games, I took Jacob and Sydni trick-or-treating. They had fun and got lots of goodies.

2007 - Our Cheerleader

October 2007

Sydni participated in a cheerleading camp with the local high school cheerleaders this year. One of the perks was she was able to cheer at a Friday night football game. We weren't sure she was going to do it but she said if we all showed up, she would do it.



We were so proud of her! She was fabulous. It was so cold and this was our first year so we didn't know what she should wear underneath. We put grey sweats on and then Diane bought her a cheerleader outfit at the game. They cheered as the football players came on the field and then again at half-time in front of the bleachers. (Note: Sydni is at the very back in the video -- she has grey sweats on underneath her skirt)

2007 -- Hockey

October 2007

Jacob and I went to our first hockey game. The Ice Bats are a farm team for the Minneapolis hockey team. We knew it would be cold in the place but my goodness it was freezing. We sat close to the players -- and when we went to our seats, an usher took us through the back and through the players locker area to get to our seats. It was pretty cool. Their stadium is pretty small -- we were on the third row and there were only three rows in our area. We got there in plenty of time to watch practice and one of the players threw a puck up into the net where we were sitting so Jacob got his own puck. We bought him and Caleb and Sydni their own little hockey sticks so he was excited to get the puck. By the time the game started he was ready to go home. It was so cold that he had to go to the bathroom quite a bit. He got his fill of hot dogs, pop corn, hot chocolate and soda though.

2007 -- Soccer

October 2007

Jacob, Sydni and Caleb played soccer once again this year. They all did great and were stars of their team. They did especially well when Caleb and Jacob teamed up as goalie and line goalie.



Jacob doesn't want to play next year -- he was disappointed that he didn't get a trophy this year, just a medal. Sydni doesn't want to play either -- she just wants to be a cheerleader. Caleb wants to play -- even though he gets tired because they rarely let him take a break.

2007 - Houston Astros

September 2007

Sydni and I went to Houston for a weekend in late September. I wanted to take Caleb to an Astros game but at the last minute he decided he didn't want to go and I couldn't handle Sydni and Jacob together so Sydni ended up being the only one to go. Neither are that into baseball and require a lot of attention. Caleb on the other hand will sit there and watch the whole game and get into it.

We made it to Houston on Friday afternoon and got to our hotel which was right down the street from the stadium. It was a nice quaint older hotel and Sydni was thrilled with it. She jumped on the bed and couldn't get to the TV fast enough.

We went to the game and really enjoyed the stadium. It is very nice. Our seats were in the left field area. We were both tired and Sydni decided she didn't want to wait for the fireworks -- she wanted to go to the hotel and get room service and watch TV. So we headed back and had a late dinner and watched TV and read before bed time. In the morning, we woke up late and had breakfast brought in and then leisurely made our way back.



Sydni had a good time and enjoyed getting a little Astros girl monkey as a souvenir. She even brought the boys home some things.

2007 -- Mani & Pedi

September 2007

Sydni wanted to have some friends over -- well, she really wanted me to take her friends to the salon to get their nails and toes done like she and I do occasionally. It was fine when it was one friend but then when it came to taking three friends, I told her it would be better for us to do it at home.

I gave the girls mani/pedi's and Diane put streaks in their hair. The all seemed to enjoy it and Sydni had a ball.

2007 -- 7th Birthday

August 2007

Happy 7th Birthday Jacob, Caleb & Sydni.

The kids celebrated their 7th birthday at a party at the local movie theatre. Jacob, Caleb and the boys saw a Hot Wheels Acceleracers movie and Sydni and the girls saw a Bratz movie. I once again made them movie posters for the front of the movie and we had pizza and cake as refreshments. They got so many toys and they each got their own iPod shuffle. The guests thought there were each supposed to get a shuffle too -- one actually came up to me and asked if his was in his goodie bag. Uh no.

Pics: Jacob & Caleb in front of their poster; Sydni and a couple of her friends in front of her poster.

Jacob, Caleb & Sydni with their birthday cakes.

On their actual birthday, I took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese for their annual birthday celebration. This year it was just me and the kids and we had fun. They had a cake and gifts to open. They really enjoy doing that every year.

2007 -- Birthday at the Express

August 2007


For the kids 7th birthday, the Round Rock Express had their name up on the big screen and also gave them front row tickets to one of the games. The boys had been asking to sit on the first row for so long and I tried to get tickets but they were all sold out. I emailed the team and they called right away and offered tickets as a gift from the VP. Now that is the way to see a game. We had fun and they each got a ball from a player. Two Sacramento Bees and one RR player gave them each their own ball. We all had fun.

2007 - Announcers Booth

August 2007

When we were on our way to the airport in Austin for our NY trip, we met the announcer of the Round Rock Express games. Mike Capps was in the van from the parking area to the airport -- we recognized him and said hello. He was so nice and talked to the kids and invited them to come sit in the announcers booth with him once we got back to town. The kids couldn't wait to do this -- in early August they got the chance and had a great time sitting up in the booth and watching the game.

2007 -- JULY

Most of July 2007 was spent at Round Rock express games, swimming and just enjoying summer. We spent July 4 at Dell Diamond at a birthday party for Cousin Maddy. The kids loved it so much because they got to swim in the pool at Dell Diamond which they have wanted to do since they first saw it. That was a real treat for them.

2007 -- NYC

June 27, 2007

Diane and I took the kids to New York City for summer vacation in June 2007. This was the kids first plane ride and they loved it. I was more worried about it than they were. On the return flight we hit a bit of turbulence and I turned to Caleb and was explaining to him what was going on and he said "I know! I've been on a plane before!". Ok Mr. "This is my second plane ride".

Pics: Sydni and Diane; Jacob; Caleb -- all on our Continental flight.

We had an early morning flight and it was rainy but the flight was smooth. It was a direct flight and the kids enjoyed it all. They read and looked at movies on the flight.

Once we got to Newark and had our car pick us up, we were on our way to NYC. Jacob got car sick so he did not enjoy the drive in to town. Once we hit Times Square (where we were staying) they all got excited. We went to the new M&M's store and they had a good time getting all sorts of M&M paraphenalia.

Pic: Sydni with their M&M candy dispenser; Jacob in front of the stash of M&M's.

Pic: Sydni, Jacob & Caleb in Times Square waiting on the bus (the backpacks were gifts from the hotel -- filled with fun stuff for them to play with)

We went to the Toys R' Us store in Times Square -- the kids had been looking forward to riding the big Ferris Wheel ever since I came home with a picture of it from one of my business trips. They went crazy looking at all the toys. Sydni like going through the life-size Barbie doll house.

Pic: Diane, Jacob & Caleb on the TRU Ferris Wheel and Sydni in front of the Barbie doll house.

We spent most of our time in New York at places the kids would enjoy -- toy stores. In addition to Toys R' Us, we went to FAO Schwarz and the huge Build-A- Bear. At FAO Schwarz the boys made their own Hot Wheels cars (only have video of that) and Sydni made her own Barbie doll and met Barbie herself. The next time we go to New York, the kids want to "live" near FAO Schwarz. We also at in the soda shop there and had ice cream.

Pic: Sydni with Barbie

We tried to go to Serendipity 3 to get some frozen hot chocolate but the wait was entirely too long and we were tired and hungry so we instead went to Build-A-Bear and ate there in the cafe. Sydni got a bunny; Jacob got a penguin; and Caleb got a dinosaur. Jacob was so worried that the store was going to run out of the penguins because it was taking us forever to get there. Diane and I event made bears. Jacob has since claimed that bear but it still serves as a nice souvenir from NYC.

Pic: Caleb, Jacob & Sydni with their loot from Build-A-Bear

Another first was the double-decker tour bus that we took. We also went to the Statue of Liberty. We didn't get on the ferry to go to it because we wanted time to go to FAO Schwarz. One of the things the kids enjoyed most in NY was the Empire State Building. We went on the New York Skyride there which is a theatre type ride where you move around and feel like you are flying over New York. The LOVED it! Caleb took lots of pictures of the skyline. Sydni and Jacob saw a bit of it and then went inside to make sure they got souvenirs.

Pics: Jacob on the double-decker bus (it was hot!); Jacob, Sydni and Caleb on the pier in front of the Statue of Liberty

Pics: Caleb at the top of the Empire State Building

The boys became pros at catching cabs. Outside the Empire State Building they stood there with their hands up and yelling "taxi! taxi!". The cabbie who picked us up at the Statue of Liberty said it was the boys who got his attention. Diane and I were so busy talking he didn't know if we needed a ride or not but he saw the boys trying to hail him so he stopped.

Our trip back to Texas was long -- it was a late flight and we had a hard time getting from the hotel to the car. Our driver parked across the street -- in Times Square that is two streets over and with three kids and 11 bags (yes we had 11 bags at the end of the trip) we were in a pickle. Everyone in the city was trying to hail a cab at the same time but I finally tackled a cab and we made it on our way. At the airport, Jacob got stopped twice by security; once for having water in his backpack and then for having cleaner in his Build-A-Bear box. He also threw a temper tantrum in line because he and Caleb were already arguing over who was going to sit by the window.

2007-End of School Awards

May 23, 2007

The kids had their end of the school year awards ceremony on May 23, 2007. They all received awards.

Jacob received a Writing Award.

Caleb received a Math Whiz Award.

Sydni received the Principal's Award.

They are all excited to now be moving on to the 2nd grade.

rock climbing....

We went to Cousin Jessi Jo's birthday party at Main Event earlier this year and the kids loved it! We've taken them back there several times and one of their favorite things is the rock climbing. Jacob is like spider-man and just climbs up as fast as he can. That is not a surprise since he also climbs the walls at home. Caleb is just as spidery and climbs up too. He's a little more cautious than Jacob so he doesn't always make it up to the top but he tries over and over. Sydni goes up quite a way but she hasn't quite made it to the top yet...but she looks adorable trying.

round rock express...

I got the kids season tickets to the Round Rock Express games this year...it's selfish on my part because I enjoy the games. The kids take turns going and sometimes we all go together. Sydni recently had Girl Scout day there and she got to go on a parade around the field. Jacob went with me to the party with the players before the start of the season and he got to meet Brooks Conrad, Mike Rodriguez and Hunter Pence. Caleb's favorite part is the 300 club where we get to go to the 2nd floor, eat popcorn, drink, watch the game on TV and play Pac-Man during the game. Caleb and Jacob were able to run the bases as Sunday's game -- they definitely enjoyed that.

girl scout camping...

Sydni and Diane went to their first Girl Scout camp-out at the end of March/beginning of April. They went to Bastrop with cousin Gaby and Lexi as well as Colleen and Aunt Yolanda. They had a great time and did lots of activities and hiking over the weekend.

boy scouts....

Jacob and Caleb have been enjoying their time as Tiger Cubs. They have learned about food groups (and tell us often how sweets are not good for us); taken a nature walk and recently visited a museum on the UT campus. We will be "crossing over" later this month and camping with other boy scouts at Lake Granger.

caleb at nascar

Caleb went to his first NASCAR race on the weekend of April 15. PoPo and I took him to Fort Worth with us to the Texas Motor Speedway. The weather was awful as we were driving in to town and we missed a tornado by probably between 15-30 mins. We got to our hotel without incident and went to bed early to get ready for the big day on Saturday. As soon as we got up, Caleb decided he wanted to eat at Denny's (his new favorite breakfast spot). We got to the races and Caleb was enjoying himself -- until we had to climb to our seats in row 60! It was a long climb up and we were all huffing and puffing by the time we got there. A cold front came through so we were all freezing as we were watching the race. ...Caleb took a brief nap and we left before the race was over because it was just too cold.

Sunday we got a late start and got to the race just in time for the start. Caleb enjoyed seeing all his favorite cars and drivers....#8 Dale Earnhardt, Jr...........#20 Tony Stewart...........#9 Kasey Kahne.........#22 "the CAT car" Dave Blaney. Of course, he enjoyed all of their stores as well. He had to get cars from all of these guys. He was right along side everyone else in cheering his drivers and booing those we don't care for (Jeff Gordon).

Caleb took another brief nap on Sunday during the race and thankfully the sun came out so it was a nice warm day. He's insistent that he is going again in November when NASCAR comes back to Fort Worth. ....but it will be Jacob's turn then.

pride of pasemann....

Jacob was named the Pride of Pasemann again last Friday. He is doing so good in school and he really seems to enjoy his teacher and classmates this year.

Way to go Jacob!

boy scouts.....

Jacob and Caleb went to their first Boy Scout meeting on Monday night. They were so excited. They learned the BS sign, pledge and lots more. They also made scrapbooks of their families. They have a nice man for a leader and we're all looking forward to participating.

Sydni's Girl Scout troop is off and running as well. At the last meeting, she made ice cream (with ice, sugar, ice cream salt, milk and vanilla) -- it was yummy! She also made campfire pizza (English muffin, pizza sauce, cheese and pepperoni) -- Jacob and Sydni both loved this.

A couple of weeks ago the kids went to Cousin Jessi's birthday party at Main Event. The boys loved it! Sydni was a little overwhelmed at first but quickly came around. We were the last to leave the party (even after the birthday girl). I promised them I would take them back so Diane and I took the boys there this past weekend. They found the 3D theatre so we did that a couple of times. They also came across the rock climbing part of the place. Jacob and Caleb went crazy. Jacob climbed up quite a bit; and Caleb made up to the top for the first time. We were all so proud.

Diane had surgery a couple of weeks ago to remove gallstones. She was in the hospital overnight and she's having to recuperate for at least three weeks at home. She's doing good and the kids are counting down the days until they can jump on her.

2nd nine weeks....

Friday was the awards ceremony for the second nine weeks of school. Jacob was sick so he wasn't able to attend.

Caleb received the Match Whiz Award.
Sydni received Classy Conduct and the Writing Award.
Jacob received Perfect Attendance and Classy Conduct.


We are proud of them all.

portraits...

Diane took the kids to get their portraits taken last year. She gave them to family for Christmas. It was a shock that she was able to keep the secret from us -- it was an even bigger shock that the kids didn't tell us about it since they are always "squealing" on Diane.

The pictures are so great! They turned out perfect!

snow...

The weather today has been full of sleet and snow (granted, not much but it still came down). The kids were home from school due to the weather and they were happy to see snow. Caleb called me to make sure I knew it was snowing and also to let me know that we didn't need to go to Colorado anymore since we now had snow in Texas. I had to break it to him that if he still wanted to go sledding and build a snowman, we would still need to go to Colorado.

happy new year....2007

Happy New Year!

The kids enjoyed a couple of weeks off of school for the Christmas holiday. Over the break, Sydni hosted her first sleepover with some school friends. She had a great time and was so excited! Her friends Katie, Ariana, Mandy and Nina all had a great time as well.

For New Year's Eve, Sydni's friend Katie had a sleepover so this is the first year she spent it away from family welcoming in the new year. The boys had a sleepover as well on New Years Eve. They had a great time with Anoa, Noah and Christian. Dimantri went for the afternoon to play but he wasn't able to spend the night. This is the first year that Auntie D has not taken a picture of all three kids right at midnight.

A nasty stomach bug also hit the household during the holidays. Jacob got it first and spent an awful night vomiting. Caleb was the second to get it and had to go to the emergency room when we couldn't control his vomiting. He did great and they all got over it soon. However, right after school started back up, Jacob was hit with a viral infection and had a raging fever for a couple of days. Thank goodness he is doing better and is better now.