Preschool Christmas Program

Jacob has his preschool Christmas Program this week. They practiced at the church that morning so they were fresh for the show. I wasn't sure how he would do. I was very surprised at how well he did. It took him a couple of songs to warm-up but he was so brave just to go on the risers.

I was also surprised that they didn't do a lot of traditional songs. I was impressed with the songs they knew and the motions to go along with them. Here are some excerpts from the evening.

Snow Day

Dad was still away on his hunting trip when we got about 2 inches of snow. We couldn't just leave it untouched. We bundled up, shoveled, made snow angels, threw snowballs for Jo, and just had a great time.


Boots + Gloves - Pants = Not Quite Ready

Getting ready to head out!

After : )

Children's Christmas Party

My company puts on a nice Children's Christmas Party every year. And every year it is the same weekend as opening shotgun season so Dad is not able to join us. The kids are perfect ages this year to enjoy all of the games, prizes, goodies, and Santa...Ok, Jenna did not enjoy Santa. She didn't want anything to do with him. However, as soon as the photographer raised the camera she smiled and said "Cheese!"


PLINKO

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cookies and Juice

Green frosting = Green teeth

 

Making Reindeer food

More Reindeer food

She couldn't believe the girl was letting her do another scoop

Jenna wouldn't even look at him

Extended Family Weekend

We made our way home for a couple of days after Thanksgiving. It was nice to be home with nothing planned.

Multi-media Uncle Dave

 

 

Must have been interesting

Cartoons in an adjustable bed...it doesn't get much better

Adventuring and "hunting" deer on the abandoned golf course

  

Warmed-up to one of her many Uncle Daves

 

Jacob: UIHC Check-Up

We were in Iowa City today for a check-up with both of Jacob's surgeons. It has been 20 months since his surgery. Neither surgeon could believe just how awesome he looks and healed...or how much he has grown and matured.

He had a skull x-ray and Dr. Menezes confirmed that the bone is fully blended. When showing us today's images, Dr. Menezes also took some time to flip back through the original CT images. He pointed out things that he purposefully omitted prior to surgery as to not "freak" us out. He used software to approximately measure the size of the hole in Jacob's skull-base: .75 inches!!

Today's appointments also confirmed that:
1) Jacob's plates (forehead and nose) are fully dissolved.
2) After this much time, we shouldn't have to worry about regrowth of any dermoid cells.
3) We were very, very fortunate that the surgeons were able to save Jacob's sense of smell. We were able to assure them that it is stronger than before surgery.
4) We don't have to go back for another 24 months. They will want another x-ray to ensure the bone-flap is still blending after he has grown more.

Both surgeons had giant smiles on their faces as they said goodbye. They are so very pleased with the outcome of Jacob's case.

Below are my two favorite quotes from Dr. Menezes. These are probably much funnier to Scott and I because you really have to understand this man's personality to appreciate these statements:

"I think he handsome and I say that even after I have had my fingers in his brain."
"You should let his hair grow longer to cover (motioning at the scar on the side of Jacob's head). I'm vain like that."

After we left the hospital, we finished the trip with our post-UIHC tradition: lunch at the mall and a carousel ride. It is definitely a day to celebrate!! Love you, Jacob Michael!!

 

Giant cookie after lunch

NSB Gen 3

New Spirit Band 3rd Generation: Featuring Lord of the Dance

I was playing the first NSB CD in my car the other night and Jenna immediately took to a certain song. She has been asking for it since:

First Snow

The kids were so happy to see snowflakes falling. They were even happier to see snowflakes sticking to the grass. Jacob was anxious to build a snowman. We did the best we could with what we had.

 

 

 

Not quite enough for a snowman

Around the House

No rhyme or reason, just cuteness.


Believe it or not, Jacob offered her a ride

 

 

 

 

Super-Girl!

In our house, superheroes don't need pants 

Trick-or-Treat

Here are pictures from our town's trick-or-treating. Jacob did very well. He approached everyone, said "trick-or-treat" and "thank you". Jenna, on the other hand, was very interested in candy, but not so interested in talking to people, especially if that person was wearing a costume.