Jacob's First Snow!

Yesterday was Jacob's first snow! While we were super excited about the whole ordeal I have a feeling Jacob couldn't care less :) We bundled him up anyway and snapped a few pictures of the 2 inches or so that covered our backyard. A little snowman was even created as a memorial to the first snow of the season!

Even our cat got out to join the fun!

Dave and Annie's couples Christmas party!

Dave, Annie, & Maggie

This past Saturday we had a great time attending a Christmas party at our friends house Dave and Annie. We had a blast hanging out with friends and participating in a gift exchange. It's so much fun to catch up with everyone and see all the new little babies. It's amazing how much our lives have change in just two short years. What a blessing to be able to share our experiences with others around us going through the same things. Thanks Dave and Annie for a great time!

Brian, Dixie, & Ben expecting their second...it's a girl!

Katie and I with our little ones as Jacob is losing it. :)

Maggie was very interested in Jacob.

Maggie & Ben

Henry, born the day we got married! :)

Michael and Sarah, expecting little Zach soon!

Little Ninja Jay

Jacob and Savannah...Henry's new little sister.

No sleep in the Hanks household.

Just when I feel that I have figured out our sweet little man, he goes and decides to change it up on us. We experienced a whole blissful week of not having to wake up in the middle of the night. It was amazing and I will remember those days with joy and hope that we will again get to sleep 6 to 7 hours in a row. Jacob has now decided that since he isn't getting to eat in the middle of the night, he will instead spit out his binky (pacifier for those not familiar with the term) and scream until mommy or daddy comes upstairs and put it back in. Since this takes way less time than feeding him for 20-30 minutes he has decided that he will do this 4-5 times a night to make up for that. Mommy and Daddy are about to go crazy!!!! We look forward to the day when sleep will visit our house once more and "all the children will be nestled in their beds while visions of sugar plums dance in their heads". Who knows maybe God will give us that for Christmas. Oh please! I pray everyone else is having a very merry Christmas time and is getting plenty of rest :).

Jacob's Bouncer

Since Jacob is getting more and more head control I thought he may like his fun bouncer that was given to us by a group of great ladies from our church! I took it upon myself one afternoon to put it together and I must say, after it's all done, I'm pretty proud of myself! :) Jacob seemed more shocked though than joyful when I put him in it. OH well hopefully he'll grow into it.

My project.

My little man wondering what in the world mommy just put him in.

I think he found mommy more interesting than the bouncer.

Winter hats!

One thing I love about winter is the fact that I get to bundle Jacob up in all sorts of cute winter hats! This hat is compliments of his Nana and the shirt says it all!

Our Christmas Tree

This past weekend we had the joy of hunting down the perfect Christmas tree. Every year my family has devoted a weekend to finding and decorating our tree. It's been a fun tradition for as long as I can remember and I look forward to continuing it for Jacob. We all packed up in the car with coordinating hats and scarfs that my mom bought for us, and headed to a Christmas tree farm close to where we live. This year we accomplished finding the right tree in record time. It took us only about 15 minutes to find our tree. That time is pretty impressive since it normally takes about an hour for everyone to decide on the right tree. While my family went searching for theirs, Mike and I found the perfect little 8 foot tree that now looks absolutely gorgeous in our living room. We cut it down, but not before taking a family picture with it, and headed home. After putting our tree up in the garage we headed over to my families house and helped them decorate their tree and house followed by a yummy dinner and a holiday movie marathon (Elf and It's a Wonderful Life). We had a wonderful time and are so blessed to have family living so close.
Joanna and the family dog Lily!
Aunt Jackie and Jacob in his Mickey santa hat!


Jacob getting smothered by his Aunties Julianne and Jackie.My sister Jackie and her husband Jordan.

All my sisters!

Granddad and Jacob

Sunday, after church, we brought our tree inside and spent the afternoon decorating it. When Jacob wasn't napping or eating we placed him in his bouncy seat in front of the Christmas tree. He was mesmerized by the lights and also enjoyed watching Daddy unwrap all the different ornaments and show them to him. We decided that he likes all the ones that have smiles on the ornaments because of the smiling and laughing he did when Mike showed him those. I love this time of year and the reminder it is of a Lord and Saviour who loves us dearly as well as the importance and joy of our families. We pray that you are all enjoying preparing your homes and hearts for the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving Weekend

What a wonderful holiday weekend. We had a great Thanksgiving over at my parents house. The whole family was there, except Jackie and Jordan (we missed you guys), and my mom yet again went all out with the decorations, dinner and dessert. My brother and sister-in-law, Cliff and Dana, even got to spend the day with us driving all the way down to Gig Harbor from Bothell. Jacob did great and even took naps in the crib that my mom has set up in their guest bedroom. He's such a good boy! We ended up playing ping pong before dinner followed by a game of catch phrase and guesstures (a fun charades-like game with a twist). All I can say is that my family sure is a blast to hang out with :) Friday was a stay at home day with Mike who spent the morning playing some tackle football with the youth group from our church. He came home pretty bruised and sore but had a great time overall. Saturday, Mike ended up putting up our Christmas lights, which look great, while Jacob and I stood at the bottom of the ladder holding it in hopes of preventing any injuries. We want Daddy in one piece :). I also ended up getting to treat myself to a hair appointment and joined my sisters, mom, and aunts for a little bit of their thanksgiving shopping weekend by meeting them for dinner and a movie (hopefully I'll get to join you guys next year). I love this time of year and can't wait for all the fun as Christmas draws closer and closer. I pray everyone had a HAPPY THANKSGIVING too!

My Mom's fabulous Thanksgiving table.

My brother Johnny and Jacob on Thanksgiving




Putting up the Christmas lights

Jacob getting better at tummy time

Happy morning boy

This was from last weekend when we had Mike's sister, Theresa, and family down with the little TINY dog they were puppysitting. That is not a puppy but a full grown dog!