Hey Santa!

I started my new job on Thursday (yay!) so Nathan took Jacob to see Santa all by himself! We decided to try out a new Santa as we'd gone to Willow Bend for the past two years. Santa at The Village at Allen did not disappoint and Jacob had a wonderful time telling Santa what he wished for!

13 More Years...

...until we have to worry about Jacob being on the road!

Wordless Wednesday

Dinosaur Party!!

We enjoyed a great morning with friends and family celebrating Jacob's 3rd birthday. While his birthday is almost two weeks away, it's such a busy time of year and great to have his party a little early in the month.
Jacob is obsessed with dinosaurs, so it was only natural that we have a dinosaur party. Nathan and I had been working on party details for months and the work for me began Thursday. We decided to do a brunch party, so I was able to make practically all the food (which I love to do!). This year, I even decided to try my hand at making the birthday cake!
It was a wonderful morning, filled with yummy food (if I do say so myself!), fun with friends, and lots of presents! Thank you to everyone that came out to celebrate Jacob's birthday!

The favor table:

A close up of the invitation and a picture of Jacob from Halloween:

The food: Sausage Balls, Classic Cheese Omelet, Sausage and Cheese Strata, mini muffins, Christmas Fruit Salad (a family tradition for over 80 years!) and the kids food which consisted of pretzels, Goldfish, and granola bars

Festive balloons

More party favors: dinosaur grabbers and dinosaur masks

The dinosaur centerpiece

The adults enjoyed visiting inside, while the kids played outside...

and upstairs

Jacob's favorite place!

Jacob loved being sung to and blowing out his candle!

Our sweet boy!

Flashback Friday

Christmas morning, 2008

Jacob's Christmas Tree

Jacob was so excited to get his very own Christmas tree this year! We decorated a small, 3 foot tree with small red ornaments hung with ribbons and larger baseball ornaments. It looks so cute in his room and he loves leaving the lights on at bedtime to act as a nightlight!

Favorite Ornaments

Our family Christmas tree in the living room is filled with special ornaments. Each year growing up, Courtney received a special ornament from her parents and we continue that tradition with Jacob. It is also a tradition to buy an ornament when we travel. It is always so fun to unpack the ornaments and hang them on the tree because it reminds us of special times and fun trips! Here are a few of our favorite ornaments hanging on our tree.

Jacob's 2010 ornament from FAO Schwarz in NYC

Jacob's "Baby's First Christmas" ornament, 2007

Scotland, March 2006

Mother's Day Out 2009

Courtney 1983 (Jacob's age!)

A bulb from the lights on The Plaza in Kansas City (a Christmas tradition)

Courtney's "Baby's First Christmas" ornament, 1980

Sweet little Nathan!

Southfork Ranch (location of our rehearsal dinner) 2005

Our first trip to London together, December 2003

Babymoon to Hawaii, June 2007