Erin and Elizabeth

Thought I'd post this picture of us that was taken at Thanksgiving. I can't decide if we're looking more or less like each other as we get older. We'll be visiting Elizabeth's family again on December 9th, for an early b-day party for Caleb (who will be 3). The kids really enjoy each other.

Kenneth had his end-of-soccer year party last night. His coach made individual plaques with special names for each kid. She did a great job and Kenneth was so proud. His name was "Lightning Speedster."

Rod heads out to Las Vegas tomorrow morning for only about 36 hours total in order to assist one of his clients in a trade show. He plans to wander around taking photographs in his spare time, and claims that he'll need no sleep. We'll see. :)

Evelyn's New Room

Rod and I spent a lot of the Thanksgiving break painting Evelyn's room and installing a closet dresser and cubby set. It looks so good. She is so proud. (Me too!) Only a couple of things are left to do. We've ordered blinds which should be here in about a week. We've started assembling a nightstand, which will eventually be painted to coordinate with her room colors. It is an off-white color now with an accent wall in pink (which Evelyn picked out). We also accented the area around her windows in the pink color. Fabulous! I have contacted a few seamstresses to get quotes on making a window seat cushion for her as well.

I will try to remember to take a picture when she's not asleep.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We did!

The Yearly Flu Shot

Poor Kenneth has to get his flu shot on Wenesday and he is very anxious about it. Evelyn can get a Flu Mist, but Ken has to stick (no pun intended) with the shot because he has a mild case of asthma. He was lamenting about it tonight and I told him that some kids have to get a shot every day when they have certain diseases (meaning, diabetes, although I didn't say the word diabetes). Kenneth said very seriously, "I know Mom. Rabies."

I am taking Tuesday and Wednesday off from work (of course, Th & F are holidays). The kids have one more day of school on Tuesday, but I will be participating in Evelyn's class Thanksgiving party in the afternoon, then we'll all go home and start the vacation together. I baked several mini-loaves of chocolate pound cake and pumpkin bread for the party and for a teacher gift (of baked goods) effort that is put on by the PTO.

Visit from Loretta and Jim

My Aunt Loretta and Uncle Jim flew into Austin last Thursday through this Tuesday to spend some time with my parents. On Friday night, we met everyone at The Oasis, which is a restaurant in Austin adjacent to a lake, and has an incredible view. Every sunset (which was at 5:33 PM that day) they ring a bell and signs claim that the restaurant has not missed a sunset for 26 years. Elizabeth, Caleb, and Kyle joined us as well (Josh was hunting). Elizabeth's family stayed with us at our house, which was great for the kids. Saturday night we met again at my Mom and Dad's house and had a fabulous pork roast. Elizabeth stayed through Sunday and joined our family at a birthday party where they rented out the entire Austin Children's Museum for 2 hours. From what I hear, Mom, Dad, Loretta, and Jim had a great time on Sunday and Monday, going to New Braunfels for a Bratwurst Festival and then to San Antonio. It was great seeing them. Now I am caught up with all of the Jacobson's except Keith! (Sorry the pictures are a bit dark.)

Are Your Abs Ready to Play?

This is the first time ever that I have gotten behind on my Oprah magazine. I realize this is a little pathetic. November is sitting on the table by my bed, right underneath the Real Simple magazine that is also unfinished (but at least started). The December Oprah arrived today. I'll have to force in a double issue of wisdom in the near future.

On a different note, the instructor in Krav Maga class was on his self-proclaimed 2nd Rockstar drink (which I guess has a crapload of caffiene in it) and made the workout way more intense than usual--and it's pretty intense regardless. The Wednesday instructor happens to have trained Navy Seals and reminds us of that periodically. At one point he yelled "What's THAT? What's that? I hear your Abs calling! Are your Abs ready to come out and play?!?!?!??" Yikes. Mine were happy where they were, thank you.

The Candy Swiper

As I got out of my car from my Monday exercise class, Evelyn burst into the garage and said "Mom. Someone is in serious trouble with me." She found a Halloween candy box that had been given to her by a soccer friend under our coffee table, EMPTY.

The trials and tribulations of a 5 year old. The picture was taken on Saturday by Rod.

Family News...

Evelyn created a new word on her own. She asked me "What do you call a sneeze AND a cough? A Snoff!" I thought that was really clever.

I think this is the first weekend in 2 months that neither child has an 8:30 AM Saturday soccer game. THANK GOODNESS! After tomorrow, we have only one more game week (and of course, one of them starts at 8:30 AM).

We just found out that Elizabeth is pregnant with her third child, due in mid-July! To borrow a phrase, Holla! Let's hope she can make it through the holidays without getting exhausted. :)