Happy Birthday, Jakers!

Can it really be that 2 years ago last night I was awakened in the middle of the night by Jake letting me know he was ready to join our family? I still laugh because I had just been to see my OBGYN the previous day and she said, "Nope, nothing's happening-- he won't be here for a while." I woke Joe up after watching the clock for 3 hours-- too shocked to say anything earlier-- we rushed off to the hospital, leaving my mom with her nervous giggle and my dad chasing behind us in his car (we had forgotten the camera...)
THREE WEEKS EARLY. Hospital Bag? Not packed. Baby Clothes washed? Nope. Baby Shower? No Show (I did RSVP with my new response!) Could we have been any happier? NEVER! Jacob James Berryhill was here and he was was ours. He didn't want to miss out on seeing everyone at his baby shower and we couldn't wait for him to be there!

So today we had a mini celebration, thanks to Grandma! I work on Mondays, so we decided we would celebrate this weekend with family. Grandma came to watch the kids and just as grandma's do, she spoiled Jake with birthday love and made his favorite-- spaghetti. We put 2 candles in the cupcakes she brought and sang to him! I was so grateful to her because I really hadn't planned anything for today and was feeling a little guilty.

The frosting and confetti sprinkles were by far top priority

Jake loved the singing and kept on singing to himself after it was over... "Happy Cake, Happy Cake...."

Makes sense.
I love you, big 2 year old. More pictures and celebrating to come this weekend!!!

Wheels + Sunshine = Happiness

Last Saturday was one of the first that I didn't have to work AND we weren't sick AND it wasn't raining! Since we had all three things going for us, we decided to get out and do a little bicycling. We headed to Coyote Hills Regional Park right along the Bay and got all geared up. That is a task within itself! We have plenty of wheels to get ready... Jake's carriage and Kate's "Trail-A-Bike," plus all of the toys and snacks to keep everyone occupied and smiling! What a perfect way to spend our morning-- with all of the gear needed, we failed to bring Kate's helmet, so we gave her Joe's and tightened it up as small as it would go. Thank goodness she has a nice size head, otherwise it wouldn't have worked ;)

Side Note: don't get blinded by that neon skin of mine-- I was just trying to give it a little fresh air-- it hadn't seen the sun in a very long time...

Jake discovering a California poppy for the first time



We decided the trail-a-bike was a good purchase because we could go as fast as we wanted and Kate could still feel like she was riding a bike and being a part of everything! I know Jake LOVED having the carriage to himself. We stopped to read about all of the birds we were seeing and Kate discovered that leopard sharks were swimming not too far from her. Always a nice thought...
Fresh air is so good for the soul.
Thank you, family! Looking forward to next time...

An Afternoon of Smiles and Laughter

Last week was the grand re-opening of a little place in San Jose, called Happy Hollow. It was closed for over 1 1/2 years as they renovated the entire park. Because we are members, we got a "sneak peak." So I decided to take the kids on Tuesday. IT WAS FANTASTIC. So much better than before! The zoo is practically the same except they moved the petting area to a completely new spot (in a cute barn up by the entrance) and had a big dinosaur excavation area in it's place. We spent a little time there...

And then moved on to check out the puppet shows, the amazing new play structure, and of course... the rides! This roller coaster ride below is new to the park. Kate really wanted to go on it, but Jake was too little. I told her to go for it, but she'd have to go alone, because I had to stay with her brother. Hesitation and worry, but she still got on!! I was kind of surprised!

By the look on her face, I'd say she made the right decision...

She loved it so much, she went on it twice.

Makes me feel like going to Disneyland and hopping on Space Mountain...

We'll definitely be back for that one!

Next came the ladybugs...

and then the cars...

But Jake's all time favorite was the Frop Hopper. Oh, how he loved the Frog Hopper!

It's one of those rides that brings you up,up,up, and then drops you down and brings you back up again... He would giggle and giggle and just laugh the entire time!

Checking out how high off the ground they were getting

Look! No hands!

That's my girl! Thanks for smiling, Kate! Jake was giving the girl next to him the evil eye because she took his seat! Nice.

Here's a clip that'll make you sick, but you'll get to see the pure delight on Jake's face. I'd say his first "roller coaster" ride was a success!!

On the drive home... Do you think I wore them out? What a great day, together. They can't wait to take Dad back with them!

What Do Your Kids Like to Do on a Rainy Day?

Mine like to color...

and color...
and color...

"Ohhhhhhhh, you mean I was supposed to use paper???"

I think the snot coming out of the right nostril really adds to this one...

"Mom, you still love us, right?"

Always.

I Have Just One Question...

Is anyone else out there just as ecstatic as I that the Mini Eggs have returned for yet another wonderful Easter season???

So long M&M's... (at least until my stash runs out!)

Her First Date

And she's only four years old...

What a lucky girl!

Kate was asked to attend the Disney on Ice performance this past weekend with someone she absolutely has fallen head over heals for... And from the look on her face when she got home, I think he'll be asking her out again!

Grab Your Aprons...

Cammie's Turning FIVE!!There's no better way to celebrate than with a little flour, a little plastic and lotsa smiles!Cammie blazed the trail for her cousins by showing them how to make beautifully sculptured fruit kabobs...The fruit of someone I know didn't quite seem to want to make it to the sticks...they kept getting lost in her mouth! Next came pouring and mixing and a little more eating...

I think squishing the pizza dough between their hands was a definite highlight! The finished product turned out delicious!I think we officially have three chefs in the family to carry on Nana's legacy... Thanks Cammie and Lynne for hosting such a FUN Saturday together! We LOVED every second of it! Kate's hat and apron are in plain view in our kitchen so she can grab them at a seconds notice--she feels she now has the experience necessary to help me out with every meal :)

What do Shaun White and I Have In Common?

One of Jake's favorite things to do is to sneak into our bathroom cabinet, take everything out, and distribute those items artistically around the house. Thankfully yesterday it was just my curlers...and then I got to thinking...when was the last time I actually used those curlers?! At least 8 years ago--maybe longer. So, I plugged them in and figured I'd give them a breather from the dark corner under our sink. Twenty minutes later I shook my fingers through my hair and looked at myself in the mirror...and what I saw was this: I looked like Shaun White. Not quite what I was going for... Kate came in and laughed... I immediately packed them back up and retired them even further back under the cabinet. Maybe she'll use them some day...