traveling fun

this trip to tennessee was my first time flying with an infant. i was a little nervous, not too sure what to expect. i didn't want to be "that lady with the baby" on the plane. you know the one, the baby that never stops crying and makes a one hour flight seem like two weeks? well kelsey did great! she slept most flights and then was very happy (like always) when she was awake. when we were leaving nashville our gate was by the play area. yep, a play area in an airport. it was so cool. i think the idea is to wear the kids out so they sleep on the planes, but it could have the opposite effect, get them all wound up.

while mom's away...

the boys will play...

steve and andy went to get hot wings and

yummy desserts.

photos by steve

fingers!

kelsey loves her fingers!

"tiny"

on our trip we got to meet the newest member of the Jacobson house hold. "tiny", is not so tiny orange kitty that my dad had adopted. he showed up on the back deck and was hungry, so of course my dad took pity on him and let him move in with the other kitties. sadie and katey were not as thrilled as my dad was. tiny started out very tiny, he could fit in the palm of my dad's hand. needless to say he has grown a bit. he is now 36 inches long and weighs a whopping 20 pounds. he is not fat like katey (mom's black cat) he is sold cat. and a lot of fun too. he loved hanging out with us and he let the kids play with him.

as most people who are owned by cats know, you can't tell a cat where to go or not to go. tiny likes the top of the bookshelf and the baby seat. he also likes the top of the scratching post and on top of dad's desk. do you see a pattern here?



he was also a good sport and let kelsey pet him.

one month

It has been just about a month since my mom passed away. She died in her sleep on January 4th, surrounded by the things she loved. Her cats, books and my dad.

As we were going through the house we kept finding one of her other favorite things; pens, markers and highlighters. There was a cup in the kitchen, the living room, her office, in her night stand and in the bathroom.

More Crafting and Gifting Fun

For my parents this year I came up with what I thought was a great idea. I got to use my now new favorite craft product, Mod Podge! I made a shadow box that holds my very first pair of ballet shoes. Once this idea came to me I couldn't wait to get it made. I want to thank my many crafting friends and family for teaching me how to Mod Podge. I was able to tap into the long lost creative side of me and have fun doing this.

I started with Mod Podge...

Found this fun shadow box (Hobby Lobby! My new favorite store. Hard to believe that just a few months ago I had never heard of this amazing store.)

Dug out the old shoes, because of the organized storage room was able to find them right away...

Picked out the paper...

And there is the finished project. Like most things in my life I thought it would take hours, or perhaps day to finish this...I took less than an hour.

It is pretty cool to see these displayed. I hope my parents enjoy it as much I as did making it. To me when I look at those shoes I see all the years of classes, rehearsals, friends made, blood (point shoes!), sweat and tears. But I wouldn't trade those years for anything. That was a huge part of my life, a life that seems like a lifetime ago. I am going to make for me a shadow box that has my first costume and first pair of point shoes.

Gifting fun

For Christmas this year we gave Steve's mom a "Grandma Box". It was full of games, crafts and coloring things. The kind of things that every grandma needs at her house. It was fun to get everything together. We also included a "post grandma day recovery bag" that was filled with lotion, bubble bath and some chocolate. I wanted to give her a special card that explained what the box was for, and her is what it said...

What could be more precious than a Grandma's special love?

She always seems to know the things that we are fondest of.

She's always ready with a smile

Or a loving word of praise,

Her laughter always brightens up the cloudiest of days

She has an understanding heart that encourages and cheers.

The love she gives so freely grows deeper with the years.

Her wisdom and devotion are blessings from above-

Nothing could be more precious than a Grandma's special love.

Here is a special present for you this Christmas day

A box full of fun and games to play

And when the day is all done

Open the bag and take a look

Grab a yummy hot drink and maybe a book

For grandma's day is over she is ready for a nap

Let's giver her some space so she doesn't snap!