Twin Day at Utica

Today was a mighty special day for those named Jacob and Jeff. Why? Well, that's simply because today was one of many days where I dressed them in matching outfits. That's right, I had them both sit down on the bed, and I physically put them in their clothes this morning. whaahahahahah, just kidding, but they did do the "twins" thing today. Here is the proof:


Yesterday, we went to our second Clemson game this year, and, surprise-surprise, he didn't do nearly as well as the first time! Jacob and I left after the first quarter, and tried to zero in on the band (Jacob's second favorite part of the game...the tiger is #1), and then we resorted to just leaving. Thankfully, we had parked with Kristi and her family in the RV lot, so we just walked back there and played by the water, and ate all their food! We did stay in the game long enough to get one picture...and then we attempted another picture at Kristi's spot...didn't work out so well.

Jacob on the deck

Here are some pics of Jacob doing things on the deck, like 1.) wearing Elmo slippers that Daddy got him...because they are soft and furry and resemble a stuffed animal, not so much a shoe, this cartoon apparel is allowed. 2.) Playing with his car, truck, and tractor 3.) Jumping rope---well, trying to.

Jacob plays with the choo choo

Jacob is a be-boppin' jump roper

Preparing to jump

This Weekend's Festivities

We had one whopper of a weekend! What I mean is, we didn't do much of anything because we were trying to recuperate from a cold. We did manage to hit up the SCBG, since the weather was so nice, and Jacob explored some new little gardens that have recently been fixed up!

Hugging Peter Rabbit

Boys at SCBG

Here are some pictures from last weekend's car washing adventure with Jacob and Daddy. He is a really swell helper these days.

Washing the car

Looking cute while washing the cars

Fresh ideas for Bloggy Poo

Since everyone is so willing to interact (i.e. comment on) my blog, I just came up with a new feature of the "Day in the Life...." blog. The new feature is............... Book of the Month and Recipe of the Week! I know, you are really excited about this addition, but don't get too excited until we see if this actually sticks.

September's Book of the Month: The Painter from Shanghai by Jennifer Cody Epstein*
A lovely book about the female artist Pan Yuliang, from China. She led a horrendous life that, with a few twists and turns, led her to painting. She never seemed to escape her past, but that just led to her very avante garde work (in Pre-WWII China, this was a big no-no). The story has a lot of interesting insight into the Chinese "government" (if you want to call it that) and all the corruption that goes along with it.

Recipe of the Week: Ranchhouse Fettucine

8 oz. fettuccine
1 (16oz) package fresh broccoli florets
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
2Tbsp. olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
3/4 C. cooked ham, cut into thin cubes/strips
6 oz. of chicken breasts/strips, cooked
4 sun dried tomato halves in oil, drained and chopped
2 tsp. fresh rosemary
1 (8oz) bottle Ranch dressing
1/4 C. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1.) Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and keep warm.
2.) Sautee broccoli and bell pepper in hot oil in a large skillet over medium high heat 7 minutes or until crisp-tender; add garlic, and saute 2 minues.
3.) Stir in ham, chicken and tomatos; sprinkle with rosemary. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture is thoroughly heated.
4.) Toss together warm pasta, broccoli mixture, and 1/2 C. Ranch dressing; add cheese, tossing well. Serve with remaining Ranch dressing.



And, for those of you interested in Jacob, here is a picture of him in the bathtub....

What's been happening this past week

I am trying to get back into updating this here thingy a little more often...not just waiting for monumental events to occur before posting. So here's a feeble attempt...

Today, Jacob was very distressed when he came into the kitchen, telling me about my milk. I had just left my lunch and milk sitting in the living room while I was filling up Jacob's cup in the kitchen, so I peeked around the corner to try to figure out what was wrong with my milk. Well, when I looked in, I saw that my once full glass was now empty, but the carpet didn't look wet. I asked him if he spilled my milk and he said "yea". I asked him where he "spilled" it, and he said "bowl", but there was no bowl around, so we went back in there and I saw that he has poured my cup of milk out (not like milk's a hot commodity or anything these days, Jacob!) onto my plate with the rest of my wrap. He's starting to get interesting toddler-like ideas these days. Here is the proof:

Jacob points to his handiwork

Jacob lifts weights with Mommy, only, when he picks up his weights, he falls over backwards!

Trying on Daddy's shirt for size...Jacob, I think we are going to go with the size 2T for you.

Even more honeymooning pics

Two studs soaking up the rays---all by our lonesome. In Mexico, it's not cool to wake up at 7am.

Lindsey Russian dances in the pool (while no one's around)

Jeff and Lindsey nonchalantly posing by a waterfall at the resort

Pretty view of some stuff at the resort

There are two iguanas prairie dog style in this picture---can you find them?

More Honeymoon--a little late, but WHATEV!

View from our balcony

One of the pools and tiki hut bar things

Jefferina and Lindsey with the ocean in the background

Jeff and Lindsey at the White Road in Coba

Our little shopper in Playa del Carmen

First Football Game

Russell is truly a fabulous photgrapher...outside the Clemson vs. Citadel game

Yea! We got to go to the first home football game today, courtesy of Chris and Bridgett! They had some extra tickets, so they gave them to us---PLUS we got a parking pass! It was great, because Jeff didn't have any way to watch the game today (not on TV) and he was trying to figure out a way to get some tickets, when all of a sudden, Chris and Bridgett pulled through!

We were really excited to get to go, but we were a little nervous about taking Jacob since his gametime performance last year was below par. AKA- Out of the games we went to, he probably clocked a total of 25 minutes in the game...he didn't want to hang around. But, here we are, one year older, and he was AWESOME!! We stayed the whole game and he cheered from about halfway through the first quarter all the way to the end! He loved the band (of course...like mother, like son) and the tiger...he could spot that tiger all the way across the stadium...in a sea of orange. He clapped, he danced, he tried to do the Clemson cheer, he sat in a big boy seat,etc.

This was the best day ever! I think we were so excited about him making it all the way through the game and loving it, because it's like the light at the end of the tunnel for us. It's like everywhere we go, we worry, "Is Jacob going to behave? Is he going to hate this? Is he going to make this miserable for us? What are our alternate plans when he has a break down?" and today, we didn't have to deal with any of that! We got to just go do something fun and he was perfect!

Hopefully we'll have some more days like this one in the future!

Showing me his football, on the way to the game...he was psyched up for victory.

Cadence and Jacob, sitting nicely at the game...Cadence was trying to teach Jacob to clap (he knows how to clap)... basically, she was just trying to touch him because he doesn't like it!

Jeff would like for me to say that this is Jacob watching a play unfold, but in all truth, this is probably Jaocb watching the band.