Bowling

This past Saturday, the McWilliams and our sweet neighbors all loaded up in the new car (it does in fact really hold 8 people- 4 carseats and 4 adults!) and headed into Windsor for some family fun at the local bowling establishment. It was Jake's first time and it was a riot. We walked in and the 3 kids went crazy in all different directions. I'm sure people thought we were nuts. We probably were. Trying to keep them out of other peoples lanes, trying to keep their faces far enough away from where the balls return to you, trying to keep them off the actual lane and on their 2 feet (Jake took about a hundred falls) all while the adults are trying to have a real game. We left exhausted, not to mention dirty. I'm not even going to talk about how about an hour into bowling all the lights went off, strobe lights came on and music went up. I'm also not going to talk about the ginormous FALL I took. I'm not going to talk about how when I let go of the ball it wasn't quite ready to let go of me until about 3 feet down the lane. I have bruises to show for it. But, I'm not going to talk about it! :) I'll let the pictures do the talking.


Up to bowl for the first time.


Sweet Ruby


You have to eat nachos to be a good bowler right?!?




This picture should be the last one. It was right before we left and Jake was WORN OUT! Notice how filthy he is!

Use your imagination and just picture me flying through the air- parallel to the alley and landing on my knees and then on my elbows. Yep. Graceful.




Just having fun!


Sebby was a pro. He is also Jake's idol!


What a fun new kind of slide.

You Guessed It... More Trains!

One might think that I am feeding Jake's obsession with trains... I probably am. But seeing this kid's smile when he is around them makes it totally worth it! :)

This past weekend, Mark's sister, Mary Katherine got married at Arista (another post to come). It was incredibly small, immediate family and a few close friends. While the wedding party was out wine tasting on Friday, my parents, the boys, and our cousins from Austin loaded up and headed to Train Town in Sonoma.

Despite the cold and damp weather, this place was so much fun! It's like a tiny amusement park and the main attraction is a train you can ride. I don't know who loved it more- Jake or my dad (remember, he is slightly obsessed too)! It's about a 20 minute ride. You stop half way at this little kid's town, with a petting zoo, a fort to climb on and a little miniature town to play in. It was a hoot! After the ride, we jumped on the carousel and then on a plane ride. Jake's first "roller coaster." Adults weren't allowed to ride and Jake barely was tall enough. I just knew that he might be a little scared but boy was I WRONG! He loved it! He rode with his cousin Max and the 2 had a ball together!

Evidently if you go on a Saturday or Sunday more rides are open. So we may have to go back when it's a little warmer. It was a success and we loved it!

Jake, Mark and Marcus.

Isn't this incredible?!?




Andrea and I.
Mark and her husband, Dean, are first cousins and they live in Austin. We adore them and their kids.




The first time and last that Jake is in a saloon! :)










Mom and I.




Mark, Madison and Jake.


They're off!


Have you seen a happier smile?!?


Jake and his co-pilot, Max.


Up in the train tower.


My dad... loving it!

Like Momma Like Son

He definitely takes after his momma! :)
(my sweet little toothless buddy)

Santa's Village

One of our very first fun activities we did once we got to Dallas was go visit Santa's Village at the Richardson Public library. I'm mad I didn't take more pictures because this place is so great. So many fun things to do and people to see... including Santa himself. It was freezing and so crowded we didn't spend much time there but was able to snap a few pictures. Jake's favorite part was the little petting zoo.

"Hold it right there Mr. Bunny"

Cheese!

Christmas 2009

If I don't write about Christmas now, I will end up forgetting about our day... even more! It feels so long ago. I think the best part about Christmas this year was waking up to SNOW!!! It was a first for all of us. Since Jake still doesn't really "get" Santa we decided to make up our own rules about him this year :) So instead of Jake being bombarded by all his toys first thing in the morning, Santa made a few trips to my parents house throughout the day... hey, why not, right?!? It was pretty darn cute. Jake would be playing and all of a sudden would hear some jingle bells and then the doorbell. He jumped up immediately and say "santa, shhhh" and go running to the living room. Low and behold new toys!!! We had a great and relaxing day just being together as a family- and playing in the snow! I'll let the pictures do all the talking. Enjoy!

I just had to put this picture in. It's Christmas Eve and WAY past his bedtime. Sweet guy, was in a daze watching a little movie waiting for us to finish dinner.

Santa's elves putting together Jake's tool bench.

Look! They DO read directions!!!

It's Christmas morning and I'm SO EXCITED!!!

All smiles.

Checkin' out Santa gift #1- a huge hit!

Little Pierce just taking it all in!

Lovin' on his aunt "B"

Playing in the snow.

My toothless little man.

Well, we made it through today! It was a rough one for me. Everyone told me that it would be harder on me than on Jake and everyone was right. My sweet little buddy was a champ. I'm so proud of him.

This morning at 8:30 am we headed to the dentist to have Jake's little teeth removed. We chose to have him put under general anesthesia because of his age. They gave me the option of just having him held down while awake but I just couldn't bear the thought of having him go through that process- he would never let another dentist touch him again... or any other doctor I imagine!

The anesthesiologist brought Jake and I back to the room so he could give Jake a shot. Within about a minute Jake was out. Let me tell you folks, that minute was terrifying to watch! To watch my child go from screaming to basically lifeless was not fun. I was singing Jesus Loves Me to him while he was falling asleep and then he just went limp. I handed him to the dr and went to meet Mark and just fell apart. I thought I was going to throw up. Funny, because 15 minutes later the dentist came out and told me that she was through. I started crying again :) Just so thankful that it was over.

Jake did "beautifully" she said. About 20 minutes later we were back with Jake as he was waking up. He was pretty fussy until we started singing again. Ever since Jake was a baby he almost instantly calms when we sing Jesus Loves Me.

We spent the rest of the day just relaxing on the couch watching his new favorite movie, Fox and the Hound and playing with all the new "You did it Jake" toys. It took him a couple of hours to get his sea legs back. It was funny and sad and pitiful and cute all at the same time. He has 2 giant holes in his gums which kinda gives me the heebee jeebies to look at. But we are already getting used to his toothless smile. I know I will come to love it just as much as I did when he had normal teeth and then when he had his chipped teeth. I do have to tell a funny story real quick- we showed Jake his teeth later in the afternoon and he picked them up and tried to put them back in his mouth. Sweet guy!

I know that in the scheme of things, having teeth pulled probably ranks right up there with a hang nail. I have been praying recently for several friends who have small children who are going through chemo and radiation. We were with some friends just last night who have a 6 month old who is about to have her 2nd heart surgery. I can't imagine handing my child over to a cardiac surgeon. I'll take the abscessed teeth. But what I have to keep reminding myself is that God is in control. More importantly, He is faithful and He hears our prayers. There is not a minute that goes by or a thought of ours that goes unheard that the Lord is not aware of. He is my strength. And let me tell you, I need Him! And I'm so glad that He is with me every step of the way.

Thanks for praying. Thanks for listening to me as I type and thanks for letting me share our life with you.
Here are some pictures of our morning and his new little smile (cute, although I'm ready for the obvious holes to close up!) I tried to upload a couple of videos but it was taking forever so I'll try and do it again later...



Playing in the waiting room before.




In recovery.


Smiles at the end of the day!

Oh, and by the way...

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE MCWILLIAMS!