PEYTON & JACKSON TAKE ON 2012

TAE KWON DO -- THE DOUBLE YELLOW STRIPE

2012-02-05T23:05:00.000-08:00

This Saturday was a big day for my big brother! He had his testing for his double stripe yellow belt. It was amazing to watch because he was the youngest martial arts student in the class by a many years, but I don't think he ever even noticed it. He was so focused and so determined.

In order to achieve his double yellow stripe belt he had to complete a three tasks:
1) Break a pine board with a side kick
2) Demonstrate the five self defense techniques of Basic Form 1
3) Complete a perfect execution of Basic Form 1

Peyton was awesome. He snapped that board in half like it was nothing. Then he stood up to his teacher, Mr. Saxton, and used all five self defense techniques. Finally, he quieted the mind and room when he perfectly executed the Basic Form 1. Naturally, upon completion the entire dojo erupted with applause for the "first ever 4 year old to have a double stipe yellow belt" within the Saxton's schools.

Mommy, Daddy and I were so proud of Peyton. His determination only seems to grow with his success.

FUN WITH FRIENDS

2012-01-22T11:27:00.001-08:00

Since Christmas, we have been playing lots at the Community Center since the weather has been too rainy to go outside. We even got a nice visit from Auntie Hana and Meme to round out 2011 with lots of play time!

I have been practicing on my new bike! I am pretty fast (anyone surprised?)

Jackson is driving Taylor around here on their 'bike'.

We look forward to lots more playtime with friends and visits from family in the next month!

A JANUARY TRIP FROM POPPY & GRAMMY

2012-01-18T20:40:00.000-08:00

Last week Grammy and Poppy decided to celebrate the 3-day weekend with a quick trip to visit us in Oregon. They got here on Thursday and stayed until Sunday afternoon. They had to leave early to try and get ahead of the incoming snow storms. Luckily they got home before the major stuff hit.

It was an action packed couple of days...

On Friday, Grammy and I got down to business and did a little baking. Everyone's favorite was the MASSIVE 7-layer banana, caramel, chocolate cake. It was awesome! Grammy also played some trains with us. She brought us a train set from Aunt Heidi and we went "chug-a chug-a, choo-choo" for awhile.
When daddy got home from work, he went to clean out the shed. That meant Jackson and I headed to the backyard to play with Poppy. We played some baseball, golf and soccer before taking a break with our juice boxes in the back of his truck. Afterward, we loaded it up with stuff for a dump run.
Saturday morning we decided to head to Bandon for a little crabbing expedition. The weather was just getting ready to turn so we weren't so lucky. It was the first time we have ever been shut out from the docks. We cut our losses though be heading to Tony's Crab Shack for "some fresh from the sea" lunch. I tried clam chowder for the first time ever. The jury is still out on whether or not I liked it.

Sunday was football and puppet show day. Grammy gave us some puppets and a stage and Jackson and I performed some plays. Everyone thought I was quite the thespian.
While we were sad Grammy and Poppy had to leave a little earlier than planned, we had so much fun and look forward to our next visit.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!

2012-01-08T14:08:00.000-08:00

Mommy turned 31 today! We've had a fun weekend already and will finish it off tonight with some friends and birthday cake.

On Saturday morning Daddy and Jackson woke me up at 7:00am. We had to be quiet because we were going to sneak out of the house and head to Coos Bay to run errands. We got upstairs and turned on an Elmo. This was a fake out to make mommy think we were just upstairs and let her lay in bed. We put on our ninja slippers (quiet feet) and headed out.

First stop was the bakery. We needed two things: a birthday cake for mom and donuts for the boys. We picked a carrot cake in no time, we knew that's mommy's favorite. The tough choice was what donut to get.

Next, we headed to Walmart. We needed to get some birthday gifts. Jackson picked out an Elmo tee shirt for mommy. Typical Jackson. Mommy had been mentioning a need for a new iphone case so that's what I was looking for. I found the perfect pink one and we then went to get the birthday cards.

At our house, you can't have a birthday party without balloons, which means a stop at the dollar store. Daddy let me do all of the work so I got a person to help me fill up an elmo balloon (again, Jackson's choice) a blue star, a "make a wish" star and a pink heart.

By now it was 9:00 in the morning and Mommy realized we were gone. We told her to enjoy the morning and we'd bring her a coffee. That was easy because we needed to get a coffee card from Starbucks. Off to Safeway to get the card and some flowers. Daddy let Jackson and I pick out the flowers. We couldn't decide so we got her some roses and some yellow arrangement.

After we got home, Mommy took Jackson and I to play at a friends house for awhile. It was fun and we got a desk for Jackson and me. They are in our rooms for us to do homework on.

During my rest time I got to wrap the coffee card and the phone case. I did a great job again. I also did my own card from Jackson and me and wrote names on them without any help.

On Sunday, Jackson and I headed upstairs before Mommy and Daddy to get the presents ready. We couldn't wait to see Mommy open her gifts.

Mommy laughed when she saw the cards daddy got her - they had her favorite Twilight on them.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY! WE LOVE YOU!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2012-01-01T00:02:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everybody!

New Year. New look. Same goals -- try to share as much as possible. Jackson and I are very lucky boys because we have such great family and friends. We hope the moments that aren't shared with you alongside can be shared on the blog to keep you in the know.

For one last time, I've selected a 42-pictures that take you through 2011. It was a great year and exemplified the "Good Life."

Next up...Mommy's Birthday!

CHRISTMAS 2011

2011-12-25T14:20:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Thanks for all of the goodies.

PEYTON'S PUPPET SHOW

2011-12-24T19:24:00.000-08:00

Peyton and mommy made puppets while daddy and me put presents under the tree. Afterwards we thought it would be fun if we did a puppet show, starring Santa and Frosty. Here's the teaser...

Happy Christmas Eve! Here's Ho Ho Hoping Santa remembers our letters!

SANTA AND LIGHT FUN

2011-12-22T20:45:00.000-08:00

Tonight we had a fun family night! After writing our lists last night, we decided to hand deliver the lists to Santa. I was so excited to see Santa and so was Jackson. We both sat on Santa's lap and after our picture, he read our Christmas lists...pretty sure he's got it now.

After the party in my belly (aka a milkshake and french fry dinner) we headed over the bridge, past the beach .... to Shore Acres for the Light Festival. My favorite was the whale with the shooting water spout and the hummingbird - awesome!

We sang songs all the way home and had a great night! So excited ... for Santa and baby Jesus' birthday!

SPECIAL DELIVERY: NORTH POLE

2011-12-21T21:17:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow's the big day -- we are headed to Santa's Coos Bay workshop for a quick meet and greet. I've got the whole system down already, but Jackson is still somewhat new to the process. We made our lists tonight. I ended up making Jackson's because he doesn't know his letters and I want him to still get some presents.

Last night we decided to get a few more decorations out. And because there was no snow in Bend, we thought...Let's make a snowman. Now we have Ned (the snowman) on our door.

Only 4 more days until Christmas!