THE MONTH OF LOVE:

Almost two weeks ago Sandra and Roy got married.  It was the most amazing weekend. I couldn’t help but feel like my dad had a hand in the 70 degree weather, my kids behavior all weekend, and the overall smoothness of the day.

On the day of the wedding some of Sandra’s friends came over in the morning to have mimosas and breakfast and get ready together. We took some pictures at mom’s getting ready and then we did the rest of the pictures outdoors (seriously, it was the most gorgeous weather and it put everyone in the best moods).

Jake was dad of the year the whole weekend.  I didn’t really want the kids to have to be around until the exact moments they were needed because I wanted to be able to focus on being a bridesmaid/sister and I wanted our day to be as relaxing as possible. So he showed up on Saturday for the rehearsal just in time for Joss to rehears and then they left right after the dinner to go back to Lincoln. On the day of the wedding Jake took Joss to get her hair done and showed up with the kids right when it was time to take pictures. It was so nice to have him take care of everything.

Joss made me so happy and was the best little flower girl.  I was a little nervous knowing that she was up three hours past her bedtime on Friday night and got up earlier than usual on Saturday morning. Plus her nap time is usually 1:00 and the ceremony was at 2:00 (so no naptime until after her big moment). When you have such scheduled kids, things like this make you a little nervous. But she was a rockstar through pictures and all of the waiting around until the ceremony. She did her job of walking down the isle with the cute little ring bearer (Sam) and then sat through the hour-long ceremony on Jake’s lap.  The only two times I heard her talk was when she announced “I tooted” and when she was asking the people sitting behind her how old they were:).

Sandra was such a beautiful bride and I was so proud of her. She really embraced everything and I actually felt like she opened up so much throughout the wedding process. She is usually not one to share her feelings but she gave the most beautiful speech at the reception. I think most people (even those closest to her) hadn’t really seen that side of her before and it was awesome.

Roy and Sandra are one of the most selfless couples I know and I am so happy for them.  I enjoyed getting to know Roy’s family more throughout all of the events leading up to the wedding and the wedding day.  They are such fun and sweet people.  Now I just wish we could re-do the weekend over and over!

 The week of the wedding was also Valentines Day and we heart shaped the crap out of everything all day long!

A few quick stories about the kids:

This week Joss saw Jake giving me a kiss and she was really annoyed and said, "Daddy, don't kiss my mommy.  Go to Mema's and kiss your mommy!"

Jett (after looking at our dirty master bathroom):  "Mom, I saw some really white and clean bathrooms on tv.  You should get a bathroom like that."

 Lately Joss has been having to discipline her babies a lot for not listening.  A few weeks ago I cam home and saw two of her babies sitting in the corner.  According to Jake, Joss had taken them "shopping" and when she came "home" she said, "I can't do this anymore.  They not listening.  Talk to them dady."  We also overheard her negotiating with one of her babies one day and saying, "If you don't eat your food I'm gonna take your baby away." 


Over the weekend Jake and I attended the Team Jack Gala for Pediatric Brain Cancer.   We had a nice time with the Excel team and also enjoyed hanging out with Brittany and Ben!

It never fails, every year when we go to the gala it is such a good reminder of how lucky we are to have healthy kids.  I can't imagine what those parents must be going through and ever since then I feel like I've been hugging my kids tighter and cuddling them longer.  So grateful!

This is what a Sunday morning at Mema and Papa's looks like!

  

 

JOSS-2 1/2 and JETT- 4 1/2

It's been a while since I've updated on what the kids are saying/doing these days and I thought it was time since they are at such fun ages.

JOSS- 2 1/2 years:

50% sweet and 50% sassy.  Maybe more like 45/65.   She loves food and her babies.  Her attention span is short.  She has just started to really like puzzles and movies (for a short time) and is becoming more of a cuddler.  She loves being read to but has to be in control of the page turning.   She enjoys going to church and especially loves making friends with the people next to us and taking money up to the front.  Every time her clothes are getting changed, she can't resist the urge to dance naked.  She calls it her "nakey dance" and although we try not to encourage it, it is kind of the greatest thing ever!  She can be a bit of a bully.  Especially to older kids for some reason.

Some common phrases we hear her say are:

"Are you happy with me?"
"Who is you?"  -What she says whenever she sees someone she doesn't know.
"My back is hurtin' I need an adjustment."
"Your pood (food) is ready!"-What she says to Jake on the phone every day when he's on his way home from work.
"I was naughty!" -What she says when I pick her up from daycare.
"But we CAN toot."  - What she says when we ask her if she tooted. 

JETT- 4 1/2 years:

He is so excited to learn right now.  Every day he comes home with so many new projects and Tamra has told us that he just craves anything involving learning so they have been taking full advantage.  He is figuring out how to read shorter words and the other night when he was sounding words out with Jake you could tell that a light bulb just switched on and his mind was completely blown.   He is excited to go to pre-school next year and talks about how he's going to read to his class.  I'm not so sure I'm ready for pre-school next year.  Tamra's is all we've known for 4 1/2 years  and it will feel like he's really growing up when me make a change next year.  He is still my little sweetheart with his compliments and concern for others.  I just want him to stay this sweet forever!!  I'm having a hard time thinking of specific stories about him right now but in some ways, he almost has adult humor already.  He laughs at the same things Jake and I laugh at and says things that are actually seriously funny.  He definitely has a love for life and he recently started skipping everywhere.  A few weeks ago when we went ice skating the two of us skipped all the way from our car (about three blocks).  I feel like he teaches me so much!

CHRISTMAS AND MORE:

The Holidays were so much fun this year with both kids "getting it" a little more!  We started our celebrating on December 1st with our tradition for the kids to get Christmas Pj's and Christmas books and then from there on we tried to do an activity a day.

The kids were pretty excited about the first snow of the season and went outside right away to build a snowman!

Next up was Jett's Christmas Program at church.  It was SO fun to watch him.  He got really into it and didn't miss any of the actions!  The best part was how happy he was the whole time (and how many times he waved at us)!

Both of his Grandma's were there which added to the fun!

You really can't beat popcorn and a Christmas movie in Christmas PJ's!

Jake and I enjoyed a fun Christmas party with the Excel Chiropractic crew!  Love all of these people!

The kids got to see Santa at Tamra's house this year.  Joss was a little unsure about him and wouldn't sit on his lap but Jett loved him.

 I believe when I was taking this picture I said something like "give a kiss" and I meant to each other but this is what they both did!

We made Christmas cut-out cookies again this year.  Joss did a lot more licking and eating than anything else of course!

Last year we started a tradition of going out for a family dinner and then driving around and looking at Christmas lights!  It was fun to continue the tradition this year.

Here are a few pictures from our Christmas Eve and Christmas day Festivities:

Christmas Eve with the Akerson/Torrens Family:

Christmas morning Joss would not get out of bed.  We didn't hear from her until about 10:30.  Poor Jett was very patient about waiting to open his presents from Santa!

Christmas Day at my Mom's with our Holiday Moscow Mules:

It's been kind of nice getting back to our regular schedule now that January is here!  The kids have been loving playing with all of their new toys too.

We watched the Husker bowl game with the Wolf and de la serna families!  Joss felt very safe with spiderman around!

Now we are excited that our main focus can be Sandra and Roy's upcoming wedding.  We can't wait for their big day.  Last weekend Joss and I went to a shower to make mints for the big day (a Marxsen family tradition):

I have to post this pic to show how long Joss' hair is. She is getting so big. P.S I wish I could have her natural highlights!

We've only been bundling up for a few months now but I can definitely say we are already ready for spring!  

Last but not least, Go Pack Go!