Where O Where?

Where have the Matthews' gone? We are still here. Just haven't been taking any photos lately plus my computer is broken again at home so there is no way to download any pictures at this time.

We just celebrated Thanksgiving at Jay's parent's home. This year everyone in the family brought a dish to share so no one person(s) would have to take on the full burden of preparing a meal. It worked quite well and all the food was delicious. We enjoyed pumpkin and apple pie for dessert as well as a friendly bingo game or two. Eric loves the bingo game!

Not much new around here really. Christmas is rapidly approaching and we have no Christmas decorations up yet. Nor any gifts purchased. I'm starting to feel some pressure. Better get on it!

Eric's 4th Birthday

Yesterday was Eric's 4th Birthday! We held his party from 5:30 to 7:00 so the whole day was filled with the question, "Can I have some cake now?" Jay and I decided to make the cake this year and we had a fun time decorating it. Eric helped put the jumbo sprinkles on the cake which he really enjoyed doing. Jeff, Jermaine, Jenna, Jade, Jennifer, Scott, Anna, Zach, John and Jackie all came over to help us celebrate. It was a fun party and Eric now gets to say he is four like Jaden! When the festivities were over, Eric wanted to know how many days until he turned 5. It could be a long year.

Como Zoo Boo 2008

On Sunday afternoon I took the boys to Como Zoo for their Zoo Boo event. We had to wait in line for quite a while and I thought the kids were going to lose it. But, we got in and Jonathan commented, "This is so much fun mom. Thanks for bringing us." How cute was that? Eric's continuous comment was, "I want more candy." We had a lot of fun and look at all the cute photos I got of the kids.

Our House's New Look

After the Memorial Day Weekend tornado that moved through our neighborhood, we had to get new soffits and fascia on our house. We decided cream was a much nicer color than brown. In addition to the soffits and fascia we decided to purchase all new gutters. Once that job was finished, Jay began the two month process of painting the whole house green instead of the barfy brown. The house looks so nice! Jay did a great job. And we are very glad it is finished. Come for a visit and you can help us admire the house before the snow flies.

Harvest Fest Ramsey Minnesota

I took the boys to Lord of Life's Harvest Fest on Friday to get out of the house and do something fun. We went with my friend Shelah and her son Wyatt. The boys got to play on bouncy things, ride some rides, eat some junk food, and spend all of mom's money. They also saw my favorite local band, G.B. Leighton, perform and enjoyed a fireworks show. At some point during the band, I got the boys to dance a little bit but they weren't really that excited about it. Jonathan thought the fireworks were AWESOME, but Eric wouldn't even look at the fireworks. Neither boy seemed impressed by the band so they used the camera for a while and took some interesting shots. They also played around on the cell phone. The night got a bit late for them both so when Jay came to pick them up, they were very ready to go home to bed. Jay was such a sweetie to come and get them after work so that I could stay to see the rest of the show. GB rocks!

Eric is A Sweetie

First Day of First Grade

Jonathan started 1st grade on September 2, 2008. We took him out for breakfast and I drove him to school. Since he wasn't quite sure what to expect, I walked him to his classroom. It was so cute seeing all the little 1st graders sitting quietly at their desks. Yes, Jonathan has his own desk this year and he has a locker that he shares with Anne. Jay picked Jonathan up from school and told him "I love first grade!". It looks like we are off to a good start to the new school year. He loves his teacher, lunch and the art class. Jonathan was sick on Wednesday and Thursday with a high fever so he had to stay home two of his four school days the first week. That was a bummer for him and us.

A Good Laugh

I came home from work yesterday, pulled into the driveway and this is what I saw! Cracked me right up. A good ol' belly laugh. The boys apparently went and saw Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3D with grandma and grandpa Matthews. Gotta love 3D glasses!

A Day at the "Beach"

Saturday I took the boys and met Jermaine, Jaden, Jenna, Jennifer, Scott, Anna and Zachary (whew) at a wading pool in Minneapolis. It was a gorgeous day at a gorgeous park and for an hour or so we had the pool all to ourselves. The boys had a ton of fun splashing, running and playing with their trucks. Here are some fun photos of our morning. Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos of Anna or Zachary enjoying the water. I guess I had put the camera away before they arrived at the festivities. Grandma Jackie showed up for a while too. As did Jermaine's mom and grandparents. It was a great way to spend the day.

Little Cow Pokes

The Texas cousins have arrived in Minnesota. Welcome Jaden and Jenna (and Jeff and Jermaine). It's grand to have you here! After one of the our get-togethers, Jaden loaned out his cowboy hats and guns. Jonathan and Eric thought being cowboys was yeehaw exciting! They used the tractor to round up their cattle one whole afternoon.

Rocket Men

Jay and the boys have been building rockets this summer and then launching them. The boys (all three of them) really enjoy the whole process. And I think it is kind of fun too. Unfortunately, the rockets they have made do not have a very long life span. We have had many, many engine failures. A rocket that practically flew sideways. And a rocket that got stuck in a tree and then rescued. She was relaunched but then subsequently lost in another tree. I believe Big Bertha is still in said very tall tree. She won't come down. If you ask Jonathan and Eric about the last rocket launch both boys will say, "We told daddy to use the B engine not the C engine. It's his fault it got stuck in the tree. The C engine was too big and the rocket went too high. It's daddy's fault. He didn't listen to me." Oops. It's time to build another rocket.