Halloween 2008

Let me just start by saying, it’s been a busy day. I have 2 very Halloweened out children and true candy consumption has yet to commence.

Princess Cinderella lived up to her name. From the moment Kate woke up this morning, she has been in full costume and almost in full character. This photo was taken at 8:15am.

I had the honor of joining Kate at her school this morning as a classroom helper for their Halloween party. We made ghost wind socks, went trick or treating to the other classrooms, constructed origami bats, iced cup cakes, played pin the nose on the jack o’ lantern, and all in all had a wonderful time! Most of her classmates stayed in costume the whole morning. There were many princesses, a lot of power rangers and other action heroes, adorable cats, and some very scary witches; just to name a few of the costume varieties we saw this year. Here is Kate’s class photo (the whole album from the morning can be accessed here).

Kate and I returned home at lunch to rendez vous with Dad and Jacob. After a bit of needed R and R, Kate, Jake, and I hit the road again to do our trick or treating rounds at Microsoft and make Elvis’ debut. We had planned for Jake to be Evel Knievel for Halloween but even with the blond hair, everyone knew he was Elvis so we just went with it. My collector decided to add to the confusion a bit by refusing to go trick or treating without my Baby Stewie Bobble Head, but people got over that soon enough. Heeeeeerrrrrrrre’s Elvis!

 

Jake very quickly understood the trick or treating concept. His favorite tactic was to gently and politely put a piece of candy in his candy bag (being carried by Mom) and then grab an additional piece of candy and just run like the wind. Two hours later, Mom was done and decided that we would regroup once again at home to prepare for the last shift–trick or treating in our neighborhood with Dad.

After dinner and a bit of homework, the group decided the time was right to head back out. 11 hours after Kate started her day, she was still ready and raring to go. They visited about 2 blocks worth of houses, met some neighbors, and did their best to expand their haul.

And I was finally coordinated enough to catch Jake in the full Elvis costume effect.

Since many of you have seen the photos from Kate’s Elvis run 4 years ago but they’re not in the blog, I thought why not add in Kate as Elvis. So again, here’s Elvis circa 2004…

We hope everyone had a safe and Happy Halloween!!!!

The Little Joys of Being a Daddy

For the last month my team has been working late on Wedneday nights (Workaholic Wednesday!), trying to keep ahead of our project schedule.  On these nights I usually get home after the kids are in bed.  This past Wednesday I walked into my office and found this little note that Kate had left me.

“This is from Kate to Dad.  Dad you can eat the rest of my candy, but you love candy to much.”

It’s little moments like this when you know your daughter has been learning to write, and then finding a note she leaves you (giving you candy!) that reminds you how cool it is to be a father.

The Great Pumpkin

Halloween will soon be upon us and so the kids thought this weekend would be a good time to carve their beloved selections from the pumpkin patch. We invited over some helpers and let the creative juices flow as to what their scary creations should look like this year round.

Kate and Gma Roo got right to work on Kate’s “Witch on a Broom.”

Jake decided to observe…

After making his selection of Mr. Frank N. Stein.

It was hard work all around with Kate and Auntie Tricia entertaining us with the Thriller Dance during the more trying carving problems. But the work was worth it in the end. Here are Les Artistes and their creations. Tricia with Alien Pumpkin, Kate with Witchy Pumpkin, and Jake with Pumpkin Frank.

And the Giffin family shot to wrap up the show.

Now the kids just can’t wait to get those costumes on!

You know…for kids

Every year Microsoft has a giving campaign where all the employees are encouraged to give to their favorite charities and all sorts of events happen to promote this.  This year our division had a dunk tank as one of the events, and many of the high level managers stepped up and dropped into the water for charity.

It cost $5 for 2 balls and I had a $20 burning a hole in my pocket when the General Manager of Test got in the tank.  Armed with 8 chances, I proceeded to drop my boss’ boss 4 times which was documented through photographs by one of my HR friends.

Let’s start with a bit of taunting banter…

I do play shortstop in softball…hope that’ll help.

And with a hearty “clang” the target is struck, the chair is dropped, and so is my boss’ boss…right into chilly water.  I’m not sure what’s worse, the dunk into the cold water, or sitting on the chair all wet with a slight breeze.

Jake’s 18 month check-up

We went in for Jake’s 18 month check-up yesterday and he’s doing great. By this age the expected developmental progress markers are:

• Walks well. Runs. Walks backwards to pull a toy. (He walks beautifully and loves to run although he is having issues with cornering).
• Starting to walk up stairs (scary, at least for Mom, but true).
• Uses utensil to feed self, often clumsily (clumsily being the key word but yes).
• Scribbles with a crayon (loves coloring!!).
• Will imitate whatever parents are doing/helps around the house (too many of you have seen my child labor infringement with Jake helping me unload the dishwasher).
• Temper tantrums are to be expected (ummm, this is an understatement).
• Removes own clothing, socks/shoes (a little too frequently).
• Has 3+ words (no problem!).

Although, language is the area where Pete was a bit concerned. It’s not anything huge, but a bunch of little things. Like Jake is still not in the habit of having names for us yet; we are usually all Daddy–including Kate. And Jake still won’t say yes, he has a sound that kind of sounds like “hi” but we know what he means. As I was talking to Dr. Schiebel about Pete’s concerns, we realized that Jake is actually a very effective communicator. If he wants you to know something, come hell or high water, it will be understood. Jake is just less resolute in his communication concerns when we are trying to get him to tell us something we want. Final conclusion, the boy is no dummy.

So on to Jake’s stats for this check-up: Height = 34 inches (97%); Weight = 26 lbs 11 oz (50%).

Dr. Schiebel’s opinion = He is doing beautifully and is very tall for his age, just like his big sister.

And now for parting images. Jake playing peek-a-boo.

 

I see you!

And Jake in the box…

A sunny October weekend… and the kids are sick :(

What is the designated providence dictating that when we get a beautiful, sunny October weekend–you know the kind with the perfect chill in the air, clear skies, and gorgeous sunshine–that one or both of my children are sick?

Kate spent a very unhappy Friday night trying to get some rest in the face of a later diagnosed perforated ear drum (second time around). Luckily we had some numbing ear drops to help ease her through the night, versus the concept of spending hours in the middle of the night at the ER, and we got in to see her doctor first thing Saturday morning. She spent much of Saturday resting to help kick off her convalescence (you know my daughter is not feeling well when she asks to rest and ends up taking a 3+ hour nap–she hasn’t napped consistently in over a year) and by Sunday morning was feeling much improved. Jake is also ill but luckily it was just a run of the mill cold and he’s getting through it too.

Since Kate made a decent turn around and Jake was also doing better, we decided that we would enjoy what was left of the weekend Halloween style at the local Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze. So Aunty Tricia, Gma Roo, Kate, Jake and Candice all took off for the craziness.

One of the best attempts at a family photo op. Kate’s sending her love.

Then we have Jake guarding his thoughtfully selected pumpkin. Thoughtfully selected by Gma Roo that is.

Auntie Tricia and Kate hanging out amongst the pumpkins, trying to find a good one.

And Jake pretending to be a Farmer, with Gma Roo’s assistance of course.

Perserverance!! Even in the face of a team who couldn’t score and a Giants fan…

We decided to throw a little Seahawks gathering this weekend to cheer on the ‘Hawks and potentially commiserate in a game where we didn’t have a good chance of winning. But we were not prepared for the absolute punishment we received.

The Giants had more broken tackles than you could keep track of, if there was a possession they didn’t score on I don’t remember it, oh, and they spanked the Seahawks 44 – 6. To top it all off, we invited over a buddy who’s rooted for the Giants since childhood. We weren’t trying to be masochistic; it just worked out that way.

But here’s the image to keep you going until next week when we host the Packers at home.

Perserverance!!

Go Seahawks!

Congratulations Aunty Tricia!

Last week Tricia was offered and accepted a new position, a promotion no less, to be an Executive Business Assistant for a Senior Vice President at Microsoft. She is very excited and looking forward to taking over her new role in mid October. To celebrate, Gma Roo, Pete, Kate, Jake and Candice took her out to dinner and amazingly the kids survived the whole meal.

Here is Kate giving a big congratulatory snuggle to Aunty Tricia.

And we got a really nice photo of Jake and Gma Roo so I thought I would throw it in for good measure.

Good luck Aunty Tricia! Even though we all know you won’t need it.

Random Photos

Karen and Bill will be leaving on a trip soon and they are going to visit some of our extended family who has never met Kate or Jake. In preparation for the trip I got some photos together of the kids. And thus began my odyssey of sorting through photos I haven’t looked at in a while and falling love with my family all over again–GAGGY but true!  

While many of the photos and the stories behind them are already posted on the blog, some weren’t and I wanted to share them.

This is the photo from Jake’s birth announcement (May 2007). I took it of him sleeping as he was very colicky at the time and tended to scream if I wasn’t holding him.

Jake sporting a handmade creation from his baby shower (June 2007). The lovely ladies who attended his shower hand painted onesies for Jake. This one has frogs and a baby “biker” tattoo that reads “I ”heart” Mom.”

The only boys in the family — Pete, Jake, and Bill (June 2007 for Pete’s birthday). I’m not sure if you all know but we have a shortage of men on the Jester side of the clan. Pete was very happy for many reasons when we found out we were having Jake, but he was also happy that the guys wouldn’t be soooo outnumbered at family events anymore.

Kate helping to entertain little bro in his bouncy chair (June 2007).

Gma Roo and Jake at her birthday celebration lunch (July 2007). Tricia, Roo, Jake, and I headed to Bellingham to dine at the wonderful Colophon Cafe for Roo’s birthday and first encountered Jake’s hatred of cars on long trips. He screamed from Everett to Redmond on our return.

Berry picking (July 2007). Kate is trying to determine the right path on the age old dilemma of how many berries she can eat while we’re picking. To eat or to save, that is the question.

Jake’s first smile on camera (July 2007). The boy has always done things to extremes–no mere grin here, but an all out laugh.

Kate and Daddy enjoying a little game time (August 2007). To this day Kate is still not 100% comfortable playing on XBOX, but she thoroughly enjoys pretending to play with Daddy. Just ask her about Lego Indiana Jones.

Pete and Jake enjoying cider (December 2007). Pete did a great job documenting our tree hunt outing last year but left out this gem of a photo of him and his boy.  

 Grammie and Jacob, opening one present Christmas Eve (December 2007). Family tradition allows for one present to be opened Christmas Eve, not sure how to read Jake’s reaction here. 

Kate, Mom, and Jake on Christmas Eve (December 2007). All dressed, ready for bed, and already listening for Santa!

And just to bring us back to present day at the end, here are recent photos of Jake playing hard…

And Kate on her way to school.