Thankful and Waiting!

Hello Everyone!

It's December! Thanksgiving has come and gone. Today the snow is falling and Advent--the time of waiting is upon us. I love this time of year. I do have so much to be thankful for. Life is so much fun--except when I get put in time out and when I get my diaper changed!

What I'm thankful for:

My Daddy and Mommy, grandparents, aunts, uncles and all my terrific cousins!

Milk!

My teddy bear and the Cat in the Hat

Choo Choo Trains

Garbage Trucks

Blocks

Hockey

My Sunday school class--Leah, Danielle, Matt, Luke and Sean

My friends in the nursery at church

Pillows and blankets

Cooking

Washing dishes with Daddy

Door knobs I can open

Happy to's

Football

Kisses

Health--most of the time (see below)

Cookies

Baths--Mommy doesn't think this will last

Dogs

Books

Words--Mommy and Daddy are starting to understand me.

Jesus--Happy to Jesus on December 25!

Every night, since the first Sunday of Advent, Mommy and Daddy have been reading a book and letting me open a door and then they read what's behind the door. I love opening the doors! We also have an advent calendar--I open a door on this too and guess what--there's chocolate behind the door. I look forward to doing both the book and the calendar every night. Sometimes I can hardly wait to open the door. Mommy and Daddy say it's kind of like waiting for the coming of Jesus' birthday. I have a lot to learn.

A few weeks ago I went to Ohio to visit Oma and Opa. Che Che, Uncle Mike and Hayden were there for part of the weekend as well. It was a very fun long weekend hanging out with Oma and Opa and spending time with Che Che, Uncle Mike and Hayden. We also got to go visit my Great Great Aunt Janet. She's wonderful.

Hayden and me playing with Little People and a truck!

Visiting Aunt Janet in her apartment. She read me a book!

Before our trip to Ohio, I came down with a full body rash. It was not fun. Mommy took me to the doctors and they said it was not a food allergy, but could not identify what caused it. They gave me some cream and that helped a lot. I hope I don't get the rash again.

Check out the rash.

Well Christmas is coming. I've been seeing this chubby old man in a red suit all over the place. Not quite sure what this is all about. Mommy and Daddy have started closing the guest bedroom door--hmmm, I wonder what is in there! I do know I like this time of year. I bet I'll have lots more to write about after Christmas. I also have my birthday coming up on the 22nd. Can you believe--I'm going to be 2!

Love to all!

Jamee

Let's Move Backwards through October!

Happy belated Halloween everyone! This was my very first time actually trick or treating. I can actually almost say "trick or treat." Mommy and Daddy can at least understand me. I was an orange Crayola crayon. And guess what . . .

Mommy and Daddy joined in on the fun too. Mommy had to move my Crayola logo to my back because I kept pulling it off.

Well, trick or treating was lots of fun. I made out pretty well on the candy front. Mommy took some of my candy away because she was afraid I'd chock on it. I still have a lot of candy though. We went to our neighbours and to our church's Fall Festival. Then we went to the Kurtz's to check out their costumes.

Sydney was Kevin from the movie "Up," Obi was Kermit the frog and Eli was Ratatouille (Mommy had to help me spell "Ratatouille)! They looked pretty cool. We did not see Arin--she was at a party at church. They said she dressed up as the Swine Flu--hmmm--I'd like to see that costume! Anyway, I thought trick or treating was very fun!

A few weeks ago, Mommy, Daddy and I took Obi to the Adirondacks for his "Birthday Date." We stayed with Mimi and Papa which was great and did a ton of things during our weekend visit. We did a mountain hike. Obi's a great mountain climber--I think this was his favorite part of the weekend.

We also went to Lake Placid and saw some of the Olympic venues. Check out the following picture. Picture it now . . . 2026 Winter Olympics. James Robert Hoffman Gold Medalist in the bobsled! The following picture might help you get there!

How cool is this! We also saw the ski jump. I slept through the ice arena--bummer! We also took the ferry to VT and climbed another mountain--part way. We had beautiful weather--chilly but very pretty. We saw the sun set on the ferry ride home.

When we got back to Mimi and Papa's house after the ferry ride, we had a yummy dinner and then played a few rounds of Bananagrams. It was a great visit. Sunday after lunch we headed back to Rochester. I loved spending time with Obi--in fact, I learned how to say Obi right this weekend--I used to call him Bobby!


Obi was so sweet to me the whole weekend. Mommy and Daddy say he's growing up into a fine young man!

Even though Obi is growing up into a fine young man, he is still my fun and crazy cousin. Check out the glasses Obi put on my face. I felt pretty cool! Yo dude!!

I thought I'd through in a few photos of my newest interests this month. I love to pretend to go nite nite. I pull out all the blankets and pillows in our living room, I dive into them and then I say nite nite--until someone pays attention to me. It usually doesn't take long.

I also love stickers. I thought this t-shirt was a little dull so I took care of that problem. Perhaps I have a future in fashion design. Who knows!

In the middle of October, Mommy and Daddy and I took our yearly trip to the apple orchard to pick apples. We picked a ton of apples--Mommy and Daddy did most of the picking, but I picked a few and attempted to eat a few too. We got to ride a "train" out to the orchard. It was a lot of fun. I hope we do it again next year.

The week before the apple trip was Mommy and Daddy's 6th anniversary. It was a fun day. We went out for breakfast at Simply Crepes--that was yummy yummy yummy! Then we went for a nice hike in Phelps, New York. It was a beautiful fall day.

Here Mommy and I stopped for a break. Daddy did too, but someone had to take the photo. After the hike we went home, cleaned up and then I got to spend the evening at the Kurtzes while Mommy and Daddy went out for dinner.

A few days before Mommy and Daddy's anniversary, they were not sure if we were going to be able to do anything. I had a first--the stomach flu! Let's just say it wasn't fun throwing up 10 times in one day! Poor Aunt Susanne got the brunt of it as it all started at her house. She told Mommy that I looked very confused at first--like "what is going on here?!?" I had no idea food could come back out once it went down. The photo below is me on the floor in the living room with my "bucket" at my side. Mommy was afraid to put me upstairs by myself. I even got to sleep in Mommy and Daddy's room in my Pack-n-Play that night.

I felt better the next day, but it took a few days before I was eating normally again. I hope I don't ever get the stomach flu again!

Here's me "feeling better" on day two!

This was the day before I got sick--at Strong Museum of Play. I love going to the museum, but I do ending up getting sick every time I go. This is my favorite spot at the museum--the trucks and rocks. I love trucks and I love rocks.

It's been another full month. We had our first snow yesterday on Halloween--so winter is coming. Mommy Daddy and I have been madly racking leaves, but they keep coming down. There are a lot of leaves on those trees. Today I watched the leaf sucking truck suck up the leafs in front of our neighbour's house. That was fun to watch.


Thanks for reading my blog. I love sharing my pictures and stories with you! Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I have much to be thankful for--so stay tuned for the Thanksgiving blog.

Love to all,

Jamee

PaPa turns 90+Hiking+Running a 1K+Learning Japanese=a Full September

Well, first I must apologize for missing September. Somehow the month came and went before I had a chance to post the latest Jamee news. Let's just say that September was VERY full.

Perhaps the biggest event of the month was PaPa turning 90 years young. PaPa really is young. Any PaPa who attempts wrestling with his 12 year old grandson, repairs a 20 foot staircase down to the lake and puts up with two cats and all of us is indeed young! We had a wonderful time visiting with Mimi and PaPa for his birthday. Everyone made it, so it was great to see Aunt Lucy, Uncle Mike, Timmy, Sarah, and Uncle Steve as well as Great Uncle Steve, Great Aunt Pat, and Great Uncle John.

While we were visiting we even had a chance for a quick hike. This was my very first Adirondack hike--and I loved it! What a view. Check out my lovely view at the top--cousin Sarah was enjoying the view as well.

(Yes, it really is called Rattlesnake Mtn. Fortunately, we did not see any rattlesnakes!)

I also learned a little Japanese in September thanks to my new friends Hirona and Mirai. I loved spending the weekend with Hirona and Mirai. They live in Osaka, Japan--no really they do! They were visiting Roberts Wesleyan College and we had them stay with us for the weekend. We did lots of fun things, but I just loved hanging out with them. They taught me to say "see ya" in Japanese--Zya. I still can say it too! I hope Mirai and Hirona come back to visit sometime. Hmmm, or maybe I'll go to Japan and visit them!

September also brought BIG boxes my way. Daddy's cousin Stephanie (I guess she's my cousin too--I'm not sure how all that works yet) sent me three BIG boxes of toys, books, puzzles . . . some of the things I have yet to see (Mommy and Daddy are saving them for later). They were her toys back in the early 70s. Stephanie was very good to her toys--I hope I can take care of them as well as she did. I think my favorite thing of all (at least at this point in my development) is the bright red Choo Choo. I love it so much. I ride it every day! Occasionally Mommy takes it away from me when I don't listen to her. I don't like it when that happens. Thank you cousin Stephanie. I promise to take good care of your toys.

I also ran a 1K in September--well okay, I ran, walked and was carried. But the best part of the race was the finish. I got my first lolly pop for finishing the race. Thanks cousins Arin, Sydney, Obi and Eli for helping me get through the race! I could not have done it without you.

Last weekend, Mommy, Daddy and I went to CheChe and Uncle Mike's church. Hayden was being dedicated. It was great to see everyone--Oma and Opa came too. Hayden is pretty cute and getting big also. After church was over, I decided to take a stab at collecting the offering. I think it comes pretty naturally to me.

Somewhere in the midst of the business of September Mommy, Daddy and I continued to work on Kitchen renovations. We now have the cabinets, and counter tops in, but still have the floor and the tile backslash to go. The jobs never end. Below I'm pitching in with the sweeping.

I hope October is a little more relaxing--but likely not. I don't know if I'd like it any other way though.

Love to all!

Jamee

Summer Ends!

Mommy, cousin Hayden, Daddy and me hanging out on the front porch swing!

Mommy keeps saying that summer is over. It doesn't feel that way to me. I'm still wearing shorts and t-shirts, going on walks, and playing outside. Maybe it has something to do with the big kids starting back to college. Well, it's supposed to be 90 degrees all week so that still feels like summer to me. I'll hold on to it as long as I can. Well maybe 78 degrees would be a bit more comfortable, but at least it's not 15 degrees!

I've decided that I really like the summer. Here are a few of the firsts I've had this summer:
1) Swimming in Lake Champlain
2) Riding in a row boat--that was lots of fun
3) Riding my truck outside on the deck and in the driveway
4) Swimming in my little kid pool
5) Gardening with Mommy
6) Playing on the front porch with Greta and Gabi (Aunt Susanne & Uncle Paul's dog and Oma & Opa's dog--we dog sat a lot this summer--I love dogs!)
7) Riding with Mommy on her bike
8) Roasting marshmallows over a fire (there was adult supervision)
9) Put put golfing--I did pretty well too!
10)Going to the park
11)Tearing apart our kitchen
12)Strange people in our house working on our ceiling and on cabinets--what's going on???

The list could go on and on. All in all summer is fun fun fun! Following are some photos of the summer activities. Enjoy!

Cousins Obi and Eli taught me how to have a pillow fight. What fun!!

Hey, Hayden likes my dump truck! Che Che must be talking to Mommy.

Hi Pa Pa! You're doing a great job on the staircase down to the lake! Thank you!!

Daddy's rowing the boat. Mommy and I are hanging out. Mommy took her turn rowing on the way back. When I'm bigger, maybe I can row too! I can't wait!

Daddy hard at work rowing the boat. He has a glow about him in this picture. I think it was 8:00 a.m. Maybe he's just tired!

Timmy, Sarah and I helped put a protective coating on Mimi & Pa Pa's deck. We stopped long enough for a photo. CHEESE!

A hug for Mimi! I love visiting Mimi and Pa Pa's house!

Hanging out with Aunt Lucy in Lake Champlain. I love the lake. It's conveniently located in Mimi and Pa Pa's front yard! Thanks for playing with me in the water Aunt Lucy! You're the best!

So here's how Mommy and Daddy tried to keep me safe during the kitchen demolition. I wanted to help!

Even Gabi (Oma & Oma's dog who was staying with us for a few weeks while Oma and Opa were traveling in Europe) wanted in on the action.

Daddy wasn't sure what he was pulling out of the walls of our 1920 home. Later we were told it was harmless insulation.

What is Mommy looking at?

Finally Mommy and Daddy let me help with the measuring. I love the tape measure!

When Oma and Opa returned back to the states the Kurtzes came over for dessert and pictures. Here they are acting--well, like the Kurtzes. I love my crazy cousins and aunt and uncle!

Gabi is now back home in Ohio. I miss her. I still go around the house, shake my finger and say "No, no Gabi!"

Gabi was great about cleaning up after my meals. Now Mommy and Daddy have to take care of that. I am trying harder to be a neat eater. I still love to throw my food when I am done though. Mommy and Daddy don't seem to appreciate that. Hmmm?!?!

One last photo before Oma, Opa and Gabi head back to Ohio. "No, no Gabi!"

Love to all!

Jamee