Jakob's Page

I just had to post this. Jakob has the strangest accent (guess it comes from a mix of Russian, Canadian, American, and Australian)! He is singing "Row, Row, Row" your boat, but it is so funny the way he says "Merrily, Merrily, Merrily" and then does his "dramatic laugh." The kid cracks me up! And of course, adds his favorite boy word to the end....Poop.

Ok, so truly amazing day for both Jakob and his friend, Jonas. They have both had some swimming lessons, but have never shown their swimming capabilities quite like this. Jakob has been swimming in our pool in Houston at least 6 times a week, but only with a full piece suit on that has floaties underneath it. So, today when both he and Jonas decided to take the suites off....truly amazing to see they can now swim! Amazing what a little competition between 2 boy friends can do for their abilities. Jakob is actually going to start swimming lessons on Monday (1 day a week) so I think by the end of summer, he'll be ready to do laps :)

For those that get nervous with kids swimming...don't worry...Natalie and Wayne were both in the pool with the kids, you just can't see it in the video too much. And...we at least put their undies on for the video as normally when they take those suits off they are just in their "birthday suits."

I know I'm very behind on updating the blog (especially since we've moved back to the States), but had to quickly upload this video of Jakob getting his "Welcome Home" gift to Houston which was his new guitar! This is the day after (as the actual day of video from the day of is 10 min. long and too big to upload on this site). If you listen to the end of the last video, he is singing "Hola, Hola" so he has already picked up some Spanish!

Here are some cute videos that we got of Jakob during my Mom's visit.

Jakob playing the guitar (and trying to hold a long note at the end)

Jakob at the Farmer's Market dancing

Another of Jakob Dancing

Jakob at Heritage Park with Sebastian on the right and another kid, Micah, on left

Hi Everyone,

Thought I would post some cute photos and videos from the last couple of months.

We have done some ski trips to Silver Star, Fernie, Panorama and our "local" ski hill (Sunshine) that have consumed most of our weekends.

Jakob finally got to go to his first wedding and reception as we celebrated the marriage of friends Josee and Colin. We went to Montreal for 4 days and it was the first time we'd been there. Beautiful city, very European, and very good food. Jakob did not do so well during the wedding. Before Josee came out, he kept yelling, "where is Josee?" and then once she finally came out in her gorgeous dress, he kept yelling, "that is not Josee!" which I did not think would make the already nervous groom happy. So, Wayne took him out of the church and I could hear Jakob crying the whole way down (and so could everyone else). He was able to calm down and be quiet enough for the last 15 min. or so. Jakob REALLY enjoyed the reception so much that by the end of it, he only had his pants on (no shoes, no shirt) and all the girls were dancing with him! He is still singing the song "Shake Shake Shake Senora."

We are in the process of moving back to Houston in early June. While we are excited to get back to family and friends in Houston (and nearby locations), we will miss the great friends we've made here, Jakob's wonderful daycare and teachers, and of course, the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains!

My biggest concerns are finding in town projects for both me and Wayne, Jakob liking his new school and also not being too fearful of thunderstorms as he has never lived through them, and the dogs re-adjusting to the heat (they have become snow dogs). Nothing too hard, I'd say!

We hope our move back to Houston will allow us to see all of you more often!

Talk to you soon!
Courtney, Wayne, Jakob, Rosco and Bailey

Shake Shake Shake Senora

Yucky Boy (what we call Jakob when he acts like this)

Jakob and Jonas playing "Elefun"

I can't believe that a year ago today, Wayne and I were at a Russian Grocery Store trying to figure out what sort of cake we were actually buying for Jakob's birthday as it was all in Cyrillic and we only got to have a 20 minute birthday party with Jakob (a.k.a. Mian). It is also strange to think that last year he could not really understand anything we were saying (in English) and had no idea what a wild ride he was in store for. To see him today, how much he talks (and talks and talks) and the life he has is just amazing. What a blessing he is to us and we are to him.

Today Jakob enjoyed a trip to the zoo with Nana, Natalie and Jonas (Wayne and I were unlucky enough to have to work). We then went to Jakob's school at 3 PM armed with cookies, fruit salad, and juice boxes for all the kids in his class. They had the table decorated for him, balloons, and some gifts. Jakob was just so excited that he didn't eat anything and just talked (and talked and talked). Afterwards, we took Jakob, Jonas and Sebastian (Jakob's schoolmate) home in a wagon and Jakob enjoyed opening his many gifts (we decided to let him open anything we had at the house now vs. his party tomorrow as he will get plenty more). We then enjoyed Jakob's favorite meal of Spaghetti with meat sauce, croissant rolls and chocolate ice cream for dessert. He has had a really wonderful day and is looking forward to his party tomorrow at the Telus Science Centre (or Sinus Centre as he calls it) where he and his friends will get to watch an IMAX movie ("Living Sea") and enjoy pizza, cake and ice cream along with touring the exhibits. He had short friends and tall friends that will join him at this party (all ages) and we just can't wait.

Thank you to all of you who have sent birthday wishes to Jakob today (or in the mail). He really appreciates it!

We are anxious, excited, and nervous to see what this year will bring with Jakob as we hear boys at 3 are worse than at 2!!! He is already showing his strong-willed side that he has always had, but he also still has his very tender and dear side to him.

Anyway - signing off now to get some rest before the big birthday party!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAKOB....WE LOVE YOU!
Courtney, Wayne, Rosco and Bailey (and Nana, Natalie, and Jonas who are also here at the house)

Jonas, Sebastian, and Jakob on the ride home from school with Natalie pulling them

Jakob with his new doctor's suit and doctor's kit from Nana, Darrell, Oscar, Sydney, and Corkie

Jakob Blowing out his candles (with Mom, Dad, Nana, Natalie, Jonas, and Sebastian present)

Jakob went skiing today and saw a guy named Gary in the restaurant at the bottom of the mountain who was playing the guitar and harmonica at the same time. Needless to say, Jakob was inspired and came home to try it....off to a pretty good start!

Hi Everyone,

We made it back safely to very cold Calgary from very warm Australia over Christmas and New Year. Jakob had a great time meeting all of his Aussie family! They were so wonderful to him, showering him with way too many gifts and he was getting so many kisses from everyone I told them they were going to have to start paying for them!

Jakob did great on all of the flights...I think he was asleep during takeoff for nearly every single one of them...great traveler we have!

We are not so glad to have ended that holiday here as we went from +30 C to -30 C weather-wise. More than that, we are already missing our family and friends in Australia! Hugs and kisses to all of you, Aussie Family!

I have included a few photos and videos and believe nearly everyone gets my Kodak Gallery links (which will have more photos than you can imagine...this is coming soon).

Wishing everyone out there a very Happy 2009!

Love, Courtney, Wayne, Jakob, Rosco and Bailey

Jakob playing with cousins Haley and Sienna in Adelaide

Dad and Jakob on the Zip Line in St. Kilda Park in Adelaide