The Goomba Clan

She insisted on the attire... Who am I to argue with a belligerent toddler?

"I finally feel like I can be myself!" I guess she was going for the Pirate Princess Ballerina look...

Someday these shots will be included in a graduation or wedding slide show.

Awww, he's getting a flat head... Oops.

This shot was totally fabricated. I never actually get the two of them to sit near each other without Sydni wanting to dive bomb onto Jared's lap without realizing that it's the equivalent to a gorilla trying to snuggle on a bunny.

Was she reading my mind...?

Happy little dude.

Happy little chick.

Most tolerant kitty....

The award goes to...

We Love You!!!!

Jacob, if you're able to check this site, this was Sydni's first reaction to the video you sent home to us. She loves the little dvd and misses you very much. I hope you're doing ok and we can't wait for your safe return! Every one, your family and mine, misses you and loves you so much.

With ALL of our love,

Cassidy, Sydni and Jared

Hanging Out in the Heat

Pictures with the mutha.

Looks like SOMEone's had a little too much apple juice...

Sydni, with her friends Andrew and Chaso, playing at the park!

Dirt is WAY cooler than boys with flowers. Way to go, kiddo.

And Jared, keeping an eye on our stroller for us. He's super good at holding down the fort.

The Maestro

Sydni has been perfecting her piano/singing skills. She's pretty much a rock star. This little diddy, featured above, is titled 'The 3, 4...' song. It will be included in her first album release. For now she pronounces 'piano' like 'kiano', but I've been trying to teach her to make the 'p' sound at the beginning of the word. Now she says 'P-p-p-kiano!!'. Oy... Notice how she adds a little percussion in there with the music stand? True artistry... or toddlery.

And Now...

Of course, I had to get another one of these shots, it's almost identical to one I took of Jacob napping with Sydni in the hospital.

The little man. Born June 30th at 6:58pm. He weighed 7lbs 12oz and measured 20 1/2 in. Coincidently this was also his Grandma's (Jacob's mom) birthday as well! I was able to have a successful VBAC and the doctors and nurses were all on top of it and very supportive. It couldn't have gone better and I was incredibly relieved that I didn't have to have another C-section!

They let us go home the next night and we were very eager to get home to Sydni and also to sleep in our own bed. I want to thank all of the family and friends that helped us so much with Sydni during this time. I could really tell that she felt so loved and important during this transition of welcoming Jared into our home and I think it made all the difference in her being so open to having a baby brother enter the scene. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, you know who 'you' are.

We were up and running by the 4th of July and had a BBQ with lots of friends and family. The guys from Jacob's work helped do all of the cleaning up after Austin and his new fiance, Rachell, did the cooking and Jacob did the grilling. I wasn't expecting to have such a turnout at our house, but it was a blast and I didn't have to do any work, so I wasn't complaining.

The men hanging out with the little one's. Our good friend Andrew recently had to say goodbye to his expectant wife and two daughters, they moved home for the deployment, so he was soaking up some time with Sydni.

He taught her how to blow bubbles! And for that Andrew will go down in history.

Sparklers with Dad...

Frolicking in the street, enjoying fireworks for the first time!

He's very pensive.

First family photo. Sydni likes to eat Roman candles. That's all I have to say about that.

Oh yeah, I wouldn't miss explosives for anything.

It's my baby bro!!! My Daughter is odd. And I fear Jared is doomed to the same fate.

Whut?

A colorful world

I LOVE the colors in this picture. I'll have to go take the little squirrel back to this playground and have some more fun with this shot.

Pretty flower...

Some of my favorite shots are of her tromping through the grass. Next time I'll have to frame her full shadow in the shot for a little extra imagery.