The Perils of Walking

Last night, Connor decided he wanted to go as Harry Potter for Halloween. Surprisingly, Dillon had nothing to do with this shiner. His little accident came as Christina put me in charge of watching him while she handed out candy to trick-or-treaters. I got distracted by the World Series. In my defense, the only way I could have stopped him from falling would have been to become his shadow and continually place pillows around him.



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Now playing: Barenaked Ladies - Falling for the First Time
via FoxyTunes

Early Halloween

Today the kids enjoyed some Halloween activities at our church. It gave them a chance to show off their new costumes.

When playing Toy Story, Dillon is always Buzz, Connor is Woody, Mom is Jessie, and I am Zorg. This was the only picture we got with Woody wearing his boots.

Along with the boots, Connor also did not like wearing the hat. It was difficult to snap a good picture before he threw the hat off.

Dillon was so excited to be Buzz Lightyear. For the last week he has been asking every day when he could go trick or treating. He also always wanted to wear his costume around the house.

Now we have a sugar filled Buzz Lightyear running around the house screaming "To infinity and beyond!"


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Now playing: Michael Jackson - Thriller
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Better Late Than Never

These might be two weeks late, but here are some pictures of Connor opening his presents.

Even though Dillon has too many toys, most of Connor's presents were toys. I don't know where we are going to put them all.

He really enjoyed Tickle Me Elmo.

I was very excited when his Uncle Jason got him a Dodger sweatshirt.

Dillon never lets Connor play on his yellow tractor, so Pops and Grandma Dede got Connor his own Lightning McQueen to drive.

The little red car has become a favorite with both Connor and Dillon. At first, Connor kept tipping it over when he was in it but now he can drive it around. Connor also likes it when Dillon pushes him around the house in it.

Thank you to everyone who gave Connor a birthday present, even if the present was a noise-making toy.


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Now playing: Jack Johnson - The Sharing Song
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Nixon Tradition

Starting with Dillon, Papa began a tradition of taking his grandsons to their first hair cuts. Connor got went to get his hair cut with Papa on Monday.

Connor was afraid of the electric clippers so the lady used scissors. Connor also wouldn't sit still so Papa had to hold him. It got hair all over the both of them.

It's funny how a haircut can make a kid look older. Is there anything we can do to make a kid act older, specifically involving potty training.


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Now playing: Foo Fighters - Times Like These
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Connor's Big Day

On Saturday we threw a birthday party for Connor. I would have posted the pictures sooner but I left the camera at the Cummings' house.

Just like with Dillon, Grandma Sharon made Connor's cakes. She has kept up the tradition of making the grandkids their own cake.

Connor and Dillon with their first cousins - Trent, Kaleb, Taylor, and Bradley (not pictured).

At first, Connor was unsure of what to do with his cake. He soon discovered the great taste of frosting.

It was almost impossible keeping Dillon out of the pictures. We finally gave up and took a family picture.

The grandparents and great grandparents gathered around Connor for a picture.

Connor with his second cousins, Heather and Keith.

Finally, we got all the aunts and uncles to take a picture with the birthday boy.

The boy enjoyed making a mess with the icing of his cake. I will post more pictures of him opening presents at a later time.


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Now playing: Cake - Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps
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Happy Birthday Connor

It is hard to believe that it was a year ago we were at the hospital awaiting the arrival of Connor. Now he is walking and crawling around the house. Below is my favorite picture of him. It was snapped two months ago.

Misunderstanding

Every Thursday Christina and I go to our small group Bible study which starts at 6 pm. Tonight the ending of the Dodger game was around 6 pm. I spent as much time as I could watching the game at home (through the top of the 9th) and listened to the bottom of the 9th on our drive. When we arrived at our destination the Dodgers were down to their last out.

Christina had no interest in sitting in the car with me to listen to the end of the game, so she went inside to talk to all the women about babies and our new announcement. Around the same time, a fellow Dodger fan pulled up so we listened together as the Dodgers started an unbelievable two out rally. After Loretta had the game winning hit we went inside joining the talk about our soon to be little girl, where the following exchange happened with a lady in our small group:

Sharece - (patting me on the back) "Congratulations, Jimmie."
Me - "Thanks, I can't believe the Dodgers pulled out that win."
Sharece - (silent, with a stunned look on her face)

Of course I am writing this as I watch the bottom of the 9th on the DVR.

Gender Check

Christina was able to schedule another sonogram today for a gender check. (If you remember the baby was not cooperating last time.) We are pleased to announce Dillon and Connor will be getting a little sister.

All along Dillon has said, "I already have a brother, I want a little sister." Christina was nervous that she would be stuck with a house full of boys, so relief came over her today. I was content with either a boy or girl, but after a day of reflection, I am now the nervous one as a I fear being wrapped around her little finger. Connor has stayed silent on the subject.

Grandparents, aunts, and uncles have already expressed a desire to be buying pink dresses, dolls, and hair clips. Does anyone else think this little girl will be spoiled?


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Now playing: Temptations - My Girl
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San Diego, The Video

San Diego, Part II

Today was spent visiting the USS Midway and the Wild Animal Park. The Midway is a decommissioned aircraft carrier. It was amazing to see the tight quarters on the ship. I don't know how any can live on a boat for months at a time, let alone so close to everyone else.

The Wild Animal Park was a lot like the San Diego Zoo but with more space for the animals. It was nice to see the animals outside of the small cages. We only spent a few hours at the park because we spent so much time at the Midway.

Yesterday we went to Sea World. Shamu's show was my favorite part. I also really enjoyed the shark exhibition, which had many different kinds of sharks to observe.

The week has been a blast but also very tiring. Every night the kids have crashed hard, giving the adults a much needed break.

San Diego, Part I

San Diego doesn't know what has hit 'em. Our family, along with my parents, grandparents, the Morgans, and Uncle Larry have trekked down to San Diego for a week's vacation. Yesterday we all went to the San Diego Zoo. Dillon's favorite part was the guerrillas and monkeys. Connor was just happy to be outside all day.

After the zoo, the guys went to the Dodgers-Padres game. We were hoping to see the Dodgers clinch the NL West with a win but they lost a close game, 3-1. The seats were great and cousin Nick was able to join us. Nick is going to San Diego State and took time away from his studying to hang out with us.

I have a ton of pictures but can not upload them at the time because the Internet connection at the hotel is very slow.

The (Pale) White Album

The Beatles: Rock Band finally arrived in the mail last week. Of course, I have insisted on playing it so much that Christina is ready to break my plastic drums and guitar in half. Occasionally she will join in on vocals while Dillon shreds on his guitar.

Below is a picture of Dillon and I wailing on our axes to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Eric Clapton wasn't available to join in on this version.




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Now playing: B.Reith - The Comeback Kid
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First Steps, Connor Edition

Today Connor took his first steps. His new trick is to stand up on his own, without the aid of the couch or my leg. He learned this trick yesterday and tried to walk but he kept falling on his face after step one. But today he was able to string together five steps before tumbling to the floor.

Connor is exactly the same age as Dillon was when he took his first steps. Now the fun begins because it is only a matter of time before he is running around the house.



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Now playing: Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run
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Oh Boy!

Christina had a sonogram today. And the sex of the new baby will be ....... determined next month. The little stinker was not quite ready to expose itself to us. It wouldn't get in the right position for the nurse to give us a definite answer. We found out that Dillon and Connor were going to be boys around this same time in the pregnancy as Christina is now, 19 weeks. This time we have to wait four more weeks.

At Last

Twenty years after building their house, the Cummings finally put in a pool. Christina and I went to Fresno Pacific with the pool's designer. He did a great job of blending the pool and waterfalls with the natural landscape.

The shape of the pool is meant to resemble that of a pond. The deep end is on the left and the shallow is on the right. As you can see, the shallow end also has an extended shelf allowing for more play room for little children.

The top of the two waterfalls make for great places to lounge. They also provide a relaxing white noise while sitting poolside.

The view from inside the pool. The infinity edge is framed nicely by the rocks and overlooks the hillside.

The video below is a quick snippet of Dillon showing off his moves. He loves to pretend that he is Buzz Lightyear while swimming. You can hear him calling Buzz's name out in his first few jumps. In the last jump he says, "To infinity and beyond!" One note, when this video was shot the temporary fence was still up by the deep end.




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Now playing: Beck - Where It's At
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