One more video

I know my last couple of posts have been videos but I took a lot of pictures during the week. The best way to view those pictures are in slide show form. Plus, Dillon loves watching these kinds of videos. Below is Dillon and Connor's Christmas week.

Christmas with Barbara's Bunch

This Christmas, all of my Mom's siblings were in Shafter for my Grandma's birthday party and Christmas. Below is are highlights of both events and everything that happened in between. And yes, that is a 70 year old jumping rope.

Merry Christmas

Below is our Christmas card picture. As an added bonus, I have also included the card the Cummings sent out this year.




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Now playing: Bing Crosby - I Wish You A Merry Christmas (2006 Digital Remaster)
via FoxyTunes

Happy Birthday Grandma

On Sunday my Grandma Barbara celebrated her 70th birthday. The family attempted to give her a surprise party but she had it figured out before it happened. The video below was shown at her party and encapsulates her life.

Snow Day

Last Monday a big snow storm came our way. It delivered 6 inches at our house, which is the most ever since we moved in. Dillon was down in Shafter at the time, so Connor and I went out for a picture. He wasn't too sure about all the snow falling around us and did not want to play in it.




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Now playing: Bing Crosby - Frosty The Snowman (2006 Digital Remaster)
via FoxyTunes

90's Nerds

If you watched TGIF during the 90's then you will enjoy the video below of Steve Urkel's top 20 moments. I am not familiar with some of the clips (Stevil?) from the last few seasons but this video conjures up some great memories.

Lakers-Warriors

I went to the Lakers-Warriors game on Saturday and two things stood out to me:

1. Phil Jackson stands around the free throw line for almost the entire length of timeouts. He draws up plays with his assistant coaches and then approaches the team only a 10-15 seconds before the horn sounds. It was in stark contrast to the Warriors coach, he talked to his team throughout the entire timeout. At any point of the timeout, you could see one or more of the Warriors zoning out, looking into the crowd or watching the Jumbotron. However, the entire Lakers team listened to all of Phil's mini 15 second speech.
2. Shannon Brown can jump out of the building. (See the 0:42 and 1:38 mark of the video below for two great dunks.) On a side note, I do have to agree with this website.
   

Cousins

Connor and Trent posing with their matching shirts that Grandma bought them. Of course, Dillon had to be right in the middle of it.


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Now playing: KT Tunstall - False Alarm
via FoxyTunes

New (to us) Car

After a month of searching the Internet for a new vehicle, the Nixons are now owners of a 2006 Honda Odyssey. With kid number three on the way, we were growing into a bigger car. We needed something that could hold three car seats and Christina could access the back row easily. A SUV looked appealing but would make it difficult for a pregnant lady to buckle in the kids. After getting over the stigma of driving a minivan, we settled on the Odyssey because of its reliability and features.

Some of those features are dual control air, power sliding side doors, and bucket middle seats. We were able to find a local seller who turned out to be the nicest couple. Below is a picture of a van similar to ours.



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Now playing: The Cars - Just What I Needed (LP Version)
via FoxyTunes

Muppet Mashup

Sesame Street has gotten some attention on the Internet this last week because of their 40th anniversary. In their honor, this site posted pictures of Sesame Street (and Muppets) celebrity doppelgangers. My favorite was Pepe and Steve Buscemi.


This made me realize I have some people in my extended family that also look like characters.


James and Captain Breakfast


Taylor and Miss Piggy


Mike and Waldorf

Connor and Scooter (minus the glasses)

Thankfully there is only one Pops.

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Now playing: Ra Ra Riot - Can You Tell
via FoxyTunes

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
via FoxyTunes

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
via FoxyTunes

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
via FoxyTunes

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
via FoxyTunes

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
via FoxyTunes

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
via FoxyTunes

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
via FoxyTunes

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
via FoxyTunes

Only Connor

I've always heard that the first kid always has more pictures taken of him/her then the children that follow. That trend has taken a hold of us, so here is my attempt to break the pattern.


Eating is Connor's first love. He weighed in at 22 pounds and 7 ounces (75th percentile) and measured 31 inches (95th percentile) at his nine month checkup. It should be noted that he was actually ten months old by the time we got him to the doctor because of the pregnancy.


Now that Connor is mobile, Otis has learned to keep his distance. However, we caught this rare moment on camera of the two playing nice together.


Otis was really waiting for Connor to throw the ball. But Connor kept trying to eat it.


Connor has already started trying to imitate his older brother. Check out the last picture of this post from 2007.


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Now playing: No Doubt - New
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Connor in the Middle

If you are wondering why the blogging has been so light over the past two months, it's because Christina has been sick. The extended sickness is due from one thing...pregnancy. Just like with Connor, Christina has had to have a take home IV over the past eight weeks. And just like before, our family has been wonderful helping with the boys and Christina while I am at work.

Christina is 13 weeks along now, which puts the due date on February 14th. Dillon will be four months shy of four years old and Connor will be 16 months old. It also means it will be the sixth (calendar) year in a row for my parents to get a grandchild, a streak I can guarantee we will not continue in 2011.

This pregnancy was a complete surprise to us but we look forward to the little bundle of joy. We knew we wanted a third child but was hoping to wait a couple of years. Now we will have two in diapers for a while.

We would love for you to keep the baby, Christina, and us boys in your prayers for the next six months. Christina should be turning the corner on her extreme morning sickness within a week or two.

I have posted two new pictures below to make up for my lack of blogging below. Plus their shirts are very fitting for the subject matter, even though Connor's shirt will be "out of style" in six months.





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Now playing: Phoenix - Countdown
via FoxyTunes

Hotrod

I decided to record a daily occurrence around our house. Dillon would ride his tractor around the house for hours at a time if we let him. In the video below you will witness the havoc he creates when he does ride.




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Now playing: Eddie Kendricks - Keep On Truckin' (Part 1)
via FoxyTunes

Connor's Talent

Yesterday Connor discovered the piano at the Cummings house. Below is a video of his playing and singing.




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Now playing: Billy Joel - Piano Man (Album Version)
via FoxyTunes

Swim Lessons

Dillon finished his two weeks of swim lessons, but not before I was able to snap a few pictures.

His teacher showed him how to have "big arms" while swimming.

Dillon did very well during his two weeks. He only cried on the second day, claiming he did not want to go to swim classes.

By the third day he was going under water with his teacher. In the second week, he was going under water by himself.

Now he can't wait until Grandpa Mike and Grammi's pool is finished.