Jakob's 1st Birthday Party! (1 of 3)

Jakob's 1st Birthday Party was on Sat. He turns one on September 8, but we celebrated a little early with his cousin Zach. Here are some pictures of the fun.

Jakob says Thank you for the fun presents. He really liked his cupcake, but was sure to save some for Ginger.

Can't wait till the next party.

Lots of Love,

Jakob, Rick & Mandi

Labor Day @ The Cottage

Another relaxing weekend at the lake. We spent the weekend with Rob & Kathleen & Zach. (Mom, Bob & Grandma too). We had a lot of fun. The boys love to play the piano.


It was good fishing too. Hope everyone had a great weekend.



These are probably the last of the cottage pictures until next summer. So sad.

Only 9 more months until Memorial Day! YIPPEE!!



Love Ya,

Rick, Mandi & Jakob

Catching Up!

Feels like every day is spent catching up. We have been busy with stuff again lately. Dinners here and there. Another day at the beach. We even went to a horse show.

The Ethiopians ended the Olympics with 4 Gold Medals, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze. All in Track and Field. They took the Gold in the Mens 10,000 and the Womens 10,000. It was pretty neat.

Here are some more pictures of what we have been up to.

Jakob turns 1 on Sept 8. We can't believe that he is already going to be 1. He is getting so big. The week after his birthday he goes to the doctor again. It will be interesting to see how much he has grown. My arm tells me he is pushing 25 lbs. He is starting to stand on his own. He has taken a few steps, but nothing to major. He is still working on pushing teeth through. Nothing yet, but the bottom 2 are getting close. We expect that he will have both of them come through at the same time.

I went to the doctor last week. Everything is going well. The baby's heart beat is about 150 beats per minute. I think this week is week 16. Next appointment is another ultrasound.

Everyone is doing well. I will have some 1st birthday party pictures posted soon.

Sorry it takes so long in between posts. Hopefully we can catch up again soon. Cottage time is coming to an end, so we might actually be home more.

All our love,

Rick, Mandi & Jakob

Ethiopia's Dibaba gets the GOLD!

Ethiopia's Dibaba gets gold and new OR in Women's 10000m

Tirunesh Dibaba Kenene celebrates. (Photo credit: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 15) -- Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia has won gold and set a new Olympic record in the Women's 10000m at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 15.

Elvan Abeylegesse of Turkey trails Tirunesh Dibaba Kenene. (Photo credit: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Dibaba's time of 29:54.66 was enough to break the old record of 30:17.49 set by fellow Ethiopian Derartu Tulu and hold off silver medalist Elvan Abeylegess of Turkey who ran a time of 29:56.34. Bronze went to Shalane Flanagan of the United States in a time of 30:22:22.

The world record of 29:31.78 seconds in this event is held by China's Wang Junxia China, set in 1993.

Tirunesh Dibaba Kenene celebrates after crossing the line. (Photo credit: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Copyright The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad

Playing Hookie!

Last Tuesday we took the day off from work and went to play at the cottage. Jakob rode in the boat and loved it. He got to watch his grandma ski. It was a fun day. Jakob and Grandma posing with their life jackets on.
Cousin Becky and Hanna were in town from OH to visit. We spent some time with them going to breakfast and playing in the water. It was a fun day.
There was so much activity, when aunti Mary went skiing Jakob fell asleep. He continued to sleep while we got out of the boat, proceeded to take of his life jacket and lay him in bed. He never woke up. Then we picked him back up and put him in his car seat. He slept the whole way home. He didn't sleep well that night at all. :-) So much fun.

All our love,

Jakob, Mandi & Rick

11 Months Old & Counting

On Friday Jakob is 11 months old. I can't believe it. We have been home for 4 months 1 week and a couple days. Hard to believe. Jakob is doing great. As you can tell from the pictures he is growing and getting plenty to eat.

These pictures were taken for his 9 month pictures and I never got around to posting them. Next month we will get his 1 year pictures taken.

Enjoy!
Hugs!

Jakob, Rick & Mandi

Catching Up!

So it has been a bit since we have posted. We have been keeping busy enjoying the summer. Jakob likes tractors, golf carts - really anything that has a steering wheel that he can chew on.
The Reeves came to visit us at the cottage. We had a fun time playing in the water. Josie splashes just like Jakob and loves to have water in her face.
The other kids all had a fun time going in the boat and on the sea doo. The weather was great. The water was warm.
Zuri is doing great. She likes her life jacket. Rick is still her favorite.
Jakob enjoyed all the fun. He loves to play with the other kids and watch everyone.

Until Next time.
Hugs & Kisses,
Rick, Mandi & Jakob