Some handywork with the G-Pa's

Jacob loves working with tools and pretending to fix imaginary problems around the house; so he was thrilled when he got to do some real constructing with his Grandpa Chuck & Papa Chuck this past week!

Here are some pictures from the 2 events -



measuring with Grandpa Chuck for a shelving project in the front closet

fixing a drawer at Great Grandma Chana's with Papa Chuck

jacob was so excited to get to use his new toolset from Cousin Emily & Family

Hannukah at Great Grandma Chana's

On Saturday we celebrated Hanukkah in Desert Hot Springs with the rest of the Niederman Family at Great Grandma Chana's house. Unfortunately Daddy woke up with the stomach flu, so Jacob & mama had to go on our own. It was a long drive on our own, but Jacob greatly enjoyed playing with his cousins and getting to spend a couple days with Grandmas Chana & Tilla, & Papa Chuck.

Jacob & Cousin Justice lighting the menorah

Derrick, Payton, Jacob, Papa Chuck, & Justice

The whole family (minus Jonathan & Eric that were sick)

Papa - our latke maker!


Great Grandma Chana

The Cousin Band

Mama Graduates!!!

Mama graduated this semester with her masters in family nursing from Arizona State University. Last week were the commencement and convocation ceremonies. It was a very exciting week and I was very happy to have my parents and Chuck & Tilla (as well as Jacob & Jonathan) in town for the graduation. It has been a very challenging 3.5 years, but well worth it. And I could not have earned this degree without the assistance of my family & friends.

Here are some pictures from the festivities!



2009 graduating Family Nurse Practitioners

Mama with some of her NP friends

getting hooded by my professor Dana Rosdahl

Happy Hannukah!

Jacob was really into participating in Hannukah this year. He loved lighting the menorah each night, and especially loved the 8 days of presents! He even has the first part of the blessing mesmerized. Here are some pictures from the week.



sporting his Lakers yamulke

lighting the menorah on the 1st night with daddy

setting up his new drum set from Grandma Tilla & Papa Chuck

listening to the singing dreidel with mama's graduation cap

Ready to go skiing!

Jacob having fun with mama's ski helmet

Mikey & Jacob

Mikey (Jacob's buddy from preschool) & Jacob in front of the squirrel monkeys at the zoo

Zoo trip with Grandma, Papa, & CSL friends

This week we met up at the zoo with Grandma, Papa, and some of Jacob & Mama's friends from Jacob's preschool - Katie & Owen, and Natasa, Aida, & Gaber. The kids had a great time playing together and of course the mamas enjoyed some grown-up talk :)

Grandma Tilla, Jacob, & Papa Chuck

Aida walking along the wall

Katie, Owen, Jacob, & Grandma Tilla

Gaber


Jacob on the tractor, with a proud papa looking on :)



Grandma Tilla, Jacob, & Papa petting Elaine the goat (or was it rocky road...too many goats and names to remember.)

1st fishing adventure...

On Sunday we met up with the Malm family on their boat in Newport Bay. It was a beautiful day, as all CA days seem to be since we've moved away, and we really enjoyed spending time with our friends - Cathy, Jaime, Kai, & Aiden. Jacob got to try fishing for the first time and really liked it (well the part of holding the fishing reel and turning the spinner). Luckily he didn't catch anything. But Kai caught 2 fish, one of which was a baby shark. All of course were released unharmed, hopefully. Mama isn't too sure about the whole fishing thing, but Jacob seemed to really enjoy himself and loved playing with Kai & Aiden.

Thank you Jaime and Cathy for a wonderful afternoon!



Aiden & Jacob fishing

Kai, Aiden, Jacob, & Daddy checking out the first catch of the day

Jacob & Daddy

Jacob & Aiden playing in the sand after lunch.

More Thanksgiving break pictures

The weather in CA was gorgeous, so we tried to stay outdoors as much as possible - going to Seal Beach multiple times, walking around Naples, walking to 2nd street and the tot lot. Since CA is an hour before AZ, Jacob was up pretty early every morning. So Grammy & mama would have a full morning playing Jacob's favorite games (diggity dog, zingo bingo, zoominoes, balls, yahtzee jr) or taking a walk around the island. On Saturday we met up with our good friends Libby & Blaise (& their adorable baby Kai) for lunch and fun at the tot lot.



Libby, Blaise, & baby Kai at the tot lot

playing another round of monopoly with Auntie Sarah & Cousin Kenny

Grammy, Jacob, & Auntie Sarah on our final walk around the island on Monday

...and Jacob grabs the camera to take a few pictures

Friday night at dinner Jacob wanted to take some pictures with the camera, and he took close to a hundred (thank goodness for digital cameras). Here are some of the best.



...well, mama took this one of Auntie Sarah, Jacob, & Eve

pretty good one of grammy :)

eve took this one

eve might have taken this one too...well I guess most of Jacob's were of the table or half a face.