Gifts for Baby Jesus Aren't Good Enough for Jake

Jake went to his first day of Pre-K today. Apparently he was a little mopey and out of sorts. However, what really threw him off, and subsequently caused him to throw a fit was the chariot that awaited him outside the house - the RAV-4. He told Scott that he couldn't travel in that car because it stunk of frankencense and myrrh.

At first I thought, "where on EARTH did he come up with those two scents, seeing as though I only hear about them when referring to the Three Wise Kings and the gifts they brought to lay at baby Jesus's manger?". However, I forgot that the motion sickness ointment that Scott put behind Jake's ears during the Colorado trip actually does CONTAIN frankencense and myrrh. Funny.

The Nightmare is Over

I feel it is safe to say, after two weeks of adjusting, that Benjamin John Cummings now is back to sleeping peacefully through the night, and Scott and I praise God for that! I'm only saying this because it has happened for five nights consecutively now, so I think we're in the clear!

The Lad and Dad Colorado Trip Pictures

Here are some pictures of Scott and Jake on their ill-fated Colorado trip.....well, not really ill-fated. I just thought it sounded better that way. They actually had a fine time, camping at night in their tent (well, once in the RAV-4 when it rained all night) and hiking and exploring during the day.

They drove from Conroe to Trinidad, CO in one day (about 14 hours), spent one night there, drove to Chapman, CO the next day, attended cousin Will Brandes's rehearsal dinner and then spent the night, spent the next day at rest and exploring, went to Will's wedding that afternoon, and spent the night, then drove back to Trinidad, spent the night (that was the rainy night), and then drove the 14 hours or so home. It was a quick trip, but lots of memories were made, and I think Scott would like to repeat the trip again some time, as his love affair with Colorado grew to new depths.


As most of you know, Jake did battle motion sickness issues on this trip, particularly in the higher altitudes, and the winding mountain roads, but he was a trooper, and despite the throwing up, didn't have much bad to say

about the trip. He even found himself yet another girlfriend along the way, in the form of the flower girl at Will and Becky's wedding. I'm afraid we've inadvertently raised a Lothario.

Ben and I enjoyed the quality time together also (this was the week that I started back at school, but in the afternoons and evenings, it was just the two of us against the world!).

Summer School

Jake and Ben went to school this summer for one week - the week of Ben's 1st birthday. They went all five days and really had a lot of fun. This picture shows them standing outside the buildling before we went in. Ben has a little backpack now too, but didn't have it for the picture. They start school for real a week from tomorrow (Thursday the 31st), and I know they'll both really enjoy the change, although Aunt Corey and Donna are spoiling them rotten right now!

Breakin' All Da Rules

Somebody has learned how to stand up on top of his car, despite being told "NO" every time he does it. I thought it would be good for posterity to capture the rule breaking on camera, not only to laugh at behind his back, and also good for when he has children, and can see what kinds of trouble he got into. He's pointing at the TV, while Jake and I were watching the newest version of The Shaggy Dog. I guess he was trying to get attention in his own little way, and, well, mission accomplished.

However, upon second glance, what's even more disturbing than Ben's casual disregard for safety and our household rules and regulations are the frightening green eyes of one Eli Cummings. In the words of Brian Fellow from SNL, "That dog's got DEVIL eyes."

Somebody has a BAD attitude

Ben rolled along quite pleasantly all summer. Save one bout of croup and one bout of "Hand, Foot, Mouth" disease, he has been healthy, and so sweet and fun. BUT......this week and last week, he has not been particularly pleasant. As a matter of fact, I venture to say that he's been downright SURLY. To what can we attribute this Mr. Hyde persona? Perhaps Mom going back to work and abandoning him to his aunt Corey who dotes to a fault? Perhaps Jake and Dad having gone on a Colorado wilderness adventure without him, and leaving him in their dust? Maybe some new molars or incisors coming in? Maybe it's reading literally off the T-shirt "I could use some Grandma Therapy" when one grandma is bedridden in Austin with knee replacement surgery recovery and the other one is jetsetting to the tropical locale of Hawaii......You know, at this point, I don't even know if I care - I just want him to snap out of it - he has screamed at us through the baby monitor in the middle of the night for over a week now. Almost to the point that we have taught ourselves how to sleep through it. Personally, I vote for reason A, because it makes me feel important :). However, that's the hardest one to overcome, since it's a permanent change (at least until Christmas!). But school starts for Jake and Ben next week, and I know they'll both be thrilled to be around their peers and their beloved teachers.

By the way, as I'm writing this, both boys are in bed, and I'm waiting for my husband to return from a Monday evening water skiing jaunt - doesn't that make you sick? Well, at least someone's having fun (and getting some exercise!)

We're Here, We're Near, Get Used to It!

Jake and Ben at Easter with (awwww)

their matching outfits and baskets!

Welcome to the first post of the family blog - and the blog that will showcase the amazing talents, photogenicism, and craziness of Jake and Ben! I'll try to include pictures, where applicable, or just if I feel like it. You never know what these boys will be up to, on any given day. Please take any parental pride or braggadocio with a grain of salt - after all, it is our blog! And we're in love with our boys (even Eli, our dog, is included in that!).

Please keep your comments friendly - we always will be too!