Super September!

We love fall although I have to say since moving to Texas it doesn't quite feel like it yet. The one thing that makes it feel like fall is that football is back!

It's just too cute. 

And one with my Oregon girl!

And is that Darth Vader Duck or Jake?

Although we've been focused on football we were excited to take a break to see our own Soccer star, Talia Vivier, play at a tournament in Austin. Talia is part of an exclusive league and boy is it serious!

It felt like a strange glimpse into a possible future with Jake & Allie. I took the kids down on Saturday and saw the game and then we went and hung out with the team at the hotel. Alex went Sunday morning with the kids and I met them later for the championship game. Talia's team didn't win but was amazing and it was so fun to see her in action.

Fun with Pippi!

The next day we went to celebrate Jake's friend Mia's birthday! Earlier in the summer Alex and I went to a party given by Mia's parents that had minnow races. They were so fun and my little fish, Chip Kelly, won it all! So when I heard Mia's party was also going to feature the minnow races, I was extra excited. Voluntarily Jake wanted to name his fish Chip Kelly, I was so proud. I realize perhaps I should mention that Chip Kelly is the coach of the Oregon Ducks!

So there he was in lucky lane number 3, he put Chip in the water and he was NOT off. He did nothing. We blew on him and cheered his name but nothing. Finally he started to go and you could see him channeling the Ducks motto, Fast, Faster, Fastest. Unfortunately, his late start cost him and he didn't Win the Day but it was fun anyhow.

Alex gone for a week in September which was a great way to truly appreciate how nice it is to have a partner who is so helpful and to wonder how single parents do it. All that said, we did great, besides missing daddy of course.

Allie went to her first birthday party for one of her friends. She loved playing with new toys and being around people and other little ones. Allie and birthday girl Addison are hanging out at the party.

I love this one!

The Jewish holidays came quickly this year as did all of Jake's days home from school. Jake and I went to a late (too late for Allie) Rosh Hashanah dinner with friends downtown. It was in the party room of an upscale building downtown and had absolutely gorgeous views despite the overcast sky.

The following weekend Dory, Zayde and Uncle Phillip came to visit as they made their way to Santa Fe for Russell and Shawn's wedding. We had a fun time just hanging out watching the kiddos do what they do best, be adorable!

Uncle Phillip brought out his camera and captured Allie as she was taking some steps but beyond the excitement of the steps was her putting on a total show for the camera. Should have been a video it was so funny!

This new hugging thing they do is just ridiculous!

The last event of the month was our trip to Santa Fe for Russell and Shawn's wedding. Santa Fe was on my visit list for a long time and it didn't disappoint.

The pre-flight airport shot!

Jake chillin' on the shuttle bus. What a big boy!

Santa Fe is beautiful and we had the chance to just hang out and enjoy. Brenna and I tried to go to yoga but went to the bar instead, we had a family dinner on Friday night, shopping with Brenna and Noonie and a new necklace from my sweet husband, and lots and lots of spending time with the family!

At the rehearsal dinner with the Ramati/Toppell cousins

The wedding was held Sunday at Randall Davey Audubon Center, it was absolutely beautiful as were the bride and groom.

Here we are all dressed up for the wedding. I love that Jake's light-saber (thank you, Brenna) made it into our nice family picture!

Jake can always make Allie laugh!

The "cheese" smile has started.

Our gorgeous boy!

Happy girls on a beautiful day!

 The Toppell cousins

Kiddos and Brenna

With Brenna and Ashley

Jake and the groom! 

Part of the excitement of this trip was getting to meet two new baby cousins and to see the next generation of cousins together. Felix (Ashley and Adan) is exactly 3 months younger then Allie and Raphael (Josh and Kadhi) is just a few weeks younger then Felix. It was beyond cute to see the little ones together!

Finally, the baby cousins meet!

Rafa, Felix and Allie attack Mt. Adan! So cute!

We left Santa Fe on Monday, October 1 aka Allie's birthday! We sang happy birthday in our hotel room and Jake announced to Allie that "you're not zero anymore, you're 1!" We had brunch with the family still in town before packing up to head home.

2 generations of cousins!

This has been the fastest year and it has been amazing to watch Allie change from a newborn baby into an adorable, sweet, loving, funny and beautiful little toddler. It's been awesome watching not only Allie but to see what a wonderful big brother Jake is as well! We're so lucky to have these little people in our lives!

Happy Birthday to sweet Allie!

I am one!

Awesome August

August started out with a surprise visit from Alex's cousin Russell and his fiancee Shawn as they made their move from DC to Santa Fe. We're super excited for their wedding at the end of September and our trip to Santa Fe!

Jake loves Shawn!

During the first weekend we spent some fun time at the pool with our friend Katie. Jake really loves the floaties but is doing really great with his swimming lessons. 

Allie loved the pool and floating around! 

I realize I haven't posted monthly pictures in a few months.

Jake and one of his best buds, Avi, had swim lessons together. They have the best time together but I feel a bit sorry for their teachers. Jake's actually made some great progress and will hopefully be able to keep it up.

On August 7, we lost my Great Aunt Lois. Lois and Ed, my dad's uncle, lived in Eugene when we moved there when I was 9. Ed and Lois became like grandparents. Even though Ed wasn't with us nearly long enough, they both were important figures and meaningful influences in my life. Jake's middle name is Edward in his memory. Until moving to Eugene we never had family in the same city so being able to walk to Lois' house after school or to randomly spend time with her was special. 

Lois was with me when I found my wedding dress and drove with me to Corvallis to taste cake. It was special to have her as part of our wedding. 

She didn't get to meet Allie in person but I'll never forget bringing Jake to meet her when he was only 2 months old and then he saw her again when he was 2. 

Lois meeting Jake at 2 months

August 2010

On August 8, Alex and I celebrated our 8 year wedding anniversary! My sweet groom brought me the most beautiful hydrangea which are my favorite flower and what we had at the wedding. It seemed only appropriate to showcase the beautiful flowers in one of the blue glass vases from Lois' collection that she had gifted to me. 

What a wonderful wedding weekend we had and what a wonderful life that we're building. We're especially amazed, enamored and totally in love with the little people that have made us a family!

So Miss Allie is standing up, cruising and seems just about ready to start walking! Every time she stands up by herself Jake yells, "she's standing by herself" and then he tells her good job. It's so cute!

Jake remains the best big brother ever! He helped give Allie breakfast and was such a good helper, at least until he got bored and left her alone with the bowl of food. But overall we couldn't ask for him to be more loving or sweet with her.

We finally found our way to Gymboree class with Allie. I think we started taking Jake when he was 6 months old but as I see it she has to climb all over some kinds of obstacles to get around Jake's toys in the playroom. She was a little apprehensive at first but then she loved it and of course babies love bubbles.

After Gymboree Allie and I went out to run some errands. Miss Allie was convinced that my coffee treat was for her. Obsessed with Starbucks already, proof that she is her godmommy's goddaughter!

Jake had a week off in between camp and the school year starting up again so Alex and I split up the days and had some nice time with the little man.

Happily waiting at the Apple store while I got my phone fixed

Last swim lessons of the summer

Hanging at my office

We left for Chicago to celebrate "Great" grandma's 90th birthday on a super early flight. Even with the early hour we had a silly fun time on the flight!

It was wonderful to have such a wonderful occasion to all come together for. It was particularly nice to have my mom, dad and sister together in one place as well as to have time with my Aunt Judy and Grandma. I did a horrible job making sure to take pictures but capture a few moments.

Playtime at Great's house! The kids loved that everything at Great's house seems to be on wheels.

Thanks for the ride, Auntie Rachel!

Wheeeeeeeeee!

There is a long tradition of sitting at Great's piano! Allie takes her turn following in big brother's and many others footsteps.

Bubba looks on as Allie plays

Love those little legs!

Jake's first time at Great's Piano,  9 months

Posing before heading out to celebrate Great at her party! There's something very Jackie O about this shot, minus the basketball of course.

The party was lovely and it was wonderful to see cousins and friends of my grandma's who have know me my whole life. Also, it was Allie's first major Sacks/Goldstein event and meeting the family.

Jake helps Great blow out the candles on her second cake. :)

Even though I failed miserably on my photography duties at the party, Jake stepped in as photographer and caught a few (kind of) good shots!

Jake caught Allie mid-nap

Cute picture, Jake just needs to be taller

At least he got her whole head!

As many of you know, my Aunt Judy was diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) in May. It is a horrible disease but she is approaching life and her new "normal" with a positive attitude and a strength that is inspiring. On September 16, my mom and sister will be participating in Eugene's Walk to Defeat ALS walk, raising money to support research and assistance to families struggling with this very difficult disease.

If you're able and would like to do so, please consider making a donation by clicking here at the, Walk to Defeat ALS site and by clicking on the red "donate" button on the right side.

Time to head back to Austin!

Entertained by all things Jake!

Silly boy! Those are Allie's glasses.

So good on the plane!

I'm in shock with what a big boy Jake has become. His first day in pre-K. I'm already nervous for kindergarten!

What a fun month but we're excited for a busy September and of course the return of college football. Go Dawgs and Go Ducks!!!

I think they're ready!