Gunnison

Jason as you may recall, is a proud Alumni for Western State College in Gunnison, CO. This past weekend was their homecoming weekend, which also includes the annual "Alumni Rugby Tournament". For those that know me well, you would know that I was "Thrilled" to go. Yah..Hoo. Gunnison is not my idea of a vacation. Jason really wanted to go though, and I guess since we haven't been back for the entire 6+ years we've been married..we were due. Jason pulled out all his rugby gear (he played football for all 4 years and added rugby his senior year) including his really ugly, very old football cleats. I didn't even know he still had those God awful shoes. What came out next would come as no surprise to me knowing that I married a man that reminds me of the great "Al Bundy" from the sitcom Married with Children. You may have guessed it..his old football championship rings. Three of them to be exact, and yes he tried to wear all of them at one time. It looked like he was wearing brass knuckles. I had to put my foot down and tell him there was "NO WAY" he was wearing those all at the same time. I mean seriously AL Bundy, it was time to move on.

Jason had a really good time playing rugby. I was just praying he wouldn't get hurt. I mean come on, the dude is old now! How this game works is the Old boys (alumni) play the young boys (current students). You can imagine the blood shed I was picturing. Luckily there were no serious injuries to report, only some shattered egos. Those young boys got their tails whooped by a bunch of thirty somethings with beer bellies and bad joints. It was quite funny.

On our last day, Jason took the boys on a tour of his old stomping grounds. We headed to the stadium where he played many of his games. As soon as we stepped out into the stadium Jake decided to bust out a 1/4 mile on the track. He didn't stop to even take a break. I was blown away at the thought that a 5 year old ran that distance in what they call "The highest collegiate stadium in the world". When Jake was done running, Jason brought him to see his old weight room. Jason always talks about his old college record for weightlifting. Another one of those AL Bundy moments. And then I saw it.. Jason's name STILL on the wall for school records. He still holds the record for a Defensive player on Bench press and squat. He just smiled and said "Ten years and counting". I have to admit, I was a little excited and proud of him.

Jason changed his last name from Finnen to Fincham just after college.
Just thought I would add.. the weather was perfect!

We're goin' on a berry hunt!

In Penrose CO they have a great place called the "Happy Apple Farm"! You take a short tractor ride into their fields and you can pick your own apples right off the tree. I thought for sure the kids would have a great time with this, So we packed up and headed out! Once there, we were informed that because of the freeze the weekend before all the apples were done, however they still had plenty of blackberries that needed picking. So with baskets in hand, aboard the tractor we were, off into the blackberry bushes. Both kiddos really had a great time hunting for their own berries trying to see who could collect the most. After a few bug bites and two blackberry stained shirts we were ready to head back.
I noticed on our way out they have a really great pumpkin crop. I have a feeling we will be back for a few of those too.

Catch up!

Michael Phelps...Look out!

Jacob has had much improvement in his skills from earlier this summer! As you may recall the butt bump!

Now that "Summer" is over...

Today was the end of our summer break as Jacob started kindergarten. Hard to believe how fast these last five years have gone. Jacob was actually pretty excited and eager to go. He even thought that he would grow "massively" over night. When I told him that "I wanted to take pictures of him in the morning" he told me that "they would just be pictures of his belly because he would be so much taller" He then mentioned that he would have to take showers because he wouldn't fit in the tub anymore. Well, he popped out of bed this am the same height as he went to bed...a little disappointed, but still excited for the day.
There is little girl named Audrey that he knew from PPCS(she was in another class but they had chapel together)that is in his class this year. She just might be his new love interest. Jacob did really well walking into class and right away found his desk and sat right down. He looked like such a big boy today. I felt very excited for him and not really all that sad...well..that was only until I read the note his teacher Mrs. Brock wrote and handed to us with the instruction "not to be read until you are in the car". This is what it said..

"I gave you a little wink and smile as you entered my room today.
For I know how hard it is for you to leave and know your child must stay.
You've been with them five years now and been a loving guide, but now, alas the time has come to leave them by my side.
Just know that as you drive away and the tears down your cheeks may flow
I'll love them as I would my own, and help them learn and grow.
For as a parent, I too know how quickly the years do pass.
So please put your mind at ease, and cry those tears no more.
For I will love them and take them in when you leave them at my door."

Then I cried like a baby.

Jake had a great 1st day, and really likes his teacher. I hope the rest of year will continue to be just as smooth.

Changes

I decided to try a new page layout, I hope you like it. I have been messing with a few different layout and decided that this one fits me best.

A new change going down in the Fincham home is that I am going back to work almost full time. It is called a .75 position which means I will work 5 shifts per pay period. I curently only work 1-2 per pay period. This means that the kids will be going to day care for the first time EVER. Jake will be there for 2 half days and Jeff 2 full days. I admit this makes me a little nervous, but I think it will work out just fine. I will be looking forward to the extra money that I will be bringing in, along with the extra experience I will be gaining. I love being a nurse and feel that it is time for to explore that side of me a little more. Our hospital will be moving to its brand new $200 million dollar facility on Aug 16th. The hospital is absolutly beautiful! I am not looking forward the the cahous of "move day" or the weeks to follow. It will be very hectic.

Today we went shopping for school supplies and uniforms. Hard to beleive that Jake is starting kindergarden in 3 weeks. Where did the years go? I hope it will be an easy adjustment for him and myself. He will be in AM kindergarden that is Mon-Fri 8:15-11:30.

"Are you kidding me?"

Jacob's new phrase for the week...."Are you kidding me?"
Some examples

As we were walking/hurrying into swim lessons from the locker room..
Jacob: "Are you kidding me Jeffrey? You are the slowest little kid I know"

As he was putting on his new "speed racer" swimsuit on..
Jacob: "this speed racer suit is going to make me swim real fast..I mean come on..are you kidding me?"

Jacob apparently has a new "boys only club" that Jeff, daddy and him belong to. I'm not quite sure if Jason realizes that he is even part of a club, or that he may or may not be past due on his daily club dues. However I learned quickly I was not welcome into clubhouse(Jacob's room).

Jacob: "Are you kidding me? Didn't you see the sign...boy's only"

Lastly, as I was puting on eyeliner and mascara, with a concerned look...
Jacob: "are you kidding? That's too much eye polish."
I am not quite sure where Jacob came up with the saying or when to use it appropriately, but come on, are you kidding me? It's the funniest thing.

"geared up"

"Gearing up"

Jeffrey fighting the "fire" (weeds)

Firefighter

Our playgroup recently went to a local Fire Station for the 'ol tour. The kids really had a great time seeing the fire truck and the ladder truck (yes there is a difference). Fire trucks carry water, about 5000 gallons, and the ladder trucks are just that, with a bunch of tools. The kids were able to jump in the trucks and try on the head phones (the firemen talk to them trough the head phones), they also were each given a chance to spray a hose. Of course they did the talk about calling 911 and the whole "stop drop and roll" thing. They also got in full gear to show the kids how they look and sound in a fire. Jake was star struck the entire time, and Jeffrey enjoyed the time too. Jeffrey kept saying "youk mama" (look mama). Right before we left, the firemen had me dress up in their gear to show the kids. It was really a great time.
Here are some pics from the day!
Sorry the picture quality isn't there. These photos were emailed to me and sized way down.