It's Sinclair Birthday Week!

In addition to being a new year, the first week in January is exciting in our family for four other reasons. We celebrate four birthdays all in a matter of six days.
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Jacob - or Jabits, as he calls himself - turned two on January 1st. Tom and I babysat him a couple weeks ago and decided that he's grown and changed a LOT in recent months. He's at such a fun stage - saying words more clearly, wanting to do just about everything on his own, telling you what he'd like to do and not do. I could just squeeze him all day. Jacob has brought so much joy to our family and is one of my best buds. Although...while babysitting he wanted Tom over me so maybe the feeling isn't mutual *smile. I love living only 20 minutes from him! Happy (late) Birthday, Jacob! We love you!

My sister-in-law, Nikki, celebrated the big 3-2 on the 3rd. I look up to Nikki a lot - she's full of great advice and sensible opinions. I've always admired her style (she's very "J.Crew") and love it when she gives me things she no longer wants/uses. Speaking of her giving things away - she loves organization and keeping her life simple. That is also something I greatly appreciate about her. Nikki is funny (see "senior pic" below), driven (she went back to school to pursue something she'd always had an interest in), and incredibly strong (she made it through an entire year while my brother was overseas.) Nikki is genuine, giving and hardworking. She's also a great mom and has put all of her heart and soul into raising Jacob, which she's doing a fabulous job at! Happy (late) Birthday, Nik! I am so glad you're in our family.And then there's Noah who turns 9 today! How he went from being the 5 month old I used to nanny after I graduated from high school to being 9 is beyond me. Noah is so smart and also very sweet (most of the time *smile.) He loves his cousins and while he probably wouldn't admit it, even his little brother, Hayden. Noah takes after his dad and loves the lake and fishing. He's tried lots of sports but currently finds Taekwondo to be his favorite. He enjoys his video games (just like Uncle Tom) and is really good about taking his picture with me, however that did take a few years. I don't blame him though. Happy Birthday, Noah! You're my favorite 9 year old!

And last but certainly not least, Happy 33rd Birthday to my brother Scott on the 6th! He is one of the coolest people I know. He dreams big and pursues his goals. He doesn't settle for mediocre. He has a wide variety of interests - starting his own business, buying and selling gold (well until he didn't lock his truck and his weight was stolen) and making his own pottery. He's taught me a lot in my years (some just by way of "don't do what Scott did" *smile) and helped me through some tough times with his sound advice. He has big time drive yet an easy going personality. Scott is always making us laugh - no wonder his son is so funny. And speaking of his son, he's an awesome dad! I've loved seeing him with Jacob and watching their family grow. I had always wanted to do a sprint triathlon after seeing him do them in high school, so I finally got up the nerve to complete my first one in August 2008. Then this past August we actually did one together - it was awesome! My big brother rocks. Happy (early) Birthday, Scotty! I love all of you!