Hmmmm...Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Valentine's Day....

Are we caught up yet? Where has the time gone? Well, I(Cynthia) started back to school and am learning about the balancing act. It has been a crazy adjustment but well worth it. Here are a few pics to catch us up with the past few months....

A visit with Santa...

Flower MoundChristmas Parade

Christian had his first belt test! Now he is a yellow-striped Li'l Dragon...



Jacob gets to show off his new yellow belt in a ceremonial demonstration...

Cousin Emma and Aunt Celina came to make Christmas cookies...and a few giggles...

Emma enjoys her new How to be a Princess Mat with all the glam. "Want some lipstick, Mimi?"

Magnus thinks Christian should find a new place to lay; Christian and Jacob received a phone call from Santa...it's their last effort to plead for a Nintendo DS...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Thanksgiving 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

From Our Families to Yours

Brother, Scott, Ashley and Ian

Bethany, Barbara, Ian, Jacob, Gary, and Christian

We had another blessed year with family. Bethany came in from College Station and Cynthia's parents came up from Houston. Her brother, Scott and his family also came up from College Station. All of us enjoyed Turkey dinner at Cousin Karen and Joe's house along with many more family and friends.

One of the highlights of our day was a game of football in the frontyard with the youngest of our family members. Jacob, Christian, and cousin Ian got a few pointers from cousin Eli. Then off they went "Hike"!

Team Funder-baum

Miss Avery showed up and had to show the boys a thing or two about football. Style, grace, and a firm tackle were a few lessons taught.

Avery goin' for a pass * Buddies * Shirtless Wonder

Whew! That was a rough game of football!

Happy Halloween

The "Gate Keeper" and Spiderman


It was a fun night! Lots of ghosts, candy, goblins, friends, spookiness, and laughter!

Go Mavericks!!!!! Christian's 1st Game

What a night to remember! Christian was invited to his first professional basketball game with our neighbors. As if that wasn't enough of a surprise filled with excitement, he was just getting started.

Upon arrival to the American Airlines Center, Mike was showing Christian around and an usher noticed the two of them. She asked them to return at a specified time to greet the Mavericks, as they entered the court. They high-fived the Mav's: Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Josh Howard, Jason Kidd...and the rest of the star players! Christian was also spotted by some notorious fans and thrown "Mardi-Gras" beads (yes, he caught them) and a headband. Mike had gotten him a foam #1 finger (pictured above) and his jersey. He felt like a superstar!

He wasn't done yet! Mavs were aheade by 30 pts at the half. The cameraman wanted to catch some awesome kids. Christian was a little bashful the first time around. Once Daddy told him that Mommy was watching and might see him on TV he decided to cooperate. Luckily, I had decided to record the game "just in case". Good call. I was on the phone blabbing away then all of a sudden, "That's Christian!! My son is on TV! Oh my goodness!!!" I couldn't believe it. What a BIG night for such a young guy.

Pumpkin Patch 2008

What a great day at the Pumpkin Patch! It was such fun to bounce in the bounce house, run through the hay maze, get a snow cone and go for a hayride! We had so much fun looking at all different sizes and shapes of pumpkins.

Hello Big Tex! Oh wait, that's Anubis

Jacob and Christian were so excited to go to the Texas State Fair. Little did they know when they walked in the gate that they would get to see Anubis! Jacob has a book on Egypt, has read it backwards and forwards, and was thoroughly enthralled with this kind of greeting to the fair! He cannot wait till we go to the King Tut exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art.

After a few rides we walked around to see other shows and exhibits. It was about time for the Backyard Circus, so we found a spot to watch. The boys' next big surprise was getting picked for the circus! Jacob AND Mike were picked for the Human Cannonball stunt. Christian was picked to be a tiger during the Lions and Tigers Show (Yes, that is him in the orange shirt and the tiger head). While another boy dressed as the Lion Tamer cracked the whip, the "Tigers" had to roll over, sit up and roar. Meanwhile, Mike and Jacob disappear. Another boy, dressed as the Human Cannonball, gets inside to be blasted....and POOOF....From the back appear Mike carrying Jacob overhead - He caught the Human Cannonball and brought him back on stage!!!!! What a circus! (now can't you see me, the PROUD Mom and Wife, saying those are my boys! HA! Of course I would have loved to have had my good camera with me for such opportune moments.)


Wow, what fun! We of course had to go to the automobile building. Jacob fell in love with the 2010 Camaro! Can't you just see where we are headed when he is 16? HA! It was a good family day for all of us to share.

Happy October!

It is hard to believe October is here already. Just a few weeks until Halloween! Not much new going on here.

Magnus, the English Mastiff, is growing by leaps and bounds. He is already 40+ pounds. He has adjusted to the Funderburk way of life - easily. Wow! Why didn't we do this sooner? He is so sweet, loving, and caring. A friend of ours said, "he definitely has the three C's: cute, cuddly, and calm. True indeed. He has unfortunately battled a skin infection that has driven us all to itch for the last few weeks. Fortunately, he is turning the corner to recovery. The boys have all enjoyed him immensely.

Jacob and Christian continue to do well in school, and Karate. Jacob had a stellar weekend in soccer. He scored his personal best, 3 GOALS in one game! Mom, Dad, Bethany, and Uncle Kenneth were excited crazy fools on the sideline! We are so proud of him. He has come a long way this year.

Christian loves Karate so much that when big brother is in class, he (Christian) sits outside the mat doing exactly what Jacob's class is doing. One day they will get to duel each other.