Sledding Fun

We knew for sure while we were home we wanted to take Jackson sledding. I was going to brave the cold so I could experience Jackson's first time with him. We decided to go sledding Monday morning and it was probably the coldest day while we were home. We all bundled up in more layers than a kit-kat bar has and were fatter than Frosty! Brian's parents right down the street from Buttermilk Hill so we drove down and went sledding there.

Grandpa Mel pulling Garrison and Jackson up to the hill. Jackson wasn't a fan of just being pulled in the sled.

But, he LOVED going down the hill with daddy!

Where's Jackson?

Since I bundled all up, I made sure I got to go down the hill a few times too! Jackson squealed with delight the whole way down and as soon as we got to the bottom he said, "again!"

Going down is fun and easy, coming up is a different story. I only have a picture of Brian carrying Jackson up the hill, but I actually carried him more times! Definitely a good work out!

I think we only went down 4 or 5 times because it was FREEZING and the wind was blowing hard, but Jackson was sold that sledding was FUN!

Right after sleeding on Monday morning things took a turn for the worse. Brian got the flu and Jackson got the diarrhea. I shipped Brian to his parent's house to rest and keep the germs away from us. I spent most of Monday and Tuesday cleanning poopy sheets and clothes and de-germing my parent's house.

By Wednesday they both were on the mend and it had warmed up quite a bit so we decided to try the sledding thing again. However, on the drive over to Brian's parent's house Jackson fell alseep. I ended up going sledding with my dad, Garrison, Mel, Jason, and Leo while Jackson napped and Brian played Scrabble with his mom. I actually got warm sledding this day:)

Jackson woke up right when we all got back from sledding. He wanted to go outside and shovel with Leo.

"Mom, How do I walk in all this snow?"

What a beautiful crisp winter day!

Grandpa Mel always has the BEST ideas! He created a nice little slope for Jackson to sled down right in the front lawn.

Jackson didn't miss out on the sledding fun after all and we had less way to walk to take him back to the top!

I think sledding may be the only "pro" to the cold winter weather in Wisconsin.

It was a good thing we got two days of sledding in when we did, because the rain and warmer (like 34 degrees) came and melted it all gone!

22 Months

Dear Jackson,


You are two months away from being TWO! How has this happened? Aren't you the little boy I just brought home from the hospital? Anyways you are growing up so quickly and getting smarter each and every day! I love watching you learn, interact with others, and respond to different situations. My absolute favorite thing is when you wrap your little arms around my neck and squeeze as tightly as you can. Over Christmas break I have truly enjoyed rocking you to sleep for your naps and praying over you.
You are starting to speak in longer sentences and know exactly what you want. Your manners have also improved, you say please, thank you, and you're welcome. You always add "please" to the end of sentence when you really want something. You pick up words very quickly now. You are saying peoples names (you knew everyone's name at home for Christmas) and sayings you hear. However, you will never say what we want you to say or repeat. You have quite the little personality and sense of humor. You do things just to get us to laugh at you. You are a "goof" as you often refer to yourself!
You are still quite the charmer, at least I think so! You are beginning to want to dress yourself and pick out the shirt you wear (and of course you always want the one with the tractor, car, truck, or train). You also still love to hold your collar and stretch out daddy's and mommy's. You became a little bit more picky concerning eating this last month. We have to convince you to take a bite or that you DO like it. I hope this doesn't last very long. Your favorite foods are still fruits, especially mandarin oranges.

Your favorite toys are your train table, manga doodle with shapes (which you are getting pretty good at naming and identifying), tractors, mega blocks, pillow pet, crayons, and books. You still prefer to be outside running around than inside any day. You love to watch your Thomas DVD's. ONe of the first things you ask in the morning is "I watch Thomas?"
You love your grandparents and are almost as tall as your older cousins.

Your smile melts my heart everytime I see it. As the new year began I was thinking about how blessed I am to be the mother of such a sweet, sweet boy. I never take you for granted and cherish every moment I have with you.

Love always, Mommy

Christmas 2010

Christmas Eve-
Friday morning we woke up and gathered all of our belongings and waited until it was time to leave for the airport. It was really nice not waking up at the crack of dawn to catch a flight, I am going to remember this!
We were all looking very festive so we decided to take a few family pictures. This is the best we got, Jackson wasn't too interested in pictures at all the whole trip.
Once we got to the airport we saw our plane was delayed 20 minutes. I am the worst at being patient so I was not thrilled at all and we were trying to make it home in time to catch the Christmas Eve Church service back at our home church. Jackson's favorite sayings at the airport was "I'm ready!", "We're next!" We kept him entertained with some Thomas!

Our terminal was downstairs at the airport and when it was finally our time to depart we had to walk outside to our plane. I felt like I should have gotten a partial refund, it just felt so cheap.

Jackson slept all but 30 minutes of the fligt so that was nice. My dad and Garrison were waiting for us when we got off the plane. My dad dropped us off at Brian's parents so we could eat a quick dinner, change clothes, and head to church.

I don't remember the last time I have liked a picture of us dressed up for Christmas Eve service, this year is no different.

My little man all dressed up going for the presents:)

Jackson with Grandma Sharon and Papa Mel before church.

We met up with my parents at church and went back to their house afterwards. My mom continued our tradition and got new pajamas for everyone!

Christmas Day-

I think we were up around 7 on Christmas morning. Brian and I made breakfast for everyone. Then mom got lunch started and we headed downstairs to open presents.

Jackson was much more into opening his presents this year. He was so excited to open each one and once he finished unwrapping it he wanted to play with his new toy!

Jackson was spolied with lots of Thomas toys and books, tractors and animals, puzzles, pajamas, and much more!

Garrison and the books I got him for Christmas. His kindergarten teacher read these books to him and he loves them!

After opening presents, Garrison and I continued our tradition and made a birthday cake for Jesus. This year Jackson got in on the mixing and frosting too!

Jackson loved looking at and EATING the snow. He would stand at my parents' sliding glass doors that led outside asking for a "Bite snow?"

Jackson got to spend a lot of time with his cousings Ian and Leo.

Grandma Elly and Papa Gary with Jackson on Christmas

My sister Kayla and I

Dad, Jackson, and I

After Jackson's nap we headed out to Brian's parents house. The nice part of our parents living in the same town is we don't have to travel two places or trade holidays but we do a lot of going back and forth. Of course before Jackson could get in the car he needed a "Bite snow!"

We enjoyed dinner with Brian's family before opening presents. This year there were two little girls getting around- Alivia and Lily. It is hard to believe Jackson was Lily's age last Christmas, of course he was twice her size!

The best picture of our family on Christmas Day!

Jackson and Leo played with their toys and everyone else's too!

Jackson was spoiled again with lots of trains and tractors!

I was so excited to open presents at Brian's parents house because I had a surprise for Brian. We never buy each other presents at Christmas because there is nothing we really need. But, of course Brian has surprised me many times before. I decided this year I needed to try and surprise him. I DID it!

Those two days were full of food, fun, and family, but little did we know we should have stretched those days out longer as our trip would get more eventful than what we wanted!

A Look Back

We finally made it back to Houston! As I was looking through all my pictures from the last year and trying to pick out a few highlights I found it a difficult task. Each picture reminded me of a special memory made, even if it was just playing at home with Jackson. Just year I really want to just enjoy every moment I have with those I love!

Here are some things that stand out to me from this last year:

1. We started 2010 off by remodling our downstairs. Mel knocked out a wall and put in shelves for us. I don't even remember what it was like before. This was the one of our best decisions ever!


2. At 11 months Jackson began to walk and there was no stopping him. He still loves to walk/run outside everyday.

3. In March, Jackson turned ONE! We had a party with family and friends to celebrate his precious life! I can't believe he is now closer to two.

4. Jackson took his first trip to the Houston Zoo. Brian and I both took off of work to spend a special day with our boy. It was such a fun day!

5. Jackson and I were able to go spend a week in WI this summer and Brian joined us for the weekend. A picture of all of my family together is VERY rare!

6. Brian talked me into driving to Alton, KS for the 4th of July. I love this picture of our time there because it reminds me of when we were dating. It is always fun to see and hang out with Brian's extended family and forgo the busyness of life everywhere else.
7. The Little Gym was a favorite hangout for Jackson and me this past summer. I loved our time together playing there and the fact I get to enjoy every day of the summer with him. I am planning on doing this with him again this year.

8. At the end of July we took a family trip to California.

We also celebrated our fifth anniversary there and got some much needed time alone.

With a special surprise thrown into as well!

9. This picture wraps up our summer vacation and speaks to the many minutes, hours, and days we spent outside at the park, splash pad, and pools

10. This was a special night I got to share with the one I love most. I will definitely remember it forever!

11. This picture was taken at Dewberry Farms, but it really reminds me of all the fun things we did throughout the fall as a family. My favorite times are when all of us together!

12. To wrap our year we started many new traditions with Jackson and tried to teach him the real meaning for the season. We were also able to fly home and spend time with our families.

God saw us through this year, and I know he will be right beside us through this year as well!

" There is no one like you, O Lord, and there is no God but you." 1 Chronciles 17:20