The Zoo

I guess going to the Zoo is becoming a January tradition. The weather was just perfect for a trip to the Zoo yesterday. The animals were up and about, and we could walk around with out sweating to death.

Jackson wanted to start with the elephants. This one was the only one that was out the first time we went by.

 I have a lot of pictures of Jackson's back and Brian and I holding him up to see!

 Jackson was even more excited this year about all the animals. He would tell us all about the animal he just saw until we got to the next one.

 Playing some music with Daddy

 Jackson loved seeing a real turkey after we talked about them at Thanksgiving and he had made his own.

 Family picture in the "jungle"

 I must have really liked the monkey in the tree.

 Jackson would hold my hand on and off as we walked through the Zoo. So sweet!

We watched the lions for a while. The male was sleeping right in front of us. The female came out of nowhere and jumped on the male. Then they started playing. I wish I would have caught it on video. Jackson was still talking about that today.

We had seen the giraffes when we went through the African forest the first time, but we went back at feeding time so Jackson could feed them some lettuce. Brian tried to shoot a video of us feeding the giraffe, but the giraffes eat the lettuce so fast and we only had 3 pieces.

 It was a neat experience being up close and personal with the giraffes. I recommend doing this if you go to the Zoo, even if you pay $5 for less than 30 seconds.

 We were trying to get a family picture with the giraffes, but I guess they moved on for more lettuce.

 After feeding the giraffes, we went and had a picnic lunch. Then we enjoyed looking at some more animals. Jackson wanted to see the elephants one more time. This time the baby elephants were out. Jackson called them Peaches, like the mammoth from Ice Age!

Jackson didn't want to leave the Zoo, so when we asked him if he had fun he said "No!" But, on the way home he watched the video of him feeding the giraffe 30 times with a big smile on his face the whole time. He is such a character!

I love how the Zoo never gets old. No matter how old you are or how many times you go, there seems like I see or notice something new. Animals are such cool part of God's creation.

The Rest of Christmas Break

I feel blessed to have so much time to spend with Jackson even though I work full time. I put the school work away for almost all of our break and spent my time having fun with my favorite little boy. Besides of what I have already blogged about here are a few other things we did over break in iPhone pictures:

-Lots of snuggling together reading books and watching movies, morning cuddling in his bed was my favorite

 -A visit to the library

 -Lots of playing at home with trains and in the new kitchen

 -Being silly

-A trip to the book store

-Many plays at the park

-Playing with friends

-"Snow" day

Since it doesn't snow here we made our own snow, snowman, and snow treat.

-I even managed to read a few books myself

What a great break it was!

Working Out

First thing when Jackson and I get up on days I am home with him, I workout. He eats breakfast while watching cartoons or a movie. Halfway through my workout he will move to playing with his toys. Usually the last 5-10 minutes he wants to work out too.

Depending on what machine I am working out on, he will either get on the elliptical or the treadmill so he can exercise too! Notice that has his milk ready for when he gets sweaty and needs a drink.

Or he tries to do pull-ups on the handles of the treadmill.

And sometimes he builds forts out of the equipment.

As you can see, I let him do what ever he wants so I can get my work out in. Don't worry, I keep a close eye on him and no injuries have occurred.

After working out, I go shower and look at what a good boy he is then. He snuggles in our bed under the covers and between the pillows and reads his books. Here is reading Swim! Swim! Imagine him reading, "Will you be my friend? Blub, blub, blub, blub, blub!" I love that he likes to read right now and, I love hearing his interpretation of the stories!

I will miss my work out partner when I go back to working out before he even wakes up.

Jump and Jump Some More

Brian was off today for the holiday so we wanted to do something fun and out of the ordinary with Jackson. We debated going to the Children's Museum or to a movie, but ended up going to Pump It Up. They had two arenas with 4 big bounce houses in each area.

As soon as Jackson's shoes were off, he was off! First stop was the big slide.

The slide was a favorite in the first arena we went in.

He actually really enjoyed all of the "houses". I love some of these action shots I got of him. His face is shows the fun he is having!

Parents are allowed to play and climb with their children. It wasn't crowded at all which made it easier for us to play with Jackson.

Brian jumped, slid, and played the most with him.

They had a boxing ring with big gloves.

Jackson liked making Daddy fall down.

There was also 2 mazes to go through. Jackson went through it like a million times. He jumped and played on everything for close to 2 hours. It was a good workout.:)

 I was very satisfied with the value and variety this bounce place had to offer. Jackson is at a great age for this type of play. We will most definitely be going back at some point and time.

Quick Recap of 2011

2011 has come and gone. I can't believe Jackson wasn't even 2 at the beginning and is just about to be 3! Life never has gone faster than after having a child.

We did a handful of home improvements in 2011. Mel changed out the stair rails and redid Jackson's bedroom in Januray. In July our shower broke and we were forced to repair it.

 In March, we had someone come and tear out the old desk and lay cement for our back patio. It was quite the ordeal, and I never actually blogged the before and after of it. Then in September, Mel took everything out ot the laundry room, repainted it, and hung cabinets.

We didn't take any real big trips this year. Most of our adventures were around Houston.

While Mel and Sharon were here in January, we made a trip to the Zoo.

We celebrated Jackson's 2nd birthday at Old McDonald's Farm in March.

 Brian and his Dad were able to attend the Final Four games in April.

The summer brought many trips Downtown. We made a trip down for a paddle boat and train ride.

 We all expereinced the World's Largest Sprinkler.

 We caught an Astro's game, and Jackson recieved his very own ball.

Brian and I celebrated our 6th anniversary with dinner and a musical.

 Over the 4th of July weekend, we soaked up the sun, sand, and pyramids at Moody Gardens.

 My family came down in August. We took a trip to the Blue Bell Factory.

In August, right before school started, we went camping for the first time as a family. Jackson loved Yogi's Campground.

 In September, we went to a football game and spent time with Papa Mel and Grandma Sharon.

 Jackson went to the Aquarium for the first time.

 We flew to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving and enjoyed lots of family time.

The year was also filled with numeours days of swimming and splash pad trips with family and friends.

 There was no shortage of playtime at the park.

It felt like Brian spent most of the year looking for the "perfect" job and when he stopped searching, God placed one right in his lap. Our heart was overjoyed with the knowledge of a 2nd child and then devastated with the loss. I loved committing scripture to memory each month and being able to spend so much time at home with my family. Despite Jackson's stitches and looming medical bills, I am extremely grateful we didn't spend the year in the hospital and that we are healthy.

This year had many ups, a few downs, but the thing that never changed was the way God met us where we were and blessed us beyond anything we deserved. I know God will do the same for us in 2012!