Between pink eye, ear infections, strep throat, and a sinus infection...we found one night last week that EVERYONE was healthy and headed to the park. It was a little warm outside so we just HAD to stop off for an ice cream sundae first!!!
We went to small little park just down the street from our neighborhood. It is tucked behind the street and surrounded with beautiful trees and foliage. And usually very quiet...occasionally there will be someone there to fish in the lake...but for the most part...we are on our own!
This was a first for Jackson. Most of the time he observes from the confines of his stroller...but he is Mr Adventure now...and off he went!! A little timid at first...but then quickly made up for that and was a little hard to keep up with!
A little healthy competition?
A quiet (bug-filled!) stroll around the lake!
Present time!!!
Amy was excited enough for the both of them whenever he tore the tiniest bit of paper off!
Jackson was unsure about what to do with the paper...he finally decided just to give it to Daddy!
More presents?
He received a plasma bike earlier in the week from his grandparents...so he naturally thought EVERY toy was for sitting on!!!
"Hey...it lights up when I sit on it!!!"
Time for CAKE!!!
When unsure...give it to Daddy!
He started off okay...just diving into the cake.
But after a little bit...he decided he did NOT want this sticky stuff on his fingers!
He preferred to be fed...of course!
Time to play with new toys!!!
EVERYONE wanted to play with JJ's new toys!!
Happy Birthday, sweet boy!!!
Today our sweet little Chub-chub is ONE!!!
It is hard to believe that one year ago...Jason and I dropped off Tyler and Amy and rushed to the hospital...late as usual! Walking up to the hospital room, smelling the antiseptic, my memories of labor assaulted me and slowed my steps.
But fourteen hours later (eek!) our chunky little guy arrived and stole our hearts forever!
Jackson is our little bundle of joy. His surprise arrival to our little family of four definitely brought about several huge changes to our lives. But his sweet, effervescent personality has made it all worthwhile.
He is completely beloved by his brother and sister. My worries about sibling jealousy were all for naught. Both Tyler and Amy are constantly looking out for Jackson....and "helping" Mom take care of him!
We love you, sweet Jackson, and are so incredibly blessed that you are in our lives!
Happy Birthday...Chub-chub!!!
He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of JOY!!!
Job 8:21
Growing up in Arizona...our family vacations usually consisted of one location - California. it had every destination imaginable...beaches, mountains, cousins, grandparents, and of course...DISNEYLAND!!!
Now that we live in the South (not the Southwest) the desired vacation spot is DisneyWORLD - boasting more fun and more excitement than any family could ever dream. :-)
We had been planning on heading down to the most magical place on earth last year...but being that I was horribly sick with baby number 3 we decided to postpone our vacation.
We reset our date for early fall and it can not come soon enough for the kids! And thus the question...how many more days till...Disneyworld??? Rather than answer over and over again...we decided to make a countdown of sorts!!!
The kids made paper-chains marking the number of days until we leave. Obviously...there are quite a few days left...given the amount of work these kids did!!!
We hung them up in their rooms when they were finished and each night they take off one chain. I feel a little guilty as this "chain-removal" process has rivaled their excitement for prayer and devotions! Oops! Maybe we'll be taking the chains off after breakfast! :-)
Sorry for the horrible pics...the sun would NOT co-operate!
These kids are still so super excited...even with all these chains left to go. I don't know how I am going to contain them when there are only several left!!!
Tyler is usually the first one up...bright and early...ready to face the day head on! He is very talkative and being that no one else is awake...he has a singular audience in me. The other morning I was not quite ready to be awake so we decided to snuggle on the couch until my eyes would cooperate.
We started having a discussion about "mommies". We veered off into the realm of "perfect" mommies (if they exist) and what they would do with their children. Obviously, they would let their kids watch TV all day long, drink chocolate milk with EVERY meal, have a snack whenever they want (even before dinner), etc. You get the idea!
I was winding up for the big "there-are-no-perfect-mommies" speech when Tyler leaned over and kissed me and said, "I don't want a perfect mommy...I just want my plain ole mama!"
Ah...so sweet...even if I am plain, old, and FAR from perfect! :-)
Amy got this chair for Christmas...right before her first birthday. She LOVED it! She would sit in it and pretend to be just like her daddy...sitting back reading a book. Once she grew out of it we passed it onto a friend for their little boy. Then it sat in the attic for a year or so.
Last week it appeared...noises in tact - lights a blaze. And just like his sister, Jackson LOVES it! He actually tried to lean back in it...JUST like daddy's chair! :-)
Caught dancing to the music!!!
This is ONE of Amy's toys that Jackson is "allowed" to play with! :-)
