Sunday, January 1, 2012

Three!

Our sweet Jackson turns THREE today! We can’t put into words how much we love this kid.


It’s hard to believe it has already been three years since we welcomed him into our family. We're so grateful for him!

I put together this group of some of my favorite photos of Jackson from the year as a gift to myself. I do realize there are a ton, but it was a fun trip down memory lane!



















 




























Jackson, you are a bright light in our lives and we are so grateful for you. Three years ago, you made our dream of becoming parents come true and we know we truly did hit the 'Jackpot'. Happy Birthday, buddy. We love your guts!!

Some notes about Jackson as a big three-year-old for my own memory's sake:

-He’s got quite the sense of humor and it is easy to get him to laugh. Especially if you are talking about pee, poop, toots, or bums ;)
-Loves movies and cartoons. Current favorites: Polar Express, Rio, old Donald Duck cartoons, the new Winnie the Pooh, Kung Fu Panda, Rescue Rangers, Duck Tails, Lambert the Sheepish Lion (cartoon from when we were kids), Superhero Squad, Little Einsteins, Curious George
-Doesn't take a daily nap anymore. Will only take one when he's really tired.
-Loves to help with anything you ask him to do
-Very into trains and when his toy train is moving, he says, “it’s chuggin’!”
-Asks Sean and I to snuggle him every night when he goes to bed
-Likes to help me in the kitchen. Especially when it involves making cookies (or “kookies” as he pronounces them)
-Has a serious sweet tooth but hates anything with mint.
-Favorite foods: cereal, Ramen Noodles (we call them "Kung Fu Panda noodles"), grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, clementines, pears, apples, pizza, pasta, stromboli (I think he just likes saying the word!)
-Loves his little brother so much and makes him laugh and smile the most of all of us. Is very concerned whenever Bode is crying and makes sure Sean or I know.
-Loves the “jump house” (Lowe’s Xtreme Airsports), Kangaroo Zoo, and the gym class I had him signed up for in November
-Still calls “strawberries” “straw-ter-berries” and motorcycles “motor-snike-uls” and his “L’s” usually sound more like “W’s.” I love it and hope it doesn’t change any time soon.
-Quick to say “thank-you” and instead of saying “you’re welcome,” he just says, “welcome.”
-Likes to sing and has been singing a lot of “Jingle Bells” lately. Likes the song "Walking on Sunshine" and a lot of Disney music.
-Enjoys the “Starfall” Web site and has learned how to use a mouse on the laptop
-Whenever he hears Sean go down to our garage to get something, Jackson will run behind and turn the lights off on Sean in the garage. He giggles and thinks it is the funniest thing ever.
- Has a few types of kisses he will give me at night: regular kisses, fish kisses, eskimo kisses, butterfly kisses, and fart kisses (where you blow on the other person's cheek lol)
-Been potty trained since summer and wears super hero undies every day
-Wears 3T and 4T in most clothes (though the sweat pants I bought him the other day were 5T!)
-Size 9 shoe
-Does what we call the “shoulder dance” where he jumps up and down and leans his head on one shoulder and moves the other one up and down
-Always bargaining for more time. If you tell him he has one minute, he says, "I want two minutes!"

Friday, December 30, 2011

Christmas 2011

We had such a great Christmas this year! We stayed home for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, and then headed up to Idaho Falls during the afternoon to spend time with both sides of the family. It worked out really well.

We've sort of blended a few traditions from both Sean and I's families, as well as added a few of our own. On Christmas Eve we went to Lowes Xtreme Airsports in Provo with my sister's family and my brother Todd's family. We have been several times and both Sean and Jackson LOVE it. We figured it would be a good way to wear the kids out. Even though we had a small mishap at the end when my brother-in-law took a pretty hard fall, we had a great time. Thankfully he is fine!

Sean doing some sweet tricks off of the trapeeze!









For dinner we had Chinese sundaes (or Hawaiian haystacks) in keeping with Sean's family's tradition. We also put luminarias up our walk in keeping with my family's tradition.

The boys opened up new matching Christmas pajamas to wear to bed.




We didn't forget to leave cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer!

Jackson came into our room Christmas morning a little after 7am and said, "Did Santa bring me a train?" He has been patiently waiting for this train for months and my heart about burst when he asked so sweetly.  Santa did remember the train and even had it set up and ready to go for him.

He was so excited to see it and immediately sat down and started playing with it. It was one of those moments where you are reminded that being a parent is the best thing in the world. 

Bode was pretty excited about the puffs and other snacks he found in his stocking


A whole box of tractors!

Rio!






A special present from mom

A blanket of his very own similar to his older brother's :)




…and back to the train!

After church we packed up and headed to Idaho Falls. It worked out well-- Bode got his nap and Jackson got to watch one of his new movies. We didn't have to haul everything and we got to spend time with family. Win-win!

We had a yummy Christmas dinner with my family and Bode got in on some Jello action :)

We opened presents with grandma and grandpa and then headed to nana and papa's for more family time and gift-giving.


Sad to see this season end, but thankful for our very merry Christmas!