Happy 3rd Birthday Jackson!

Happy Birthday Dear Jackson!

Me likes cupcakes!

Oh, sweet boy, where do I even begin? We were so ready for you to arrive 3 years ago.  It seems like yesterday, but yet it seems like forever at the same time! You were the easiest newborn of all three.  You pretty much slept when expected, cried only when you needed something, and really didn't give us too much trouble (you saved that for later:).  I could even put you down in your bassinet awake and you would put yourself to sleep! We knew you were going to be smart early on by the way your curiously looked at all things around you as if you were trying to figure out just how this world works. When you started walking, man it was on! You got into everything! We had to child-proof the entire house.  You loved to turn over the dog bowls, climb on every piece of furniture in the house, play with anything you weren't supposed to play with, and all the things boys do.  You didn't talk as early as Kylie so I was a little worried, but you sure caught up! Now, you are very articulate and can clearly carry on a conversation.  You really listen and like to repeat back things you hear.  It's usually pretty funny for the grown-ups. You love to stay clean, so you get upset when your hands are dirty or your food makes a mess (maybe a little bit of Mommy in you eh?) In fact, you just got your own mop and broom for your birthday and you are so excited about them! Ha! We can already tell you're going to be great at sports.  You are strong and you can throw a ball not only far, but with great accuracy. Daddy likes that! And, just the other day we took your life vest off in the pool and you started swimming! We couldn't believe it! We have no idea you could swim on your own. It was amazing! You are very good at art and pay attention to detail and are good at staying in the lines.  You love to play like you're a worker man and fix things with your tools (must be the Papa Ralph in you). You don't like being naked at all and want clothes on all the time - the opposite of how big sister Kylie was who still walks around the house in her birthday suit. You still aren't using the potty like a big boy yet.  Not sure when it's going to happen, but here's hoping we start next school year with big boy underpants on! You are pretty stubborn, so we know it's only going to happen when you're ready for it. You have so much expression in your face, and you make us laugh all the time with your silly looks.  Your kisses are the sweetest kisses in the world and you love to cuddle after your nap.  You wake up really early and typically want to eat breakfast right away - ugh. No fun for Mom and Dad. You love eating pancakes, eggs, mini muffins, oatmeal, fruit, applesauce, and anything sweet! There are so many great things about you that it would take a long list to name them all.  We love you and you make us laugh every, single day. We can't wait to watch you grow and learn even more. Happy Birthday Jackson Ralph! 

He's on the move!

 Dumped out Mommy's Trash Can:(

 Love at First Sight

 Big Boy Bath Tub!!!

Mohawk by Kylie

Oh, Carter, I just love you so much buddy!

Big boy Carter is now 8 months old, weighing in at 22 lbs. and he's on the move! He's not really crawling yet, he basically pulls himself around by one arm and lets his feet drag behind.  It's hilarious.  But, he gets where he needs to go and he gets there fast!  Visions of Jackson dumping out the dog bowls have now resurfaced. Ugh. The house is pretty much kid-proofed, but ther are always things that have to be done with a curious crawler.  He finally has a tooth coming in too!  It's a big month folks!  He isn't eating any puffs or crackers yet, but once those teeth come in, he'll be ready to go. He's even started babbling "dadadadadadada" and I can tell he's so proud of himself. I was rocking him last night and he had his eyes closed on my shoulder saying "dadadadadadadada" and it was just too cute.  He's sleeping well these days, going to bed around 8:00 and sleeping until maybe 7:00.  Sometimes we'll get a 5:30 wake-up call, but after a bottle he's back asleep.

I am looking forward to all the fun milestones ahead and feel so blessed to have another baby to go through it with!



Happy Easter!

My Precious Gifts

Kylie and Katie-Bug

Playing before the Egg Hunt. Sweet face.

Carter was very proud for getting cousin Katie's phone:)

 

Another fun holiday to remember. With each kiddo just comes more fun on the holidays.  Jackson certainly got the whole egg hunting more this year, so that was fun! Our neighborhood egg hunt was pretty great.  They had it organized and broken down by age, so that was really nice for them to split up the big kids and little kids.  Jackson was in the 0-2 group so we was the big man on campus! After it was all said and done I think we did about 5 egg hunts this year not counting school ones. So fun!!! The Easter Bunny brought them some fun goodies in their baskets and hid eggs to find around the house.  I cherish each holiday I get to spend with my family.  There is nowhere I would rather be!

When life throws you down...

Or, in yesterday's case, a horse named Freckles.  Kylie was at her riding lesson yesterday and was thrown off her horse for the first time (and hopefully the last).  She stopped to get her bottle of water from Grandma and the horse starting walking again, so her teacher told her to drop the bottle.  Well, the bottle cracked and water flew, and off the horse went leaving Kylie behind. On her behind to be exact.  Poor baby.  I actually wasn't there when it happened, as I was on my way there with Jackson.  When I got there, Kylie was slowly riding Freckles while Mr. Brad was holding on to the reigns and she didn't look too happy.  My mom told me what happened and my first instinct was to go over there and comfort her, but I stayed behind and let her be brave and strong (so her and Freckles could gain their trust again).

As hard as it was for me to see her hurting, I couldn't help but think about what a great life lesson this would be.  Life throws us down all the time.  We can't just stay on the ground and cry about what just happened.  No sirreee, we have to get back up in the saddle and move on with our heads high, proud of the fact that we just overcame another fall.

In the end, Kylie was smiling and so proud of the fact that she got back up on her horse!  She was even excited about telling her friends at school about how she's "a real cowgirl" now because she was thrown off a horse.  She got that from my Great Uncle Bubba, whom my mom called to tell that she had been thrown.  He's grown up on a ranch and still lives on one, so he knows all too well about the lessons of a rider.  Kylie even got to talk to him, which made me so happy. He's just one of those people that God really broke the mold on.  Old Aggie with a big heart in a small body, who shares his life with a lady who is truly an angel here on earth.  Amazing people they are, and I'm proud to have them in my family.

As I lay next to her in bed last night with her cuddled in my arms, I thanked God for reminding us once again that sometimes He is going to teach us some lessons that are hard to learn, and even might leave a few scars, but we'll surely be stronger, braver, and definitely more faithful for it.

Coloring Easter Eggs

So, I tried baking the eggs instead of boiling them for the first time today (thank you Pinterest). It worked out pretty well, even though we a had a few casualties.  We just cooked them on 325 for about 30  minutes and voila! They were done.  After they were done we got to decorating. Of course this was a last-minute decision so we only had 10 eggs to dye today. We'll have to get more for this week! Kylie tried to make hers multi-colored, but Jackson just stuck with the classic stick-it-in-the-cup-and-wait routine. Works for me! I think we'll try Kool-Aid next time for vibrant eggs that smell yummy!

Ode to the Lion

I don't know why I've never written about Lion before.  Lion has now become a member of our family. Lion was originally owned by Kylie, but one day Jackson just decided he really liked it, so she gave it to him.  Well, it's been a match made in Heaven ever since.  This kid is so attached to this lion.  I keep thinking I need a backup in case anything ever happened to him, but at this point, he would quickly recognize the imposter.  He has his Lion close by pretty much every minute of the day, except when he goes to school. Lion is his best buddy and his comfort when he's hurt or sad.  When Jackson is falling asleep at night, his sweet little hands just pet lion over and over until he falls asleep. It is too precious.  Lion has been well-loved and you can tell, but that's what I love about him.  On the rare occasion I can get him away for an hour or two I try to wash him, but let's just say Lion typically doesn't have that oh so clean smell:)  So, we love you Lion and are so happy you are in our family!!

Spring Break 2012 Day Three

Off to Cabela's!!!Who doesn't love Cabela's?  Grandpa Roy even came with us on this adventure.  Kylie and Grandma Mary used to go to Cabela's quite a bit, but she hadn't been there in a long time.  Despite the cool animals and the huge fish tank, it seems like Jackson's favorite part was the big staircase - sheesh.
I think this store is so stinkin' cool.  All those neat animals in their true form.  Awesome.  And, the fish tank is quite a sight to see as well. Carter really liked this part!

 It's annoying that this is sideways - grrrrr.

When we went upstairs, the kids had fun playing in all the tents and shooting the laser guns.  Then, it was time for a bite to eat.  So, hot dogs for the kiddos and it was off to see more of the store.  Kylie even got a "Sic 'Em Bears" picture!