Valentine's Day 2011

We hope you all had a nice Valentine's Day...enjoy some photos from our special date with Jackson. It was so great to be home from our get-away and spend time with him!

Jackson requested "Chip and Salsa" for his Valentine's Day

Date with Daddy

Date with Mommy

Valentine's Day presents!

Special Oreo's from Mama Charsh!

So glad Mom and Dad are home!

Viva Las Vegas...and Happy Anniversary!

Eight years ago today -

I married my best friend, the one that I live for, laugh with and love.

Justin and I celebrated our anniversary this weekend with a short trip to Las Vegas. Justin had placed two tickets to see Garth Brooks' Vegas show under our Christmas tree this year for me. Justin knew that seeing this show was on my "bucket list" and wanted nothing more than to help me mark it off. Truth be told, he was looking forward to himself.

We were only in Vegas for two days, but it was such a great weekend get-a-way. I cherish the times we get to get-a-way just the two of us. Especially times like this when we get to explore and experience new things. Justin showed me the ropes of the Casino - we even won a little! We even took in a burlesque show so we could really get a taste of Vegas. It was a bit "out-of-the-box" for me, but that is what Vegas is all about, right?

Garth's show was amazing. It was just the country star, a guitar, and a stool. Garth sang songs from almost every decade and told the story of how all music has influenced his life. I kept wanting to pinch myself to see if I was really there. I even teared up when he sang Merle Haggard and George Jones (my Dad would have loved it)! I thought Justin was going to jump out of his seat when he sang Billy Joel's Piano Man....and we both were up out of our seats screaming Friends in Low Places with the rest of the crowd. It was really an amazing show - we are already talking about making sure we see it one more time before Garth leaves Vegas!

At the end of the weekend we both agreed it might have been one of our favorite weekends together. But truth be told, I could go to a corn field for the weekend with Justin and have fun. We just seem to always find something to make us laugh - throw in Vegas and we are set for an entertaining weekend!

Enjoy some pictures from our weekend of Vegas fun, Garth, and sight-seeing!

In front of the Wynn

The Theater that Garth performed in.

Picking up our tickets the morning of the show.

Our Hotel

Before Garth

Sight-Seeing

We even ran into "Woody" on the strip!

Jackson saw this and is ticked...he thinks we went to Disney World without him! :)

Justin,

A big thanks for helping me cross "See Garth Brooks" in concert off my Bucket List...I wouldn't have wanted to experience it with anyone else. Thank you for being my husband, my true love, and my best friend. Thank you for the past 8 years....here is to the next 88! :)

Welcome to the World, Mr. Cooper Daniel Morgan

Justin, Jackson, and I recently got to meet Mr. Cooper Daniel Morgan.

Cooper is the new son of our great friends Joe and Lora Morgan. I cannot begin to tell you how much Joe and Lora longed for Cooper's arrival. The saying, "they loved him before they knew him" couldn't be more true in this case. I can still remember Joe calling Justin with the big news that Lora was expecting - it was wonderful news.

Cooper came a little early and was a bit of a handful at first...leaving Mom and Dad without little sleep. But you wouldn't know it. Joe and Lora beam with love when talking about Cooper.

Jackson was pretty impressed with Cooper. He loved holding him and talking to him in his swing...but when asked if we should have a baby come live with us - his answer was a clear "NO." :)

The good news for Jackson - is that I'm certain Joe and Lora would like to keep Cooper. Who wouldn't? He is adorable. He truly is a good lookin' baby!

Welcome to the World Baby Cooper! You are truly loved and lucked out with amazing parents!

Enjoy some photos from our visit.

Jackson and Lora

Happy Birthday, Brennan!

The Birthday Boy in his new chair!

Over the weekend, Justin and I joined our great friends- Amanda and David Noah- in wishing their baby boy a very Happy First Birthday.

Brennan Noah is so adorable and has the sweetest grin. You can tell in an instant that this sweet smile lights up the room and melts his parents' hearts.

Happy Birthday Brennan - we can't wait to celebrate many more!

Jackson loved "partying" with Brennan, Kooper, Addi, and the other kids - so much so that I never got a chance to snap a picture of all of them together. :)

"I'll Go Get My Tools!"

Last night, Justin was building an organizer for Jackson's closet (he has more clothes than me). The minute Justin went to the garage to grab his tools - Jackson went to his playroom to grab his. It was too sweet not to snap a picture! Enjoy!

Happy Friday!

Brothers and Sisters? He's Got Em'!

A lot of people ask when Justin and I are going to have another baby. I suppose most folks do think its coming soon. And Justin and I do hope to add to our family of three some day - we have no immediate plans to do so soon. For now, we are loving watching Jackson grow and becoming a "little boy".

We recently asked Jackson what he thought about having siblings. Turns out - he's all stocked up on brothers and sisters. Who knew?

Olivia, Maddie, Griffin and Hayden are Jackson's cousins. But he sure does love them as brothers and sisters. Such a sweet video....its a keeper!

Potty Report

We are now ending Day 2 with Jackson in Big Boy underwear. So far, I would mark it as a success. And, I've gotten over my shock that my baby boy is out of diapers - and I'm just enjoying watching him be so proud of himself.

Yesterday (Day 1) was a major WIN for Jackson. I sent 4 outfits (including extra underwear, socks, and shoes) because I was certain it was going to be a disaster. I was also THAT Mom and called the school twice yesterday to see how things were going...only to be told that he was doing great and had no accidents! Ms. Herald said that Jackson kept saying, "My mom is going to be so proud of me!" He was right! I gave him such a big hug when I arrived at school and he was in the same pair of underwear that I brought him in.

Justin and I took Jackson to Paradise Cafe (AKA "The Cookie Place") for Macaroni and a chocolate chip cookie to celebrate. Jackson beamed from ear to ear and was so proud of himself - and so were we.

Day 2 was a bit more complicated. Jackson had a dentist appointment and we had lunch with my Mom. Jackson seems to not be as motivated when he is away from school and out of his routine. (I also think he's a bit stubborn and just won't do it for me!) He did have an accident at lunch - but I was prepared with extra clothes and we just moved right along.

Potty training sure doesn't allow for our quick pace of life. Leaving in the morning takes longer so Jackson can make a "pit stop" before we take on the 20 minute drive to pre-school, drop off is longer as he takes another "pit stop" before we arrive to his class room....and so on and so on. So this Mommy is getting up a little earlier tomorrow as I have learned we are on Jackson's schedule now. Actually, we have been on his schedule from the day he was born...his schedule has just changed? :)

Keeping our fingers crossed for continued success!....

PS. I have no idea why I cannot turn off the underline key. Sorry. Blogging friends, if you know how to do this, please e-mail me. :)

Good Luck, Jackson!

So Proud!

"Look at Woody/Buzz, Mom!"

Posing - he is so MY child!

Today is a big day at our house! Today is Jackson's first day in BIG BOY underoo's!

Yesterday, during Jackson's Parent Teacher conference, Mrs. Moss told us that Jackson was ready for underwear. We knew he had been doing so well at school - but it is hit and miss at home. I was a bit shocked to hear he was ready (perhaps - I am the one that isn't ready!). But, we have decided to take Mrs. Moss' advice.

So, of course I went straight to the store and bought "Woody/Buzz" underoo's. Jackson was more than excited to wear his "friends" on his rear end today. :) Check out some photos from his modeling session - and wish us luck!

P.S. What happened to my baby that taught me how to change a diaper. It just doesn't seem right that he is walking around in underoo's. :(

Check back for a potty report tomorrow!

GOOD LUCK, JACKSON!

Toy Story 3 on Ice!

We hope you all had a great weekend!

Jackson sure did.

Today was the day he got to meet up with Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang at Toy Story 3 on Ice. He had PURE JOY written all over his face from the minute we walked into Conseco Fieldhouse.

Jackson waiting patiently until curtain call - and had pure delight when Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald came out to introduce Woody and Buzz. All of Jackson's favorites - on one stage! It was so nice to spend the day as a family doing something Jackson surely loves!

Of course, I took a lot of pictures! I even put together a video for Jackson to watch to remember his day today. I posted the video below - take a look if you weren't able to take in the show. If you ask me - Barbie and Ken stole the show! They were hilarious. (Jackson refers to them as 'Ken and that lady!.) :)

Enjoy your Monday!

Click HERE if you have trouble viewing video.

He's not excited....

...okay - maybe just a little bit! :)

Two days and counting until Toy Story 3 on Ice...

Jackson is obsessed!...

...With Buzz Lightyear.

Seriously, there should be a 12-step program.

Let the countdown begin until Toy Story 3 on Ice this Sunday!

Monkey Joes with his Cousins! = Pure Joy!

Monkey Joe's - Jackson's Favorite!

Cousin's - Jackson's other Favorite.

Monkey Joe's + Jackson's Cousin's = an Awesome Day!

Enjoy some photos!

The Crew!

Pure Joy!

A big Thanks to Griff and Olivia who helped Jackson on the big bounce houses!

Maddie!

Griffin!

Hayden!

....And so Sad and it was time to leave!

Christmas 2010

If the video doesn't work above - view it by clicking the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqmLb8XwfQg

Finally our Christmas Post!

Our 2010 Christmas was wonderful for many reasons. It was our first Christmas in our new home. We decorated our home with 5 Christmas trees and it was the first year we did lights on the outside of the house - Jackson was pretty impressed! For years, Justin and I have spent the night at his parent's home Christmas Eve - this year was the first year we stayed in our home so Santa could find Jackson. :) However, we still had a great visit with the Bixler clan over the holiday (With great food by Penny!)

Many wonderful things also stayed the same. We still did our annual luncheon on Christmas Eve with my family to celebrate my Mom's birthday. And of course, the "Annual Symmes family lock-down" took place at the Boyd home. Jackson was loved spending 48 hours+ with his cousins. They even snuck in a trip to Monkey Joes when I had to return to work on Monday.

It was great to watch Jackson actually "get" that Santa was coming this year. However, Jackson wasn't happy that Santa ate his cookies. He even counted to see how many were gone! :) Perhaps Santa will get carrots next year (Jackson refuses to eat them). :)

I could go on and on about our Christmas. It was filled with memories I hope to never forget - like having to wake Jackson up to tell him Santa had arrived - or Jackson sneaking into the other room to open presents by himself while we were eating dinner with the Bixler's, or the way his face lit up when he opened his Nintendo DS from Santa (Now he can be just like his cousins!) - but you can catch the excitement by watching our slideshow above!

We hope your holiday was wonderful too!

Just in case he has to "FIX" somethin'!

Santa Claus bought Jackson a new set of Black and Decker tools ("Just like Pop"). Last night he INSISTED he wear his safety goggles in the shower. Like Jackson said, "You know, I might need to fixth (fix with a lisp) somethin'.

I love my little 'handy man'.