Our Thanksgiving Weekend ... In photos!

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend.  We packed a lot of fun in just a few days.  Here are some photos to show the fun!

Jackson eating some turkey!

Mom and Me

Jackson's visit with Santa.  He did Okay - but wouldn't sit on his lap without me.

Waiting to go outside for the Circle of Lights in Indy.

Jackson and his Daddy

Waiting for the tree to light up!

Olivia and Griffin

Hayden and Greg

Maddie and Tom

Mom and I laughing!  :)
Jackson's 2nd tree lighting - my 30th!  :)

Dinner at Buca's

Laughing at his own jokes!

Sitting at the big kid table!

Jackson's new "cheese" smile....

Jackson went swimming at the hotel!

1-2-3- JUMP

We even went Bowling!

Jackson's first time Bowling!

But fell asleep two frames in...

Jackson woke up in time for the arcade...

We played ski ball...
But Jackson threw over-handed...

Such a fun weekend!

So Tired, So fun, So Sad Its Over...

We just returned from our annual "Symmes-Family Weekend" in downtown Indy.  

Fun was had by all.

I enjoyed (AKA - Survived) another Black Friday shopping trip with my Mom and sisters.

Justin enjoyed some "brother-in-law" time.

...and Jackson enjoyed spending time with his cousins. 

All the fun is starting to sit in and we are a bit tired.  

I will fill you in on our weekend tomorrow.  Lots to report:  Jackson's visit with Santa Claus, Jackson's first time bowling, and lots of laughs.  Can't wait to share.

For now, I'm trying to figure out while Jackson is still awake at 10 p.m......

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have 30 minutes left of this Thanksgiving holiday and I want to take some time to tell you all we hope you had a great day.  I hope you all spent the day with family and friends and those that you are thankful for.  

We just returned from a full day of great fun with both sides of our family...a lot of laughs and great food!  

Jackson surprised us with this great piece of artwork when we picked him up at school yesterday. 

Its a keeper!  Enjoy!

Falls Park in the Fall!

About a month ago, Justin and I took Jackson to Falls Park in Pendleton.  Its a family favorite in my family.  All the kids love to feed the ducks.  So of course, we brought some bread for the "duck - eeeeey" (as Jackson liked to call them).

Jackson wasn't afraid of the ducks at all.  In fact, we had to remind him not to get too close.  :)

Enjoy the photos!

Where did "Baby Griffin" go?

Maddie, Jackson, and Griffin

Lately it just seems like my family's "little ones" are not staying little like I think they should.

Today my nephew, Griffin, had out patient surgery.  It was minor, but I still called to check on him.  I had my speech ready.  I was going to pump him up and tell him to be brave and not be afraid when his mom changed his bandages....but there was no need for the "bravery talk".  

Griffin answered the phone and reminded me he was eating dinner (basically, lets make this quick).  I asked how he was feeling, he responded with "good"... As if he hadn't gone under the knife a few hours earlier.  Instead he wanted to talk about how he gets three days off school this week for Thanksgiving.  

Such a big kid.  They sure don't stay little very long.  

I had planned on posting some "Get Well Soon" wishes for Griffin tonight.  But it seems he is doing just fine.  So instead, I am posting how amazed I am that my "little" nephew is so big and brave.  Not so much a little boy ... but a sweet, big kid...

Love you, Griff!

Best Wishes to Jess, Jeremy, Campbell and Baby Baker!

Today, my Mom and I threw a shower for my dear friend Jessica.  Jessica is expecting Baby Baker in January.  It was great to get Jess' closest family and friends together to wish her, Jeremy and Campbell (the big sister) well.  

It was so fun to watch Jess open everything and anything blue!  Baby Baker is one lucky boy.  Not only does he have a room full of blue waiting on him - he lucked out in the family department.  His Mom, Dad, and sister are all anxiously waiting to hold him and show him how much is already loved.  He has Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles all waiting to greet him. Yes sir!...Baby Baker is one lucky boy!

Best wishes to Jess, Jeremy, Campbell and Baby Baker.

P.S.  I forgot to snap photos at the shower but Jess did let me snap a fun one when we were goofing off after the party.  She completely knew this photo was going on the blog!  :)

I heart Google Shopping!

I had spotted an adorable pair of PJs for Jackson at Kohl's a couple of weeks ago.

However, they didn't have his size.  In fact, there wasn't a 2T at any Kohl's in Indiana.  I couldn't buy them online either.

These just weren't any PJs - they were MICKEY MOUSE PJs.  I knew Jackson would them, so I was bummed when the customer service lady told me they could find his size.  

I came home and Googled Flannel Mickey Mouse Pajamas...and BINGO.....I found his size.

The UPS man delivered the PJs today - and Jackson loved pointing out Mickey on his Pjs tonight.  He kept saying, "Hey, Mom (his new name for me - like he is 17) - MIC-KEY" (as he points to his belly, leg, arm.....

Thanks Google!  

I absolutely LOVE google shopping!

This house is sick!

We are sick.

Jackson and I.

He has a severe ear infection - I have a sinus infection (self diagnosed, but I'm calling the doctor today).

So not much of a post today.  We are too busy blowing noses, taking medicine, and wrestling Jackson down for ear drops.

Check back in tomorrow.  Hopefully we are feeling better.

P.S.  A big thanks to Justin who woke me up last night to tell me who got kicked off Biggest Loser, who got up with Jackson in the night, and woke up with Jackson at 5 am this morning while I slept and tried to feel a bit better.  What a guy!

A Great Weekend!

Yesterday brought us great weather and we couldn't resist the chance to take Jackson to the park.  We even took the W-A-G-O-N along.  (That's right - we have to spell it anymore because Jackson will insist we go on a wagon right no matter how cold it is outside).  :)

We spent some time on the swings, the curly Q slide, and then went tried out the Wagon for about an hour!  Jackson loved it and we loved seeing him smile!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

Even though we enjoyed the warm weather, we are a little anxious for the holidays (Jackson makes Christmas so much fun).  Justin and I have full weekends planned between now and Christmas (so excited to visit with family and friends in the weeks ahead).  Since we had some free time this weekend we decided to go ahead and decorate our Christmas tree.  I know its a bit early - but nothing wrong with getting a head start on the holiday spirit!

We saved the tree-topper for Jackson! :)

We hope you enjoyed your weekend too.  I'm off to cheer on the Colts (If I can stay up late enough).  Go Blue!

Celebrating our Veteran's: Papaw Mike and Uncle Tom

Tonight, Justin and I attended a Veteran's Day program at Griffin's school.  

It started with serenade of patriotic music.  They even sang some Johnny Cash.  Jackson sat between Justin and I and clapped after each song.  I took pictures to send to Deb since she was in Nashville for the CMA's.  

Then there was some dancing - see pictures below.  Griffin did a great job and is never shy about performing.  I love that about him.  (I think he gets it from his Aunt Ki Ki - tee hee!)

The best part came at the end of the program.  All students and teachers were invited to submit a photo of a veteran in their family.  It touched my heart when my sister told me Griffin had asked to submit my Dad's Army photo and a photo of my brother-in-law (Michelle's husband, Tom) in his Navy uniform.  Griffin was so proud of his family Veterans.

I watched the slide show excited to see my Dad's photo.  However, I didn't expect the tears to start rushing in.  The second the photo was displayed my Mom and I both broke down.  Veteran's Day was one of my Dad's favorite holidays.  Dad would close his office and was frustrated when schools didn't have the holiday off.  He always saw it important to honor veterans.  A lesson I will always remember.

My Dad's Army Photo

Tommy B's Navy Photo (he hasn't aged a bit)

My Mom and I both commented how much Dad would have loved the program Griffin's school put on for Veteran's Day.  I wish Dad was here to see how proud Griffin was of his "Papaw Mike".  I wish he was here to stand with the other Grandfathers in the audience when the students sang the Army song.  Needless to say, I sure felt his absence tonight.

I am thankful for the time my Dad served in the military.  As a result, he taught my sisters and I to respect our military - young and old.  My Dad and I never did agree on politics.  However, one thing we agreed on was to honor our military men and women and be thankful for their service.  So, today I thought of my Dad a little more than usual...thankful for this lesson.  

Happy Veteran's Day.  

Jim, Deb, and Kevin on the CMA's!

I just wanted to remind everyone to catch the CMA's tomorrow (Wednesday) on ABC. 

 Deb, Jim, and Kevin will be accepting their second CMA award!  

Congrats to the Morning Show for scoring another CMA!

By the way, Deb just text me and said they will be sitting in the 4th row!  She will be in emerald green - make sure you look for her!  :)

Its the Holidays!

Its the holidays.

Whether we are ready or not - the stores have beautiful decorations on display and clerks are humming along to "Winter Wonderland" when handing us a receipt.

I am more than excited to teach Jackson all about Santa Claus ( he can say Ho, Ho, Ho - sort of), our Christmas tree and decorations are out of storage and ready for some attention, and I love hearing my niece tell me she wants EVERY item in the American Girl catalog (and truly mean it).  

But I can't help but think this will be my second holiday season without my Dad.  Some how my Dad made the holidays better.  He had a sparkle in his eye from the minute we cut the Turkey on Thanksgiving until he helped the men win our annual Trivial Pursuit (Men vs. Women) game Christmas night.  He loved the holidays.  Probably because it was filled with family get-togethers that we knew better then to miss.  

As I approach my second holiday season without my Dad, I will remember the wonderful traditions he taught me and pass them onto Jackson - just as he would have.  So bring on the shopping, the Christmas tree lights, the holiday parties, the meals that aren't on anyone's diet.  Bring on Santa Claus and his reindeer, holiday cards with pictures of friends, gift wrapping late at night, and most importantly - sweet family memories.  All the things my Dad loved!

Jackson's 18-Month Photos

Last week, we met up with Brand Photography to capture Jackson's 18-month photos.  He was in such a good mood.  Jackson didn't miss a chance to "perform" for Brooke and Dan and even showed them his dimples a couple of times.  :)

Brooke and Dan Brand posted a sneak peek of Jackson's photos on their blog (click here) if you would like to check them out!  I can't wait to see the rest!

P.S.  I love the one above - it was when we first started the photo shoot.  He must have been contemplating whether or not to smile.  

Get Well Soon, John!

We wanted to wish John at big GET WELL SOON!

John had outpatient surgery today.  All is well and he will be cheered up by Jackson tomorrow....Just what the doctor ordered!

We love you, John!  Take Care!