Our Little Buzz Lightyear!

Those of you who read this blog - know that Jackson is a fan of Buzz Lightyear (and a fan of Wood for that matter)!

So you won't be surprised that I caught him imitating the famous "Space Ranger" while playing on the indoor playground at the mall tonight. After watching his "show" about 10 times, I decided to film it to share with all of you!

Enjoy our little Buzz - to infinity and beyond!

P.S. Our Christmas post is coming soon! I'm still recovering from the holiday! :)

Santa Stopped Here!

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. We certainly did. Funny how a little 2 year old boy can make a special holiday even more wonderful.

I can't wait to share more pictures and video's from our Christmas. For now, check out Jackson posing with his toys from Santa! He was so thrilled with all of his things and couldn't believe Santa left him so much. But he was a little disappointed that Santa ate the cookies and drank the milk. :) Perhaps he'll understand next year!!

Happy Holidays!

We wanted to take some time - before the hustle and bustle starts - to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas. We hope you enjoy spending time with your family and loved ones and make wonderful memories this Christmas.

Click here to see a a few of our holiday photos.

Jackson's Christmas Program 2010

As promised here is the video of Jackson's Christmas Pre-School program.

It is a bit long - but at least check out the first couple of minutes where Jackson shows how he has learned to hum. Hilarious! He had been practicing at home the weeks leading up to the show and Justin and I got quite a kick out of it.

Perhaps we still won't call Broadway - or Radio City holiday show - but he seems to have warmed up a bit from his spring pre-school show. PROGRESS! :)

Jackson's Christmas show was one of the highlights of our Christmas this year. We were very proud parents!

Check out our little Christmas mouse!

A big thanks to Justin's parents, my Grandma, and my Mom for driving to Indy for the big show! Jackson was pretty impressed to look out and see all of us! :)

Merry Christmas from the Bixler's!

Our Little Christmas Mouse!

Today was Jackson's first Christmas show. I am still wiping the tears from my eyes...It was too sweet and we were so proud of him!

Video coming tomorrow. Right now Jackson is watching his performance over and over - keeping me from downloading the video. He's his own biggest fan!

Can't wait to share the video. :)

Santa is coming to town!

Check out Jackson telling me all about Santa coming...

notice that "Woody/Buzz" even made it in to the story.

Can't wait for Christmas morning!

Just what friends are for!

Those of you who have known me for a long time - know that my oldest friend is Jenny (Reeves) Moore.

I met Jenny in Pre-school. It was an instant friendship - one full of giggles. We often drove our parents crazy with loud laughter that was never ending - just as little girls should. Imagine my pure joy when I found out that my dear friend would be moving next door to my family when I was in grade school.

As the years went by, Jenny and I enjoyed swimming at each others houses, early breakfasts with my Dad at McDonald's as he drove us to school, and many Girl Scout meetings with our mom's as leaders.

Our college years were different as our visits were few and far between - but one thing never changed. The laughter. Jenny and I could pick up right where we left off - no matter how many months it had been.

As adults, we have stood up with each other as we both exchanged vows with our husbands, held each others hand through tragedy and sorrow, and of course have managed to always continue the laughter.

I truly feel lucky to have attended Mrs. Fry's Pre-school class so many years ago and met Jenny. I find it only fitting that Jackson and Jenny share the same birthday - May 3rd. Jenny doesn't have her own children yet, but never waivers in listening to my "Jackson Stories" and even chimes in when other mom-friends and I are debating the political correctness of Disney's Handy Manny cartoon. :)

For about a month now, I have been HUNTING for a certain Hallmark ornament for Jackson. Of course, it was the most popular ornament of the year and was sold out everywhere. I was searching for the Toy Story ornament - High Flying Friends. I'm certain you have one - it seemed everyone did but us!

I called every place I could think of and even shopped in Chicago for this popular ornament! NO LUCK! I was almost ready to pay double on e-bay when I thought of one last idea. I sent a text to about 10 girlfriends asking for their help in making my little boy smile with this special ornament. Within 24 hours I received a text back saying, "I GOT THE ORNAMENT" - of course, it was from Jenny.

Jenny lives in Terre Haute and she had called multiple stores until she found just what I was looking for. I wasn't surprised that it was Jenny who came to my rescue - and I couldn't be more grateful. Its funny the things that mean the world to you when your a mother - and this special "Woody- Buzz" ornament was the item I needed to start this Christmas season off just right for Jackson. Thanks so much, Jen!

Enjoy some photos of Jackson and his "Woody Buzz" ornament!

Its His Favorite!

Happy Friday!

Just call us The Griswald's!

Each year, I beg Justin for outside holiday lights. And each year, I lose the battle. Not this year. Though I don't think I had much to do with the victory - it was all Jackson. One night, a few weeks ago, Jackson and I enjoyed the drive home from school looking at all the holiday lights. That night Jackson said to his Daddy, "Daddy, I want lights on the 'big house'."

Done. We have lights!

We don't just have lights, we also have 4 Christmas trees and 1 more to come. We have a lighted deer in the front yard and a giant Santa Claus on our back porch (peeking into the kitchen to make sure Jackson is eating his dinner!). The giant Santa was my folks' as I was growing up. I remember hugging Santa each trip into the house as it stood by our front door.

Oh what I difference a child can make at Christmas.

Justin has gone from insisting that we not over-due the holiday decorations to making quick trips home each night to make sure all the lights, deer, and trees are lit and ready for Jackson before we arrive home. Remind you of Clark Griswald???

Jackson's reaction to the lights on his 'big house'? "Pretty Cool, Dad!" Justin decided then and there - that we would have even more lights next year...can't wait! Even I can't wait to come home and enjoy the decorations and listen to the million questions Jackson has about Santa - like "Is our door broken and Santa use the fireplace on Christmas? Pop can fix it!" So sweet!

Can't wait to spend the rest of this holiday month with Jackson.

Picture of Jackson's tree from my mom to come too - it already has some special ornaments ready for it!

Jackson helping decorate the tree

Posing next to his Mickey Mouse ornament from Aunt Shel

Tree from our Apartment

Justin's tree - colored lights

My Tree - white lights

My Deer. My folks had a set of three that used to sit in their yards. Each of my sisters now have one in their yards. This is the first year Justin agreed to light it up. I was so excited!

Griswald's House :)

My Santa from when I was Young - Jackson said "Big Ho Ho" is here!

Circle of Lights 2010

Most of you know, that it is a long standing tradition in my family that we attend the Circle of Lights event downtown Indianapolis each year. I don't think I have missed one yet - so that means I've been to 31!

Years ago my sisters and I added Black Friday shopping to our tradition and haven't stopped since. We love it. We weren't as dedicated as some of my friends who didn't go to sleep and were out shopping by midnight...but we were out by 4 am to score my oldest sister a new dishwasher. We were delerious by early afternoon as Deb and I were starting to argue over her road "shot-gun". We even raced to the car at one point - I had to push out of the way at the end - but I still won just the same! :)

After shopping, we went to my sister's, Michelle, company Christmas party. Jackson had been waiting for this part all night - because he knew Santa was going to be there. I told him to have his list ready and to tell Santa what a good boy he had been...figuring in realtiy he wouldn't even sit on his lap. I couldn't have been more wrong. He hopped up on Santa's lap, told him what he wanted, and even cuddled up for the picture.

2010 - Jackson and Santa

Here are some other family favorite photos from a fun weekend!

With the Big Kids

His best friend - his Daddy!

Story Time with Santa

Potty Talk!

Those of you who know my family, know that we don't hold back. Our conversations can range from the daily news to the most personal conversations - we just are not shy people. We learned a long time ago to laugh at ourselves and not take life too seriously.

I can remember sitting at my parents dinner table as a young girl laughing at some random dinner topic that I am certain my friends weren't discussing with their families. It may be my favorite quality about my family.

So - you can imagine the conversation when I mentioned to my family that Jackson has decided to start using the potty. Immediately, every one had advice for Jackson. Especially, Uncle Greg - and Jackson listens to everything his Uncle Greg says!

Check out the video below to hear Jackson telling us some things he's learned from Uncle Greg, and all about using the potty at the "big house"! He had us in stitches!

Forgive the topic - but again, we just don't hold back!

Stay tuned for our holiday post! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Little Pilgrims!

Today was Jackson's Thanksgiving Feast at Pre-school. Parents were invited to attend and we wouldn't have missed it for the world.

The kids helped prepare the meal. Yesterday, Jackson spent the day "snapping" green beans - and hasn't stopped talking about it since.

The children were the pilgrims and the parents were the Indians. And the little pilgrims sure were welcoming...they made us hats, place mats, place cards, and pumpkins. Not to mention a great meal (leave it to Justin to ask for seconds). :)

We are certainly thankful for his school and for his teachers (especially Ms. Harold). Jackson loves school (still not a fan of drop off) but never wants to leave when pick-up rolls around. We love getting to know his friends at school (I love watching Jackson "kiss" Morgan good-bye each night) and watching them all grow each year.

We will be sure include this special place in our blessings this year (perhaps not the cost though...)

Here are some pictures from our big day. Jackson was very proud!

Our little Pilgrim

... and his Daddy

Jackson's buddy - Evan

Some of the gang - Morgan (the kisser) is in the middle! :)

So thankful for Ms. Harold!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are all thankful for my Dad...

Its the holidays. I'm so excited to celebrate with my family. As I've said in years past, Thanksgiving has always been just as big as Christmas in my family. This year is no different.

However, I know we are all wishing my Dad was here to celebrate with us. Since he's been gone, I've missed sitting across from him at the dinner table on Thanksgiving and telling both of my folks how thankful I am for them.

I know I'm not the only one missing him. In fact, Justin and I were baby sitting our nieces recently and Olivia (11) was working on her homework. She mentioned to me that she had to write an essay about who she would ask to Thanksgiving dinner if she could ask anyone. She thought for a second and said, "I would invite Papaw Mike."

Broke my heart. She typed the essay on my lap top and I saved it so I could go back and read it later. I just had to share it. It just goes to show what an impact my Dad had on all of us.

You are invited! As your granddaughter, I would like to invite you to a Thanksgiving feast. I have chosen you because when you passed away, I wished I could have seen you one more time. So I have chosen this time because this is a time when you celebrate with family and friends. I would like to invite you also to tell you how thankful I am to have had you as a grandpa. We will share our memories, I will tell you how much I have missed you and I hope you will do the same. We will talk about how silly i have been and how silly you have been. But what I mostly want to see you do is stick out your tongue again, just like you did when I was little. T hope you can come because I miss you and wish to see you again. I love you! Happy Thanksgiving!

Olivia is a special girl - who had a very special Papaw...and knew it. :)

Oh, how life is different...

Our life before...

Tonight, in an instant, I realized how much our life has changed since just a few short years ago.

While Justin and I were standing outside the bathroom giving Jackson some "privacy" I realized how different we spend our evenings these days. Justin and I used to spend our evenings after work shopping, eating out, and/or grabbing a couple beers to discuss our day. But when it was time to run back into the bathroom to celebrate Jackson using the potty I realized that life is still just as great.

Sure, we spend our evenings at home now...with the Disney channel on more often than ESPN or BRAVO...But I've grown quite fond of Handy Manny and Special Agent Oso. Sure, Jackson is every bit of two and is testing his limits - which causes us to test our patience...but I wouldn't have traded any of this life for dinners out or drinks after work if it meant I had to miss our celebration in our bathroom tonight. The pure delight on Jackson's face made it all worth it.

Now - dinner and drinks after work is still fun...in fact, we probably enjoy it more now than ever!

Our life now...

Sneaking in a "date night!"

Don't forget about Kelly!

True Story.

Recent Conversation with Jackson.

Mommy: Hey Buddy- Want to go to Disney World? They got Mickey Mouse....

Jackson: (never an EASY sell) What else they got?

Mommy: They got Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Goofy, Woody, Buzz,....

Jackson: (interested - but not sold) What else they got?

Mommy: (running out of ideas - its been a while since I last toured the "magical" place) They've got parades with drums, fireworks, balloons, and a choo choo train.... (suddenly remembering a recent article about Disney World)...oh, and they have Handy Manny....

Jackson: (Almost sold - but one question left): They got Kelly's Hardware Store, Mom?

Mommy: Ummm....I'll call and ask...

Heck - forget Disney World - I'll just take him to Home Depot!

For those of you who have seen Handy Manny - I'm certain you can appreciate this one! I just had to share!

2010 School Pictures

Yes, Jackson is only two and has school pictures. :) Of course, Justin picked out the outfit - and I promise it didn't come from his own closet. Just call Jackson Justin's "mini-me." :)

Is that a rotten grin, or what!?

Click here to see last year's school photo and check out how much Jackson has grown!

A pacifier for Santa?

My conversation with Jackson this morning:

Mommy: "Hey Buddy, you know if you give Santa your Paci when we go sit on his lap - he will bring you some toys."

Jackson: *Suspicious look* "No, I not give Santa my Paci."

Mommy: "OK, no toys then."

Jackson ( 30 minutes later): "Hey Mom, YOU give Santa my Paci."

Mommy: "You want Mommy to give Santa your Paci?"

Jackson: "Yeah. Mommy sit on his lap. And Santa bring me new toys."

Mommy: "OK, I will give Santa your Paci. And he will bring you new toys."

Jackson: "I want Woody-Buzz toys..."

Hmmm....I think I may have to write Santa a letter myself.

Here is to hoping this works!

Just a few fun photos!

We've been busy unpacking - so there hasn't been much time for blogging...or much time for snapping photos.

However, I have managed to snap a few pictures of Jackson enjoying the new home and I couldn't wait to share!

More on our move soon...

First night in his big-boy bed! :) BTW - he peed the bed! :)

No more pictures, Mom!

First bath in the big tub!

Can't decide who is more relaxed...Oscar or Jackson?

Happy Monday!

You are what you eat!

Happy Halloween!

We hope your Halloween was filled with fun, candy, and cute little ones bringing a smile to your face. Our Halloween was a little uneventful - Jackson wasn't feeling well most of the day and managed to nap right through trick or treating hours.

However, we did get to answer the door to the trick or treaters in our new neighborhood. It was great to meet people in the neighborhood.

At then end of the night, Aunt Shel said it just wasn't right that Jackson did not get to trick or treat at all...she insisted we get his costume on and head out trick or treating. We made it to one house and Jackson was overwhelmed. I'm not sure if Jackson wasn't feeling well or if he just isn't a fan of trick or treating...either way- we returned home shortly.

This year we stuck with the motto: "You are what you eat"...and we all know Jackson LOVES Oreos!

Enjoy the photos!

Not sure he was "loving it".