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".

"Operation Big Boy Room" has begun!

Jackson wanted to help paint the Bead Board!

A few weeks ago, when I was knee deep in paint samples - trying to find the perfect shade of aqua to match Jackson's Cat-in-the Hat bedding - Justin mentioned to me that he wanted to put bead board and chair rail in Jackson's room.

Those of you are know us well may remember when Justin signed on to do this in Jackson's nursery. I was skeptical then only because I know my husband is many of great things - but handy with tools isn't one of them. However, with a little help from my Dad, my Uncle Tom, and Justin's Dad (who is always willing to help Justin with his random projects) Jackson's nursery turned out better than I had hoped. So, this time I have no reservations about Jackson's room. Uncle Tom and Pop (Justin's Dad) are already "on call."

I'm excited to see the end product. And Jackson can't quit talking about his TV that is going on the wall. So fun to see everything coming together.

We close on the home tomorrow. So let the decorating begin!

Silly!

5 Little Pumpkins!

Jackson has learned the Halloween nursery rhyme "5 Little Pumpkins"...and he recites it to anyone who is willing to listen! So maybe he misses a few lines - but its still cute!

Oh - and I might or might not have been driving while filming this! :)

"Pumpkin, Where Are You?"

After a couple days of Justin traveling for work, we took advantage of the gorgeous weather and headed for the Pumpkin Patch.

Jackson was so excited to "find" his pumpkin. I think he got caught up on the word "find." As soon as we got off the hay ride to the actual pumpkin patch, Jackson started shouting, "Pumpkin - where are you?" However, it must have worked - because we found the perfect pumpkin.

Fall is my favorite time of year and I look forward to this outing each year. It was a great day with my two favorite guys!

Enjoy some video and photos...

"Finding" the Pumpkin

First Pony Ride

Our wake up call!

I just had to share this photo.

This is how Jackson wakes us up each morning. He brings us everything he has in his room. Sometimes I think he would bring me the sheets off his bed if he could. Justin and I can hear him struggling to carry it all as he walks down the hall, but he always makes it eventually. Occasionally, we hear "Too Heavy" as he juggles it all and talks to himself. He usually joins us for snuggle time and some cartoons - though he is starting to become a Today Show fan (just like his Mommy)!

I love starting my morning like this!

Two Little Colts Fans!

A big thanks to the McCord Family for hosting us for the Colts game today!

Jackson loved playing with Maddy!

There is a new Sheriff in town!

A big thanks to Mama Penny for Jackson's new Woody "PJs."

He couldn't wait to put them on!

You've got a friend in me!

"Woody" holding on to Buzz!

Love the Grin!

Love looking through old photos!

Found these old photos tonight while looking for a different photo. It made me stop in my tracks - what happened to that baby? Some how he is walking and talking and counting to 20!

Tonight, Jackson even ordered his own dinner: Chips, Salsa, and Tator Tots....ummm...perhaps I through in some meat and fruit. :)