Happy New Year

Happy 2010 everybody! We are celebrating our New Year's Eve by staying in tonight. I have been such a good boy lately with showing patience while Mom and Dad paint the basement that they rewarded me by taking me to Betty Brinn, the Children's Museum in Milwaukee, this morning. I had SO much fun. There is so much to do there that I didn't even know where to begin. There is a special area for toddlers, which is where I spent most of my time.

Just like at home, I enjoyed playing with the puzzles. I also kept going up and down the stairs to get to a playhouse. There was even a slide to go down!

Would you believe they had a lawn mower that you could push around? Dad reminded me that Grandma Mac got me the same lawn mower. Well, I mowed and mowed until Mom made me stop. She said it was too busy with all the kids and that it was unsafe for me to be running behind it. She made me frustrated and I let her know it.

You didn't think that video was going to be of me having a meltdown, did you? We'd rather not get that on video.

All in all, I had a lot of fun... so much that it tired me out!

So Dad is grilling steak for dinner and Mom is making twice-baked potatoes... yummy! I am not a big steak eater myself; I still prefer pb and j, but I know Mom and Dad like steak every once in a while. I did finally eat some scrambled eggs last night.

Mom says we'll post some before and after pictures soon of the painting we've done to the house. We've started to get the baby's room organized. Iso has enjoyed this. Can you find him in the picture?

We have no idea how he managed to get in there.

After lunch, Dad did some shoveling and I played. I am very "independent" as Mom and Dad put it. I guess it means I like to just play and do things by myself. Well, I found the roll of garbage bags that we use for dirty diapers and decided to have fun with them.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year!

Love,

Jackson

XOX

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! We had a very nice time at Nana and Papa's. It snowed a lot! Dad played with me outside and took me sledding.

So much snow fell on Christmas Eve that I couldn't even walk through it. It was a blizzard outside and Mom had to help me, so she didn't take pictures. Dad was busy shoveling while Papa was plowing the driveway.

It was really nice to spend some time with Great-Grandpa Bob and Great-Grandma Mary. Uncle David, Aunt Audrey, Isabella, and Cohen came on Christmas Eve. I had so much fun with my cousins.

Cohen and I didn't want to sit still to take a cousins picture, but our family picture turned out pretty nice. Just think... next Christmas my sister will be in the picture with us!

I was excited to see Mom's Uncle Bill and Aunt Wanda and meet their dog Otis. He was such a good doggy. He let me pet him and chase him. He never barks! I got so many wonderful Christmas gifts from everyone. I must have been a REALLY good boy this year! Thank you, everyone for your kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness.

I haven't stopped playing with all my new toys since we got home.

Mom's cousin Ryan is coming over with his girlfriend Jessi on Tuesday. I am looking forward to seeing them. Uncle Jihad's birthday is tomorrow. Happy Birthday, Uncle Jihad!

Papa only has 3 more days of work! He is retiring this year and I am sure he is counting down the days. Only 3 more, Papa! Can you believe it?

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday as much as I did. I wish I could have seen you all, but even though I didn't, please know I was thinking about you!

Love,

Jackson

XOX

Vacation is Here!

Christmas vacation is here! I spent my first night celebrating with Mom. I sat on her lap and we watched Frosty the Snowman. I watched the whole show!

Here's a picture of me in one of my new handsome shirts.

We are getting the wood floors shined up the next few days, so we've been busy emptying the rooms. I helped Dad hang new shades in my room, too! Then I helped Mom pack. We are going to Nana and Papa's tomorrow. I am excited for Christmas!

Mom was playing with my hair the other night in the bathtub. It's getting kind of long! I really like my hair-do... don't you? I think it shows my wild side.

I opened my Christmas gifts from Mom and Dad already. With Grandma Mac and Aunt Kate visiting at the beginning of the month, and going to Nana and Papa's for Christmas this week, I feel like the whole month of December has been Christmas! I am such a lucky boy!

One of my favorite gifts was my first football from Dad.

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and safe travels! We hope to have lots of fun pictures to show next weekend!

Love,

Jackson
XOX

Grandma Mac and Aunt Kate's Visit

Grandma Mac and Aunt Kate came to visit all last week. The week went by so fast - Mom says, "Time flies when you're having fun." Whatever that means... all I know is I had A LOT of fun with Grandma and Aunt Kate!

Shortly before they arrived, we had our first snowfall. I love to be outside anyway, but it is extra exciting in the snow.

Mom even gave me my first sled ride!

Grandma made a snowman for me outside by bedroom window. We named him Charlie. Say, "Hi" to Charlie!

Say, "Bye bye" to Charlie. Poor Charlie toppled over and was buried under a lot of snow. The night after Grandma came, we had a HUGE snowstorm! We ended up getting 10 inches of snow. Mom's school was one of a very few schools that stayed open. She was pretty cranky the next morning when she had to drive to work... and she wonders where I get my foul mood from time to time.

Dad took some pictures of our winter wonderland. Notice the pine trees behind me.

Then the weather turned freezing cold! It was 20 below zero when I woke up on Thursday. Even though we couldn't go outside, we found fun things to do inside. Grandma made me laugh and laugh. She hid from me and I would go and find her.

It felt like Christmas all week. Grandma and Aunt Kate gave me a lot of clothes that Mom says I will look SO handsome in. They also gave me some books that make sounds. I love playing with my books! I will get to mow the lawn with Daddy in the spring, too, except my lawn mower blows bubbles! Top that, Dad. Thank you, Grandma and Aunt Kate for all your generous gifts.

Auntie Kady sent a couple things when Grandma and Aunt Kate were here. There was a wonderful book that will come in handy when I am jealous that Mom has to give her attention to my sister. I also got a bear backpack. It reminded me of the bear Auntie Kady gave me from Yosemite National Park that I sleep with every night.

Even Dad tried the backpack on. It fits me much better, though.

Thank you, Auntie Kady, Uncle Jihad, Hannah, and Alex for the Christmas gifts.

Just when I thought I couldn't be cheered up after Grandma and Aunt Kate left, my friend Elliott came over to play! She is so nice and is saying so many words. I had fun pushing her in the wagon.

Sorry for such a long post! I had so much to share.

I need to wish my cousins Casey and Molly happy birthdays. They had birthdays this month. Did you know Mom's birthday is this month, too? It's the big 3-0. She's OLD! Dad is taking her out for dinner tomorrow night and my favorite babysitter, Emily, is coming over. Dad set it all up as surprise. He is the most amazing Daddy ever.

Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Jackson

XOX

Ho Ho Who?

I saw Santa for the first time on Sunday. Although there were no tears, there were no smiles, either. I wouldn't even look at him! All these strangers were trying to get me smile, but no thanks, I didn't know any of them - especially this guy holding me!

Love,

Jackson
XOX

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! We had such a yummy meal prepared by Nana and Papa. Thank you very much! I had a lot of fun playing with my cousins Isabella and Cohen.

We enjoyed a fun game of chase Thanksgiving evening.

On Friday, Papa took me for a ride on the tractor and the 4-wheeler. It was a beautiful day and I love to be outside!

I went to see Santa for the first time on Sunday! I didn't have much of a reaction - I just wasn't too sure who he was. I was so patient while we waited to see him.

Mom wanted to try to take some pictures at home for a Christmas card since I didn't really smile with Santa. Dad helped by making me laugh. I also got my first taste of a candy cane - yum!

Grandma Mac and Aunt Kate are coming to visit in a week! I can hardly wait to see them.

Uncle Bill sent me a FBI shirt a couple weeks ago. We finally got a picture of me wearing it, Uncle Bill!

Just in case you can't read it, it says, "Gonna catch me some bad guys... after my nap." Thanks, again, Uncle Bill! Mom thinks I look like my cousin Sean in the second picture.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and is looking forward to Christmas as much as I am! We have one more video for you. This was me with Papa on the tractor again. It shows some good views of Nana and Papa's house. I know some of you that follow the blog have wanted to see their house. Hope this gives you a good idea!

Love,

Jackson
XOX

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas...

Mommy and Daddy put up my first Christmas tree this weekend! I know it seems early, but since we are going to Nana and Papa's for Thanksgiving, they wanted to get the decorating done early so we could really enjoy it! Dad has school next weekend, so this was the weekend to work on decorating our house. I love it! Here is a short video of me seeing the Christmas tree for the first time after my nap.

Ace and Iso love the tree, too. They are being naughty because they keep eating the tree and the garland. I try to chase them away when I can. I have been pretty good with the tree so far. I have only broken two ornaments and I listen when Mom and Dad say, "No."

I helped a little with the decorating. I found a gold beaded garland that I ran around the house with and it kept me busy for a long time!

Mom took some pictures of me by the tree tonight in my new jammies from Grandma Mac.

There I was trying to reach another pretty ornament, but Mom and Dad put the breakable ones up high so I couldn't get them (or so they thought). Thank you for the jammies, Grandma. I love how comfy they are! I was so excited to find out you and Aunt Kate are coming to visit at the beginning of December. I can't wait to see you both and show you my new house!

Mom caught me in the act - this became broken ornament #1.

Dad has been such a HUGE help for Mom. We've had a lot of "just boys" nights lately with Mom having grad school and conferences. Thanks, Dad, for taking such good care of me. You're the best!

We have another busy week ahead. I think everyone is looking forward to Thanksgiving and having some "down time." I know I can't wait to see my Nana, Papa, Great-Grandma Mary, Great-Grandpa Bob, Uncle David, Aunt Audrey, and cousins Isabella and Cohen. We will have a lot of fun together.

Here's one more video of me pushing my little car around. I don't know why Mom and Dad think it is so funny.

Thank you, Uncle Bill, for the FBI shirt. We will get a picture of me wearing it real soon. Have a great week everyone!

Love,
Jackson
XOX

I am going to have a little sister!

Good Morning, everyone! Well, Mom's doctor says I am going to have a little sister! I am so excited to be a protective older brother. It has been a beautiful weekend so far. Uncle Mike sent me some clothes from Casey, Sean, and Kellyn, and it was so nice outside I got to try out the new vest! Thank you, Uncle Mike!

We went for a nice, long walk yesterday as a family. I just love to be outside. I even climbed up into my playhouse and went down the slide a few times. Dad is feeling a little under the weather today, so I am going to go to school with Mom to help her finish getting ready for conferences.

Uncle Bill - I am really getting a lot of use out of the Flyers hat you gave me for Christmas last year. Thanks so much!

Grandma Mac and Nana and Papa sent me some winter items this past week. Thank you very, very much! I can't wait for the first snowfall now so I can wear all my gear and go in my sled!

I continue to love all the space in my new house. I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend and has a good upcoming week! Thanksgiving break is just around the corner - yippee!

Love,
Jackson

XOX

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! Here I am earlier today getting my costume on. I was a cheetah for Halloween!

It was very cold and windy out today, so we only went to a couple of our neighbors' houses. We are all still recovering from being sick, too, so we kept it low-key. Not to mention I wasn't too happy about being strapped in a stroller. I wanted to run around and do my own thing!

You can tell I wasn't happy. But then...

I go to do what I wanted to do - run around - and I was much happier!

I didn't even care about getting candy. Mom eats it anyway. It was nice to see some of our neighbors, though. We were even invited to a Halloween party! We said no thanks, though, because we don't want to get anyone else sick.

Here are the pumpkins Mom and Dad carved. Mom's is on the left and Dad's is on the right. They sure looked great all lit up tonight!

Even though I was a cheetah tonight, I really like to make monkey sounds. Dad is the best at it, but I am trying hard to sound like him.

I hope all of you enjoyed your Halloween, too.

A big congrats goes out to my cousin Molly who ran an amazing race today. Way to go Molly!

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Love,

Jackson

XOX