The Cuteness that is Lilly

Jackson is 3!!!! January 9, 2011

Our baby boy turned 3 on January 9th! I know it sounds cliche but I honestly cannot believe it. He's a little boy now instead of a baby or toddler. Jackson had a great birthday. Jake had to go to work later that day, so we decided to have Jackson's party later in the week. We saved some of Jackson's presents for the party so he only got a couple on his actual birthday, but he was thrilled and so excited to be such a big boy! He came into our bedroom on his birthday morning and crawled into bed with us and with a huge grin said, "I'm three!". It was so super cute.

"Cheese!"

"I'm three!"

Jessie completes his Toy Story set. (Funny story on this gift--Jackson had been obtaining all the Toy Story characters for Christmas and he kept telling me while he was playing with them that he still needed Jessie. He would go grab whatever random stuffed animal was lying around and call that Jessie. So, I bought the Jessie doll for him to complete the set and when he opened it up he started crying and told me it was a "girl toy". I felt sooooo bad. But I explained to him that Andy in Toy Story had a Jessie doll and he is a boy, and pretty soon Jackson was thrilled to have a completed set!

The Wednesday following Jackson's birthday we had a party at Maxis Pizza. That's the place Jackson chose when asked, which we were thrilled with because A)it cost a lot less money that Hop To It or something like that, and B)it was a lot more fun for all the adults at the party and C)it was a lot easier on Jake and me. So Maxis it was.

Thanks to my wonderful mom who made the Buzz cake!!!! I had decided since the party was going to be on a night where I worked the whole day, I wouldn't make a fancy cake, but just do cupcakes. Then my mom saw the Buzz cake pan and couldn't resist making it for Jackson and he was soooo excited!

Woody and Buzz Balloons

Blowing out the 3 candles! One Buzz candle and 2 regular ones.

Checking out all the presents

Presents! Just as exciting for all the guests as Jackson...

Presents are fun!

Thanks to all our family and friends who helped us celebrate Jackson turning 3!

Professional Photo Shoot

Two weeks before Christmas we were able to get into a photographer for our updated family photos, as well as Jackson's 3-year photos and Lilly's 3 month photos. I put a few of our favorites into a collage so here ya go!

New Years Eve 2010

Sorry, this post should have been before my previous one, but I'm trying to do too much. So, obviously New Year's Eve came before Jan. 5th.

So on New Year's Eve we went to Aunt Kathy's for pizza and games. It was fun times! (Janelle went with me and our guys tried really super hard to con us into driving the hour long crazy drive to their work to spend New Years with them instead, but we just didn't make it--sorry hubbies!).

Here's to a New Year filled with God's blessing, everyone!

Lilly is 3 months today! Jan. 5, 2011

Our baby girl is already 3 months old! Wow! We have enjoyed every moment with our sweet little blessing!

Cassie and Chris's Wedding--December 26, 2010

Congratulations to my sister-in-law, Cassie, who got married the day after Christmas! The wedding was beautiful and so much fun. Jackson was the ring bearer and had a blast with his cousins, Sophie and Mya (who were the flowergirls). He wouldn't practice at the rehearsal, so we were a little worried about his performance, but the night of the wedding, he did an amazing job! He walked with the two flower girls and was so well behaved the entire time. There was, however, a little mishap (but every wedding has to have a funny story, right?). Poor little Jackson did his job, walked down the aisle so appropriately, then, when the ceremony was about to begin, he was supposed to walk up the steps and sit in the middle of the top step, with a flower girl on either side of him. When he went to sit down, he somehow missed, and went crashing from the top step to the wood floor below. The sound was horrifying, and of course, he was scared and hurt and started screaming. So I ran up there, scooped him up, and rushed him out to the foyer to calm him down. He calmed down very quickly and told me he just wanted to go sit back on the steps. So brave and so precious! He just wanted to do his little job! The rest of the ceremony he sat on the steps and looked so handsome and sweet! Here are some pics of the gorgeous day!

Daddy helping Jackson suit up

Isaak, Rick, Christy, and Sophia hanging out before the wedding

Sophia and Isaak

Lilly with Maga

Happy Girl!

Here he is, our handsome little ring bearer!


Bridesmaids


Sophie, Jackson, and Mya


The happy couple, Cassie and Chris


My sister-in-law sang and did a beautiful job!

Beautiful girls...

Cassie and my father-in-law


Jake and his mom, Karen

Daddy's girl...

Great job planning a wedding from several thousand miles away Cassie! It was beautiful!

Christmas Day--2010

Well, Christmas Day this year did not entirely follow our traditions, but we had a great celebration of Jesus' birthday anyway. :-) Jake had to spend the night out at Daybreak Christmas Eve and didn't get to come home until Christmas Day around noon, so Santa delivered the stocking gifts and a card for Jackson explaining that all the rest of the gifts would be delivered to Nana and Papa's for Christmas Dinner so Daddy wouldn't miss out.

The card from Santa

Jackson's stocking stuffers (he is obsessed with all the little matchbox cars, so his stocking was full of them!)

Jackson helping Lilly with her stocking (she looks really interested, doesn't she)

Lilly, so thrilled with her first Christmas ;-)

So once stockings were done and Jake got home, we headed straight to my mom and dad's for Christmas dinner. Jackson and Lilly got their Santa gifts and got to open their gifts from us there.

Afterwards, we all enjoyed a wonderful dinner hosted by my parents. Most of my dad's family was able to celebrate with us (Uncle Rex and Aunt Kathy, Grandma Jones, Uncle Carl, Aunt Carol, and Derek, us, and my parents) as well as Rex's mom, Ila and her husband, Bill, Jake's cousin, Devin, and our good friend Janelle. Following dinner, we played some games and had a great time with everyone.

This coat from Nana is the cutest thing ever, and so is Lilly's expression!

Papa, Lilly, and Nana

my sweet Grandma Jones and me


most adorable little girl and sweater EVER!

trying out the new "Buzz" sleeping bag

I hope everyone's Christmas was as awesome as our's!!!!