Our Christmas Vacation

We made it back safely to Walla Walla. At the beginning of last week, we were re-thinking even going there due to the nasty weather that even closed I-84 for a few days. Luckily it opened on the 23rd, so on the 24th we headed out at 10am. It was a pretty treacherous drive.
*my view from the passenger seat*

We stopped a couple of times on the side of the road to de-ice our wiper blades. It was so cold, so as the snow was hitting the windshield it would just freeze.
*stopped on the side of the freeway*

Jackson did great in the back watching his movies and snacking. He only slept an hour of the 5 1/2 hours on the way there.
*Jack Jack enjoying his movie in his jammies*

We got to Walla Walla at 3:30 and there began our Christmas vacation. We stayed with my parents. It was almost like being away from Jackson overnight because Jes and I stayed downstairs and he was in the crib upstairs. 2 of the 3 nights we stayed Jackson coaxed my dad to rock him in the middle of the night. How sweet of him was that?! I definietly appreciated it! Thanks dad!

Christmas morning we woke up and had candycane bread. For those of you that don't know what that is... it's a cinnamon roll in the shape of a candy cane with cherries on it and frosting of course. It was delicious! After we ate we opened presents, then went over to Jes' parents house to do our Christmas there. It was an eventful day and we thank everyone for everything the three of us were given.
*Jackson testing out Grandma's present*

*Jes with Jayden and Jackson (Jayden is Jes' cousin's son)*

*Jackson on his horsey*

*I found a good place to put the bows off of gifts*


*Jackson testing out Audrey's Christmas present*

On Christmas day we discovered the stuff coming out of Jackson's ear probably needed some attention, so I called Dr. Jay Turner to see what he thought. He told me to get him checked out at the walk-in the next morning, so Jes and I took him in and he's got a nasty ear infection. Thanks for the advice Jay! After only 2 doses of the medicine it looks a lot better!!!

Saturday we headed towards Tri-Cities and stopped to see Darrell and Belva on our way. Then we went to NaDell's for a big "cousins" get together. It was a lot of fun. We had to leave soon after it started to get through the gorge in somewhat of daylight.
*my view from the passenger seat on the way home*

*Jackson asleep on the way home*


*woke up, took off the hat and woo-lah, messy hair!*

We left at 2 and got home at 6 last night. Jackson slept from the moment we pulled away from my sisters until right before the Dalles where we stopped for some fuel for the Jeep and for us. After the Dalles it was raining, so it was a little scary since it was dark and there was a lot of people on the road, but we made it.


We got home and unloaded the Jeep and got everything put away. I even started un-decorating. I took down the nativity and my villiage and today I took the tree down when we got home from church. It's 2:15 now and Jackson's been asleep since we got home at 12. I'm looking forward to the new year and hope you all are as well. I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year!!!
*Jackson ready to go to church this morning*

Our little marshmellow

Jackson is thoroughly enjoying all this snow! He keeps pointing at the window and getting really excited watching all the snow. Today it's blizzard-like conditions. Jes and I both work late tonight... and we're supposed to get some nasty freezing rain about the time we both get off... should be fun!!! We're really keeping an eye on the roads to make our decision of coming home for Christmas or not, looks like we'll make our decision Christmas Eve... We hope you all stay safe during this winter storm!

Jack in the Box

The other day I was at home with Jackson just hanging out and I heard him giggle a little bit and decided to go look for him... this is where I found him...





This is the pitiful skiff of snow we woke up to on Sunday morning. Portland was much worse and in order to drive I-5 you had to have chains, so Jes bought chains for the Jeep and went to work.




Jes and I have both been working 30+ hours so we've been away from home a lot. We're both enjoying our jobs and as always, Jackson loves Bethany. She's so accommodating and is so good with Jackson. I have Monday and Tuesday off, so I'm looking forward to just hanging out with Jackson. He's got a nasty cough, so hopefully he can have a chance to get better. Plus, it's freezing, so I don't want to go outside!

Sweetheart Tag

Sweetheart Tag

1- Where did you meet your Sweetheart?
We met in Mr. Peasley's American Government class at Wa-Hi.

2- What do you remember about him/her most?
I just remember him being pretty quiet.

3- Who asked who out first?
I had an interview at Staples after school the day we met... so I told him he should give me his number so I can call him and tell him how it went. ha ha... I called him on my way home and drove past his house to wave. That's when we found out we lived exactly 2 blocks away from each other.

4- What did you do on your first date?
We went to the movies to see Napolian Dynamite.

5- What was your favorite thing to do when you were dating?
We enjoyed wheeling and playing uno attack. We found ourselves sitting around his parents dining room table with Jeff and his sister Alyse and sometimes a couple of his friends playing it for hours. It was so much fun though!!!

6- When was your 1st kiss with your sweetheart?
It was during Napolian Dynamite. He leaned over to kiss me and I said, I don't kiss guys that aren't my boyfriend, so he asked me out. :)

7- When did you realize you loved him/her?
I believe it was around Christmas of 2004. He got me a beautiful necklace and tons of chocolate!! I think it was during Christmas break that we talked about marriage.

8- Who said "it" (I love You) first?
I'm unsure of this... I think it was probably me, but I don't know that for sure.

9- How did s/he propose?
It was the sweetest thing! It was on March 6, 2005 at his birthday party. His birthday is March 7th. His Grandma Sharon had just played a tape recording of her late husband, Jes' Grandpa Jack singing Happy Birthday to him. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. As soon as it ended, Jes said, I'll be right back. I was thinking he just needed a few minutes to himself to think of his Grandpa... he came back in the living room and asked if he could get everyone's attention. At this point I seriously thought he got his guitar in honor of his Grandpa, but instead he got on one knee and asked me to marry him!!! Of course I said YES!! I'll never forget his late Grandma Joanie's reaction... she just said "OOOOOHHH!!!" It was so sweet!

10- What are two things you remember about your wedding?
I passed out... yes, that's crazy I know. It was July 1st in a park in College Place... needless to say, I'm never doing that again!!! ha ha!!!

I tag whoever reads this cause these are fun!!! but especially Kathryn!!! :)

Our Christmas Tree

This morning Jes, Jackson and I ventured out to a Christmas Tree Farm where you can cut them down yourselves.

After a little disappointment because half the trees were already dead, we found one!! It was only $30.00 so that was a plus too!!!



We got it shaken and bailed and were on our way!!! Jackson did his usual, well usual from last year and slept while we got it up and partially decorated.


Jackson's enjoyed helping us decorate and un-decorate already. He's having a lot of fun with the holidays so far!!




And there it is!!! We put the couch in front of it!!! Genius? I think so!!

Thanksgiving back home

Jackson and I went back home to Walla Walla Wednesday the 26th after I got off work at 4. We hit the road after me picking him up at Bethany's and were on our way. I didn't stop the whole way! It's hard to stop with Jackson by myself. I just don't feel safe... especially in the dark. We got to Walla Walla at 8:15. That night Jes' parents and sister Alyse came over to visit us. Then we all went to bed. Thursday morning we woke up and got all the food ready for our noon Thanksgiving and went to the church where we had dinner since there was like 40 people. I must say, the basketball court was a nice distraction for the kids. They all just ran around and had a great time!

Vincent sitting on the court playing with his toys

Lydia being as cute as ever!

Olivia posing for a picture

Jackson standing still for 2 seconds!

Elizabeth posing for the picture

Colby wanted me to take a picture of him while he did this.

Uncle Joe helping Jackson try to make a basket.

After the meal there, Jackson and I went to the Goodson's for our 2nd Thanksgiving and ate again.
Jackson with olives on his fingers. He loved them!

I was very full and so was he... (see picture below)

Jackson ate too much and was too sleepy!!! This was his first nap of the whole day and it was 4!!

After dinner there, I went and visited my friend Justyn. Her and husband lived in his parents basement when we did and they live right across from Jes' parents house. They just had a little boy named Oliver, so I went to meet him at her mom's. Before I left Goodson's we just wheeled his high chair into Jes' parents room so he could get a little nap.
Oliver


I got back and he had just woken up, then after a little bit we went and visited Andrew, Alyce and Audrey. I forgot my camera in the car, but I wish I wouldn't have!!! Audrey is getting big now and crawling. Jackson likes to chase their cats around too. After their house, we went over to visit Amanda and Parker. He has been missing his buddy and they played well together. After that we went back to my parents for a little bit, then went back over to Goodson's to say goodbye. Jackson had a snack there and played with everyone and showed everyone his new trick... getting down the stairs safely. It's a relief to have him know how to do it now. I don't have to worry so much about it anymore!! Friday morning Jackson and I headed towards Tri-Cities and stopped and saw Lindsey and Taylor. He played on Taylor's rocking horse and slide and then we went to Belva and Darrell's and had a nice visit. After that we stopped at Michelle's parents house to see her and her little girl Kelsie. She was asleep, but we still got to see her. Then we met Joe, Kori, Colby, Brant, Tina and Christopher at Joe and Kori's to head out to Grandma and Grandpa Crowther's house. Jackson and I rode with Joe and Kori. We had a nice visit with Grandma and Grandpa and we all forgot to take pictures!! Shame on us!! :) We got back into Pasco and I went and visited Cassie at work, then went out to Shelby's for pizza and to hang out. It was getting late and as you have read above, it'd been a pretty busy day, so Jackson and I headed over to Dominic and Cassie's where we stayed the night. Jackson fell asleep on the way, so I took him straight downstairs to the playpen to go to sleep. Cassie had to work until 10:30, but I hung out with Dominic and Giovanni. Cassie got home and we stayed up way too late watching tv and eating ice cream. It sure was fun though!!! Saturday morning Jackson and Giovanni both woke up at 7, so Cassie and I got up with them and made pancakes. We headed towards home about 10 since Jackson was already ready for his nap. He was asleep by 10:30 and we stopped in Troutdale at the outlet mall there and walked around. I had never been there... I think I'll be going back though!!! It's a nice little mall! We stopped at Lloyd Center after that so that we could see Jes during his lunch break, then we headed HOME!!! Jackson fell asleep on the way, so we got home and I laid him down and was able to get all unpacked and had laundry going already. It was a nice trip!!! We are glad we were able to go and visit who we were able to. I'm happy to be home to Jes though. We'll see you all at Christmas time!! :)

Family Pictures!!

We just got back from my work (Picture People) getting our pictures done!! I'm so impressed by how well they all turned out!!! Of course! Gotta make it hard for parents to pick which ones!!! Good thing I get 50% off!!! I don't have the link for you all to view the pictures yet, but I have a cute "before" picture of Jackson and I. He loved Santa!! I can't wait to share them!!