It's so nice outside!!!

What beautiful weather we've had this past week!!! We've been enjoying it to the max!!! Last week Jes and his buddy Mike from work took a bike ride from the Oregon Zoo to Lloyd Center Mall where they work. This is a 3 mile drive by car and they went a different way so they think they went about 5 miles!!! This is what Jes looked like when he walked in the front door...





We've gone on quite a few walks as well. Jackson really likes his tricycle, so we pushed him to the park down a couple of blocks in that and he loved it.




Since October while my mom was here our Malibu has been dinging and saying "Power Steering". I finally took it in today and look what I got to bring home!!!



While they're replacing the steering column, this is what I get to drive. Mind you, they tried renting me an HHR... I asked if they had a Malibu and they did! Thank goodness!!! :) Jes would rather a different color... but I love it!!!

NEW JOB!!!!

Jes had an interview at an Auto Parts place in Portland this afternoon and got the job!!! We're so happy!!! They're only open Monday-Saturday... so he'll work there Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturdays, then just work at Sears on Sundays and some evenings. He will also continue going to school on Tuesday and Friday's. He's a busy guy!!! (and so appreciated) He also has an interview at a Fire Department here in Vancouver to do his intern for Firefighting. He's been going jogging and bike riding to prepare for the physical. My hours are going back up a little bit too, so things are looking up again. :) Jackson's doing well... been working on getting his I-Teeth, so it's been quite the weekend, but we're hoping they come through and then we go back to normal. He hasn't been wanting to go to sleep very easy this weekend. Well, Bachelor is almost on!! Gotta go!! Love you all!!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Today is my Mom's birthday!!! She is such a great mom and grandma!! :)

Mom,

I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!! We wish we could be there with you!!! Enjoy your special day and our card!! I love and miss you so much!!! You're a great mom... I couldn't have asked for better. Dad always tells me I'm a good mom, and I had to learn it from somewhere!! I LOVE YOU!!!

Your baby girl,
Janessa :)

Just like his Aunt Kori, Jackson is reflecting!!

Jackson had never been one to keep a hat on and lately he has been!!! This morning I got the plastic fire helmet down for him to play with and caught him checking himself out! I thought it was the cutest thing ever and had to share!!! ENJOY!!!
Yes, those are undies, because this little man enjoys taking his diaper off on his own.

Jackson telling a big story!!!

For a few days now, Jackson has been coming up to Jes or I and just telling us this long story. It's a lot of jibberish, but he thinks he is so smart! It changes every time, but it's so cute!!! Tonight I caught him in the act. Jes is sitting on the floor reading his Jeep magazine and Jackson was telling him all about it. He's getting so smart!! I'm glad he's finally feeling better!!

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!